What to Put in an Airbnb Welcome Book: A Complete Checklist for Hosts

A good welcome book answers guests' questions before they have to ask them. That means fewer messages at 10 pm, fewer "how does the heating work?" calls, and better reviews. Here is a section-by-section checklist of what to include, with sample wording you can adapt.

1. A short, warm welcome letter

Keep it to a few lines: thank them for booking, say who you are, and tell them where to find the answers. Example: "Welcome! We hope you feel at home. Everything you need to know about the house is in this book, and if anything is unclear, message us any time."

2. Arrival and check-in details

• Check-in and check-out times
• How to get in (key box, smart lock code, or where the key is kept)
• Where to park and any street-parking rules
• What to do if they arrive early or get locked out

3. Wi-Fi, in a place nobody can miss

The Wi-Fi name and password are the most-asked question in almost every rental. Put them on the first or second page in large print. Many hosts also add a QR code that connects the phone automatically.

4. Contacts and emergencies

Your phone number, a backup contact (a co-host or neighbour), local emergency numbers, the nearest hospital or urgent care, and the location of the first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and water shut-off. This section is a legal and safety courtesy as much as a convenience.

5. How things work

Anything that a guest from another country or another kind of home might find confusing deserves a line:

• Heating, air conditioning and fireplace
• TV, streaming and remote controls
• Oven, hob, dishwasher, coffee machine
• Washer and dryer, and where detergent is
• Hot water, shower quirks and bathroom fans
• Outdoor spaces, grill, hot tub or pool rules

Tip: if you have to explain something twice in messages, it belongs in the book.

6. House rules, written kindly

Quiet hours, smoking, pets, parties, shoes inside, and the maximum number of guests. Guests follow rules better when they are friendly and explain the reason. "Please keep noise down after 10 pm; our neighbours are lovely and we'd like to keep them that way" works better than a list of prohibitions.

7. Trash, recycling and parking

Which bins, which day, where to take them. This is a classic source of neighbour complaints, so make it simple.

8. Your local recommendations

This is the part guests keep. Include places you actually use:

• Two or three places to eat (a quick breakfast, a nice dinner, one cheap and cheerful)
• The nearest grocery store and pharmacy
• Things to do for families, couples and solo travellers
• Nature, walks or beaches
• Getting around: public transport, taxis, bike hire
• A seasonal tip or two, such as markets in winter or shade in summer

Note any dietary-friendly options (halal, vegetarian, gluten-free) near you if you know them. It is a small touch many guests appreciate.

9. FAQ

List the five questions you get most: late check-out, extra towels, where to buy milk, how far the beach is, whether you can store luggage.

10. Check-out checklist

Keep it short and reasonable: lights and heating off, windows and doors locked, dishes in the dishwasher, trash bagged, keys returned. Long lists of cleaning chores annoy guests and rarely help.

11. A thank-you and a review request

End with thanks and one honest line about reviews. Example: "If you enjoyed your stay, a review helps small hosts like us more than you know. If anything wasn't right, please tell us first so we can fix it." Never offer anything in exchange for a review, as Airbnb's rules forbid it.

Common mistakes

• Too long. Under 30 pages is plenty. Guests skim.
• Out of date. Check the Wi-Fi password, phone numbers and restaurant hours twice a year.
• No physical copy. Guests trust a book on the coffee table more than a link they have to find.
• Passive-aggressive tone. Rules in capitals feel like a warning, not a welcome.

Print it or write it yourself

You can build all this yourself in a word processor in an evening. If you would rather start from a finished layout, I made a printable one. The Airbnb Welcome Book Template is a 50-page US Letter PDF: 31 guest-guide pages you fill in by hand, plus 19 pages of host tools (sample wording, turnover checklist, supplies list, guest message templates and an income log). It is a print-and-write PDF, not an editable file, and it is my own product, designed with AI assistance. The checklist above is free to use however you like.

Quick summary

Welcome letter, check-in, Wi-Fi, emergency contacts, how things work, house rules, trash, local tips, FAQ, check-out, thank-you. Write it once, print it, keep it current, and your guests (and your inbox) will thank you.