HOSTS & SERVICED APARTMENTS · TEMPLATE

Airbnb Welcome Book Template: What to Include (and What to Skip)

At a glance

Order the welcome book in the order a guest will need it.

House manual vs. guidebook vs. welcome book

What goes where
Tool	What it’s for	Who sees it
Airbnb house manual	Wi-Fi, appliances, where things are, checkout steps	Guests with a confirmed reservation (per Airbnb Help)
Airbnb check-in instructions	Access codes, lockbox, parking on arrival	Sent automatically 24–48 hours before check-in
Airbnb guidebook	Local recommendations	Can be shared more widely
Physical / QR welcome book	Everything above, in the unit	Whoever is in the unit

Template: sections and copy-ready starters

Welcome + contact
“Hi, we’re glad you’re here! For anything urgent, message us in the app or call [number].”
Wi-Fi (first, always)
Airbnb’s own hosting advice: put the Wi-Fi password first, since it’s what guests look for. Network + password + router location for resets.
Arrival & access
Door code, lockbox, parking spot, elevator, building rules.
How things work
Thermostat, hot water, TV remotes, washer, coffee machine, with one photo each.
Kitchen & supplies
What’s provided, where spare toilet paper, towels and linens are.
Trash & recycling
Days, bins, where to take them. A big source of fines and bad reviews.
House rules
Quiet hours, pets, smoking, parties, max guests.
Safety
Smoke and CO alarms, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, nearest hospital, emergency number.
Local guide
Coffee, grocery, pharmacy, 3–5 restaurants, a hidden gem.
Checkout
Time, what to do (dishes, towels, trash, lock-up), how to return keys.

Common welcome book mistakes

Writing an essay. Guests scan on a phone at midnight.
Burying checkout instructions on the last page.
Outdated recommendations (closed restaurants hurt trust).
No photos for tricky appliances.
Codes printed in a book that stays in the unit. Keep access codes in the app message instead.

Printable checklist for hosts

☐ Wi-Fi details on page 1 and on a card by the router
☐ Check-in steps tested by someone who has never visited
☐ Every appliance with a 3-step how-to
☐ Spare supplies location listed
☐ Trash schedule and bin photo
☐ Safety equipment locations
☐ Local list reviewed this season
☐ Checkout steps short and visible
☐ Date of last update on the cover

When a hotel-style digital guide makes sense

If you run several units, a serviced apartment building or a small guesthouse, a single printed book per unit gets hard to keep current. That’s where a hotel-style tool helps. A room-specific QR can open a guide with facility hours and closures, plus a way to request items (extra towels, a late checkout, maintenance) that goes straight to your team.

DigitalRoomService is built for hotels and serviced apartments, not as an Airbnb plugin. It doesn’t sync with Airbnb’s app. It fits operators who have staff handling requests. Start with the digital compendium, or see the India-focused digital guest directory for homestays.

Frequently asked questions

What should be in an Airbnb welcome book?

Wi-Fi, check-in and checkout steps, appliance instructions, house rules, safety equipment, trash and parking information, and local recommendations.

Is the Airbnb house manual the same as a welcome book?

The house manual is Airbnb’s built-in tool for practical details, visible to confirmed guests. A welcome book is the in-unit version and can include more.

Should I print my welcome book or make it digital?

Both: a short printed version in the unit and a digital version you can update. Keep access codes in app messages, not in print.

How long should a welcome book be?

Short enough to skim in two minutes. Use headings, bullets and photos.

Sources and further reading

External sources were checked on October 24, 2026. Figures belong to their publishers. DigitalRoomService examples describe product behavior and are not performance guarantees.

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