How to make an Airbnb welcome book

A checklist for short-term-rental hosts · Updated September 24, 2026 · By the Welcome Kit Pro team at PropKitCo

A welcome book (also called a house manual or guest guidebook) answers the questions guests would otherwise message you about: how to get in, how the WiFi works, where to park, and where to eat. A good one cuts down on late-night messages and shows up in reviews as "the host thought of everything."

What to include in an Airbnb welcome book

1. Welcome and contact

• A short welcome note from you, with your first name
• How to reach you, and how fast you usually reply
• Emergency numbers, the nearest hospital or urgent care, and a local contact if you live far away

2. Arrival and departure

• Check-in and check-out times
• Door or lockbox code, and what to do if it doesn't work
• Parking: where to park, how many cars, and any permits
• Checkout steps: dishes, trash, towels, thermostat, keys

3. The house

• WiFi network name and password
• House rules: quiet hours, smoking, pets, guest limits
• How things work: TV and streaming, thermostat, hot tub, fireplace, washer, coffee maker
• Where to find extra towels, blankets, the first-aid kit and the fire extinguisher
• Trash and recycling days

4. The neighborhood

• Restaurants, coffee shops and bars you'd actually send a friend to
• Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations
• Things to do: parks, attractions, tours, beaches or trails
• Phone numbers and map links, so guests can call or get directions in one tap

5. The goodbye

• A thank-you and a link to leave a review
• How to book again directly, if you allow it

Printed or digital?

Use both. A printed book on the kitchen counter is the first thing guests see and feels personal. A digital guidebook on a link or QR code can be updated between guests (new door code, a restaurant that closed), works on any phone, and can include tap-to-call and map links. The simplest setup is a printed book with a QR code on the cover that opens the live version.

Keep private details private

Guests need the door code and WiFi password, but those should never be on a public web page or your listing. Keep them in the printed book inside the rental and on a private guidebook link that you share only with booked guests.

How to make one in minutes with Welcome Kit Pro

1. Enter your property address and your house details (WiFi, check-in, rules, how things work).
2. Welcome Kit Pro fills in nearby restaurants, things to do and essentials from the address, so there is no research to do.
3. Pick a theme: Modern Minimal, Coastal, Cabin or Classic B&W.
4. Download a print-ready PDF, share the live mobile guidebook link, and print the QR code for the fridge or welcome sign.

Your first book is free. A subscription ($9.99/month or $79.99/year, covering up to 25 properties) keeps the live guidebooks online and lets you change door codes, WiFi and local spots anytime; printed QR codes keep working.

Common questions

Should I put the WiFi password and door code in the welcome book?

Yes, guests need them, but keep them off anything public. Put them in the printed book inside the rental and on a private guidebook link you send only to booked guests. Change the door code between guests if your lock allows it, and update the guidebook when you do.

How long does it take?

By hand, most of the time goes into researching local spots and laying out a template. Welcome Kit Pro does both from the address, so a complete book takes minutes.

Can I use a Canva or Etsy template instead?

Yes. A template gives you full design control if you are happy to research and update everything yourself. See Welcome Kit Pro vs Canva and Etsy templates for an honest comparison.