Airbnb Guidebook: What to Include + Examples for Hosts

Creating an exceptional Airbnb guest experience while managing your short-term rental remotely is no longer a far-fetched dream. With the rise of digital Airbnb guidebooks, hosts can maintain high guest satisfaction, reduce repetitive communication, and keep everything running like clockwork — all without being physically present.

In this ultimate guide, we explore how to manage Airbnb remotely using a professional digital guidebook. Whether you're just starting out or scaling your vacation rental business, you'll discover how to boost your efficiency and guest reviews while reducing stress. We’re going to cover:

• What is an Airbnb guidebook?

• Airbnb guidebook vs welcome book vs guest book — what's the difference?
  Airbnb's internal guidebook feature vs third party

• Why are digital Airbnb guidebooks important?
• What is the difference between digital Airbnb guidebooks vs. printed manuals?
• How to create a digital guidebook for Airbnb?
• How to share digital Airbnb guidebooks?
• How to write the perfect Airbnb guidebook?
• Tips and tricks for creating Airbnb digital guidebooks
• Free guideook template PDF

• Real Airbnb guidebook examples: 7 real hosts, 7 different setups

• FAQ
• Final thoughts

92% of Touch Stay users are already saving time managing guests! Start reclaiming your precious time with a digital Airbnb guidebook

What is an Airbnb guidebook?

A digital Airbnb guidebook is an interactive and easy-to-access collection of essential information about your Airbnb listing. It's designed to help guests navigate their stay with ease, from understanding the Wi-Fi password to discovering local restaurants.

These digital guidebooks are accessible from any device and can include:

• Property instructions (how to use appliances, where to find items)
• Local area recommendations
• Emergency contacts
• Check-in/check-out details

Unlike static welcome folders, digital Airbnb guidebooks evolve with your property and guest needs, making them the cornerstone of managing an Airbnb remotely.

Airbnb guidebook vs welcome book vs guest book — what's the difference?

Hosts (and guests) use these terms interchangeably, but they technically mean slightly different things. Here's how they break down:

Airbnb guidebook — A practical, information-first resource. It tells guests how to check in, how things work in the property, what the house rules are, and what to do nearby. This is the term Airbnb uses inside its own platform, and it's the one most hosts default to.

Airbnb welcome book (or welcome guide) — Functionally the same thing as a guidebook, but the name suggests a slightly warmer, more hospitality-led tone. Welcome books often include a personal note from the host, the story of the property, and curated local picks alongside the practical info. In practice, "welcome book" and "guidebook" are used interchangeably.

Airbnb guest book — Traditionally a physical book left on a coffee table for guests to write a message in after their stay. Some hosts still keep one for the keepsake value, but it doesn't replace a guidebook — a guest book is for guests to write in, a guidebook is for guests to read from.

Which one do you actually need?

Most hosts only need one document, regardless of what it's called. A modern digital guidebook (or welcome book) covers everything: practical info, house rules, appliance instructions, local recommendations, and a personal welcome message. Whether you call it a guidebook or a welcome book, the goal is the same — give guests every piece of information they need, in one place, before they have to ask.

Why are digital Airbnb guidebooks important?

Whether you're wondering how to run Airbnb remotely or simply looking to reduce guest questions and save time, a digital guidebook is essential.

Benefits for hosts:

• Fewer repetitive messages from guests
• Streamlined communication and reduced workload
• Professional presentation of your property
• Time-saving automation of key guest information

Benefits for guests:

• Quick, clear answers at their fingertips
• A seamless and independent guest experience
• Access to local tips and property-specific details in one place

By investing in a great guidebook, you’re investing in your remote Airbnb management success.

Pro tip: Discover how to create sticky guidebook content your readers will love.

What is the difference between digital Airbnb guidebooks vs. printed manuals?

Printed manuals were once the go-to, but today's guests expect digital convenience, and modern digital guidebooks do a lot more than just display information. The best ones actively help you earn more revenue, collect better reviews, and cut down on guest messages. Here's how they compare:

If you're serious about managing your Airbnb remotely, or getting more value out of every booking, switching to digital isn't just a convenience upgrade, it's a revenue and review upgrade.

Why these features matter (and what they actually unlock)

Upsells turn your guidebook into a revenue channel. Instead of just telling guests about the property, a digital guidebook lets you offer paid extras at the exact moment they're relevant, late check-out when they're planning their departure, an airport transfer the night before, a stocked fridge before arrival. Hosts using upsell features typically add $25–$100 per stay in extra revenue without any additional effort.

5-star review prompts happen at the right moment. Most guests forget to leave a review, and the ones who do remember are often the unhappy ones. A built-in review pop-up asks happy guests for a review while they're still enjoying the property, dramatically shifting your review volume and your star average.

Direct booking promotion cuts OTA fees on repeat stays. Every guest in your property is a future direct booking if you give them a reason. A digital guidebook can promote your direct booking site, offer a returning-guest discount, and capture the email address you need to follow up, turning Airbnb's host service fees into zero on repeat stays.

An AI chatbot handles the questions you'd otherwise answer at 11pm. "What's the WiFi password?" "Is there parking?" "How do I turn on the oven?" A good AI chatbot answers these instantly using your guidebook content, in whatever language the guest speaks, without waking you up.

Airbnb’s built-in guidebook feature vs a standalone guidebook

Place this after the “Digital vs printed Airbnb guidebooks” section. ~300 words.

Airbnb has its own guidebook feature inside the platform — you can find it under your listing in the Airbnb host dashboard, where you can add local recommendations and tips that guests see in the Airbnb app.

It’s free, it’s built in, and it’s worth setting up. But it’s not a replacement for a proper guidebook, and most experienced hosts use both.

What Airbnb’s built-in guidebook does well

• Adds local recommendations directly inside the Airbnb app
• Shows up automatically for guests who book through Airbnb
• Requires zero extra tools or links

Where Airbnb’s built-in guidebook falls short

• It only covers local recommendations — not check-in, WiFi, house rules, or appliance guides
• It only works for guests who booked through Airbnb (not Vrbo, Booking.com, or direct bookings)
• You can’t include photos, videos, or step-by-step instructions
• You can’t see whether guests have actually viewed it
• It’s hard to keep consistent across multiple properties

How to find and edit Airbnb’s built-in guidebook

1. Log into your Airbnb host account
2. Go to Listings → select the listing you want to edit
3. Scroll to the Guidebook section
4. Add or edit local recommendations and short descriptions
5. Save — your changes appear in the guest’s app within a few minutes

When to use a standalone guidebook instead

If you want everything guests need in one place — practical info, house rules, appliance guides, AND local recommendations — you’ll want a standalone guidebook. It also works across every booking channel, not just Airbnb (important if you also list on Vrbo or take direct bookings).

The cleanest setup most hosts land on: keep Airbnb’s built-in guidebook for a handful of local picks (it gets surface area inside the Airbnb app), and use a standalone guidebook for everything else.

How to create a digital guidebook for Airbnb

Create a guidebook on Airbnb

Airbnb allows hosts to create a basic guidebook directly on their platform. Here’s how:

1. Go to your Airbnb profile and select “Listings.”
2. Click on the listing you want to edit.
3. Scroll to “Guidebook” and click “Create a Guidebook.”
4. Add local places, descriptions, and photos.
5. Save and publish.

While convenient, Airbnb’s built-in option is limited in scope, personalisation, and branding.

Utilise Touch Stay for digital Airbnb guidebooks

Touch Stay offers a polished, customisable, and brandable alternative to Airbnb's basic guidebook.

Here’s how to create one:

1. Sign up for a Touch Stay account.
2. Select a template or create a guide from scratch.
3. Input content: house details, rules, maps, videos, FAQs, and more.
4. Customise your branding and cover image.
5. Generate a unique shareable link or QR code.

Why choose Touch Stay?

• More content flexibility than Airbnb
• Offline access for guests
• Better design and usability
• Streamlined automation through integrations with property management systems

How to share digital Airbnb guidebooks

Once your guidebook is complete, make sure guests can find it easily:

• Add the link to your Airbnb welcome message
• Include the QR code in your listing photos
• Mention it in your check-in instructions
• Embed the guidebook on your rental website
• Print a QR code and frame it inside your property

With Touch Stay, sharing is effortless — just copy and paste the link or use the automatically generated QR code.

Pro tip: Watch our guide on how to quickly set up your Touch Stay digital Airbnb guidebook…

How to write the perfect Airbnb guidebook

A well-structured guidebook covers every detail your guest might need.

1. Welcome message

Set the tone with a warm, personal greeting. Include:

• Your name
• Gratitude for their booking
• A short overview of what’s inside the guide

2. Check-in and check-out times and procedures

Be clear and specific. Include:

• Check-in/out hours
• Key collection or smart lock instructions
• Late check-out rules

3. Emergency information and contacts

Help guests stay safe. Provide:

• Local emergency numbers
• Your contact details
• Nearest hospital or clinic

Pro tip: check out our comprehensive guide to Airbnb safety

4. Outline and map of the house

A floor plan helps guests orient themselves. Add:

• Room-by-room descriptions
• Where to find essentials (e.g. extra towels)

5. House and community rules

Set expectations up front. Cover:

• Smoking policy
• Pet rules
• Noise curfews

Pro tip: Discover how to personalise your digital Airbnb guidebook for pet-friendly properties

6. Practical information for appliances and amenities

Make your home user-friendly. Include:

• How-to guides for heating, oven, Wi-Fi, etc.
• Troubleshooting tips

7. Travel and transportation tips

Guests love local insights. Add:

• Nearest public transport stops
• Local taxi numbers
• Parking instructions

8. Recommendations for local attractions and services

Give guests an unforgettable trip. Include some local insider knowledge, like your favourite ‘off-the-beaten-path’ places and other things guests might not find in a standard guidebook:

• Restaurants, cafés, pubs
• Museums, walks, beaches
• Supermarkets and delivery services

Pro tip: Impress guests by being the local area expert! Learn how (and why) to create the perfect Local Area Guide.

Tips and tricks for creating Airbnb digital guidebooks

1. Create concise and useful content

Use plain English. Be friendly and informative, but avoid unnecessary fluff.

2. Add beautiful and unique photos

Showcase your home and surroundings with high-quality images.

3. Keep your Airbnb digital guidebook up-to-date

Update regularly with seasonal information and appliance changes.

4. Create a PDF version of your guidebook

While Touch Stay digital guidebooks are available offline, offer guests the option to download and print if they prefer.

5. Create additional useful content on your website

Add blog posts, area guides, and FAQs to your site. Use Mangools to easily research SEO keywords to attract organic traffic.

6. Add personal tips and recommendations

Tell guests where you get your morning coffee or the best hiking spots nearby. It adds a human touch.

7. Utilise user-generated content

Include guest-submitted photos, testimonials, or links to positive reviews for social proof.

Free Airbnb guidebook template (PDF)

If you want to start from a structure rather than a blank page, we’ve put together a free Airbnb guidebook template you can download and fill in for your property.

The template includes prompts for every section your guidebook should cover:

• Pre-arrival info and directions
• Check-in instructions and access details
• WiFi, HVAC, and “first 5 minutes” essentials
• House rules (must-know and good-to-know)
• Appliance and amenity guides
• Local recommendations
• Emergency contacts and what-to-do-if scenarios (including 911, nearest hospital, and severe weather protocol)
• Check-out instructions

It works as a Google Doc or printable PDF, so you can either share the link with guests directly, print copies for the property, or use it as a starting point before moving to a digital guidebook platform.

→ Download the free Airbnb guidebook template (PDF)

A note on PDFs: A PDF template is the fastest way to get started, but most hosts outgrow it within a few stays. PDFs can’t be updated after they’re sent, can’t include video or interactive maps, and don’t tell you whether guests have actually opened them. When you’re ready, see how a digital guidebook compares →.

Real Airbnb guidebook examples - 7 real hosts, 7 different setups

Guidebook example 1: Single luxury property - Villa Destino Vieques (Puerto Rico)

Property type: Single luxury villa on Vieques, a remote Puerto Rican island

Best for: Hosts of unique, destination, or hard-to-reach properties

Length: Medium, personality-led

Touch Stay has made it so easy to prepare guests for a unique island adventure while freeing up my time.

It’s been a true game-changer in elevating the guest experience and maintaining our 5-star reputation.

- Mary Kay Lee, Villa Destino Vieques

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What works: - A warm personal welcome from the host sets the tone immediately. The guidebook feels like a handoff, not a manual - Pre-arrival guidance is heavy on logistics specific to the location: ferry schedules, rental car pickup, what to bring from the mainland - Local recommendations focus on what’s actually reachable from the property: beaches, snorkeling spots, the bioluminescent bay, a handful of restaurants - Host contact and emergency info sit at the top of every section, not buried at the end.

The result: Mary Kay uses the guidebook to prepare guests for a unique island stay without being on-call for every question, and credits it with helping maintain her 5-star reputation.

What to copy: The personal welcome. If your property has a story or a vibe, lead with it before the operational info, guests read practical instructions more carefully when they feel a connection to the host.

→ Read the full Villa Destino case study

Guidebook example 2: Solo operator at scale - Premier Properties USVI (US Virgin Islands)

Property type: 40 short-term rentals across St. Croix, managed by a one-woman team

Best for: Solo hosts scaling into property management, or small teams handling large portfolios

Length: Highly automated, guest-self-serve

In 7 days we went from having a massive problem with no ideal long term solution, to having a better-than-before solution with Touch Stay guides built out for every single property.

— Connor Hall, Liquid Life Vacation Rentals

What works: - Every guidebook is designed for the guest to find what they need without messaging the host — the entire structure is built around self-service - Hurricane season prep and island-specific guidance (power outages, water conservation, bug protocol) is addressed upfront rather than handled reactively in messages - Check-in, WiFi, and house rules are standardized across all 40 properties to keep maintenance manageable - Guest contact info and local emergency numbers (911, nearest hospital, property manager backup) are clearly visible

The result: Robin manages 40 properties as a solo operator — something that would be impossible without a system that handles guest communication for her.

“Touch Stay has honestly changed my life. I can now read a book in the evenings without getting back-to-back calls. That may seem simple, but it means the world to me.” — Robin P. Bass, Premier Properties USVI

What to copy: Building the guidebook as a self-service system rather than a supplement to host communication. If you assume the guest will never message you, you end up writing clearer instructions — and they end up messaging you less.

→ Read the full Premier Properties USVI case study

Guidebook example 3: Multi-property vacation rental - KeysCations (Florida Keys)

Property type: 29 waterfront vacation rentals across the Florida Keys

Best for: Hosts and property managers with 5+ listings across a defined region

Length: Consistent templated structure, customized per property

Touch Stay has transformed our guest journey from a largely manual, message-heavy process into a streamlined, elevated experience that benefits both guests and our business.

With 247 guests a month across 29 waterfront rentals, we’ve saved up to 10 hours a week on repetitive inquiries and grown direct bookings by 15%.

— Bert Perez, KeysCations 

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What works: - A shared guidebook structure across all 29 properties means guests get the same experience no matter which home they book — with property-specific details (access codes, WiFi, dock info) swapped in - Each guidebook highlights waterfront-specific info: boat slip instructions, kayak storage, fish cleaning stations, tide charts - Consistent branding, photography, and tone across every listing elevates the whole portfolio toward a hotel-like experience - Integrated with their PMS, so each booking automatically receives the right guidebook at the right time

The result: KeysCations saved up to 10 hours a week on repetitive guest questions across 247 guests/month and grew direct bookings by 15%.

What to copy: The templated-but-customized approach. Build one master guidebook structure, then clone and customize per property — you get consistency without losing the detail that makes each stay specific.

→ Read the full KeysCations case study

Guidebook Example 4: Fast migration at scale - Liquid Life Vacation Rentals (Alabama Gulf Coast)

Property type: 550+ short-term rentals across the Alabama Gulf Coast

Best for: Property managers who need to roll out guidebooks across a large portfolio quickly

Length: Templated, PMS-integrated

In 7 days we went from having a massive problem with no ideal long term solution, to having a better-than-before solution with Touch Stay guides built out for every single property.

— Connor Hall, Liquid Life Vacation Rentals

What works: - A master guidebook template built once and cloned across every property, so rollout didn’t mean writing 550 guidebooks from scratch - Deep PMS integration means new bookings trigger the right guidebook automatically, with no manual send - Shared structure keeps branding and messaging consistent across a very large portfolio - Migration was done in days, not months, so the team didn’t lose operational continuity while switching tools

The result: Liquid Life went from an urgent problem with no clear solution to 550 live guidebooks across their entire portfolio in 7 days, without slowing down day-to-day operations.

What to copy: Start from a master template, not a blank page. If you manage more than a handful of properties, building one strong guidebook structure and cloning it is the only practical way to stay consistent and move fast.

→ Read the full Liquid Life case study

Guidebook Example 5: Outdoor and glamping - altCamp

Property type: Premium glamping site

Best for: Glamping hosts, outdoor operators, and any property where guests arrive without staff on site

Length: Visual, location-led

Touch Stay has been a game-changer for us, saving money and keeping our guests happy at every step. Their beautifully designed guidebooks perfectly complement our premium experience, giving guests peace of mind with answers to 99% of their questions right at their fingertips.

— Adam Bosch, altCamp

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What works: - Heavy use of photos and maps, critical when guests are navigating to a remote location without a front desk - Clear guidance on what glamping actually involves (fire safety, wildlife, weather, off-grid expectations) so guests arrive prepared - Local recommendations lean into the outdoor experience: hikes, swimming spots, local food, nearby trails - Branding and imagery match the premium nature of the site, reinforcing the experience before guests even arrive

The result: altCamp says its guidebook now answers roughly 99% of guest questions automatically, which is especially valuable for an unstaffed outdoor site where guests can’t just walk up to a desk.

What to copy: If your property is remote, unstaffed, or unusual in any way, invest extra time in visuals and expectation-setting. The guidebook is your front desk, it has to answer the questions a guest would normally ask a person.

→ Read the full altCamp case study

Guidebook Example 6 : The DIY approach - Notion, Google Docs, and Canva guidebooks

Host: Independent hosts (various)

Property type: Any property type, typically 1–3 listings

Best for: Hosts who want to start immediately for free and test what belongs in a guidebook before committing to a platform

Length: Whatever the host builds — usually short, text-heavy

What works: Zero cost to start. You can build a basic guidebook in Notion, Google Docs, or a Canva template in an afternoon - Forces hosts to actually write out their check-in, WiFi, appliance, and local info, which is the hard part regardless of platform - Easy to share via a link and update in place, unlike a printed binder - Good way to learn what your guests actually ask before picking a dedicated tool

The result: DIY guidebooks work well for hosts with one or two properties and a low volume of bookings. The ceiling shows up fast once you have multiple listings, PMS integrations, upsells, or guests who expect mobile-friendly navigation, at that point most hosts move to a purpose-built platform.

What to copy: If you’re not sure you’re ready for a dedicated tool, start with a free Notion page or Google Doc. Write out every question your guests ask in the first month. That document is the spec for your real guidebook, whether you stay DIY or move to a platform later.

Guidebook Example 7: Small operator, big impact - Springfield House B&B

Property type: Small bed & breakfast

Best for: B&B owners, single-property hosts, and operators who still answer every message themselves

Length: Compact, operational

Automation saves us time, and guests get accurate, timely information before they even arrive. It’s been a simple yet powerful solution that continues to add value to our business.

— James and Hansel, Springfield House B&B

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What works: - Guidebook focuses on the handful of questions guests actually ask before arrival: check-in, parking, breakfast, WiFi, local food - Automated pre-arrival delivery means guests get the same information every time, without the host retyping it - The tone matches the property — warm and personal, not corporate — so it still feels like a B&B handoff - Updates are made in one place and reflected instantly, which matters for a small team without dedicated admin time

The result: Springfield House reports a 70–80% reduction in repetitive guest questions, freeing up the owners’ time for the parts of hosting that actually need a human.

What to copy: You don’t need a huge portfolio to benefit from a guidebook. Even a single-property B&B can cut the volume of repeat questions dramatically, as long as the guidebook covers the pre-arrival info guests actually look for.

→ Read the full Springfield House case study

What the best guidebooks have in common

Despite being completely different operations, from a single luxury villa to portfolios of 550+ properties, from a small B&B to an off-grid glamping site, the best guidebooks share the same four traits:

1. Check-in and arrival info is front and center, not buried
2. Each section answers one clear question — guests can scan, not read
3. Photos are used wherever instructions could be ambiguous (entrances, appliances, parking, boat slips)
4. They’re built once and updated often — none of them are “set and forget”

Want to see more? Browse all Touch Stay customer case studies →

Frequently asked questions

Final thoughts

The digital Airbnb guidebook has emerged as an indispensable tool for modern short-term rental hosts. It not only streamlines operations and reduces the burden of repetitive guest questions but also significantly enhances the overall guest experience. By providing readily accessible, comprehensive, and engaging information, hosts can empower their guests, foster independence, and ultimately garner better reviews and increased satisfaction. 

Whether you opt for the basic functionality offered by Airbnb or leverage the advanced customisation and branding capabilities Touch Stay, embracing a digital approach is a clear pathway to more efficient remote management and a thriving vacation rental business. So, take the leap, create your perfect digital guidebook, and unlock the full potential of your Airbnb listing.

Ready to turbocharge your Airbnb hosting game? Sign up today and create your digital Airbnb guidebook in minutes!