You know that feeling when your phone buzzes at 11pm and it's a guest asking how to work the shower? Or when someone messages you three hours before check-in wanting directions you've already sent twice?

Yeah. That.

The thing is, most of these questions aren't unreasonable. Guests genuinely need this information. The problem isn't that they're asking. It's that you haven't given them an easy, obvious place to find the answers.

That's what a good Airbnb guidebook does. It puts everything a guest could possibly need into one place they can pull up on their phone in seconds. No digging through old messages, no flicking through a dusty binder on the coffee table, no awkward "sorry to bother you but..." texts at midnight.

But here's where most hosts get stuck: what actually goes in the thing?

Let's break it down section by section. By the end of this, you'll have a clear structure you can use whether you're putting together your very first guidebook or giving your existing one a proper refresh.

1. The Welcome Message

This is the first thing your guest sees, so make it count. But don't overthink it. You're not writing a novel. A few warm sentences that set the tone and make your guest feel genuinely welcome.

Something like:

"Welcome to our flat in Brighton! We're so glad you're here. This guide has everything you need for a brilliant stay, but if you can't find what you're looking for, just drop us a message."

That's it. Friendly, brief, and reassuring. You want them to feel like they've arrived somewhere that's been thoughtfully prepared for them. Because it has.

A nice touch here is to include your name (first name is fine) and maybe a photo of yourself. It makes the whole thing feel more personal and less like a corporate handbook.

2. Getting There and Checking In

This is the section that saves you the most messages. Hands down.

Cover everything a guest needs from the moment they leave the train station, airport, or motorway until they're standing inside your property with the door closed behind them.

Include:

- Address and directions. Not just the postcode. Think about what's confusing. "The entrance is round the back, not the front door" is the kind of detail that prevents a panicked phone call.

- Parking. Where to park, whether it's free or paid, any permits they need, and where to find them.

- Key or lock instructions. If you use a smart lock or key safe, write this out step by step. Include photos if you can. "Turn the dial left to the first number" is much clearer with a picture alongside it.

- What to do if something goes wrong. Lock not working? Wrong code? Give them a backup plan so they're not stranded on the doorstep.

The goal is that a guest arriving at 1am, tired and a bit lost, can open your guidebook on their phone and follow the steps without contacting you at all.

Need help writing those instructions? Here's our full guide.

3. WiFi Details

Put this near the top. Seriously.

The very first thing most guests do after putting their bags down is connect to the WiFi. If they have to hunt for it, that's an unnecessary friction point in the first five minutes of their stay.

Include the network name and password in big, clear text. If your router is tucked behind the telly, say so. If the password is case-sensitive or has unusual characters, spell it out clearly.

Some hosts print this on a little card and leave it on the kitchen counter too. Belt and braces. No harm in having it in multiple places.

4. The Property Guide (How Everything Works)

This is the meaty bit. Think of it as the "how to use this house" section.

Walk through every appliance, system, or feature that isn't completely obvious. The things you take for granted because you've been there a hundred times are the things that confuse guests who've been there for ten minutes.

Common things to cover:

- Heating and hot water. How to turn it on, how the thermostat works, any quirks ("the radiator in the bedroom takes about 20 minutes to warm up").

- Kitchen appliances. Oven, hob, coffee machine, dishwasher. If the dishwasher tablets are under the sink, say so.

- TV and entertainment. How to switch inputs, how to access Netflix or streaming apps, whether there are any login details they can use.

- Washing machine and dryer. Which settings to use, where to find detergent and where to hang clothes if there's no dryer.

- Any smart home bits. Smart speakers, automated lights, thermostats. Not everyone is comfortable with these, so keep instructions simple and jargon-free.

The golden rule here is: if you've ever had a guest ask about it, it goes in the guidebook. Keep a running list of questions you receive and add them as you go. Your guidebook should get better with every booking.

5. House Rules

Nobody loves writing house rules, and nobody loves reading them either. But they're important, and getting them into your guidebook in the right tone makes all the difference.

The trick is to be clear and direct without sounding like a headteacher. Frame things positively where you can.

Instead of "DO NOT slam the front door," try "The front door is a bit stiff, so please pull it closed gently. The neighbours will thank you."

Typical things to cover:

- Quiet hours

- Smoking policy

- Pet policy

- Maximum occupancy

- Shoes on or off

- Rubbish and recycling (where the bins are, which day they go out)

- Any areas that are off-limits

Guests are far more likely to follow the rules when they understand the reason behind them. "Please keep noise down after 10pm as the walls are quite thin and we have lovely neighbours we'd like to keep on good terms with" lands much better than just "No noise after 10pm."

6. Check-Out Instructions

Keep this simple and specific. Guests don't want a long to-do list on their last morning, but a few reasonable asks are perfectly fine.

Most hosts include things like:

- What time to leave by

- Whether to strip the beds or leave them

- Where to put used towels

- How to deal with rubbish

- Whether to run the dishwasher

- How to lock up (and where to leave keys if applicable)

Frame it as helpful rather than demanding. "To make things easy, just pop your used towels in the bath and leave the key on the kitchen table. That's it. We'll handle the rest."

A smooth check-out experience is one of those subtle things that often shows up in reviews. People remember how they felt leaving, not just arriving.

7. Local Recommendations

This is the section where you really get to shine. And honestly, it's the part guests love the most.

You live in (or near) the area. You know where the good coffee is. You know which pub does a proper Sunday roast and which one to avoid. You know the beach that's a ten-minute walk but somehow never crowded.

Share all of that.

Break it down into categories that make sense:

- Restaurants and cafes. Your genuine favourites, not just the ones with the most Google reviews.

- Pubs and bars. Casual spots, date-night spots, the one with the best garden.

- Supermarkets and essentials. Nearest shop, nearest pharmacy, nearest cash point.

- Things to do. Walks, attractions, day trips, rainy-day activities, kid-friendly options.

- Transport. Nearest bus stop, train station, taxi numbers, bike hire.

This is where a digital guidebook really beats a printed one. You can include links to Google Maps, websites, and booking pages. You can update it when a restaurant closes or a new one opens. A printed binder can't do any of that.

Personal touches go a long way here. "The fish and chips from Bankers is unreal. Get the large cod and eat it on the seafront" is infinitely more useful than a generic list of nearby restaurants.

8. Emergency and Safety Information

Hopefully nobody ever needs this section, but it absolutely has to be there.

Include:

- Your contact details (phone number and/or email)

- A backup contact in case you're unreachable

- Address of the nearest A&E

- Local police non-emergency number

- Location of the first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket

- How to turn off the water, gas, or electricity in an emergency

- Fire escape routes if applicable

Keep this section factual and easy to scan. In a genuine emergency, nobody wants to read through paragraphs of text.

9. Extras That Make You Stand Out

Once you've covered the essentials, there are some optional extras that can take your guidebook from helpful to genuinely impressive.

A few ideas:

- A short history of the property or area. If your cottage is 200 years old or your flat is in a converted warehouse, guests love that kind of context.

- Seasonal tips. "In December, the Christmas market is a five-minute walk away" or "The garden is lovely in summer, there are deckchairs in the shed."

- Kids and family info. Where the high chair is stored, nearby playgrounds, family-friendly beaches.

- Pet info. If you allow pets, include nearby walks, pet-friendly pubs, and the location of the nearest vet.

- A personal note. Something like "We bought this place in 2019 and spent two years doing it up. We hope you love it as much as we do." It's small, but it creates a connection.

Bringing It All Together

That's a lot of content, and it might feel overwhelming to put together all at once. But the beauty of a digital guidebook is that you don't have to. Start with the critical sections (check-in, WiFi, property guide, house rules, check-out) and build from there.

Every guest question you receive is a prompt to add something new. Within a few months, you'll have a guidebook that answers virtually everything, and your phone will be a lot quieter for it.

If you want to skip the blank-page problem entirely, GuestIntro lets you generate a full digital guidebook in minutes. Pop in your property details and it builds the whole thing for you, ready to share as a link with every guest. No app download, no fuss.

Your future self (the one not answering WiFi questions at midnight) will thank you.

What to Include in Your Airbnb Guidebook: A Section-by-Section Breakdown