A well-written guest guide is one of the highest-leverage things you can do as a host. It answers questions before guests ask them, reduces late-night messages, and makes your property feel professional and welcoming the moment guests arrive.
Most hosts have some version of a guide — a PDF, a printed booklet, or a note pinned to the fridge. But many miss the sections that matter most. Here are the five things every guest guide needs.
1. WiFi Details — Front and Center
This is the single most common question guests ask. Network name, password, and a note about which devices work best (some older smart TVs struggle with 5GHz networks).
Put this first. Not buried on page 3. The moment guests walk in, they want to connect — and if they have to hunt for it, you'll get a message within minutes.
Pro tip: If your WiFi password is complex, add a note like "case sensitive" or include the QR code if your router supports it.
2. Check-In and Check-Out Instructions
Even if you've sent these in your welcome message, guests forget. Include:
- Exact check-in and check-out times
- How to lock up (which key, which lock, any quirks)
- Where to leave the keys
- What to do with towels and bedding
- Bin / trash instructions
Clear checkout instructions consistently improve review scores. Guests who feel confident about the process don't stress — and relaxed guests leave better reviews.
3. Appliance Instructions for Anything Non-Obvious
The coffee machine with four buttons. The shower that takes 30 seconds to get hot. The TV remote that needs two clicks to switch input. The washing machine that's "a bit temperamental."
You've lived with these things. Guests haven't. Write a short note for anything that could cause confusion or frustration, and pair it with a photo if possible.
A guest who can't figure out the heating at midnight is a guest who messages you at midnight.
4. Emergency Information
This is often forgotten entirely. Every guide should include:
- Local emergency number (112 in most of Europe, 911 in the US)
- Your contact number and best time to reach you
- Location of the fuse box
- Location of the water stopcock
- Nearest hospital or urgent care
Most guests will never need this. But when they do, they'll be grateful it was there — and it signals that you're a responsible, professional host.
5. Local Recommendations
This is the section guests love most. Your personal picks for restaurants, coffee shops, supermarkets, and things to do nearby transform a stay from transactional to memorable.
Keep it short and honest. Five genuine recommendations beat a generic list of twenty. Include:
- 2–3 restaurants (with a note on cuisine and price range)
- The best coffee shop for working or relaxing
- The nearest supermarket and pharmacy
- One "locals only" tip — a viewpoint, a market, a walk
Guests who explore well have a better time. Better time = better review.
How to Keep It Up to Date
A guest guide is only useful if it's accurate. The WiFi password you set in 2022, the restaurant that closed last spring, the checkout time you updated last month — outdated information creates friction and frustration.
This is exactly why a digital guide beats a printed one. With Hellostr, you update your guide once and every future guest sees the latest version automatically. No reprinting, no re-sending links, no out-of-date PDFs floating around.
Start your free 14-day trial and have your first guide live in under five minutes.