How To: Create the Ultimate Guest Welcome Guide

Having a Welcome Guide for your home not only is a great resource for guests, but it SAVES a lot of time for you! Welcome Guides are the go to resource for common guests questions about your home and surrounding areas. What your welcome guide looks like and consists of is solely up to you and there are a few options depending on your time frame and budget. Let's take a few minutes to ensure that your Welcome Guide is just what your guests need...

What Kind of Welcome Guide To Choose
There are a few options when choosing the presentation for your welcome guide. A simple way to compile your guide book is to purchase a 3 ring binder with a clear cover insert on the front. By putting it together yourself it gives you wiggle room for additions and deletions. If you are looking for a more sophisticated look, you can create your welcome guide using an online service like Shutterfly which will create a hardcover book featuring pictures you submit. Although the presentation is nice, you don't have much room for edits when things change at your property. A three ring binder is simple but gives you the option to make changes whenever necessary.

Welcome Guide Must Haves
Although all Welcome Guides can be different, they all should include a Welcome Note to your guests. This is a good time to introduce your home again and let guests know they made a good choice with choosing your location by your hospitality. Be sure to thank your guests for choosing your home and also let them know you or your property management team is only a phone call away.
With that being said, make sure to include IMPORTANT phone numbers your traveler may need during their stay. Numbers to list should include:

• Your contact number or property management
• Fire/Police Departments
• Maintenance Contact
• Nearest Hospital or Urgent Care Clinic
• Housekeeping Contact

Having these contact numbers makes your guests feel secure in knowing they have resources available if needed.

House Information & Policies
What may seem like common sense to you because you are familiar with your property may seem out of the ordinary to a guest. Recently we traveled out of the country and had no idea how to turn on the hot water in our AirBnB. It was a simple flip of a switch, but we were unaware and called the host to ask him. These are small things that should be included in your welcome guide. Informing guests of trash days, how the dishwasher works, and reminders upon checkout should be included. If you ask your guests to start the dishwasher prior to leaving, explain the basics of how to operate. This is a great place to remind guests of check out times, to empty their garbage, start the dishwasher, etc. Be sure to include the basics:

• How Things Work (laundry, fireplace, grill, hot tub, thermostat, etc)
• House Rules (no smoking, quiet times, pet policy, parking)
• Property Access (lockbox code, garage code, gate access)
• WiFi Passwords, TV Remote Control Info, Bluetooth Speakers/Stereos
• Community/Complex Rules
• Checkout Procedures

Attractions, Activities, Food, and Fun
Don't leave your travelers in the dark. It may seem odd but not everyone uses Yelp and Google. As opposed to staying in a hotel, your welcome guide(and you) serve as the concierge to your guests. Impress your travelers! Include the local favorite attractions and restaurants. We even suggest having menus of delivery restaurants in your welcome guide. This gives the guests the comfortable feeling of being in their own home. Often times guests already have an itinerary but throw in some ideas anyways. Suggest family friendly and/ or romantic activities and dates. Be appealing to all the various guests you may have. Include the address and phone numbers to the locations as well. It is important to include:

• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores
• Restaurants
• Night Life
• Activities (kayaking, jet skis, hiking, golf, snorkeling, skiing, etc.)
• Attractions(theme parks, museums, beaches, parks, monuments)
• Places to Worship
• Gyms and Recreation Facilities

How to Get Around
Not everyone rents a car on vacation or is familiar with Lyft & Uber. Make their transportation easy by including transportation options in your welcome guide. Be sure to include:

• Personal Transportation
• Train and Bus Routes
• Car Rentals
• Area Maps
• Uber, Lyft, & Taxi

Providing a thorough Welcome Guide is a great way to ensure guest satisfaction and relay important information. It doesn't cost much and will earn you great reviews and repeat bookings. If you need assistance completing the perfect Welcome Guide, Easy Air Rentals can help! For more information on the great services we offer to our clients, please feel free to contact us today.

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