Guide · 10-min read

Airbnb Welcome Book Template (Free, 2026)

Copy this template into Google Docs or Notion, swap in your own details, and you'll have a welcome book your guests actually read — the kind that quietly earns 5-star reviews and cuts down repetitive messages.

Free copy-and-paste template

Every ValAi plan already ships with a printable QR welcome sign and a full digital welcome book template — no PDF download needed. Start a free trial and the template pre-fills from your listing.

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1. Warm welcome & host intro

Open with a short, personal greeting so the guest knows a real human is behind the stay. Two or three sentences is plenty — thank them for booking, say what you love about the place, and set the tone for the visit.

  • Your first name and a friendly line ('So glad you're here!')
  • One sentence on what makes the property special
  • The best way (and hours) to reach you if something is urgent

2. Check-in & checkout instructions

This is the single most-asked topic in guest messages. Write it once, in order, with exact times and lockbox / keypad codes only revealed at check-in day.

  • Arrival address with a Google Maps link
  • Parking: where, whether it's free, any permit rules
  • Door / lockbox / smart-lock instructions with a photo if possible
  • Check-in and checkout times
  • Checkout tasks (dishes in sink, trash to the bin, keys back in lockbox)

3. Wi-Fi & essential passwords

Put the network name and password in a big, copy-friendly block. If you have a guest Wi-Fi network, use that one — never your primary.

  • Wi-Fi network name (SSID) exactly as it appears
  • Password in monospace / bold so it's easy to type
  • Streaming logins (Netflix, Disney+) if you provide them

4. House rules — kept short and kind

Guests skim rules. Keep it to a handful of house-specific ones. Airbnb already covers the basics; your book should only add what's unique to your place.

  • Quiet hours and any HOA / building rules
  • Shoes-off, pets, or smoking policies
  • Max guest count and no-party clause
  • Anything fragile or off-limits, with a one-line reason

5. Appliance & tech how-tos

The espresso machine, the smart TV remote, the thermostat, the pool heater — every 'I can't figure out X' message is one you can prevent here. Include short instructions and a photo per device.

  • Thermostat: how to set temperature, any eco limits
  • TV / streaming: which remote, how to switch inputs
  • Kitchen: coffee machine, dishwasher pods, oven quirks
  • Laundry: detergent location, cycle recommendations

6. Local recommendations that feel personal

This is where guides win 5-star reviews. Skip the generic Google list — recommend places you actually go to, grouped by walking distance and by mood.

  • Breakfast / coffee within a 5-minute walk
  • Two dinner picks: casual and 'special night out'
  • A grocery store and a pharmacy
  • One outdoor activity and one rainy-day activity
  • A local tip only a resident would know

7. Emergency info & safety

Hopefully never used, but a legal must-have. Keep it factual and easy to scan.

  • Nearest hospital / urgent care with address
  • Local emergency number (911 in the US, 000 in AU, 112 in EU)
  • Fire extinguisher and first-aid kit locations
  • Circuit breaker and water shut-off, with photos

Paper vs. digital vs. AI concierge

A printed binder is friendly but goes stale the moment you change the Wi-Fi. A Google Doc is easier to update, but guests still have to hunt for the answer. A modern AI concierge takes the same content and answers the guest's actual question in seconds, in their own language — check-in at 2am included.

If you're weighing the trade-offs, read physical welcome book vs. AI concierge or 7 digital welcome book examples.

The AI upgrade

Turn your welcome book into a 24/7 concierge

Paste your template into ValAi once. Guests scan a QR code, ask anything, and get instant answers in 30+ languages — pulled straight from the book you just wrote. No more 3am "how do I work the shower?" messages.

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