Choose the format that fits
Airbnb house manual, PDF or digital guest guide?
If your guests find what they need in Airbnb, you may already have enough. A separate guide is worth considering when the house needs more visual instructions or you share the same property information across different booking channels.
Updated
WelcomeFlat is independent of Airbnb and is not endorsed by it. Platform guidance checked on 12 October 2026.
First, separate Airbnb's two resources
Airbnb's house manual holds practical information about the home and is available to guests with a confirmed reservation. Its guidebook is a different resource for local places and recommendations; Airbnb says those guidebooks are public and can be shared or printed.
Airbnb house manual guidance Airbnb local guidebook guidance
Compare the job each format does
Airbnb house manual
Home instructions for guests with confirmed Airbnb reservations
Keep the instructions accurate alongside the listing's arrival and checkout details
Airbnb local guidebook
Restaurants, shops, attractions and neighbourhood suggestions
It is public; it is not a private place for working access details
A short reference guests can save or print
Copies do not update when you edit your master document
WelcomeFlat digital guide
A maintained browser guide with room sections, photos, search and one shareable link
It needs a connection and does not replace booking, payment or urgent communication tools
When the built-in manual is enough
A straightforward property, a small set of instructions and a guest journey that already works inside Airbnb may not need another tool. Start by improving the instructions you have: name the right entrance, explain unfamiliar controls and keep the departure steps short.
A separate guide should solve a problem you can name. Do not add one merely because the term 'digital guidebook' sounds more professional.
When a separate guide can help
Consider it when guests need several room or equipment instructions, when useful photos keep getting lost in messages, or when you maintain the same information for Airbnb, another platform and direct bookings.
In WelcomeFlat, the owner creates a structured property guide, previews it, publishes it and shares its link. The guest opens it in a browser. This workflow does not claim an automatic Airbnb integration, reservation sync or PDF import.
Try the decision against your own property
- Can a new guest find the right entrance without another message?
- Can they identify the actual appliance controls?
- Do you maintain conflicting versions across documents and conversations?
- Do you need a saved arrival fallback for poor reception?
- Would one maintained house reference simplify your current routine?
Keep booking changes in the booking conversation
Arrival changes, exceptions and urgent questions still need direct communication. Keep your house instructions consistent with the information in the booking platform and check its current requirements before changing how you share details.
Questions before choosing
Is Airbnb's guidebook a house manual?
Airbnb treats them as separate resources: the house manual explains the home; the guidebook covers local recommendations.
Do WelcomeFlat guests need to install an app?
No. They open the guide link in a browser. A connection is needed.
Does WelcomeFlat import my PDF or sync Airbnb reservations?
The workflow described here is manual: copy verified content into the editor and share the guide through your existing guest communication process. No automatic import or reservation sync is claimed.
Working fictional demo
Try these instructions in a guest guide
Willow Cottage is a fictional example using the real WelcomeFlat guest interface. Open the guide to try its search, room sections and departure instructions.
Explore the cottage guide →
Create one clear guide for your property.
Explore the live demo, then create and share a guide through your WelcomeFlat account.