Practical guide and checklist
What to include in a digital guest guide
A useful digital guest guide answers repeatable property questions in the order guests encounter them. Use this checklist before choosing any software.
Reviewed August 2026
The complete guest-guide structure
Before arrival
- Include
- Confirmed timing, what to expect and the support route.
- Leave out
- Unverified promises or permanent access secrets.
- Example
- “Arrival is available from [time] [time zone]. Message us through [approved channel] if your plans change.”
Check-in
- Include
- Landmark, correct entrance, ordered steps and a safe fallback.
- Leave out
- Ambiguous directions or open reusable codes.
- Example
- “From [landmark], use the [description] entrance and follow the Arrival steps in this guide.”
Wi-Fi and essentials
- Include
- Where to find network guidance, heating, water and waste basics.
- Leave out
- Sensitive network details in content intended for a broader audience.
- Example
- “Open Wi-Fi in this guide, then follow the network instructions shown for your stay.”
Rooms and appliances
- Include
- Short steps and original images for unfamiliar equipment.
- Leave out
- Copied manuals or every obvious household action.
- Example
- “Kitchen · Hob: hold the power control for two seconds, then choose a cooking zone.”
House rules
- Include
- Specific, calm rules and the reason when useful.
- Leave out
- Threatening language or rules that conflict with the booking terms.
- Example
- “Quiet hours begin at [time]. Please keep hallway conversation low for our neighbours.”
Support and emergencies
- Include
- Approved support channel, hours and local emergency direction.
- Leave out
- Treating a guide as an emergency alert service.
- Example
- “For property help, contact [channel] during [hours]. For an immediate emergency, use the local emergency service.”
Check-out
- Include
- Departure time and one ordered checklist.
- Leave out
- New fees or obligations not previously agreed.
- Example
- “Before [time], close windows, place keys in [approved location] and confirm departure through [channel].”
Live product preview
See the structure as a guest
Move through Arrival, Wi-Fi, Kitchen and Check-out in the fictional mobile guide. It opens in a browser with no guest app required.
Open the full live demo
Harbour View Apartment · fictional demo
Arrive without hunting through messages
Find the entrance, arrival window and the next step. Live access details stay outside public content.
Digital guest guide checklist
- Verify every instruction at the property
- Put sections in guest-journey order
- Keep each action short and specific
- Use original images only when they clarify a step
- Separate general information from sensitive access details
- Name the support route and its hours
- Test links, focus order and text on a small phone
- Review after material property changes
What a digital guest guide should not replace
A guide is a maintained property reference. It should work alongside—not replace—the systems responsible for reservations, identity, access and urgent response.
See how a guide works alongside Airbnb Compare guides, PDFs and guest messages
Keep these jobs in their proper systems
- Property management system (PMS)
- Booking channel
- Emergency communication
- Identity verification
- Strict access-control system
Start with arrival
If your current instructions are scattered, begin with the highest-friction moment: check-in. Copy the safe template, verify it on site, then add the rest of the stay.
Copy the vacation-rental check-in template Learn how guest guidebook software fits the workflow
Create one clear guide for your property.
Explore the live demo, then create and share a guide through your WelcomeFlat account.