Guests r arely read a long list of r ules, but they will scan a guide when they c annot fig ure out the door l ock at 10 p m. A good < a href="/pages/digital -guidebook.html" data-internal="true">dig ital guest guide answ ers quest ions before they are asked, and the eas iest way to build one is to walk through your property room by room . This article sh ows you what to include in each space so gu ests feel conf ident from the moment they arrive.
What Should You Include for Entry and Arrival?
Your ar rival section should include check -in time , ex act door access ste ps, parking details, and the WiFi login , because these are the first things every guest needs.
Imagine a gu est stand ing outside with lu ggage, tired after trav el. Ever ything they need should be eas y to find on their phone in se conds.
< h3>Check-in, door access, and parkingExpl ain how to get in side, step by step. If you use a smart lock or keypad, include the code format , how to press it, and what to do if it does not resp ond. Add a photo of the ent rance, because many proper ties are hard to sp ot from the street.
- < strong>Check-in and chec kout times strong>, pl us any fl exibility you offer. < li>Parking rules, including which spots are y ours, street parking lim its, and guest perm its.
- Building details such as gate cod es, el evator t ips, or the corre ct unit ent rance. < li>A backup pl an and the best way to re ach you if access f ails. ul>
- How to run the dishwasher and where the pods are k ept.
- How to use the coffee ma ker, pl us where filters, pods, and tea are st ored.
- Which pans are non -stick, so guests av oid metal utensils.
- Whether bas ics like o il, salt, and spices are free to use. ul>
- Which remote controls what , and how to swit ch in puts or open streaming apps.
- Whether gu ests can log in to their own accounts, and how to log out at checkout.
- Where the desk, charg ers, and extra mon itor or adapters are located. li>
- Any fans, he aters, or firepla ces, with cl ear safety notes.
W iFi and first-hour essentials
WiFi is us ually the first th ing guests look for, so put the network name and password near the top of your guide. Our post on WiF i instructions for guests a> cov ers how to present it cl early. Also m ention where the light swit ches are, how to find the first - aid kit, and where to loc ate extra sup plies like toilet paper and c leaning products .
How Do You Document the K itchen and Dining Area?
< p>You document the kitchen by list ing how each appliance works, where key items are stored, and how gu ests should clean up and dispose of waste. p>The k itchen is where most small m ishaps happen, from a conf us ing indu ction h ob to a co ffee machine that need s a special pod. If you are still st ocking the room, our kitch en setup checklist a> is a helpful compan ion.
Do not assume gu ests know your o ven, dishwasher, or st ove. Write short inst ructions for an ything with a quirk, and add a photo or short video where it helps.
< ul>Trash, recycling, and cleanup
Trash r ules are one of the most common s ources of confusion, especially in c ities with str ict s orting. Say where the bins are, which day coll ection happ ens, and what go es where. Add a sim ple line about what you expect at checkout, such as starting the dishwas her or taking the bags out.
What Do Gu ests Need to Know About the Living Spaces? h2>
Guests need to know how to control the tem perature, use the TV and work setup, and foll ow your house rules and quiet hours.
The living room is where guests sp end most of their time, so cl ear instructions here pr event the most frequent mess ages.
He ating and cooling sett ings are a common c ause of both confusion and high energy bills. Take a look at our gu ide on how to explain the thermostat to guests for w ording that works. Then c over the ent ertainment and workspace bas ics.
< ul>State your rules in a fri endly, direct tone. Gu ests resp ond better to a short explanation than to a long list of pr ohibitions.

- Qu iet hours and why they matter to ne ighbors.
- Your policy on smoking, par ties, and extra visitors .
- Pet rules, if you all ow anim als.
- Ma ximum occupancy.
What Should You Say About Bedrooms and Bathrooms? h2>
For bedrooms and bath rooms, expl ain where linens, tow els, and extra sup plies are k ept, and m ention any quirks like sl ow h ot water or tric ky show ers.
These r ooms sh ape how r ested and com fortable guests feel, which str ongly influences re views.
Linens, storage, and extra bedding
Tell guests where sp are p illows, blankets, and she ets are st ored so they do not need to message you at midnight. Mention clos et space, h angers, and whether there is an iron or steam er. If you want to refine the room it self, the bedroom set up checklist is a good next read . Also note any blackout cur tains, white noise mach ines, or window qu irks that aff ect sleep.
Towels , water pressure, and to iletries
Set exp ectations on towels , such as how many each guest rece ives and where to put used ones. If the shower tak es a min ute to warm up or has a special hand le, say so. List which toiletries you provide and which ones gu ests should bring. For a complete sup pl ies list, see our b athroom essentials checkl ist.
Concl usion
< p>A room by room guide works because it mirrors the way guests actually move through your home . Start at the front door, then c over the kitchen, living are as, bedrooms, and bathrooms, and focus on the things that c ause questions: access, W iFi, appliances, temperature, and rules. Keep each ent ry short, pract ical, and fri endly, and add photos w herever words f all short. < p>Once your content is written, ke ep it up to date. Wh enever you repl ace an appliance, change a code, or h ear the same question tw ice, update the guide stra ight away. A clear , current guide sa ves you time, prot ects your property, and gives guests the confident st ay that ear ns str ong reviews.Ready to put this into practice? You can create your gu est guide free and have every room docum ented in one place before your next check -in.