Luxe Airbnb Welcome Guide - The Designed Stay

All the key elements to elevate your holiday rental and ensure your guests don't have to think about a thing.

Elevate Your Holiday Rental Experience

Most Airbnb welcome guides tell guests what to do. I’ve developed a guide designed to shape how they feel. Having specialised in luxury Airbnb and short-term rental properties, I’ve put together a considered, design-led toolkit. This toolkit brings together everything needed to create a seamless, elevated guest experience.

Each element has been developed through real client work and guest interactions. It reflects how people move through a space, what they notice (often subconsciously), and what transforms a stay from simply “nice” into something memorable.

Whether you are setting up your first property or refining an existing one, this collection allows you to present your space with clarity, ease, and quiet confidence. Part 1 explored the key elements of Space Planning, and Part 2 dissected the fixtures and fittings to include to create the ultimate boutique spaces.

A design-led approach to preparing your property properly.

The Importance of a Guest Guide

Now let’s look at the Guest Guide. Beautifully structured welcome books are part of the secret to presenting your place. They provide all the key details, interesting background, and everything about the house and the neighbourhood. With fabulous recommendations, they ensure your guests really don’t have to think about a thing but just enjoy.

We’ve all stayed in places with a scruffy binder of notes or a sticky clear folder filled with a few leaflets. One property we visited in France had a ‘Welcome Book’ that read like a Sergeant Major’s List of Shame. It listed all the things we, as guests, had to ensure we did before leaving the property. We didn’t even attempt to make coffee or put anything in the bin for fear of contravening one of the many commands. Fortunately, we were only there for one night!

If you’d like more than this overview, then a link to my fully customisable templates will be available for Subscribers. Here are the key pages to include in your Guest Guide.

Creating a Warm Welcome

So they’ve made it; they’re through the door. The first 7 seconds—a key moment—has been exemplary. Now let’s make the rest of their stay seamless.

Place the Guest Guide in an obvious spot, but not right next to the main entrance. Think about where their exploration of the property will start. You can have it next to their Welcome Tray or leave it in the kitchen as a repeat reminder of the thoughtfully presented place they have the pleasure of enjoying during their stay.

There are obvious details to include, but make it personal. Welcome them with a personalised letter or include one in the Guide. We are inquisitive creatures, and we all like to know whose property we’re enjoying. If the history of the place is significant, share that too.

Include photographs and historical details about the house if relevant. These small details underline the specialness of the place they’re going to enjoy.

Practical Information for Guests

The ‘Enjoy Your Stay’ pages cover practical elements. Include information on how to change the heating, health and safety, and local services.

Then, let’s get to the heart of any guide—the recommendations. From local coffee spots to bars, restaurants, and places to go, present these with a snapshot overview, contact details, and opening times. Keep them up to date by adding in some great new openings or deleting ones that are no longer operating.

Local Life from a Guest Guide

Consider adding a page titled ‘Further Afield’ and another for ‘Staying In’ with the best takeout or delivery recommendations. For the ultimate Guide, create your ‘Perfect Day’ itinerary. Build in breakfast, exercise, sightseeing, shopping, relaxation, and a night out.

A Perfect Day Out and About

Think about including pages for ‘Local Services’, ‘Places to Visit’, and a ‘Fancy a Walk’ section. Who wouldn’t want a bit of ‘Retail Therapy’? Make this a standout page featuring local artisans, independent retailers, and spots for antiques and curios.

A Thoughtful Farewell

Finally, end on a positive note. Include easy reminders for guests before they leave, wishing them a safe journey and inviting them to visit again soon.

At every stage of your guests’ stay, you want them to feel cared for. Everything should be set up for them to experience a fabulous stay, complete with all the little luxe extras and thoughtful inclusions that elevate their experience and make it memorable.

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Here’s to the creation of your own luxe Airbnb or holiday rental and many happy guests!

Joan