Prepare your welcome book for your guests

Here is our advice for creating your welcome manual and helping you manage your short-term vacation rental on all rental platforms such as Airbnb, Abritel, and Booking.com. If you are a property owner and have just acquired a property to rent out, this article is a must-read. Plain and simple.

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Today, we are seeing more and more welcome booklets in short-term rentals. Very often, these booklets prove to be very useful for your Airbnb guests. Indeed, before entrusting your property to us for the management of your vacation rental, we would like to give you some advice on creating this manual. It will require a little writing effort, but it will allow you to build loyalty with your vacationers.

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The 8 Welkeys tips for creating your welcome booklet

1 - Define the format of your manual

We recommend writing a manual that is neither too big nor too small. You can create a PDF file for your guests to download, or leave a binder available in your rental. We suggest gathering all your tips on two A4 sheets so that your guests feel at home. You can also integrate your booklet directly into your Airbnb listing!

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2 - Create an access map

On the first page of your manual, prepare a map of your neighborhood. A route you take regularly in a city you know by heart seems simple to you. However, for a couple or a family that has just arrived, it can be a real adventure! Once they have arrived safely with your map in hand, our Airbnb concierge will be able to help your guests plan their routes, whether to get to the city center or to reach the nearest public transport.

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3 - Provide as much information as possible about your accommodation

Think about the information your guests will need immediately. Most of the time, the first question from your guests concerns the Wi-Fi codes. But since every house or apartment has its own specificities, do not hesitate to give them as much information as possible. Water heater, meter, air conditioning, heating, or even recycling... all this may seem like second nature to you, but your guests will be more than happy to learn how they work upon their arrival. Finally, also create a more basic sheet regarding the use of the television, your DVD player, the stereo system, and any "high-tech" equipment you wish to leave at their disposal.

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4 - Establish simple and clear rules

Your guests are just like you: people who have a house or an apartment they love. They will completely understand if you ask them to take off their shoes or not to smoke inside. When you explain your rules, do it in a simple and clear way. When in doubt, you can always provide some details to our Welkeys concierge when you entrust us with the management of your vacation rental. In our experience, your guests are happy to follow your lead!

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5 - Indicate nearby shops and amenities

Do you have the best Italian restaurant downstairs, the coziest tea room on the next street, and do you know where the best places in the neighborhood are to go out with friends? Then make a list of recommendations for all these places for your guests. Once settled into their rental, they will appreciate knowing where to go to enjoy a good meal or have a drink. Give them details about the decor, the atmosphere, and the music; our Airbnb concierge will always be happy to show them where the places you mention are located. Then, complete your list with all the practical shops for their daily life, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, the bakery, or the local butcher. And finally, slip in a few business cards like Foodchéri! But also, if you have any, discount codes!

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6 - Suggest activities and visits

If your guests haven't already started looking for activities and visits in the area, give them the contact details for your nearest tourist office. You can also make some brochures available for your guests. You can point them toward the main tourist sites, events in the region, or even walks to take in the surroundings. Our concierges know their city by heart and will always give good advice!

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7 - Create an inventory

As a superhost, you leave equipment at your guests' disposal. This can be household appliances, a hair dryer, but also board games, video games, or your vinyl collection! So that your guests can be aware of everything they have at their fingertips, you can add a list. This list can also prove to be very useful for your concierge. Indeed, your concierge will be able to verify that all the equipment provided is in good condition both during check-in and during check-out and the cleaning of your rental.

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8 - Gather all the numbers to call in case of emergency

Draw up a list of all the numbers to call in case of an emergency. Your tenants will be relieved to be able to call the right person at the right time. For its part, our Welkeys concierge will always be available for your guests if needed. With all our tips for creating the best welcome booklet, you have all the keys in hand to impress your guests! Once the last smiles have been exchanged with your guests, our concierge can roll up their sleeves and take care of the cleaning of your Airbnb rental so that everything is ready for your next tenants! PS: do not hesitate to provide a copy of this guide to your Airbnb concierge; they will be able to read it with your guests to explain everything in detail.