The Complete Airbnb Guidebook Guide: What to Include + Free Digital Template (2026)

Every Airbnb host knows the feeling: a guest messages at 11pm asking where the bin bags are. Or the Wi-Fi password. Or how to turn on the heating. Questions you've answered a hundred times.

The solution isn't better guests. It's a better Airbnb guidebook.

In this guide, I'll show you exactly what to put in your Airbnb guidebook, why digital is now the only format that makes sense, and how to create one in under 10 minutes.

What is an Airbnb guidebook (and why does it matter)?

Airbnb uses the term "guidebook" for two distinct things: the neighbourhood guide hosts can publish inside the Airbnb app, and the house manual that guests receive at check-in. In everyday usage, "Airbnb guidebook" covers both — all the information a guest needs to have a smooth, enjoyable stay.

A proper guidebook does three things:

• Answers questions before they're asked — fewer messages, fewer interruptions for you
• Sets clear expectations — house rules, check-out times, bin day — no disputes
• Creates a better guest experience — guests who feel informed leave better reviews

Hosts who switch from no guidebook (or a basic printed sheet) to a complete digital version consistently report a drop in repetitive messages of 50–70%.

What to include in your Airbnb guidebook

1. Arrival & access

• Exact address with parking instructions
• Key safe code or smart lock instructions
• Entry code or door code
• What to do if there's a problem on arrival

2. Wi-Fi

• Network name and password (in big, easy-to-read format)
• Where to find the router if it needs resetting

3. House manual

• How to use the heating and air conditioning
• Washing machine and dishwasher instructions
• TV and streaming setup
• Any quirks the property has ("the hot water takes 30 seconds to come through")

4. House rules

• Check-in and check-out times
• Noise policy
• Smoking and pets policy
• Guest numbers
• What to do with the bins and recycling

5. Check-out instructions

• What guests need to do before leaving (dishes, windows, keys)
• Where to leave the keys

6. Local recommendations

• Your top 3–5 restaurants (with a sentence on each)
• Nearest supermarket and opening hours
• Transport: taxi number, nearest station or bus stop
• Activities and attractions worth visiting

7. Emergency contacts

• Your phone number
• Local emergency services
• Nearest hospital or pharmacy

8. Wi-Fi, smart TV & extras

If you have a smart TV, streaming sticks, or connected devices, a brief "how to" saves a lot of messages.

Paper vs digital: why digital wins in 2026

A printed house manual was fine ten years ago. Today, it has three problems:

It goes out of date instantly. You change the Wi-Fi password, the restaurant you recommended closes, the bin day changes — and your printed booklet is wrong. With a digital guidebook, you update once and every guest sees it immediately.

Guests don't read it. A printed A4 sheet on the coffee table gets ignored. A QR code guests scan on their phone gets engaged with — especially when it's well-organised and easy to navigate.

It only works in one language. If you host international guests, a French or English-only booklet doesn't help a German or Spanish speaker. A digital guidebook with automatic multilingual translation eliminates this completely.

The Airbnb house manual vs the guidebook: what's the difference?

In Airbnb's own interface, these are separate sections:

• House manual: operational information — how things work, where things are, rules. Only shown to confirmed guests.
• Guidebook: neighbourhood recommendations — restaurants, activities, local tips. Visible publicly on your listing page.

In practice, most hosts conflate the two under "guidebook". For a smooth guest experience, you need both — ideally in one place guests can access from their phone throughout their stay.

How to create a digital Airbnb guidebook in 5 minutes

The fastest way is to use a dedicated tool rather than a PDF or Google Doc. Here's what a good digital guidebook tool should give you:

• A QR code you can print and stick in the property
• Automatic translation into multiple languages
• Sections for every type of content (Wi-Fi, appliances, house rules, local guide, check-in/out)
• Mobile-friendly layout guests can use on their phone
• Real-time updates — change something once, every guest sees it instantly

ScanStay was built for exactly this. You answer a few questions, an AI assistant drafts your guidebook content, and you have a working digital welcome book with a QR code in under 10 minutes. No design skills required.

Create your free Airbnb guidebook →

Common mistakes to avoid

Too long, too dense. Guests skim. Use short sections with clear headings. One screen per topic.

Missing the basics. Wi-Fi, heating, and bins are the three things guests always ask about. Nail these first.

No local recommendations. This is what separates a good host from a great one. Three genuine restaurant recommendations with a personal note are worth more than a generic list of ten.

PDF only. A PDF is better than nothing, but guests can't search it, it doesn't translate, and it goes out of date. Use a digital solution.

Not updating it. Review your guidebook before each season. Check that restaurants are still open, prices are current, and instructions are still accurate.

FAQ

What should an Airbnb guidebook include?

At minimum: Wi-Fi details, arrival instructions, house rules, check-out instructions, and your phone number. A complete guidebook also includes appliance instructions, local recommendations, and emergency contacts.

Is an Airbnb guidebook the same as a house manual?

Airbnb distinguishes between the house manual (operational instructions, only for confirmed guests) and the guidebook (neighbourhood recommendations, publicly visible). In practice, most hosts combine both into one welcome document.

What's the best format for an Airbnb guidebook?

Digital is the best format in 2026. A QR code guests scan on arrival, with sections they can navigate on their phone, outperforms printed documents in every metric: readability, multilingual access, and ease of updating.

How do I create a digital Airbnb guidebook quickly?

Use a tool like ScanStay: answer a few questions, let the AI draft your content, and you'll have a fully digital guidebook with QR code in under 10 minutes. Free to try, no credit card required.

How long should an Airbnb guidebook be?

Long enough to answer every common question, short enough that guests actually read it. Aim for 8–12 sections, each covering one topic. A digital format helps — guests navigate to the section they need rather than reading linearly.