Imagine entering a house or apartment for the first time in an equally unfamiliar location. If you arrived without keys, it is likely that someone has given you the correct gate numbers. If you have connected to the internet, it is because you have accessed the password somewhere: the best way to provide this essential information for a quality stay is a welcome book for seasonal guests.
This welcome book should have all the useful information for travelers who have opted for a short-term rental. Especially if the owner or the administrator does not do the check-in in person. Anyway, a welcome book for seasonal guests is recommended in any circumstance, because there may be doubts about the house or place after those responsible have left.
Betting on a welcome book for seasonal guests involves reading the minds of visitors in order to anticipate any problems that may arise with the temporary accommodation, in addition to providing instructions for solving it. This helps to ensure that the space is well maintained. In return, the host is also spared messages or calls throughout the stay, as guests have previously accessed all essential information about the house.
But do you know what to include in this material? Such a mission can be facilitated with the support of reviews from visitors who have already visited your property. Before looking at the comments, check out our tips:
Welcome book for seasonal guests
1. Friendly welcome message
Start your welcome book for seasonal guests with a friendly message. The text must be able to welcome incoming visitors, in addition to wishing a good stay. To do this, make yourself available, especially if you choose automatic check-in. That way, it will be clear that you care about every detail of the experience.
- Also read: Airbnb Plus: How the Quality and Comfort Check On Lodgings Works and How to Achieve It
2. How to arrive and leave the place
Even if you provide the full or partial address in your listing, it is important to highlight it in the welcome book for seasonal guests. Take the opportunity to add references that make it easier for visitors to arrive and leave the place. Also explain separately how to get there from the airport, train station or bus station.
Check-in can be made easier if you opt for the digital format, which can be sent right after confirming the booking or on the eve of the stay. Finally, say what needs to be done when they are leaving (if they need to leave the keys with someone, for example).
3. How to turn on the lights, water, gas and, of course, the internet
Ideally, everything should already be working perfectly when visitors arrive at your space. But if you prefer to turn off something while the property is unoccupied, explain in the welcome book for seasonal guests how they can make lights, water, gas and, especially, the internet work.
In this step, indicate the Wi-Fi password. Do not forget to explain what should be done if any of these services stop working. Remember: if you have advertised an apartment with Netflix or Amazon Prime, guests will complain if the streaming service is unstable or unavailable. It is also worth highlighting at this point that the equipment you provide should be working, such as TV, washing machine and dishwasher, barbecue grill or swimming pool.
- Also read: Airbnb Experiences: What Are the Most Popular Activities That Can Inspire Homeowners?
4. Suggestions for activities
Many people opt for vacation rentals due to the possibility of having an experience as a local. To do this, they request valuable information from the owners or administrators of the properties, such as an indispensable attraction or a cost-effective restaurant.
Save a special part of the welcome book for seasonal guests where the activities you like to do the most in your city are suggested. This is a way to make the stay unique, in addition to strengthening local commerce.
In an episode of the Stay Here series about vacation rentals, the owner established a partnership with a donut brand from the surrounding area, which started to provide breakfast sweets for travelers staying there. In another, a couple of hosts wrote on a wall that imitated a blackboard the top five restaurants in a very personal review.
5. House rules
Explaining how your temporary accommodation works is important even for frequent travelers. After all, each house is a different house. Therefore, define the rules of your space well, such as regarding space conservation, saving water or light, and highlight them in the welcome book for seasonal guests.
- Also read: Famous Airbnb Homes: What They Can Teach to Vacation Rentals
6. Services nearby and emergency numbers
Guests will enjoy accessing information about ATMs, gas stations, establishments that operate 24 hours a day, pharmacies and tourism agencies, for example, near your property. That way, they can save time and have a more comfortable stay. In the same space, you can also leave some emergency numbers, such as a hospital or Fire Department.
Last but not least: print an updated version of the welcome book for seasonal guests and leave it in an accessible place in the house. Depending on the traveler profile of your space, consider translating the information into Spanish or other languages. And, whenever possible, ask them if any information is missing so you can improve the material.
Do you have a welcome book in your season home? What do you think about the document?
