A vacation rental guest manual should help guests arrive, settle in, use the property, stay safe, and find help without guessing. The goal is not to document every possible detail. The goal is to make the most important details easy to find.
Who this is for
- New hosts creating a manual for the first time.
- Experienced hosts cleaning up an old binder or PDF.
- Property managers standardizing guest information across properties.
Quick answer
Include arrival, parking, Wi-Fi, house rules, appliance notes, safety, support contacts, checkout, local recommendations, and relevant services. Keep private access details protected and keep the manual current.
Core manual sections
| Section | Include | Keep private or controlled |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Address context, parking, entry overview, check-in time, and arrival photos. | Door codes, lockbox codes, or sensitive access details. |
| Property basics | Wi-Fi, thermostat, appliances, laundry, trash, and recycling. | Owner-only maintenance notes or vendor-only instructions. |
| Safety | Emergency contacts, local emergency number reminders, hazards, and support path. | Anything that creates security risk if public. |
| Services | Relevant add-ons or local services with clear ownership and availability. | Services that are not approved, available, or fulfilled reliably. |
Put arrival first
Guests are most stressed when they are trying to find the property, park, enter, and confirm they are in the right place. Arrival instructions deserve the clearest writing and the clearest photos.
Make house rules practical
Rules should explain what guests need to do, not just what the host dislikes. Use direct language, explain any unusual rule, and avoid burying important expectations in a long paragraph.
Add local context
Local recommendations are useful when they are curated and current. A short list of trusted options is better than a long copied list of generic attractions.
View sample manual
See how a guest manual can combine stay details, service context, and mobile-first access.
When not to add more
Do not add a section just because it might rank for a keyword. If the section does not help a real guest, leave it out. Thin or generic content can make the manual harder to use.
For hosts
Explore StayPerk's host workflow for manuals, add-ons, guest services, and payouts.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers related to this resource.
How long should a guest manual be?
Long enough to answer important stay questions, but structured so guests can scan. Put essentials first and move edge cases into clear sections.
Should I include local recommendations?
Yes, if they are current and genuinely useful. Avoid copying generic city content or listing places you would not confidently recommend.
Where should paid services go?
Place services near the section where they solve a guest need, and explain who provides them, whether approval is required, and where current pricing lives.
Should the manual include house rules?
Yes, but write them as clear stay expectations. Required rules should also be disclosed in the proper booking and listing workflow.
How often should I review the manual?
Review it whenever property details change and on a regular cadence. Outdated local recommendations, Wi-Fi details, or service links can create avoidable support issues.
Useful StayPerk pages
Continue with the role page, sample manual, pricing, or contact path that matches your next step.
Sources
- Write a house manual to share info about your space - Airbnb Resource Center
- Make check-in and checkout easy - Airbnb Resource Center
- What is expected of home hosts and their listings - Airbnb Resource Center
- Digital guidebooks - Touch Stay
- Digital Guidebooks - Hostfully
- StayPerk sample manual - StayPerk
Related resources
8 min read
What Is a Digital Guest Manual for Short-Term Rentals?
Digital guest manuals help guests find stay details, local context, and available services without digging through long messages or old binders.
Read resource
8 min read
Digital Guest Manual vs PDF Welcome Book: What Hosts Should Use
PDF welcome books can still help, but digital manuals are usually better when information changes, guests are mobile, or services need context.
Read resource
8 min read
How Vacation Rental Hosts Can Reduce Repeated Guest Questions
Repeated questions are usually a signal that information exists but is hard to find, hard to trust, or sent at the wrong time.
Read resource