How to Improve Your Airbnb Welcome Pack: Essentials, Extras, and Pro Tips

Ditch the Leaflets

Printed leaflets clutter your space, go out of date quickly, and often end up in the bin. They’re hard to keep tidy, and guests rarely take the time to read them properly. Instead of leaving a pile of paper on the table, consider using a smarter, cleaner alternative.

A wooden, Things to Do Near Here tag on a small clear stand gives your guests instant access to up-to-date local attractions. No apps, no mess, no need for Wi-Fi. Guests simply hold their phone near the oak tag (within about 5 cm) and a curated Google Map opens automatically, showing their exact location and nearby points of interest. They’ll see local parks, zoos, museums, woodland walks, and much more, ideal for families and holidaymakers alike.

Unlike leaflets, this tool never goes out of date. It works worldwide using the guest’s current location, needs no batteries or maintenance, and takes up almost no space. The interface is familiar and easy to use: visitors can scroll through a list of places, tap to call, get directions, or visit websites directly.

It's a practical, elegant upgrade to your welcome pack, streamlined, always accurate, and designed to work for every guest.

Nailing the Welcome

The first few minutes after a guest arrives set the tone for their entire stay. A clear, well-thought-out welcome can reduce questions, prevent small issues, and create a smoother experience for everyone. Start with the basics. Keep check-in instructions simple and visible, either printed, written on a chalkboard, or included in a short welcome note. Include the Wi-Fi name and password, how to use the heating, and what to do with the key on departure. Avoid long paragraphs or overly friendly language. Guests want clarity.

Place your essentials where they’re needed. The bin bags should be under the sink, not in a cupboard across the room. Leave spare toilet rolls in sight. If your front door has a quirk, like needing to be lifted slightly to lock, tell them directly. It’s these small things that prevent late-night messages and help guests settle in straight away.

A short printed welcome sheet near the door or kitchen, or a single-page digital version accessed via a “tap here” phone tag, works well. Keep it short. Bullet points are better than sentences. Prioritise clarity over personality. The primary goal is not to impress. It's to make the guest feel at ease, with everything they need close to hand and nothing left uncertain.

Solving Common Guest Questions

Most guest questions are easy to predict. If you’ve hosted more than once, you’ve likely answered the same queries again and again. These questions aren’t a problem on their own, but when they build up, they interrupt the guest’s stay and pull your attention away from other things.

The key is to answer them in advance. A short, clear guide left in the property can handle most issues before they come up. Use bullet points or bold headings so guests can find what they need quickly. Focus on what matters: how things work, where things are, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Common questions include: What’s the Wi-Fi password, how do I work the oven, where’s the nearest supermarket, how do I take the bins out, what’s the heating set to, where’s the hairdryer, is there a spare key, how do I lock the front door, can I get a taxi nearby, where’s the thermostat?

Include honest instructions. If your shower takes a minute to warm up or the front door sticks a bit, say so. These small details make a big difference to how relaxed and confident guests feel. If you need another host to discuss things with, the Airbnb AirHosts Forum is a great place to start.

Instantly show guests nearby attractions using their phone

Winning Snacks

A small selection of snacks goes a long way in making guests feel welcome. It’s not about generosity, it’s about thoughtfulness. After a long journey, even a simple pack of biscuits or a few teabags can make guests feel looked after.

Stick to snacks that are easy to store, unlikely to cause allergies, and don’t need refrigeration. Think: plain crisps, still water, breakfast bars, wrapped biscuits, and a few herbal tea bags. If you want to go a step further, add a small note saying, “Help yourself”. It sets the tone straight away.

Avoid anything that melts, leaks, or spoils quickly. Steer clear of strong flavours or anything messy. Keep it simple and sealed. A small glass jar of individually wrapped sweets works well and can be topped up between visits.

For snack ideas that suit guest accommodation, this selection of mini snack boxes from Graze is a good starting point. They’re tidy, pre-packed, and easy to rotate. You don’t need to offer a lot, just something that shows care. It's a low-cost way to add a human touch that guests will notice.

Essential Toiletries

Guests don’t expect a full bathroom kit, but they do notice when the basics are missing. A few essential toiletries can cover forgotten items and help guests settle in without hassle.

At minimum, provide hand soap, toilet roll, and a spare loo roll within easy reach. Add a basic shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel, even if in small refillable bottles. These don’t need to be expensive, just clean, full, and clearly labelled. Avoid hotel sachets or anything that looks left over from a previous stay.

Keep things neutral - unscented or lightly scented options suit most guests. A simple pump bottle with a clear label looks better than mismatched products or half-used tubes. If you want to include extras like toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors or sanitary products, consider a sealed box marked “spares”. This avoids clutter while still offering support if someone forgets something important.

For reliable, affordable guest toiletries, check out this bathroom essentials range at The Cleaning Collective. They stock bulk and travel-size items ideal for Airbnb hosts. The bottom line (har har), is that toiletries essentially just need to cover the basics without guests needing to ask.

Instantly show guests nearby attractions using their phone

Vital Info

Every guest needs a few key details to feel in control from the start. If they can’t find this information quickly, they’ll either message you or get frustrated. Neither is ideal. Put the essentials in one place. This could be a printed sheet, a small booklet, or a simple laminated page by the kettle. It doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to be clear.

Here's what to include:

- Wi-Fi name and password (double-check it’s correct)

- Check-out time and what to do with the key

- Heating and hot water instructions (including boiler reset if needed)

- Local emergency numbers (e.g. NHS 111, nearest A&E, gas leak)

- Rubbish and recycling info (where the bins are, what day to put them out)

- Your contact number in case of problems

- Parking rules or restrictions

- Quiet hours, if you live nearby or have neighbours

Use bold headings and keep instructions brief. If you want to include restaurant recommendations or things to do, put those elsewhere, this section is for what matters most. The goal is to give guests just enough to feel confident, without overloading them. When the basics are obvious, guests relax and you don’t get messages about things you’ve already covered.

Icing On The Cake Extras

Once you’ve covered the basics, a few well-chosen extras can make your Airbnb stand out. These are the touches guests don’t expect, but they remember.

Try keeping it local. A small jar of jam from a nearby farm shop, a postcard of the village, or a printout of your favourite nearby walk adds a personal feel. Families appreciate simple things like a couple of children’s books or a deck of cards. For couples, a corkscrew and a couple of wine glasses left out can make the space feel more thoughtful.

Think about comfort across seasons. A fan in summer, an extra blanket in winter, or a torch if you’re in the countryside all help guests feel prepared. It’s about showing them that you’ve thought ahead to make their stay more welcoming.

If you want ready-made extras, The Lancaster Box Company offers guest-friendly items with a local flavour. For printed local guides, fridge magnets or area maps, Printed.com is a good place to start. Extras should be subtle, useful, and relevant. Done right, they improve the guest experience without making the space feel busy.

Improving your Airbnb welcome pack isn’t about spending more. It’s about being clear, practical, and one step ahead. Ditch the paper clutter, cover the basics properly, and choose extras that genuinely help. When guests feel considered, they relax, and when they relax, they leave better reviews.