A property guidebook is the go-to resource for everything guests need to know about your property and the surrounding area. A good guidebook curates an unforgettable experience — the kind that leads to 5-star reviews, referrals, and repeat bookings. It also saves you time by placing the answers to frequently asked questions right at your guests’ fingertips.
The simplest way to provide guests this information has traditionally been a paper guidebook. However, increased concerns about cleanliness, added logistics for safely visiting properties, and frequently changing business hours and information have made paper guidebooks a hassle to maintain. Many professional short term rental managers have turned to digital guidebooks. GuestView Guide is a wall-mounted digital concierge and guidebook that provides an upgraded, luxury guest experience while increasing business efficiency for hosts.
As the once-ubiquitous paper property guidebook shifts to this digital format, what information should property managers include to keep guests informed and happy? Here are five ideas to get started:
First Impressions
Your guests have just arrived on site, and you care deeply about making sure their stay is perfect! The property guidebook is a great way to introduce your guests to everything they need to know about the property so that they can start to settle in and fully enjoy the amenities. However, ensuring that your guests have had a positive first impression can be a challenge, especially if you and your staff aren’t on site with the guests.
Upon check-in, GuestView Guide prompts guests to provide their initial perception of the property through an interactive first impression survey. The guests’ first impression ratings are then sent directly to the property manager. Collecting this feedback right away helps property managers address issues before they turn into a bad review.
Check-in and check-out procedures
Facilitate a more effortless arrival and departure process for your guests (and you) by communicating all check-in and check-out procedures in your guidebook. It is a good idea to keep a list of all guest questions and update your guidebook accordingly. While it can be time and resource-intensive to edit, print, and distribute paper guidebooks, GuestView Guide allows you to quickly and easily make updates. Answer FAQs such as:
- What time is check-out?
- Where should guests put garbage and recycling?
- Should guests adjust the thermostat before departing?
- How do guests lock up when leaving the property?
House rules and amenity info
You’ve worked hard to make sure your property has everything a guest might need for a fantastic stay. Your guests will get the most out of their trip when the house rules are clear, and they know how everything works. With GuestView Guide, you can add information about different amenities and appliances in a video or text format. Reduce phone calls by addressing common house quirks, including:
- How do the washer and dryer work?
- How do smart devices and remotes work?
- How do guests operate amenities like a hot tub, jacuzzi, or fireplace?
- Where do guests find supplies like extra paper products and linens?
Additional service offerings
When guests book your property, they often want more than a place to stay. So help them plan a perfect trip by including add-ons in your guidebook. With GuestView Guide’s in-property digital concierge platform, guests can select from a menu of add-ons, and you can earn more revenue without raising your rates. Include products and service elements like:
- Late check out
- Mid-stay clean
- Equipment rentals for bikes, kayaks, etc.
- Guided tours or referrals to local tour companies you partner with
- Shuttle services to and from the airport or local attractions
- Firewood
- In-property extras like a picnic basket or bottle of wine
Restaurant and activity recommendations
Your guests have a relationship with you, and your recommendation is more meaningful than an online review. With GuestView Guide, your suggestions stay up-to-date when the locals-only hidden gem shifts hours with the seasons. Create a list of recommended activities in the area such as:
- Your favorite breakfast spot
- Great grab-and-go food
- Best restaurant for a special occasion
- Hiking trails and biking paths
- Museums
- Breweries and wineries
- Local boutiques and shopping
Now more than ever, it is critical to make timely edits to your guidebook, so guests know which attractions are open and if they have any COVID-19 protocols in place. While this information can quickly become outdated in a paper guidebook, GuestView Guide offers a more hygienic and easy-to-maintain solution. GuestView Guide’s digital concierge platform makes it easy to update your digital property guidebook with the latest guidelines in your area so guests can experience the best your town has to offer.
Learn how you can earn more, save time, and delight guests with GuestView Guide:
