The best time to give guests information is before they need it. A pre-arrival checklist — whether delivered as a message, a PDF, or a digital guide — means guests arrive informed, confident, and already feeling well looked after.
This is the checklist we'd recommend every holiday let host covers. Tick off what you've included; anything missing is a potential message waiting to happen.
Access and Arrival
- Full property address (not just the town — include the postcode)
- What3words location for rural or hard-to-find properties
- Parking instructions (exact location, any permits needed, nearby alternatives)
- Key collection or key safe code
- Smart lock code and backup instructions if applicable
- Check-in time and what to do if arriving early or late
- Instructions if arriving after dark (any access issues, exterior lighting)
Wi-Fi and Technology
- Wi-Fi network name and password (put this near the top — guests ask immediately)
- How to connect to the TV / streaming services
- Any subscriptions available (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+)
- Smart home devices — voice assistants, smart bulbs, thermostats
Heating and Hot Water
- How to adjust the thermostat
- Whether hot water is instant or requires the boiler to be on
- Any timers or settings guests shouldn't change
- What to do if something isn't working
Kitchen and Appliances
- How to use the oven and hob (especially for unusual types like induction or Aga)
- Dishwasher — tablets location, how to run it
- Washing machine — tablets, settings, any specific instructions
- Coffee machine — pods/grounds location, how to use
- Any appliances that are off-limits or require care
Bins and Recycling
- Which bin is which (colour coding varies by council)
- Collection days during the guest's stay
- Where to store rubbish between collections
- Any recycling separation requirements
Sleeping Arrangements
- How many beds, what sizes, which rooms have what
- Location of extra blankets, pillows, or sofa bed linen
- Which rooms are best suited for children / guests with mobility needs
- Cot or high chair availability and location
Fire Safety
- Location of fire extinguisher(s)
- Location of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector
- What to do in case of fire — evacuation route
- Meeting point outside the property
House Rules
- Check-in and check-out times
- Quiet hours
- Smoking policy (inside and outside)
- Pet policy — if allowed, any restrictions (rooms, furniture)
- Maximum number of guests
- Any areas of the property that are off-limits
Local Area
- Nearest supermarket (and opening hours)
- Nearest petrol station
- Restaurant recommendations — a range of price points and cuisines
- Best pub / café
- Top activities and attractions — both free and paid
- Family-friendly options
- Rainy day suggestions
- Dog-friendly beaches, walks, or pubs (if relevant)
Emergencies and Practical
- Your contact number and best times to reach you
- Nearest A&E / hospital
- Nearest pharmacy and opening hours
- Local taxi numbers
- Nearest cash machine
Departure
- Check-out time — clear and unambiguous
- What to do with keys
- Whether to strip beds / place towels in bath
- Rubbish — where to put it before leaving
- Anything to turn off (heating, hot tub, outdoor lights)
- Where to leave feedback or how to leave a review
Turning This Into a Guest Guide
This checklist is a useful planning tool — but guests need this information in a format they can actually use during their stay. A printed sheet gets lost; a PDF buried in an email gets forgotten.
A digital welcome guide, accessible via QR code on the kitchen counter or a link in the booking confirmation, puts all of this on guests' phones at the moment they need it.
GuestGuide generates a structured digital guide from your existing property information — covering all of the above — and gives every property its own shareable link and QR code. It takes minutes to set up, and guests can access it from the car park before they've even walked in.
The fewer surprises guests encounter, the better the review. This checklist is where that starts.