The best hosts answer every question before the guest asks it. A well-built guest guidebook does this automatically—reducing your message volume, improving the guest experience, and earning better reviews. Build it once, update it seasonally, and let it work for you.
The Structure
Your guidebook should be accessible digitally (PDF, Google Doc, or hosted page link sent in your pre-arrival message) and optionally printed in a binder at the property. Here’s the complete template:
Section 1: Welcome & Essentials
WiFi network and password (put this first—it’s the first thing every guest looks for).
Check-in instructions: Smart lock code, parking location, which door to use, where to find the light switch in the dark.
Check-out instructions: What to do with towels, trash, dishes, and the hot tub cover. Keep it simple—3–5 bullet points max.
Property address and GPS coordinates. Rural Hocking Hills properties often have unreliable GPS routing. Include landmarks: “Turn left at the red barn past mile marker 7.”
Section 2: House Rules
Keep it concise and friendly. Cover quiet hours, smoking policy, pet policy, maximum occupancy, and fire pit rules. Frame rules as “help us keep the cabin great for everyone” rather than a list of threats.
Section 3: Appliance & Amenity Guides
Hot tub: How to remove/replace the cover, jet controls, temperature adjustment. Note that you maintain it between guests and ask them to report any issues.
Fireplace: How to start it (gas vs. wood), damper instructions, where firewood is stored.
TV/streaming: Which apps are logged in, remote instructions, HDMI input for casting.
Kitchen: Location of coffee maker, filters, basic supplies. Note what’s provided (coffee, salt, oil) vs. what guests bring.
Section 4: Local Recommendations
This section is where your guidebook becomes a genuine value-add. For Hocking Hills properties, include:
Top 5 hikes by difficulty. Link to HockingHikes.com for detailed trail guides. Suggest which trails to hit on which days to avoid peak crowds (weekday mornings for Old Man’s Cave, any time for Conkle’s Hollow).
Restaurant picks. Include 3–5 options with cuisine type, price range, and whether reservations are needed. Update this section every 6 months—restaurants in small towns open and close.
Grocery/supplies. Nearest grocery store, gas station, and liquor store with approximate drive times.
Activities beyond hiking. Ziplines, canoe/kayak rentals, horseback riding, wineries, and the John Glenn Astronomy Park for stargazing. The park shuttle runs on weekends and helps avoid parking headaches.
Pro tip: Include the HockingHillsOhio.org regional guide link as a “deep dive” resource. It covers restaurants, events, and regional history that guests love exploring.
Section 5: Emergency Information
911 (note: cell service is unreliable in parts of Hocking Hills; include landline location if applicable).
Nearest hospital: Hocking Valley Community Hospital, Logan.
Your contact number or your local contact person.
Fire extinguisher and first aid kit locations.
Property address (repeated here so it’s easy to read to a 911 dispatcher).
Section 6: Seasonal Notes
Update quarterly with relevant info: winter road conditions and 4WD recommendations, spring wildflower bloom timing, summer swimming holes, fall foliage peak dates. This keeps the guidebook fresh and gives return guests new information.
Digital vs. Physical
Do both. Send the digital version 48 hours before arrival so guests can plan. Place a physical binder on the kitchen counter for quick reference during the stay. The digital version should be a well-designed PDF or a simple hosted webpage.
The Payoff
A comprehensive guidebook reduces “where is the...?” and “how do I...?” messages dramatically. It shows guests you’ve thought about their experience. And it consistently shows up in positive reviews: “The host thought of everything” is the review equivalent of a 5-star guarantee.
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