What should I add to my guest guide?

Here at GuestKit, our goal is to make it easy for hosts to invest in answering guest questions in a way that compounds in value over time: you add the answer to your GuestKit and reduce time spent answering those questions in future. As guests, we always prefer to be empowered to help myself - that's why we started GuestKit.

Below we've listed everything we know about what guests find helpful to know. You can take advantage of these in the product by creating from a template - but we hope you find this useful even if you're DIY-ing it.

Locking/unlocking doors

If you're not always able to greet your guests, this is an important guide to get right.

• Don't underestimate how foreign your door may be to a guest.

• If your door is an interior door, be sure to start your guide from the front entrance, if that also requires a key or code.

• If you're using a smart-lock which unlocks with an app or phone number, be sure that the lock supports non-local numbers. We've heard of many guests being locked out in the US because services only support US numbers!

• Are there any alarms that alert if a door is left open for too long?

• Does the door lock automatically?

• Are there any exterior doors in the apartment which don't lock automatically that guests should be aware of?

COVID-19

Guests are especially sensitive to this topic while travelling during the coronovirus pandemic.

• How often is the property cleaned? Explain the products used, surfaces treated, etc. to build confidence

• Do you use a professional cleaning company - what guides are they following?

• Clarify your mask and social distance policy in shared spaces

• Clarify what hygiene products are made available to the guest - soap, hand-gel, etc.

Internet

• Consider printing this information out so that guests who don't have any other way of getting online can consume your GuestKit.

• What's the access point name?

• What's the access point password?

• Are there any areas of the house where coverage is poor?

• Where is the access point located?

• What's the procedure to re-start the access point?

• Will re-starting the access point have any side-effects (voice-assistants won't work for a while, smart-locks might not work for a while, etc.)

Trash and recycling

• Where should guests take the trash? Add some photos if it's outside.

• Is there anything that shouldn't be recycled? For example, some countries have a bottle-return deposit. You could explain to guests how to get that money back.

• What's possible to recycle? This varies from country to country, state to state. Consider uploading a photo of or link to your local recycling guide.

Windows and blinds

• These are different worldwide. If you get a lot of foreign visitors, consider creating these guides.

• How do guests open the windows?

• Are there any windows guests should not leave open when they leave the property?

• Are there any windows which can't or shouldn't be opened?

• Are any windows which are difficult to open/require a little trick?

• Do you have any automation in place for blinds/windows? How is that used?

Air conditioning

• Does the air conditioning unit have a remote control?

• Does the air conditioning unit turn on automatically at certain times of day?

• Does the air conditioning unit turn off automatically?

• Does the air conditioning unit have a sleep timer?

• Is the air conditioning unit controlled by a themostat? If so, where is that located?

Heating

• Does the property have a thermostat? Where is it located?

• If you have a fireplace - how do you get it started safely?

• Is there a timer for the heating?

• Is it possible to schedule the heating? Is this pre-defined?

• Is there a remote control you can use to control the heating?

• Can the heating be controlled by a smart-assistant?

Washing machine

• How do you use the washing machine?

• Where do you put soap or fabric softener?

• Is there any detergent available for guests to use?

• Where can guests dry clothes?

Clothes dryer

• How do you use the dryer?

• How do you empty the dryers water reservoir?

• How do you clean the lint-trap? This is important to prevent fires.

Shower

• How do you set the temperature?

• How do you set the pressure?

• Are there multiple shower-heads? How do you switch between them?

Watching TV

• Where do you normally keep the remote control? Where would you like your guests to leave it when they check-out?

• Are there any hardware buttons to turn the TV on/off?

• Can your TV be controlled by a smart assistant like Google Home or Alexa?

• How do you watch TV?

• Are there any services available (Netflix or YouTube for example)?

Listening to music

• Where are the speakers located?

• Are there any rules about how early/late your guests can play music?

• Can your music be controlled by a smart assistant like Google Home or Alexa?

• Are there any services available (Spotify or Amazon for example)?

Renting a bike

• Do you have any bikes available?

• Where can your guests rent a bike? Try attaching a map link!

• How much can guests expect to pay for a bike?

• Are there any laws guests need to be aware of? Lights at night, hand signals, etc.

Packages

Getting packages delivered:

• Can guests get packages delivered to the property?

• What address should they use to do so?

• Do guests need to leave any special instructions to the driver?

Sending packages or letters:

• Where can guests send packages or letters? Try attaching a map link!

• Where can guests purchase stamps?

Ordering food

• Where would you order food from?

• Do you recommend any restaurants?

• Do you recommend any apps to your guests (UberEats, Deliveroo, JustEat, Wolt) - try adding your referral link!

Buying groceries

• Where would you buy your groceries?

• What's the budget option? How about the fancy option?

• Are there any speciality shops your guests might like? Butchers, farmers markets, etc.

• Are there any local specialties you'd recommend your guests try out?

Using the kitchen

• What's available to guests in your kitchen? Consider making an extra step to this guide, or individual guides.

• How does a guest use the oven? Are there any pots/pans you'd prefer they didn't use?

• How does a guest use the dishwasher? Are there any tablets/detergents available for the guests to use?

Luggage storage

• If you have an early check-out policy, and the guest has a late flight, what options do they have to not have to carry their luggage all day?

• Do you offer temporary storage?

• Are there services such as Stasher or lockers available near your property?

Checking out

• When leaving, what do you expect your guests to do?

• Where should guests leave the key?

• Where should your guests leave any trash or recycling?

• Should guests strip the sheets?

• Lock all windows

• Lock all exterior doors - remind guests if there are doors other than the main entrance

Travel options

• What's the best taxi service to use?

• What's the best taxi app to use? Try adding your referral link for that service!

• Where can guests buy bus & train tickets?

• Is there an app to buy bus & train tickets? Attach it as a link!

Locked out?

• Who should the guest contact?

• Is there somewhere they can wait nearby while they wait for someone to come and help them?

• Is there a fee for this inconvenience?

Security cameras

• Guests have a right to privacy and an understanding of where and when they're potentially being watched on your property.

• Explain to guests that the cameras are for their own safety and for your peace of mind as a host.

• Point out where each camera is, and consider including a screenshot of exactly what that camera can see.

• Do your cameras record audio? You should disable or disclose this.

Smart assistants

• Devices like Alexa and Google Home are still very new to most people. They might be evolving quickly and be

tightly integrated into your home - so it's important to explain how they work!

• Explain what the devices are capable of in your property.

• What's the trigger word for your devices?

• Can they control temperature? What's the command?

• Can they control lighting? What's the command?

• Can they play music or TV? What's the command?

• How can your guests disable them? Some people are uncomfortable with being listened to.

Any we missed?

Drop us a line to hello@guestkit.io so we can keep our list growing!