Menu
▾
▾
Property types
▾
Research and reports
Campaigns
Resources
4-minute read
Zach Hayward-Jones
15 September 2022
A great holiday let should be a home away from home for your guests. Making them feel comfortable and settled will be a priority for any holiday let landlord.
One way to make a great first impression is to leave a welcome pack that makes things simple for your guests and gets their stay off to a great start.
A holiday let welcome pack (or guest book) is a document you make for guests at your property to make sure they've got all the information they need for their stay.
It usually contains important details, such as emergency contact information and the location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits. But it has personal tips as well, such as advice on public transport or good restaurants in the area.
The welcome pack will usually be placed somewhere noticeable like the kitchen table, so your guests can read it shortly after arriving to get familiar with their new surroundings.
A great guest book can make the holidaymaker’s stay more comfortable and your life easier.
Having crucial information for your holiday let in one place means that guests have something to refer to if they have any questions. But it also means that landlords don’t have to spend unnecessary time explaining property details that could be covered in a guest book.
It’s also a way of connecting with your guests. It’s an introduction to you, your property, and the surrounding area.
A lot of people choose holiday lets instead of hotels for the personal touch. So even if you’ve already communicated with the guests, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself and the property.
Share a bit about yourself and why you own a property in the area. It doesn’t need to be long, but it’s important for guests to understand more about whose property they’re staying in.
For example, if your holiday let is a countryside cottage, you can share something about its history and how you happen to own it.
If the property is an urban apartment, you could share some background information about the area and what attracted you to it.
You might even leave a personal handwritten message wishing them a nice stay to go with the welcome pack.
This is a crucial part of the welcome pack as some guests won’t be familiar with who to contact or where to go in case of an emergency. But it’s also important to list other types of contacts to make sure all potential scenarios are covered.
Emergency information to include:
Most guests will hopefully treat your property with the respect they would their own home, but it can be beneficial to outline any rules your guests need to follow.
House rules are unique to each property but these are some things to consider:
Whatever the rules, it’s useful for them to be outlined clearly in the welcome pack so everybody is on the same page.
You know how to use the appliances in your property so it’s easy to forget that they might be tricky to use for those unfamiliar with them.
Consider explaining how to use appliances like:
It’s also worth mentioning how to use anything that might not be common in a regular home, such as a swimming pool or sports equipment.
Guidance about the best ways to get around the surrounding area saves your guests researching it themselves.
All you need to do is point out the nearest bus stops and train stations and give the numbers for reliable local taxi services.
Sharing your local knowledge of the area can be a great way to make your guest’s stay more personal and enjoyable. Lots of holiday lets leave leaflets for local attractions, but making a list that feels more in-depth is often more useful to your guests.
Think about including:
The purpose of a welcome pack is to make your guests feel welcome and to also make sure they have all the information they need.
Having an index or contents page at the beginning of your guest book and an FAQ page at the end are ways of making the information more accessible. This means your guests can get the guidance they're looking for quickly.
Once you have the welcome pack ready, make a note of the questions guests ask because it could mean that you’ve missed something. Then you can add the answers to these questions to your welcome pack in the future.
Going the extra mile as a landlord can turn the guest’s experience from good to great. Accompanying your welcome pack with a gift will help make your guests feel at home.
It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant or expensive – a box of chocolates, a bottle of wine, or a local souvenir are all thoughtful ideas.
Or you could put together a welcome hamper of household essentials like bread, milk, tea, and coffee, as well as treats like chocolates and biscuits. This is inexpensive but shows a level of thoughtfulness that will mean a lot to your guests.
Is there anything you would include that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below.
Over 200,000 UK landlord policies, a 9/10 customer rating and claims handled by an award-winning team. Looking to switch or start a new policy? Run a quick landlord insurance quote today.
We create this content for general information purposes and it should not be taken as advice. Always take professional advice.
Read our full disclaimer
Find this article useful? Spread the word.
Keep up to date with Simply Business. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on social media.
6th Floor
99 Gresham StreetLondonEC2V 7NG
Sol House29 St Katherine's StreetNorthamptonNN1 2QZ
© Copyright 2022 Simply Business. All Rights Reserved. Simply Business is a trading name of Xbridge Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Registration No: 313348). Xbridge Limited (No: 3967717) has its registered office at 6th Floor, 99 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7NG.
