Airbnb Guest Book: Ideas, Prompts and What to Write
A guest book works when it is easy to find, easy to start and easy to fill: a pen beside it, a first-page note that tells guests what to write, and a few prompts. This page gives you a first-page message you can copy, prompt ideas for the pages, and tips for keeping it neat. It also helps you use what guests write to improve your place.
The note for the first page
Guests are shy about being the first to write. A short welcome note on page one solves it:
Welcome to [Home name]! We would love to hear about your stay. Leave a note, a drawing, a favorite place you found or a tip for the next guests. Thank you for being here.
Add one example from yourself, such as a favorite walk or café, so the first entry is already there.
Prompts for the pages
Print one prompt at the top of each page or section:
- Name, date and where you are visiting from
- The best part of your stay
- A place we should recommend to the next guests
- A meal you loved
- A tip for a rainy day
- Something that made you smile
- One thing that would make the place better
- Words of advice for the next traveler
- A drawing or doodle by the youngest guest
You can also add a map page where guests mark their home towns with a pin or a sticker, which becomes a conversation starter.
Formats to choose from
| Format | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Printed pages in a binder | Easy updating | Add pages as it fills |
| A hardbound blank book | A warm, keepsake feel | Prompts are written by hand |
| A digital form | Guests who prefer phones | Link or QR code, you collect the answers |
| Wall board or frame | Small spaces | Short notes on cards |
Pick one and keep it simple. If you want a keepsake, a binder you can add pages to is easier than a bound book that fills up.
Making it look good
- Keep a pen on a string or a jar of pens beside it.
- Use a cover with the property name and a short line.
- Set it where guests sit in the evening, not on a shelf.
- Add a bookmark so it opens at the next page.
- Replace torn pages and refresh the book once a year.
Using what you learn
Read the guest book on each turnover. Note recurring comments, such as a favorite restaurant, a gadget guests love or a small annoyance. Add the favorites to your welcome book and fix the annoyances. For public reviews, see the review templates guide.
Privacy and etiquette
- Do not post guest-book entries publicly without permission.
- Do not read names or notes aloud in messages.
- If a page contains personal information, treat it with care.
- Let guests know the book stays in the home.
Pair it with a feedback form
A guest book is warm but unstructured. A one-page feedback form asks direct questions, such as cleanliness, comfort and anything missing, and gives you comparable answers. Many hosts keep both: the book for feelings, the form for facts.
Ready-made pages
The Stayworks Host Kit includes guest book pages and a feedback page inside its 31-page printable welcome book, a stand-alone guest feedback form, 12 welcome cards and 8 thank-you cards, all editable in Google Docs or Word. Print what you need, add your logo or your own wording and place it in a binder. It is $19.00 one time.
Quick checklist
- Write a friendly first-page note.
- Add prompts.
- Keep a pen next to the book.
- Read it at every turnover.
- Use feedback to improve the home.