Guidebooks are an excellent way to provide helpful information and enhance the guest experience. Discover various options for creating guidebooks and learn how to use them as lead magnets to grow your audience!
A well-crafted guidebook is one of the most underrated tools in the holiday-let world — and one of the most powerful. Whether you’re welcoming guests to a cosy countryside retreat or a family-friendly coastal cottage, a good guidebook sets the tone for a smoother stay, fewer questions, and happier guests who feel genuinely cared for. It’s also a subtle but effective way to elevate your brand above the noise of the OTAs.
Here in our Guidebooks Hub, you’ll find everything you need to create, choose, and optimise the perfect guidebook for your property. We break down the most popular formats — from beautifully interactive platforms like Touchstay and Hostfully, to fully custom Canva designs, printable PDFs, and even hybrid approaches. Each guide in this archive explores the pros and cons, level of effort, cost considerations, and design possibilities, so you can confidently pick an option that fits your time, skills, and guest expectations.
But guidebooks aren’t just for guests staying right now. They’re a brilliant marketing asset for growing your direct bookings. By offering a downloadable local guide — such as “48 Hours in [Your Area]” or “The Ultimate Family Guide to…” — you can turn your knowledge into a lead magnet that attracts future guests. Pair it with a simple download button on your website that requires an email address, or connect it to your mailing platform (like MailerLite) for automated delivery and follow-up sequences. Suddenly your guidebook becomes a list-building powerhouse that warms up potential guests long before they book.
So have a browse through the posts below. Whether you want to create something stunning from scratch, compare software options, or learn how to use your guidebook strategically to boost bookings, this hub is here to help you every step of the way.
Canva is a simple, flexible way to create a beautifully branded welcome guide without needing any design experience. Its drag-and-drop editor and wide range of templates make it easy to build a polished guide that reflects your property, includes all key information, and can be exported as a digital or print-ready PDF. It’s ideal if you want creative control, attractive layouts, and an affordable way to produce guest-friendly materials.
Canva guides are static rather than interactive, so updates need to be re-exported, and A4 documents aren’t always perfect on mobile devices. But for hosts wanting a stylish, customisable welcome book or downloadable lead magnet, Canva remains a strong option.
To make the process even easier, the Ditch Your OTA Canva Welcome Guide Template gives you a ready-built structure with all the essential sections already laid out — house rules, check-in details, local recommendations, appliance instructions, FAQs, emergency info and more. The design is fully styled in a clean, modern format, so all you need to do is drop in your text, swap the photos, and customise your colours if you wish.
It’s the fastest way to create a professional, on-brand welcome guide that’s consistent, comprehensive and ready to share with guests in minutes. We even show you how in a handy video tutorial!
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