![5 of the Best Guidebook Solutions for Vacation Rentals [As Recommended by Expert Hosts]](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5fdbc6d5dbdf950a134fe77d/68f5301da48ab153ae2f5a07_image.png)
Digital guidebooks reduce guest questions, save hosts hours each week, and improve review scores.
The best platforms offer custom branding, offline access, and PMS integration to automate guest communication.
Hosts using tools like TouchStay or Hostfully report fewer repetitive messages and smoother check-ins.
When paired with automation platforms like Uplisting, guidebooks create a consistent guest experience across every property.
If you’ve ever hosted guests who text you at midnight asking for the Wi-Fi password or can’t find the coffee filters, you already understand why a digital guidebook is worth its weight in gold.
Guidebooks are no longer just a nice touch; they’re an essential part of running a professional short-term rental business. The best ones go far beyond basic instructions; they’re beautifully designed digital hubs that share everything your guests need to know about your property, local area, and house rules, all while reinforcing your brand.
Today’s hosts use guidebook platforms to answer FAQs before they’re even asked, streamline communication, and reduce last-minute calls or messages. From clickable maps of nearby restaurants to automated welcome links sent through PMS tools, these solutions help guests feel looked after from the moment they book.
In this article, we’ve gathered insights from experienced Airbnb and vacation rental hosts to highlight five of the best digital guidebook tools available today. Whether you manage a single beach cottage or a dozen city apartments, these platforms can save you time, improve guest satisfaction, and help you scale your business with ease.
Even the most attentive hosts can’t be available 24/7. Guests lose keys, forget door codes, or ask where to park, often at the most inconvenient times! A digital guidebook solves this problem before it starts, giving guests everything they need in one easy-to-access place.
For hosts, it’s not just about convenience; it’s about efficiency. Every question answered automatically saves you time, reduces stress, and improves the guest experience. Instead of juggling repetitive messages, you can focus on scaling your business, refining your listings, or enjoying your own downtime.
The right guidebook acts as a virtual concierge, walking guests through the property, highlighting local gems, and answering FAQs in real time. When integrated with a Property Management System (PMS) like Uplisting, guidebooks can even be sent automatically after each booking, ensuring a seamless experience from confirmation to checkout.
Guests also love them. Digital guidebooks create smoother stays, fewer misunderstandings, and a sense of professionalism that reflects well in reviews. Hosts using tools like TouchStay or Hostfully often report a measurable drop in message volume and a noticeable boost in ratings.
In short, a digital guidebook isn’t an optional extra anymore. It’s a simple, scalable way to give your guests a better experience while reclaiming your own time, a small investment that pays for itself every stay.
These are the digital guidebook tools expert Airbnb hosts recommend most, from lightweight, affordable platforms to feature-packed systems designed for professional property managers.
Best for: Independent hosts or small portfolios looking for a polished, easy-to-manage guidebook
TouchStay makes it simple to create beautiful, branded guidebooks that work both online and offline. Guests love how accessible and intuitive it feels — no app downloads required. QR codes can be printed or embedded in listings, making it effortless for guests to find everything from Wi-Fi passwords to restaurant tips.
Nearly every guest has commented on how helpful our digital guide was. They loved that the app provided answers at their fingertips; it helped them feel like locals.”
— Scott Rasmussen, Kanab Cottage Owner
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Affordable ($99/year for first property) | No direct PMS integration |
Works offline and via QR codes | Limited to guidebook functionality |
Custom branding templates | No built-in upsell features |
SMS and PDF sharing options | Better suited for small operations |
No app download required | Team messaging not available |
Summary: TouchStay strikes the right balance between design and simplicity, making it perfect for hosts who want professional-looking guest resources without overcomplicating setup.
Best for: Professional hosts and property managers seeking deep PMS integrations
Hostfully is built for scale. Its digital guidebook system integrates directly with its PMS, syncing calendars, guest data, and messages for a smooth end-to-end experience. White-label branding and multimedia support make it ideal for larger operations.
It saves me time, saves me money, makes me money, and keeps my guests happy.”
— G2 Reviewer
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Seamless PMS integrations | Higher cost at scale |
Free plan for one guidebook | No SMS functionality |
Fully branded experience | Some features behind premium tiers |
Scales easily for multiple listings | Can feel overwhelming for small hosts |
Calendar and check-in sync | Lacks upsell or extended-stay tools |
Summary: A powerhouse for multi-property hosts; it combines flexibility, integration, and automation for serious hosts ready to professionalize their guest experience.
Best for: Hosts who want a visual, map-based guest experience
Coral takes a creative approach to guidebooks, focusing on interactive maps and real-time local recommendations. Guests can explore curated hotspots with walking or driving directions, making it an ideal solution for destination properties.
“Once you send your Coral Guidebook to your guests, sit back, relax, and watch the 5-star reviews roll in!”
— GetProperly Feature
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Interactive map interface | Limited user feedback and reviews |
Focused on authentic local experiences | Platform stability uncertain |
Real-time navigation | Fewer PMS integrations |
Engaging, visual design | Pricing not clearly listed |
Web-based access, no app needed | Early-stage platform |
Summary: A fresh, visual option that adds personality and discovery to the guest experience, though hosts should consider its smaller market footprint.
Best for: Hosts who want to upsell services and offer concierge-style experiences
YourWelcome delivers a more tangible approach with tablet-based in-property guidebooks. Each tablet acts as a branded guest hub — complete with local guides, service menus, and upselling options for late checkouts or add-ons.
“The tablet was a welcome feature for guests — it saved me so much time orienting them and helped me upsell services easily.”
— Jim Newberry, Host Review
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Tablet-based, always-on access | Hardware dependency (may break or be stolen) |
Strong upselling features | Requires on-site maintenance |
Free tablet with subscription | Brightness and charging limitations |
Supports video, text, and POS sales | More expensive than app-based tools |
Guest review collection built-in | Limited to in-property use |
Summary: Ideal for professional hosts who want to deliver a “hotel-style” experience, complete with digital concierge tools that drive extra revenue.
Best for: Large-scale or international hosts needing automation and multilingual tools
RueBaRue combines automation, multilingual support, and strong PMS integrations to streamline communication across global portfolios. Its guides are divided into house info and local area sections, giving guests clarity from booking to checkout.
“Our guests love the RueBaRue guides — the local Google links help them find restaurants and attractions instantly.”
— RueBaRue Customer Testimonial
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Advanced automation tools | Higher pricing for single listings |
Multilingual guest guides | Requires PMS integration for best use |
Excellent onboarding and support | Complex for small hosts |
SMS and email messaging | Slight learning curve |
Upselling for extended stays | Tailored for professional managers |
Summary: A top-tier solution for serious property managers who need consistency, automation, and multilingual communication across global markets.
Some of the largest short-term rental operators (with 250+ properties) rely on Uplisting's software to scale their businesses.
Every host has different priorities, from automation to guest engagement, so the best guidebook is the one that fits your workflow, not the one with the most features. Here’s how to narrow down your options.
Solo hosts or small portfolios: Choose simple, affordable tools like TouchStay that offer easy setup and polished branding without tech complexity.
Mid- to large-scale managers: Look for integrated solutions like Hostfully or RueBaRue, which sync with PMS tools and automate communication at scale.
Prefer set-it-and-forget-it systems? Go for Hostfully or RueBaRue with automated messages and scheduling. Want to add a personal touch or upsell services? YourWelcome’s tablet-based system lets you interact directly with guests.
For immersive, visual guides, Coral’s map-based interface helps guests explore your area effortlessly. For professional presentation and offline reliability, TouchStay’s branded templates and QR code access stand out.
If guest communication eats into your time, automation and integration features are worth paying for, whereas if your focus is improving reviews, prioritise guest-facing clarity and design over backend tools.
A well-chosen digital guidebook does more than answer “What’s the Wi-Fi password?” It transforms the way guests interact with your property. When guests feel informed and confident, they leave better reviews, ask fewer questions, and treat your space with more care.
The best guidebook for your rental depends on your hosting style. TouchStay shines for simplicity and design; Hostfully delivers automation for managers who love efficiency; YourWelcome adds upsell potential right inside the property; Coral brings destinations to life; and RueBaRue helps international guests feel right at home.
Whichever platform you choose, pairing it with a system like Uplisting creates a complete guest experience, from booking confirmation to checkout. Automated guidebook links, scheduled messages, and synced calendars mean guests always have what they need before they ask.
In short, digital guidebooks aren’t just tools; they’re extensions of your brand. With the right setup and a bit of smart automation, every stay becomes smoother, every review stronger, and every guest experience more memorable.
Ready to simplify your operations and deliver five-star experiences without the back-and-forth? Sign up for Uplisting to begin using automation in your check-in processes and watch your business scale.
With a reliable VRM solution you can trust, Uplisting can help you grow your business without wasting time on double bookings, unhappy guests, upset clients and worrying what could go wrong next.
No. Sometimes, app downloads get in the way. Instead, the best Airbnb guidebooks use a web app that opens like a webpage. Then, guests just scan a QR code or click a link and open everything in their browser. The process feels easy, fast, and doesn’t spark last-minute tech questions.
Streamlining updates becomes much easier with tools that copy or tag content across listings. Local recommendations, check-in steps, and house rules only need to be set up once before sharing across all your properties. The best guidebook solutions for vacation rentals keep information consistent and save hours every month, especially as your portfolio grows.
Happy guests leave better reviews, and clear instructions help make that happen. When answers land in a guest’s inbox before questions even come up, ratings climb and the same booking turns into a repeat guest.
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