Digital Guidebook Examples

Take a look at real examples of short-term and vacation rental managers harnessing the power of Hostfully Digital Guidebooks to boost the guest experience, eliminate repetitive tasks, and create new revenue streams.

hostfully digital guidebooks

With an intuitive interface for guests and powerful features for hosts and managers, it’s easy to see why Hostfully is the industry-leading digital guides solution for short-term and vacation rentals.

 

Here are a few examples of how real hosts and managers are using guidebooks to deliver next-level guest experiences and score 5-star reviews:

 

Example 1: Attract repeat business with custom branding

Ready to push your company’s branding even further? You can change the colors and fonts of your guidebooks to match that of your company’s branding.

Uniform branding is a great way to attract repeat business; guests that feel they’re in the hands of a professional host are more likely to come back. See how Shirley and Mark of Cuevas Helena Holidays. branded their digital guidebooks.

  • Attract repeat business
  • Boost brand recognition
  • Stand out from the competition
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 2: Save time with self-check-in

Want to skip greeting guests and implement self-check-in? With digital guidebooks, you can leave detailed transportation and self-check-in instructions, complete with pictures, videos, and even directions in Google Maps. Here’s how Yann of Mtl Vacation Rentals implemented self-check-in and provides detailed transportation instructions. 

  • No need to greet guests upon arrival
  • No more coordinating check-in
  • Guests can use guidebooks on their mobile devices
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 3: Impress guests with less effort

The last thing guests want at check-in is to get an earful on house rules or a PhD-level course on how to use the washing machine. So why not let the digital guidebook do the talking?Here’s how Laurent of Auntie Belham’s conveys important property information to guests. 

  • Share info and details before guests arrive
  • Keep your property safe with custom house rules
  • Receive fewer guest messages and calls
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 4: Engage guests with video embeds

A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video a thousand more. With Hostfully digital guidebooks, you can leave detailed instructions or recommendations in video format! No more explaining how to turn on the hot tub or coffee machine. Here’s how Pedro uses videos to wow guests.

  • Give guests an experience they’ll want to repeat
  • Fewer questions about how to operate appliances
  • Easy setup saves you hours of work each week
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 5: Easily host international guests

Offer your digital guidebooks in multiple languages to attract guests from around the world. Just upload your translations for your content and Hostfully takes care of the rest. Here’s how Tara of Heart of Cape Cod caters to guests in 5 different languages.

  • Translates to 16+ languages to accommodate international guests
  • Open your property to people from around the world
  • Provide a contemporary guest experience
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 6: Boost income with upsells

You’ve worked hard to set up a clean and comfortable rental property. You then spent all that money and energy to acquire bookings. Now that the guests are here, why not create additional revenue streams through the Hostfully Marketplace? Here’s how Lori of Take Me To Myrtle Beach offers experiences and services to generate more revenue. 

  • Earn more per stay
  • Cater to guests’ unique needs and preferences
  • Option to print out guidebooks in PDF format
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 7: Give guests a modern stay with our voice-activated concierge

Want to take the digital guidebook experience to a whole new level? With the Virtual Concierge Service integration, guests can ask Alexa devices for any property-related information as well as local recommendations. Here’s how Jeff of Summit Vacations offers virtual concierge perks to guests. 

  • Multi-property templates to choose from
  • Easily searchable content
  • Integrates with Google Maps
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 8: Make every stay special with custom categories

Hostfully Digital Guidebooks come preloaded with categories. But that’s just a start. Create custom categories and add your personal touch to reflect the uniqueness of your property and highlight the local area. See how SwissHut created unique categories.

  • Share QR code for easy access
  • One-link download means higher usage rates
  • Get more 5-star reviews
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 9: Show, don’t tell, using GIFs

Philip from California Bauhaus got creative and incorporated GIFs to explain to his guests how to use certain household appliances. The result? A very entertaining guidebook and fewer messages from guests. 

  • Include GIFs to provide a smoother guest experience
  • Fewer guest questions to address
  • Custom categories so you can explain every detail of your home
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 10: Capture guest emails for more repeat bookings

Here’s how Hostfully co-founder & president, David Jacoby, used Digital Guidebooks at his vacation rental property to level-up his remarketing game and keep in touch with former guests. 

  • Collect emails to turn former stays into repeat guests
  • Custom branding to keep you in the minds of your guests
  • Get more guests booking direct via your website
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 11: Let your business shine in your guidebook

See how Congdon & Coleman used Hostfully’s custom branding feature to ensure it’s look matches their own brand colors.

  • Upload a detailed video house manual
  • Design a guidebook that aligns perfectly with your brand
  • Convenient weather widget that helps guests better plan their stay
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 12: Splash screen enabled

Ocean Holidays Cornwall uses Hostfully’s Splash Screen feature, encouraging guests to share their contact details & acknowledge house policies.

  • Customize your terms and conditions 
  • Collect email addresses from guests for remarketing
  • Bring in more direct bookings
hostfully digital guidebooks

Example 13: Videos & images on all cards

Pacific Palms Holidays really takes their guidebook to a whole new level with eye-catching visuals that explain everything to their guests. 

  • Effortless browsing experience for guests
  • Fewer guest questions about your property
  • More glowing reviews 
hostfully digital guidebooks

Bonus: Activate all features for the best results

Curious to see what a fully-loaded Hostfully Digital Guidebook looks like?  From the marketplace to custom categories, and even the ‘Book Again’ feature, here’s how Truyen of Saigon Living (and Hostfully employee) amazes his guests and boosts his bottom line. 

  • Promote your brand for more direct bookings
  • Guests can book again at the click of a button
  • Quick loading