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As an Airbnb host in 2026, creating a warm and memorable experience for your guests begins long before they set foot on your rental property. One of the most effective ways to establish a positive connection from the very start is through your Airbnb welcome message!
I am not referring to an arrival-day packet or a big Airbnb welcome letter, but to the specific message I send my Airbnb guests immediately after booking. Some hosts like to automate messages, and large property managers typically automate the initial point of contact.
However, I do not. I personalize each message I send to my guests, which opens the door to great communication before, during, and after their stay!
That said, I do have a stockpile of saved message responses that I use as templates. I still edit and fine-tune these for that particular guest. I share some more of those throughout my first-hand Airbnb hosting blog posts.
Airbnb Hosting Tools & Tips
If you are new here, hi, I’m Sarah! I am a top-rated Airbnb superhost with four condos along Highway 30A, a gorgeous stretch of beaches in the Florida panhandle.
Here at Our Little Lifestyle, I have many comprehensive Airbnb buying guides and in-depth tips to help you set up your Airbnb rental property, including my free Airbnb Setup Checklist.
Our family also loves to travel, which is the other focus of this blog. So, providing all information in advance via our easy Airbnb House Manual and anticipating guests’ needs in advance, as well as setting up seamless communication strategies, such as making sure guests communicate with me via the Airbnb app, helps allow us to live our lives!
RELATED POST: How to Manage Your Airbnb When Traveling Yourself
My posts include everything from Airbnb Bedding to Choosing the Best TV for your Airbnb. I also have posts that show how to make your Airbnb baby-friendly and others that share Airbnb must-have items many new hosts forget to buy.
Pretty much every Airbnb hosting topic is covered via my first-hand experiences and practical advice!
Today, I am doing something different. I am sharing one of my actual saved messages that act as my first point of contact with my guests. This small touchpoint has really enabled me to show my Airbnb guests how much I care and set the tone for a great stay!
RELATED POST: My New Airbnb is Listed, Now What?
Crafting the Perfect Airbnb Welcome Message
A well-crafted welcome message sets the stage for a positive stay and leaves a lasting impression on your short-term rental guests. And it’s so easy to execute!
In this blog post, I’m excited to share my exact welcome message with you, along with some tips to help you create your own. So, let’s jump in and discover how to make your guests feel truly at home in your Airbnb!
The Importance of a Welcoming Introduction From a Host
A thoughtful and personalized message sets the tone for their stay, instills anticipation, and makes them feel genuinely welcome. I promise you that taking the time to craft a warm and engaging introduction can significantly enhance your rental guests’ experience.
You want your Airbnb guests to know it was written just for them! Shortly, I will share my exact message with you, but it’s important to understand why you are sending this. The message also varies depending on the type of rental you have and the types of groups you host.
For example, my rentals are in Seacrest Beach, Florida, a popular beach destination. So, my guests are almost always tourists. They want recommendations for dining, event calendars, and logistics for visiting the 30A beaches and things of that nature.
Personalizing Your Airbnb Welcome Message
Regardless of the type of short-term rental property you have, one key to creating an exceptional welcome message is personalization. Guests appreciate knowing that you’ve taken the time to tailor the message specifically for them!
Upon booking, I have Airbnb set to require them to leave me a message. By default, the platform asks them to share about themselves and when they plan to arrive. Or something along those lines when they instant book or send a booking request.
Reading this message lets you know what type of guest you are hosting. Since our Seacrest Beach condos are smaller, with studio and one-bedroom units, we typically host couples or young families. It is here that my guests usually mention whether they have been to the area before, if it’s an anniversary trip, or if it’s something special.
However, some just write a simple message like “Hi.” and on a few occasions I have gotten just a simple period. Regardless, it lets you respond and initiate the conversation by starting a message thread in your Airbnb inbox.
When replying to this initial message, address your Airbnb guest by name and acknowledge any specific details they’ve shared in their booking request or profile. Personalization helps establish a connection and shows that you genuinely care about their comfort and satisfaction.
Striking the Right Tone in an Airbnb Message
The tone of your Airbnb greeting message plays a vital role in setting the atmosphere for the guest’s arrival. Aim for a friendly and inviting tone that aligns with the spirit of your listing.
This is an Airbnb welcome note, a basic introduction to you, and it ensures the Airbnb guest that they are in good hands. We all strive to be Airbnb Superhosts, and being friendly and proactive is a huge part of being a top Airbnb host!
Whether you prefer a more formal approach or a casual and laid-back style, make sure it reflects your personality and matches the overall vibe of your property.
Should You Include Essential Information?
At this point, I do not. I save all that for my House Manual, primary recommendations message, and check-in instructions. I don’t want to overwhelm them right away with too much information.
And to be honest, regardless of your Airbnb cancellation policy, most guests will have 24 hours to cancel after booking, and it’s not uncommon for people to make and cancel vacation rental reservations during that period.
Unless it is a last-minute booking, I only do a little beyond my initial two messages during that window!v However, I do make sure to immediately adjust my calendar to help minimize calendar gaps, which cost us money.
My Airbnb Welcome Message Template
Below is the exact template that I have saved. I use this to welcome all my guests, which is critical to being a successful Airbnb host.
Hello {insert name nere},
Thank you so much for choosing our condo for your visit {next month, this summer, in August, etc}. Have you been to the area before? I’m happy to provide recommendations if you would like!
Sarah
Or if they mention in their booking message that it’s their first time in the area, I change it to something like:
Hello {insert name nere},
Thank you so much for choosing our condo for your visit {next month, this summer, in August, etc}!
Since this is your first visit to this area, I’m happy to provide recommendations if you would like! Is there anything in particular that you two enjoy?
Sarah
Other changes I would add include asking about their children’s ages so I can provide age-appropriate recommendations. Or, if they tell me they love the area, I ask whether they have stayed at our particular 30A condo complex before.
Sometimes a new booking’s guest communication will say something like, “We come here all of the time,” in which case I acknowledge that they must love the area as much as I do. But I always offer my recommendations.
What sets me apart from other hosts in our area is that I always provide custom recommendations for each and every set of guests, if they want me to. This is also a great opportunity to share any extra services that may enhance their stay, such as a Flytographer photo shoot!
My Airbnb Welcome Message Follow Up
Most guests respond to this within the first 24 hours, and we keep the friendly dialogue open. They know I care, which is a critical part of my Airbnb workflow.
Using automated messages may save time, but you sacrifice some of the personal connection. And I have so many saved messages that it’s just as easy for me to use those, adjusting them each time to make sure they are 100% relevant and helpful.
If you take a minute and read my Airbnb reviews, you will see that my guests mention me by name. They appreciate my time and effort to make their trip the best possible it can be. And if you own or manage vacation rentals, you understand how important this is to Airbnb guests.
That said, some guests never respond. In that case, I circle back with a follow-up message a couple of weeks later or a month before their stay. In it, I ask whether they have any questions or would like any recommendations before their visit. Most often, they respond at this point and ask specific questions, such as where the nearest grocery store is.
Or they might ask about specific beach rules or Airbnb check-in information. Most of the information they need, along with other important details, can be found in the House Manual inside of their booking. I usually direct them there, which is helpful because they will need to read through our Airbnb house rules before their trip.
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Final Follow Up Message
Those who do respond typically want recommendations, have one or two questions, and tell me a little more about themselves. As a follow-up, I reply with something along the lines of:
That sounds great! I’ll put some recommendations together for you and send them over in the next few days. Also, if you have Instagram, I have an account at www.Instagram.com/ourlittleretreats, and the story highlights serve as a virtual guidebook. Feel free to tap through those!
This encourages them to follow me on social media and familiarize themselves with the area. It also buys me some time, as my next message will be fairly long and include tailored recommendations for their stay. When I put together recommendations, I use a few templates based on whether it’s a couple, a family, or a couple with a baby.
RELATED POST: How to Use Instagram for Your Airbnb
Since I put quite a bit of time and energy into these recommendations, I like to sit down 2-3x a week to work on them. I customize my pre-made templates based on their stay dates, what they are looking for, and special events. This is important to me. I would hate to tell them about my favorite Sunday brunch when their stay is Monday through Friday.
As a family travel blogger, I am well-equipped to share honest, valuable tips and recommendations which my guests truly appreciate!
Crafting Your Own Personal Airbnb Welcome Message
Crafting a welcoming and memorable Airbnb host introduction is a powerful way to make your guests feel valued and cherished. Personalizing your welcome message and striking the right tone can set the stage for an exceptional stay.
Remember, your welcome message is an opportunity to create a positive first impression and establish a strong connection with your guests. So, go ahead and steal my welcome message as a starting point, and make it your own by infusing it with your unique personality and local flair. Happy hosting!
And if you are new here, you will enjoy reading all my Airbnb hosting blog posts, and you are welcome to join my Airbnb hosting group on Facebook. Just please make sure to answer the membership question, because I do vet all requests to ensure it’s a safe and welcoming place for my readers!
If you want to follow along on our travels, my social media links are below!
Airbnb Shopping Guides
And if you are a new host, make sure to check out my Airbnb buying guides! I put
as much intention behind what I choose to put in our condos as I do in sending my messages. This is what sets a successful host apart from the rest!
Click here to see my room-by-room Airbnb Setup Checklist!
PIN This Airbnb Welcome Message Blog Post
Hi Sarah, dumb question. You mentioned inserting your house manual into one of your guest messages. How exactly did you do that?
You can either save it as a saved message, which is what I always do. Or just click the presaved Airbnb standard reply message that has the house manual in it.
Love this Airbnb welcome message guide, The breakdown of what to include from personalized greetings to house rules, is super helpful. Especially appreciate the reminder to strike a friendly and welcoming tone that sets the stage for a great stay.
We are just opening up our Airbnb. I need ideas on what is in a house manual. Thank you. 😁
You can use the search feature on my website to browse all of my Airbnb posts! Most topics are covered. Here is my House Manual template: https://ourlittlelifestyle.com/2024/01/airbnb-house-manual-template/