Most guest guides are written for guests who’ve already booked. But some of the most valuable content you can create addresses the questions people ask before they book — the ones that determine whether your property is the right fit for them.
Answering these questions clearly in your listing or guide reduces pre-booking enquiries, improves conversion, and means guests who do book are a better match for your property.
Pet policy
If you accept pets, say so clearly and include any conditions: “Pets are welcome — we ask that dogs be kept off the furniture and that any mess in the garden is cleaned up before check-out.” If you don’t accept pets, say that too. Ambiguity on this topic generates a lot of unnecessary enquiries.
Accessibility
If your property has steps at the entrance, steep internal stairs, a deep bathtub with no grab rails, or any other feature that might be relevant to a guest with limited mobility, include it. This isn’t just good hosting — it protects guests from booking a property that doesn’t work for them. A simple note about the property’s physical layout is enough: “The property has 12 steps at the front entrance and two internal staircases. It is not suitable for guests with mobility limitations.”
Early check-in and late check-out
Many hosts get repeated enquiries about this. Answer it proactively: “We can sometimes accommodate early check-ins and late check-outs depending on the booking schedule — please ask at least 48 hours in advance and we’ll do our best.” This sets expectations without making a blanket promise you can’t always keep.
What’s included vs. what’s extra
Do guests need to bring their own towels? Is there a starter pack of coffee and tea, or is the kitchen empty? Is linen included? Are there consumables (shampoo, washing powder, dishwasher tablets) supplied? Clarifying what’s provided avoids the disappointed guest who expected a fully stocked kitchen and arrived to find an empty one.
Suitability for children
If you have a pool without fencing, a deck with gaps in the railing, or sharp-edged furniture throughout, this is worth noting. If your property is particularly well-suited to families — cot available, toys in the games room, fully fenced yard — say so. Both types of information help the right guests choose your property.
Answering pre-booking questions well is a form of guest selection. The hosts who do it best spend less time on enquiries and have fewer mismatched bookings.