A daily routine for a small guest house

Guests remember the first ten minutes and the last ten. A routine makes both good.

Before arrival

Confirm the booking by message the day before, with directions and the check-in time.
Prepare the room: clean linen, working lights and water, a welcome note.
Keep a list of what to tell the guest: wifi, meal times, house rules, nearby places.

Hello [name], we look forward to welcoming you tomorrow. Check-in is from [time]. Here is the location: [map link]. Please call me on [number] when you are near.

At check-in

Greet them, show the room, explain the basics in two minutes and note anything they need. Record the stay in the register if you have not already, and ask for any advance that is due.

During the stay

Check in once, briefly, on the first evening. Most problems are small and fixed on the spot, such as a missing towel or a slow wifi.

At check-out

Thank them, collect the balance, check the room together and say goodbye. After check-out send the thank-you message from the register.

Asking for a review

A guest who enjoyed the stay will often leave a kind review if asked once, politely. Do not pressure or reward only positive reviews, and never write reviews for your own place; platforms and some laws forbid it.

Safety and rules

Keep a first-aid kit, emergency numbers and clear fire exits. Safety, licensing and tax rules for guest houses differ by place; ask the local authority what applies to you.

Common questions

How far ahead should I confirm a booking?

A day before is common, and again when the guest is near. For long-distance guests also confirm a few days earlier.

What if a guest does not turn up?

Try calling twice, then keep the room until a time you agreed and note the no-show. State any advance rules when you take the booking.

Keep going

The registers keep their data in your own browser and send nothing to us. Names, numbers and prices in the examples are made up. No law, tax, consumer or guest-registration rule is stated here: check local rules where they matter. Checked 14 November 2026.