Guest Welcome Packets
Guest Welcome Packets are shareable check-in guides for your short-term rental guests. Create one per STR unit, fill in your welcome message, instructions, and access details, and share the link before every check-in. Guests get everything they need in one clean page — no PDFs, no text threads.
Guest Welcome Packets require the Investor plan or above and at least one unit with lease type set to Short-term.
What a Guest Welcome Packet Includes
Each welcome packet is built around a form with these fields:
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Welcome message | A personal note to the guest — thank them for booking, set the tone |
| Check-in instructions | How to get in: key pickup, lockbox, smart lock code, parking |
| Check-out instructions | Checkout time, what to do with keys/trash/linens |
| WiFi network | Network name |
| WiFi password | Password (guests need this on arrival) |
| Door code | Smart lock code or lockbox combination |
| Local tips & recommendations | Restaurants, grocery stores, beaches, activities near the property |
All fields are free-form text — write as much or as little as your guests need.
Creating a Welcome Packet
Open the property in Portfolio
Navigate to Portfolio → click the property.
Click the “Guest Welcome” tab
If you’re on the Free or Host plan, you’ll see an upgrade prompt. The tab is only active for Investor plan and above.
Find the unit you want to create a packet for
Each short-term unit gets its own welcome packet. The tab shows one card per STR unit.
Fill in the fields
Work through each section: welcome message, check-in instructions, check-out instructions, WiFi, door code, and local tips.
Save
Click Save (or Update if editing an existing packet). The shareable guest link is now live.
The Shareable Guest Link
After saving, each packet gets a unique shareable URL:
https://yourdomain.estavo.net/welcome/[token]Copy this link and send it to your guest before check-in — via Airbnb message, text, or email. The page is public (no login required) so your guest can open it on their phone without an account.
The token is a random string unique to that unit’s welcome packet. Guests only see the content you’ve entered — they never see your financial data, other properties, or any other part of your Estavo account.
Keeping Packets Up to Date
Update the packet whenever:
- The WiFi password changes
- You install a new smart lock (new door code)
- Check-in instructions change (new lockbox location, parking situation)
- You want to refresh local recommendations
Changes take effect immediately — the shareable link shows the latest version every time it’s opened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Guest Welcome an Investor plan feature?
It’s a feature that primarily benefits operators with multiple short-term rental units who manage multiple guests simultaneously. Single-unit STR hosts on the Host plan can create welcome text in their messaging platform directly; multi-unit operators managing 6+ STR units benefit most from having a consistent, always-current system per unit.
Can I share the same link with every guest?
Yes — the link doesn’t change unless you regenerate it. The same link works for every new guest as long as the access details (WiFi, door code) stay the same. When you change a door code, update the packet and the link immediately reflects it.
Does the guest need to log in to Estavo to view the packet?
No. The welcome packet page is publicly accessible via the shareable link. No account, no login.
Can I create a packet for a long-term rental unit?
No. Welcome packets are designed for short-term rental guests. Long-term tenants use a different communication flow (monthly rent notices, invoices). Only units with lease type set to Short-term appear in the Guest Welcome tab.
What if I want to remove a door code from the packet temporarily?
Clear the Door code field and save — the field will show as empty on the guest page. You can re-add it before the next check-in.