Configure your property's digital stay experience—from content sections to access settings.
- Go to Properties and select your property
- Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the header
- Select GuestBook Editor
Or go directly to My Guest Experiences > select property > GuestBook Editor
Left Panel (Editor)
- Settings and content for each section
- Drag-and-drop to reorder sections
- Toggle sections on/off
Right Panel (Preview)
- Live preview of how your GuestBook will look
- Updates as you make changes
- Shows your custom URL
Your property's unique URL at stay.hosthive.io/your-slug.
Tips:
- Use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only
- Keep it short and memorable
- Examples:
ocean-view-villa, downtown-loft, beach-house-1
The background image guests see when they access your GuestBook.
- Use a high-quality photo of your property
- Landscape orientation works best
- Recommended size: 1920x1080 or larger
Turn your GuestBook on or off instantly. When disabled:
- Your URL returns a "GuestBook not available" message
- Guest data is preserved
- You can re-enable anytime
Choose whether guests see your property's full address in the GuestBook header.
- Enabled: Guests see the complete address
- Disabled (default): Address is hidden; guests rely on check-in instructions
Drag sections to reorder them. Toggle the eye icon to show/hide sections.
What guests see: Property name, their stay dates, checkout countdown, current weather.
Configure: Custom welcome message (optional).
What guests see: Everything they need to get into your property.
Configure:
- Check-in time
- Step-by-step check-in instructions
- Smart lock code (guests can tap to copy)
- Parking details
- Entry video URL (optional)
- Emergency contacts (name + phone)
Tip: Write instructions as if explaining to someone who's never been to your area.
What guests see: Network credentials and a QR code to auto-connect.
Configure:
- Network name
- Password
- Show/hide QR code toggle
What guests see: Your curated local recommendations.
Configure:
- Add recommendations manually with "Tips from Host"
- Search Google Places to add businesses
- Organize by category (Restaurants, Activities, Shopping)
- Show/hide recommendations
Guest features: Heart favorites, sort by distance/rating, one-tap Google Maps directions.
What guests see: Local events happening during their stay.
Configure:
- Add manual events
- Enable auto-populated events from local sources
- Toggle event categories on/off
What guests see: A button to request late checkout.
Configure:
- Enable/disable the request button
- Custom message (default: "Subject to host approval")
What guests see: A button to request a cleaning during their stay.
Configure: Enable/disable cleaning requests.
How it works:
- Guest selects preferred cleaning date
- Request appears in My Guest Experiences > Cleaning Requests
- You approve or decline with a message
- Guest sees updated status in their GuestBook
What guests see: A simple feedback survey (emoji or star rating).
Configure:
- Enable/disable the survey
- Survey type: Emoji (happy/sad) or Star rating (1-5)
- Trigger mode: Manual, Auto Mid-Stay, or Always Visible
- Custom question
What guests see: Downloadable documents you've shared.
Configure:
- Enable/disable the documents section
- Upload PDFs (house rules, local guides, appliance instructions)
Your access code is a 4-character code guests use to authenticate when visiting your GuestBook URL (alternative to invitation links).
- In the GuestBook Editor, scroll to Access Code Settings
- Your current code appears in a highlighted box
- Click Copy to copy it
Direct share: Include in your pre-arrival message: "Your access code is K7M9"
URL parameter: Share with code embedded: stay.hosthive.io/your-property?code=K7M9
Change your code anytime. Existing guest sessions remain valid.
- Go to Access Code Settings
- Click Rotate Code
- Confirm by clicking Yes, Rotate
- Share the new code with upcoming guests
Instead of a random code, set your own memorable one:
- Find Set Custom Code field
- Enter your code (4 characters: A-Z, 2-9)
- Click Set Code
Tips:
- Keep it short and memorable (property initials + number)
- Avoid numbers that look like letters: 0, 1, L, O, I
Define how long guests can access your GuestBook before and after their stay.
- Before check-in: 7 days (guests can read up on your property)
- After checkout: 7 days (full access), then read-only
- After 30 days: Access expires completely
- Go to Access Window Settings
- Set Days Before Check-In (0-30)
- Set Days After Check-Out (0-30)
- Click Save
Invitation emails use the same Days Before Check-In setting. One setting controls both guest access timing and when invitations are sent.
- Find Invitation emails toggle in Guest Access Window section
- Toggle off to disable
- Share access codes directly instead
Customize your GuestBook's visual appearance.
- In the GuestBook Editor, click the Theme tab (palette icon)
- Glass (9 themes): Frosted-glass effects—Classic, Ocean, Forest, Sunset, Midnight, Sand, Coral, Lavender, Rose
- Flat (6 themes): Clean solid backgrounds—Slate, Cream, Sage, Dusk, Mint, Peach
- Luxury (5 themes): Premium dark themes—Obsidian, Noir, Champagne, Velvet, Emerald
- Brutalist (3 themes): Bold high-contrast—Concrete, Neon, Monochrome
- Aurora (2 themes): Gradient-inspired—Northern, Tropical
- Use category filter tabs to narrow choices
- Click any theme card to see it in the live preview
- Click Save Theme when ready
Override the primary color to match your brand:
- Select a preset theme
- Enter a hex color code or use quick-pick swatches
- Watch the live preview update
- If you see a contrast warning, choose a different shade
- Click Save Theme
- Keep it concise: Guests are on vacation—write short, clear instructions
- Use quality photos: A good hero image makes your GuestBook feel premium
- Test the experience: Visit your GuestBook URL and go through the guest flow
- Update seasonally: Refresh recommendations and seasonal information
- Match your property: Beach house? Try Ocean theme. Mountain cabin? Try Forest.
- Make sure Enable GuestBook toggle is ON
- Click Save at the top of the editor
- Refresh the page
- Verify you gave them the current code (not a rotated old one)
- Codes are case-insensitive (K7m9 = k7M9)
- Have them try entering slowly
- Rotate a new code if needed
- Make sure you clicked Save after selecting
- Have guests refresh their browser (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + R)
- Clear browser cache if needed