Why it helps
Guests love a local's tips. Where's the good coffee? Is there a walk nearby? What do we do if it rains? You know all this, but it lives in your head or on a tatty sheet of paper by the kettle.
You supply the recommendations. AI organises them into a clear, friendly guide with sections guests can scan quickly, plus a "what to do if" page for the practical stuff. Print it for the welcome book, or share it as a link or PDF before they arrive.
The prompt
Copy it, swap the bits in [square brackets], and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot.
I run a [type of accommodation] in [town], New Zealand. Turn my notes into a friendly local guide for guests. NZ English, warm and short. Sections: 1. Welcome and the house basics 2. Eat and drink 3. Walks and outdoors 4. Rainy-day ideas 5. Getting around 6. What to do if (power cut, locked out, something breaks, an emergency) - Use only the places and details I give you. Don't add businesses, walks, opening hours, prices or distances I haven't written. - Keep each recommendation to 1 or 2 lines. - Put [CHECK HOURS] after any place where opening hours matter. - In the emergency section, start with: "In an emergency, call 111." My notes: [paste your recommendations and house info, as messy as you like]
Then keep chatting
Make a one-page version I can print and stick on the fridge.
Add a short "if you only have one day" plan using only my recommendations.
Write a version for families with young kids, using the places I listed.
Write a simple English version for guests whose first language isn't English.
What sections are missing that guests usually ask about? Just list them.
Step by step
- Walk around your place and your neighbourhood in your head. Jot down cafés, takeaways, walks, the supermarket, things to do when it rains, and anything guests often ask.
- Add the house basics: rubbish and recycling, heating, how the shower works, checkout steps, and who to call if something goes wrong.
- Copy the prompt, fill in your place and town, and paste your notes.
- Check every place is still open and the hours are right. Ring them or check their own website or Google listing.
- Check walking tracks on doc.govt.nz or your local council's website, including closures and conditions.
- Put the guide in your welcome book, and send it as a link or PDF with your day-before message.
Worked example
Example details are made up. Your results will vary, so always read and check before you use them.
Watch out for
- AI may invent cafés, walks or opening hours if you leave gaps. Only include places you've written down, and check each one is still open. Hours change, especially in winter.
- Check walks, track closures and conditions on doc.govt.nz before you recommend them, and remind guests to check again on the day. For tides, use a reliable tide table rather than the AI's guess.
- Keep door codes, alarm codes, wifi passwords and your own home address out of the AI chat and out of any version you post online. Add codes to the printed copy yourself.
- Mentioning a local business is fine. Don't claim it's "the best in NZ" or similar unless you're quoting something you can show.
Go further
Ask guests what they wished they'd known, and add it to the guide each season. If you've got a few local favourites, ask them for a small guest perk and mention it in the guide. Link the guide from your booking confirmation so guests can plan before they arrive.
