Create a Digital Guest Directory: How It Works Without Programming

A paper guest directory sits in the room. Often, it’s never even opened. Creating a digital guest directory instead means guests can open it right on their own smartphone. This guide shows what’s needed for that, which content belongs in it, and what hosts should keep in mind when setting it up.

What a digital guest directory needs before it goes live

A digital guest directory runs on information a property already has. This includes WiFi access, arrival instructions, house rules, and contact details. Anyone wanting to create a digital guest directory should first collect these points as plain text. They’re then transferred into the app. It’s also worth looking at the region: restaurants, tours, or events turn a plain info directory into a travel companion.

With BELTURO, even the Start plan covers a digital guest directory complete with QR code, a dedicated link, regional content, events, and weather forecasts. That gives hosts a solid foundation. All that’s left is filling it with their own details. Knowing the structure in advance saves detours later when adding content.

Creating a digital guest directory without an app store

Many hosts shy away from the effort of building their own app. That usually means programming and an app store listing. This can be avoided. BELTURO is a web app, a so-called PWA, which requires no app store download. Guests open the directory directly in their smartphone’s browser.

Access works via a QR code displayed on a stand or sticker in the room, or through a link in the booking confirmation. For guests, use is free of charge. That means there’s no extra hurdle between arrival and the first use of the directory.

Content a good digital guest directory should cover

A digital guest directory should be more than a list of rules. The following components are included with BELTURO depending on the plan:

• Digital guest directory with QR code and dedicated link (Start plan)
• Discover the region, events, weather and forecasts (Start plan)
• Custom branding, trip planner and chat (Region plan)
• Spa, restaurant and room service plus custom events and tips (Region plan)
• AI concierge for guest questions based on the stored property information (Region plan)

Which scope makes sense depends on the size of the property. A single holiday apartment often gets by with the Start plan. Properties offering several services tend to use the Region plan. For groups of properties or regions with many accommodations, there’s the Pro plan. It offers unlimited properties, multiple regions, a custom domain, and a personal point of contact.

All paid plans can be cancelled monthly, with no setup fee and no minimum term. Anyone wanting an initial overview can find details on the Features page and on the Pricing page.

Regional content turns the directory into a trip planner

A plain house directory only answers questions about the room. Once regional content is added, it becomes a tool for the entire stay. In the pilot region of Saxon Switzerland, the app shows restaurants, tours, and events from the area.

Rock towers, the Malerweg trail, boat trips on the Kirnitzsch, and the view from the Bastei are featured as highlights of the region. Tours are displayed with distance, elevation gain, and a GPX track. This lets guests plan directly using concrete data. Hosts in other regions can ask via the Regions page whether their area can be connected as well.

Who maintains the directory once it’s live

A digitally created guest directory isn’t a one-time task. House rules change, restaurants adjust opening hours, new events come up. That’s why maintenance remains the host’s responsibility. They decide on the content for their property themselves. This also includes the app’s language, which each property sets for its guests, for example German, English, Czech, or Polish.

If guests want to use the trip planner or the chat, they create a free account for that. According to the provider, this takes under a minute. Trip plans are then stored for one year, according to the homepage. This means guests can still access them even after departure.

Anyone managing several properties benefits from centrally maintained content. Changes made in one place then apply to all connected accommodations, provided the chosen plan covers multiple properties.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to program to create a digital guest directory?

No. Content is entered through the web app’s existing structure. No custom programming is required.

Do guests need to register to see the directory?

Not for the directory itself. A free account is only needed if guests want to use the trip planner or the chat.

Which plan fits a single property?

The Start plan covers one property. It already includes the digital guest directory with QR code, a dedicated link, regional content, events, weather, and forecasts.

Anyone who wants to create their own digital guest directory and equip it right away with regional data and an AI concierge can request a demo via For Hosts.

→ For Hosts