Free template · updated November 3, 2026

Early arrival check-in instructions template

Guests on morning flights or overnight drives often arrive hours before check-in. Without a plan they sit in the driveway, knock on the door while the cleaner is working, or message you every twenty minutes asking if it's ready.

This template gives early arrivals somewhere to go: whether they can leave bags or park early, a few nearby places to wait, and the one signal that means they can come in. It keeps the cleaning on schedule and the guest's first hours pleasant.

The template

Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details.

Arriving early?

Standard check-in is [Check-in time]. The place is cleaned between guests, so it usually isn't ready before then.
If it's ready sooner, we'll text you at [Host phone or messaging app]. Please wait for that message before going in.

1. Find the place

The address is [Address]. Look for [Landmark].

[Photo: the front of the building]

2. Early parking

[Early parking option, e.g. you're welcome to park in the driveway from [Time], on the left side so the cleaner can get in and out].
Or: [Alternative parking, e.g. the free public lot on [Street]].

[Photo: where to park early]

3. Leaving your bags

[Bag drop option, e.g. you can leave bags in the unlocked porch from [Time] / there's a luggage storage service at [Place]].
Please don't leave anything valuable in sight in your car.

4. While you wait

Coffee and breakfast: [Café name, distance]
A walk or stretch: [Park or trail name, distance]
Groceries: [Grocery store, distance and hours]
Public washroom: [Location]

5. When it's ready

You'll get a text saying "[Ready message, e.g. All set, come on in]". Your code works from then: [Door code].
If you see the cleaner's car, the place isn't ready yet. Please don't knock; they're on a tight schedule.

6. Getting in

[Entry, e.g. keypad on the right of the front door. Press [Wake button], enter your code, then [Finish button]].

7. First things inside

Wifi: [Network name] / [Wifi password]
Thermostat: [Thermostat location]

8. Who to call

[Host name]: [Host phone]. Backup: [Backup contact and phone].

Tips

Only promise an early check-in once the cleaner confirms the place is ready.
Set door codes to start at check-in time and send a new message if you open early.
Give guests a few real places to wait, with distances, so they aren't stuck in the car.
Ask guests not to interrupt the cleaner; it slows everything down.
If you offer bag drop, make sure it's somewhere secure and out of sight from the street.

Put it on one guest page instead of a binder

Keegix turns your welcome book into one link and a QR sign by the door. Upload the binder you already have and AI drafts the page in about a minute, or paste this template in. Free forever for one property.

Upload my binder, free See a sample guest page

Questions

Should I allow early check-in?

Allow it when your cleaning schedule leaves room, but don't promise it ahead of time. A text when the place is ready is fairer than a guaranteed time you might miss.

Can guests leave bags before check-in?

If you have a secure spot that doesn't get in the cleaner's way, it's a kind gesture. Otherwise, point guests to a nearby luggage storage service.

What should guests do if they arrive early?

Give them early parking, a few nearby places to wait and a clear signal for when they can come in. That way they can relax rather than wait in the driveway.

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Copy it, change it, print it, use it with any platform. Sharing it with a host group, on a blog or in a forum? A link back to this page helps other hosts find the latest version:

https://keegix.com/check-in-instructions/early-arrival/