What a welcome pack is for
Guests often arrive tired, late, or after the shops have closed. A good welcome pack means they can make a cup of tea, have breakfast and wash up before they find the nearest supermarket. In the UK and Ireland it is usually called a welcome pack; in the US, a welcome basket; some suppliers sell them as welcome hampers.
It is not the same as a welcome book. The pack is food and basics; the book is the information (WiFi, heating, house rules, local tips). If you do not have one yet, start with our free welcome book template.
The essentials
These get used at almost every stay. Start here before spending anything on treats.
- A hot drink: tea, coffee (ground or pods for your machine), sugar, and milk in the fridge.
- Something to eat: biscuits, a small loaf or a breakfast item that keeps.
- Kitchen basics: salt, pepper, cooking oil, washing-up liquid, a sponge and dishwasher tablets.
- Bathroom basics: toilet roll (more than you think) and hand soap.
- Bin bags, with a note on which bin is which.
Extras guests remember
- Something local. A loaf from the village bakery, local jam, fudge, cheese or a craft beer says more about the area than any supermarket brand.
- A handwritten card. Two lines with the guests' names. It costs nothing and makes the pack feel personal.
- Something for the children, if the booking includes them: a small colouring book or a treat they are allowed.
- Treats for the dog, if you welcome pets, with a towel by the door for muddy paws.
- Seasonal touches: hot chocolate and marshmallows in winter, sun cream or a cold drink in summer.
The checklist
Copy it into your changeover list or print the page. Keep a stock of the long-life items so each changeover only needs the fresh ones.
WELCOME PACK CHECKLIST — [Property name] Before every arrival: [ ] Milk in the fridge (date checked) [ ] Plant milk, if guests asked for it [ ] Tea, coffee, sugar [ ] Biscuits or a small snack [ ] Bread or something for breakfast [ ] Bottled water [ ] Salt, pepper, cooking oil [ ] Washing-up liquid and a sponge [ ] Dishwasher tablets [ ] Toilet roll (two per bathroom) [ ] Hand soap [ ] Bin bags [ ] Local treat: [item] [ ] Welcome card, signed Remove anything opened or left by the last guests. Ran out of: [ ]
A welcome card for the pack
A short card in the pack tells guests what is theirs to use and where everything else is. Add a WiFi QR code so they join without typing; our free WiFi QR code generator makes a print-ready one.
Welcome to [Property name]! We've left a few things to get you started: [tea, coffee, milk in the fridge and a loaf from [bakery]]. Help yourself. WiFi: [network] / [password] Everything else (heating, bins, our favourite places) is in [the welcome book on the shelf / the link we sent you]. Questions? Message us on [phone]. Enjoy your stay, [Your names]
Mention the pack in your arrival message too, so guests do not stop at a shop for milk they already have. The late-arrival message in our check-in instructions templates has a line for it.
What to skip
- Anything opened or left by the last guests. Half a jar of jam is not a welcome.
- Fresh food that might not be eaten. If arrival times are unpredictable, put fresh items in the fridge on the day and check the dates.
- Homemade food without a list of ingredients. Guests with allergies cannot check what is in it. Shop-bought items in their original packaging carry their own labels.
- A big bottle of wine for every booking. Not every guest drinks, and it adds up. A local soft drink or juice works for everyone.
Allergies and dietary needs
Ask in your booking message whether anyone has an allergy or follows a particular diet, and adjust the pack: plant milk instead of dairy, gluten-free biscuits, no nuts. Keep items in their original packaging so guests can read the labels themselves.
Food rules in the UK
GOV.UK guidance on starting a food business says you must register if you "supply food regularly, for free or otherwise, to the public", at least 28 days before you start. The page does not mention welcome packs or holiday lets. If you bake for guests or leave food at every stay and are unsure whether that counts, ask your local council's food safety team. Outside the UK, check your local rules.
Sources
- GOV.UK, "Starting a food business" (updated 19 August 2026), read on 20 October 2026.
Questions hosts ask
What do you put in a holiday let welcome pack?
The things guests need before they reach a shop: tea, coffee, milk, sugar and a few biscuits, plus washing-up liquid, toilet roll, hand soap and bin bags. Then, if you like, one or two local treats and a short handwritten card.
Do I have to provide a welcome pack?
No. It is a choice, not a requirement. If you only do one thing, make sure guests can make a hot drink and have the basics for the first night. Treats are a bonus.
What is the difference between a welcome pack and a welcome book?
A welcome pack is the food and basics waiting on arrival. A welcome book is the information: WiFi, how things work, house rules and local tips. Most hosts leave both, with a card in the pack pointing to the book.
Is a welcome basket the same as a welcome pack?
Yes. "Welcome pack" is the usual term in the UK and Ireland, "welcome basket" in the US, and some suppliers call it a welcome hamper. They all mean the same small selection left for guests.
Do I need to register as a food business to give guests a welcome pack?
In the UK, GOV.UK says you must register if you supply food regularly to the public, even for free. It does not mention welcome packs specifically. If you make food yourself or leave food for every stay, ask your local council's food safety team whether this applies to you. Elsewhere, check your local rules.