At StellarStay, we take the check-in process seriously. It’s the first real interaction guests have with the space — and when done right, it sets the tone for a wonderful stay. That’s why we offer clear communication, easy access, flexible options, and a warm welcome.
So when a guest gives 4 stars in the “Check-in” category even though everything went smoothly — it raises a fair question: What went wrong?
Let’s take a look at how to rate this category accurately and fairly.
✅ What “Check-in” Really Measures
According to Airbnb, the “Check-in” star rating is based on factors like:
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Responsiveness of the host
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Clarity of directions
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Ease of access
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Flexibility with arrival time beyond the property’s officially disclosed check-in time
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How welcome and comfortable the guest felt upon arrival
In other words, this category has nothing to do with the weather, the furniture, the view, or even your opinion about the price. It’s purely about how easy and pleasant it was to get in and feel at home.
🔐 Smart-Locks = Stress-Free Check-in
All our properties are equipped with smart-locks that are remotely programmable. That means:
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No waiting around for someone to meet you
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No confusing lockboxes
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No keys to fumble with
We’ll send you your unique access code before your arrival, and you’ll be able to check in completely by yourself. Smooth, secure, and effortless — just how a 5-star check-in should be.
💡 Consider These 4 Key Questions
If you’re unsure how to rate your host in the “Check-in” category, here are four simple yes/no questions to guide your decision:
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Was the host responsive before check-in?
Did they reply promptly and answer your questions about arrival?
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Were the directions clear and accurate?
Was it easy to find the place using the instructions or GPS link provided?
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Did you have any trouble accessing the home?
Did your code or key work? Were you able to get in without delays?
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Was the host flexible or accommodating about check-in time?
If you requested early check-in, did they explain the policy, offer options, or try to help?
If you answered “Yes” to all four — especially if everything went exactly as promised — then a 5-star check-in rating is not just fair, it’s deserved.
🧾 About Early Check-In (and Why It Might Cost Extra)
We’re a Texas-based company managing properties across multiple states. As such, we work remotely and depend on our local service providers, including professional cleaning teams.
We’ve developed a systemized approach to ensure quality: all our cleaners sign an agreement to access properties at our standard 11:00 AM check-out time and to have them guest-ready by the standard 4:00 PM check-in time. That’s a 5-hour window, and some homes are quite large — requiring deep attention, sometimes by a single associate. In addition, many crews clean multiple homes per day and must plan accordingly.
That’s exactly why our pre-check-in questionnaire clearly explains the early check-in option:
“Our cleaning service provider is mandated to adhere to Airbnb’s meticulous 5-step enhanced cleaning process. For each task, a dedicated staff member is allocated, requiring a total of 5 hours to complete the process. This cleaning operation is scheduled between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, ensuring that the property is primed and pristine for your arrival.
However, for an additional fee of $50.00, we offer the option to expedite the process by dispatching an extra cleaning associate. This enhanced service enables us to prepare the property two hours ahead of schedule, at precisely 1:00 PM. Furthermore, should it become available even earlier, we will promptly notify you.”
If a guest chooses early check-in and later decides not to arrive early, that’s perfectly fine — but we kindly ask that they inform us. Only once we know your actual arrival time can we safely program the smart lock and send the correct access code.
🌼 What a 5-Star “Check-in” Looks Like at StellarStay
We go the extra mile to ensure check-in is smooth and stress-free:
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Automated smart lock codes provided on time
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Detailed check-in instructions
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Prompt responses to arrival-time changes
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Flexible accommodation when possible
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Warm and professional welcome messages
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Back-up master code in case of tech glitches
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Clean, ready-to-enjoy homes upon arrival
If this matches your experience — even with a standard 4:00 PM check-in — a 5-star rating is the most accurate way to reflect it.
🚫 What Not to Do
Please don’t penalize your host for things unrelated to the check-in experience:
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Didn’t like the size of the rooms? → That’s “Accuracy”
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Think the price was too high? → That’s “Value”
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Weather was bad when you arrived? → Not anyone’s fault
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You didn’t read the early check-in fee message? → That’s not a host error
It’s better to rate each category for what it’s meant to capture, rather than letting one small detail affect your whole review.
🐝 The Bottom Line
As a guest, your review shapes future bookings — not just for the host, but for other travelers like you. When you rate fairly, you help build a trustworthy platform and reward those who are doing their part with care.
So if your check-in was smooth, directions were clear, the host was helpful, and everything worked — give that well-earned 5-star!
💛 And thank you for helping us raise the bar in hospitality.
♻️ Rated Check-in Too Quickly? Here’s a Simple Fix
If you’ve already submitted your review and are now realizing that your lower Check-in rating might not fully reflect how smoothly things actually went — or if you now recognize that any delays were caused by a lack of timely communication on your end (such as waiting until the last minute to confirm early check-in) — you’re not alone. It happens!
While Airbnb doesn’t allow you to edit a published review, there’s still something you can do:
✅ You can request to have your review removed by calling Airbnb at 1-844-234-2500 or by following the steps in this help article. Just let them know that your rating doesn’t reflect your full experience — especially if your host was responsive, the access was seamless, and you checked in without issues.
It only takes a few minutes to remove a review — but it can mean the world to the small teams of hosts, cleaners, coordinators, and property owners who rely on those stars to keep providing five-star stays.
Thank you for being a kind and thoughtful guest 💛
