At StellarStay, we love making every stay smooth and stress-free — but there’s one area where we have to draw a clear line: mail and package deliveries.
We understand how convenient it might seem to send something ahead of your trip, but allowing mail delivery to vacation rentals creates a surprising number of risks for both guests and property owners. That’s why we don’t allow packages to be sent to any of our properties unless you’ve received explicit permission from our team.
Let’s explain why this rule exists, how it protects everyone involved, and what your best alternatives are if you need to receive something while traveling.
🏠 Why Hosts (and StellarStay) Avoid Guest Deliveries
⚖️ Liability and Theft Risks
Vacation rentals aren’t like hotels with staffed front desks. If a package goes missing, gets stolen from the porch, or arrives damaged, it often becomes unclear who’s responsible. Many hosts have shared stories online about guests blaming them for lost packages — even when they had no way to prevent it.
⏰ Timing and Logistics Headaches
Deliveries don’t always run on schedule. A box might arrive before you check in or long after you’ve checked out, leaving it sitting outside or forcing the host to store or forward it. With frequent guest turnovers, that quickly turns into a logistical mess.
🧾 Residency and Legal Risks
This one surprises many guests: in certain areas, receiving mail at a property can legally count as “establishing residency.” For long-term stays, that can mean the guest gains tenant rights — making it difficult for the host or property owner to reclaim their property if needed.
🚫 Scams and Misuse of Address
Unfortunately, some guests (or people posing as them) have used Airbnb addresses for suspicious or even illegal deliveries. There have been cases of packages arriving after check-out containing items that put both the host and property under scrutiny. For everyone’s safety, we avoid this risk entirely.
🧹 Extra Burden for Cleaning Teams and Owners
Our properties don’t have on-site staff to handle deliveries. Asking cleaners or owners to receive, sign for, or store packages creates confusion and extra work. It can also cause delays in turnovers between guests.
😕 Misunderstandings and Unfair Reviews
Hosts who deny mail requests often face upset guests who think they’re being unhelpful. But in truth, we’re just following best practices recommended by Airbnb and host communities to protect both sides. Clear policies help prevent those misunderstandings.
📬 Why It’s Risky for Guests Too
Even for guests, using a short-term rental address for deliveries isn’t ideal:
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📦 Packages can be stolen from porches or returned to the sender.
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⏳ Delays happen, and your order might not arrive before check-out.
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🚪 Gated or secured buildings often block delivery drivers from leaving packages at the door.
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😕 Unclaimed mail may get discarded if it shows up after you leave.
In short, what seems convenient can easily turn into a frustrating situation.
🤝 Our Exception Policy
We know that sometimes, you might genuinely need to receive something during your stay — maybe medication, event materials, or a replacement item while traveling. In those rare cases:
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Please ask us first before ordering anything.
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We’ll check with the property owner and confirm if delivery is allowed for that address.
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If approved, we’ll help coordinate a time so the delivery fits within your stay window.
No deliveries should be sent without written confirmation from the StellarStay Team.
🚀 Better Alternatives for Travelers
If you need something shipped during your trip, there are plenty of safe and easy options:
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📦 Amazon Lockers — Secure, self-service pickup stations available nationwide.
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🏤 Post Office General Delivery — Have mail sent to a nearby post office for pickup with your ID.
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🚚 UPS & FedEx Hold for Pickup — Both carriers let you redirect packages to one of their local branches.
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💬 Ask us for suggestions! We’re happy to help you find the nearest locker or pickup location.
💡 In Summary
Our no-mail policy isn’t about being strict — it’s about keeping your stay secure, simple, and worry-free.
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It prevents legal and logistical headaches for everyone.
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It ensures your packages don’t get lost or mishandled.
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And it keeps our homeowners’ properties safe from unnecessary risks.
If you ever truly need to receive a delivery, just reach out to us first. We’ll check with the property owner and do our best to find a solution that works for everyone.
Thank you for helping us keep every StellarStay experience seamless and secure!
— The StellarStay Team 🌟
