At StellarStay, we work hard to provide a seamless, transparent, and secure experience for every guest. A recent exchange with one of our guests — and many stories from seasoned hosts on popular discussion boards — illustrates why it’s critical for both guests and hosts to keep all communication inside the Airbnb platform.
Starting October 2025, Airbnb will begin collecting a Texas Data Processing Tax on the Airbnb service fee for reservations booked in Texas. Here’s what this means for everyone involved—and why there’s no need to worry.
The Texas Data Processing Tax is a state and local sales tax applied only to the Airbnb service fee (the platform fee guests and hosts pay to Airbnb).
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.
At StellarStay, we believe in two things above all: transparency and cleanliness. That’s why, after every single turnover, our cleaning teams complete a detailed, time-stamped inspection report.
📸 These reports include photos and notes (yes, even when something small like a blanket is missing) so we can prove the exact condition of the home before check-in. It’s our way of ensuring fairness—for both guests and hosts.
At StellarStay, we know that most guests want to leave helpful and honest reviews — and we love that! Reviews guide future travelers and help hardworking hosts improve.
But there’s one rating category that often causes a bit of confusion (and, sometimes, a little unintentional harm):
VALUE
Let’s talk about what it really means — and how to rate it in a way that’s both fair and kind.
At StellarStay, we love helping our guests celebrate life’s special moments—birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries, or just getting the family together for the weekend. There’s nothing better than seeing people make memories in a beautiful home-away-from-home.
But here’s the thing: for all of that to go smoothly, honest communication is key—especially when it comes to how many people will actually be at the property.
We believe success in short-term rentals doesn’t come from chasing every booking. It comes from protecting the properties we’re entrusted to manage, maintaining high standards, and cultivating respectful relationships between guests, hosts, and homeowners. In fact, it’s exactly this discipline that allows us to create long-term profitability—not just for us, but for the owners who’ve trusted us with their homes.
As professional hosts, we put a lot of trust in Airbnb—not just in their platform, but also in the Support team that’s supposed to back us up when things go wrong. Unfortunately, that trust doesn’t always hold.
Recently, we experienced a situation that highlights a difficult truth: Airbnb’s conduct is not always consistent, and some of their representatives lack the training or experience needed to properly apply the platform’s own policies.
At StellarStay, we’re passionate about creating amazing experiences for our guests, and we truly enjoy going the extra mile whenever we can. We love seeing families and friends come together, and we know that plans sometimes shift. However, there are moments when we have to gently say “no”—not because we want to, but because we’re bound by platform policies and the responsibility we carry as stewards of someone’s home.
When you walk into your Airbnb, there’s nothing quite like that fresh, clean feeling—beds made, floors shining, and everything in its place. Cleanliness matters. A lot. And trust us—your host cares just as much as you do. But sometimes, nature, weather, or regional quirks play a little role in how things look or feel. So let’s talk about how to keep your review fair, thoughtful, and helpful for everyone.