Regulation and compliance

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.

Starting October 27, 2025, Airbnb will roll out a new, simplified single service fee structure. While this change may sound technical, here’s the good news — nothing changes for guests except for a clearer, more transparent price breakdown.

Let’s take a closer look at what this means for you as a StellarStay host or owner.

If you’re a short-term rental host, property manager, or industry partner in Colorado, mark your calendar for Saturday, November 15, from 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM MT. The Colorado Short-Term Rental Association (COSTRA) is hosting the annual Colorado STR Summit in Denver — and this year’s theme, “Where Heart Meets Strategy,” promises to bring together the best minds and biggest hearts in the STR community.

When it comes to Airbnb reviews, “Communication” is one of the most misunderstood categories. It’s not about whether you liked every message — it’s about how clearly, promptly, and responsibly the host communicated.

Before you check out, please take a few moments to look through every part of the home — closets, drawers, under beds, bathrooms, and kitchen counters — to make sure you’ve packed up everything that’s yours. A quick double-check can save you the hassle of realizing something special got left behind once you’re already on your way.

Hosting isn’t always about fresh sheets, sparkling kitchens, and happy check-ins. Sometimes it’s about human choices—and what happens when someone refuses the good option that’s right in front of them.

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.

💡 What Is This Tax?

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.