In the fast-growing world of short-term rentals, Airbnb has transformed how people travel and stay. With more than 150 million users worldwide and over 7 million listings, Airbnb has become a trusted alternative to traditional hotels.
Whether it's a guest waiting on a last-minute Amazon order, a traveler needing medication shipped overnight, or a host receiving maintenance supplies, safe and timely deliveries matter.
However, while hosts focus on hospitality and guests on convenience, one challenge often goes unnoticed, secure and reliable package delivery.
But Airbnb rentals, particularly in urban areas or multi-unit buildings, are vulnerable to missed deliveries, porch piracy, and logistical mishaps. So how can both guests and hosts navigate this complexity?
Stowfly makes receiving packages at an Airbnb simple and secure. Instead of risking missed deliveries or porch theft, have your items sent to a trusted nearby pickup spot. Try Stowfly free for a month and enjoy peace of mind with safe, flexible package delivery, no matter where you're staying.
Let’s explore the risks, practical solutions, and smarter delivery alternatives for Airbnb users, especially in busy metros like New York City, San Francisco,Los Angeles and Chicago.
In today’s digital and on-the-go lifestyle, the need for reliable package delivery during short-term stays is becoming more essential than ever. Travelers often find themselves in situations where they need to receive items mid-trip, be it a forgotten phone charger, a last-minute outfit for an event, or personal essentials ordered online. With the ease of e-commerce and same-day shipping, it's no surprise that more guests expect the ability to receive deliveries while staying in vacation rentals like Airbnb.
This shift reflects a broader trend: travelers are packing lighter and depending more on shipping items directly to where they’re staying. Whether it's clothing and toiletries they forgot, business materials for a work trip, gifts or souvenirs, or even groceries and tech accessories, guests are increasingly relying on deliveries to make their stay more comfortable.
On the flip side, hosts also have growing needs for deliveries to manage their properties efficiently. From cleaning supplies and restocking essentials to lockboxes, welcome kits, and tools for quick maintenance, package deliveries have become a routine part of running a smooth Airbnb operation.
The challenge, however, lies in the nature of short-term rentals themselves. These properties are not always equipped to handle regular deliveries, and many lack secure access points for package drop-offs. This results in a high volume of packages being sent to temporary and often unsecured addresses, increasing the risk of missed deliveries or package theft.
As both guests and hosts grow more reliant on timely package delivery, the need for secure, flexible solutions becomes not just a convenience, but a necessity.
While short-term rentals like Airbnb offer flexibility, comfort, and a more local experience for travelers, they also come with a unique set of logistical challenges, especially when it comes to receiving packages.
Unlike traditional hotels, which often have front desks or concierge services to manage deliveries, Airbnb properties generally lack such infrastructure. This creates a number of hurdles for both guests and hosts trying to receive parcels securely and on time.
From missing mail to stolen packages, the following risks highlight why relying on standard delivery methods at an Airbnb can often lead to frustration and inconvenience.
1. No Front Desk or Mailroom Access
Unlike hotels or long-term residential buildings, most Airbnb properties don’t have staff available to receive deliveries or a designated mailroom for temporary guests. This means packages are often left unattended at the door, in a building lobby, or in common areas, making them vulnerable to loss or package theft. Guests expecting something time-sensitive may find their parcel simply never arrives or is misplaced in the chaos of an unsecured drop-off.
2. Porch Piracy
Porch piracy, when thieves steal unattended packages from doorsteps or entryways is an escalating issue in the U.S. In fact, studies suggest that 1 in 3 Americans has experienced package theft. The problem is even more severe in urban hubs like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, where dense foot traffic and shared entryways make it easy for thieves to strike and hard for guests or hosts to hold anyone accountable. For Airbnb guests, an unguarded parcel sitting outside the unit can disappear within minutes.
3. Building Access Restrictions
Many apartment buildings, especially in metro areas, enforce strict access controls for security reasons. Delivery drivers are often unable to enter without resident permission, and if the guest isn’t physically present, the package may be left outside the building,or worse, returned to sender or marked undeliverable. This is especially problematic for Airbnbs where the host does not live on-site and cannot coordinate deliveries in real time.
4. Short Stay = Narrow Delivery Window
The average Airbnb stay is just a few nights. This tight timeframe offers little flexibility for delays in shipping. A package that arrives a day late might miss the guest entirely, leading to confusion, inconvenience, and in some cases, lost items or refund claims. Hosts are then left to manage leftover parcels, return logistics, and guest dissatisfaction, all of which add to the operational strain.
5. Name Mismatches
Most deliveries are addressed using the guest’s name, but that name is not associated with the host's property in the eyes of the courier, building manager, or doorman. In multi-unit buildings or shared addresses, this mismatch can result in the package being held, misrouted, or rejected outright. Couriers may not attempt delivery at all if the recipient name isn’t listed in the building directory.
While the risks of package delivery at short-term rentals may sound theoretical, countless travelers and hosts have faced these challenges in real time.
In urban areas like New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, the combination of multi-unit buildings, limited lobby access, and high package volumes creates a perfect storm for missed deliveries and theft.
Neighborhoods with frequent Airbnb turnover, such as Midtown Manhattan, SoMa in SF, or DTLA, report higher incidents of porch piracy. Local delivery drivers often leave packages unattended due to lack of secure entry access or unclear recipient names.
These aren't just minor inconveniences, they can lead to lost time, added stress, financial loss, and even ruined plans.
Below are real-life examples that illustrate how something as simple as receiving a package can quickly turn into a major disruption during a short-term stay.
Story 1: Stolen Tech in New York
A digital nomad from Berlin booked an Airbnb in Manhattan for 4 days. Realizing she left her MacBook charger in Germany, she ordered one via Amazon same-day delivery. Unfortunately, it was stolen from the lobby within an hour of delivery. She had to buy another at double the cost from an Apple Store and missed a meeting.
Story 2: Missing Medication in Los Angeles
A traveler needed a prescription medication delivered overnight to their Airbnb in downtown LA. Despite providing detailed delivery instructions, the FedEx driver marked it as delivered, but it was nowhere to be found. The guest had to visit an urgent care center for an emergency prescription.
Story 3:Restock Failures in Chicago
A host ordered fresh linens and toilet paper for an upcoming guest. The packages were delivered before the cleaner arrived, but were stolen off the porch. The host scrambled last-minute and had to compensate the guest for a poor check-in experience.
When packages go missing or deliveries fail during a short-term stay, one of the most common questions guests and hosts ask is: Who’s actually responsible? The answer isn’t always clear.
To avoid confusion, missed deliveries, or stolen packages, both guests and hosts can take a few proactive steps to ensure a smoother experience.
Tips for Airbnb Guests
Tips for Airbnb Hosts
Package delivery during short-term stays can be confusing, especially when policies and responsibilities aren't clearly defined. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by both guests and hosts.
Q1.Can I Get Amazon Packages at an Airbnb?
Yes, but always check with the host first. Amazon Locker or pickup services may offer a more reliable option than doorstep delivery.
Q2. What if my package is stolen from Airbnb?
In most cases, the responsibility does not fall on the host. You’ll need to file a claim with the carrier or retailer. Airbnb typically does not cover package loss.
Q3. Is it safe to send medication to Airbnb?
It’s possible, but risky due to delivery timing and theft. Use tracked shipping and consider a secure pickup location like a pharmacy or delivery service partner.
Q4. Can I ship something before I arrive at an Airbnb?
Some hosts may allow this, but coordination is critical. Without on-site staff or a concierge, early deliveries may be rejected or go missing.
In the absence of a built-in solution for secure deliveries at Airbnb or short-term rental properties, guests and hosts often resort to quick fixes. While these workarounds may seem reasonable at first glance, each comes with its own set of limitations, many of which are impractical or unreliable for short-term stays.
Here’s a closer look at why traditional solutions often fall short.
Option 1: Relying on Hosts Is Inconvenient
One of the most common suggestions is for guests to coordinate directly with the host to receive a delivery. While this may work in rare cases, it’s far from a consistent or scalable solution.
Many hosts do not live on-site, and even those who do may not be available to accept deliveries at all hours. This puts unnecessary pressure on the host and creates an awkward reliance that can strain the guest-host relationship. Hosts may also feel uncomfortable being responsible for someone else's package, especially if it's high-value or time-sensitive.
Option 2: Shipping to Friends Isn’t Realistic
Some guests try to work around delivery issues by shipping to a friend or acquaintance who lives in the city. While this can be helpful for returning locals or frequent travelers with existing networks, it’s simply not an option for the majority of short-term visitors.
Most guests are unfamiliar with the area and have no one local they can rely on. This option, while convenient in theory, is rarely realistic in practice.
Option 3: PO Boxes Don’t Support All Couriers
At first glance, renting a PO Box from USPS may seem like a logical solution for receiving mail while traveling. However, this method has several serious drawbacks:
In short, PO Boxes are built for long-term use, not for the fast-paced nature of short-term travel.
Option 4: Amazon Lockers or UPS Access Points Are Limited and Often Inaccessible
For guests ordering from Amazon or shipping via UPS, using a nearby locker or access point can be a helpful workaround, but it’s far from foolproof.
While traditional delivery workarounds might offer some degree of control, they fall short when it comes to reliability, security, and convenience, the very qualities travelers value most.
What travelers and hosts need is a simple, flexible, and secure solution that fits seamlessly into the short-term rental experience, and that’s where dedicated package receiving services like Stowfly come in.
With the rise of short-term rentals, secure package delivery has become a growing challenge. Stowfly offers a simple solution, temporary delivery addresses at trusted local businesses like cafes and salons, where parcels are held safely for pickup.
What Is Stowfly?
Stowfly is a nationwide package receiving service that lets users send packages to partner locations for secure pickup and is perfect for travelers, Airbnb guests, and hosts in cities like NYC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Austin, Washington DC, Miami, Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, Jersey City & Philadelphia and more.
How It Works
Why It Works for Airbnb Users
While there are several ways to manage package deliveries during an Airbnb stay, not all methods offer the same level of convenience, security, or practicality, especially for short-term guests or remote hosts.
Below is a quick comparison of the most common delivery options to help identify which solution best fits your needs.
| 1 | Delivery Method | Security | Availability | Suitability for Short Stays | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Direct to Airbnb | Low | High | Risky | Free |
| 3 | PO Box | Secure | Low | Not Ideal | Moderate |
| 4 | Amazon/UPS Lockers | Good | Moderate | If Available | Free |
| 5 | Friend/Local Contact | Good | Low | Not always practical | Free |
| 6 | Package Receiving Services | High | Flexible | Best for guests/hosts | Low cost |
Proactive Steps for Guests
Practical Policies for Hosts
Airbnb doesn’t prohibit deliveries, but hosts are not required to accept or facilitate package receiving. Miscommunication can result in lost items, late deliveries, or bad reviews. That’s why having an external secure delivery address like Stowfly’s package storage service gives peace of mind to both parties and bridges the gap between hospitality and e-commerce.
Whether you're a frequent flyer, a weekend vacationer, or a seasoned Airbnb superhost, package safety matters. Porch pirates, delivery failures, and missed shipments can ruin a trip or sour a guest review.
By using smarter solutions like Stowfly’s secure package receiving service, Airbnb users can navigate the modern travel landscape with confidence. No more waiting by the door, hassling your host, or worrying about a stolen delivery.
More about where to find package reeving services near you for convenient package deliveries in this blog.