Marriot, the world’s largest hotel company, is giving Airbnb direct competition by renting out private accommodations.
The hotel chain said it created its lineup of homes and villas to meet the growing demand for short-term rentals
The service is called Homes & Villas and already has more than 60,000 properties in about 75 countries.
These properties range from unique collections of private homes, beachfront bungalows, sprawling villas, grand chateaus, cozy cottages, ski lodges, townhouses, apartments, condos, and penthouses.
In recent years, hotel chains have ventured into the short-term rental market, long dominated by platforms run by people working part-time in the hospitality industry.
The arrangement is simple: the homeowner provides the apartment, and Marriott handles reservations, recommends and books excursions, takes care of problems, and provides deep cleaning after checkout.
The added value of booking with Marriott is that guests also receive rewards from the loyalty program and access to resort amenities.
Being able to offer a unique rental experience at an upscale property while allowing customers to earn and redeem points is a significant win for Marriott International and an offer that is hard to say no to.
“Business travelers, as well as many leisure travelers, value what Airbnb lacks and what hotel brands do best: availability (hotels cannot delist at short notice), professional hospitality, brand standards, and loyalty program perks,” said Chekitan Dev, a professor at Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, N.Y.
“This is why most major hotel companies are extending their brands into private homes,” he added
What about pricing?
Prices are not as high as they were expected to be.
Most properties range from $700 to $1000 per night, but it is possible to find nice apartments and houses for less than $200 per night, which is even less than what an Airbnb can cost.
For instance, Marriott offers a 2-bedroom apartment for $171 per night in beautiful Barcelona.
There are properties for as little as $161 a night in Miami or as low as $120 for a one-bedroom flat in Paris.
As for cancelation policies, guests can only receive a refund if they cancel within 48 hours of booking. After that, they are no longer eligible for a refund.
It is expected that this rather strict policy will change in the future.