Have you booked an apartment in New York (but not only) with Sonder ? be careful not to get stuck under a bridge
It's official: the partnership between Marriott International and Sonder Holdings has come to an end
Marriott
The hôtellerie giant announced the immediate termination of its licensing agreement with Sonder due to a default by the company. The most immediate consequence is that Sonder facilities are no longer part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio e Are no longer bookable through Marriott channels (website, app or call center).
What happened
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Sonder, a U.S.-based company specializing in offering apartments and hybrid spaces between hotels and short stays, had signed an agreement with Marriott in 2022 to enter the Marriott Bonvoy. The goal was to expand the offer with more flexible solutions designed for medium to long stays and for a young, digital and design-oriented audience.
The partnership seemed like a strategic move for both parties: Marriott would gain a new customer segment, while Sonder would benefit from the visibility and trust of the Marriott brand. However, signs of Sonder's economic distress had already multiplied over the past few months, and today's confirmation marks its final exit from the Bonvoy network.
What changes for guests
Marriott stated that. immediate priority is to assist clients with ongoing reservations or future at Sonder properties made through its official channels. All those who have booked through marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy app or reservation centers will be contacted directly by the group for alternative solutions or refunds.
On the other hand, those who booked through online agencies (such as Booking.com, Expedia or other OTAs) will have to go directly to those platforms.
End of Bonvoy benefits
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With the end of the partnership, Marriott Bonvoy members will no longer be able to accumulate points or redeem award nights at Sonder facilities. Likewise, elite benefits such as upgrades, late check-out or welcome gifts will no longer be recognized.
This is no small blow to those who had found Sonder properties a convenient way to accumulate qualifying nights and points, especially in large American and European cities where these facilities were widespread.
The future of Sonder
Nasdaq-listed Sonder (SOND) has been going through a difficult period for some time, marked by internal restructuring and fluctuating financial results. The termination of the relationship with Marriott is likely to further exacerbate the situation, reducing brand visibility and the trust of business customers.
For Marriott, however. A necessary step to protect brand consistency and the quality of the Bonvoy experience, but which temporarily leaves a gap in today's increasingly competitive "aparthotel" segment.
In summary
The end of Marriott's partnership with Sonder marks the conclusion of an interesting but short-lived experiment that had sought to unite the world of traditional hospitality with that of flexible, digital-first spaces. Now travelers will have to review their point accumulation strategies and carefully vet future bookings as Marriott considers new moves to strengthen its presence in the alternative hospitality sector.
