The world’s largest hotel group is gearing up to enter the home rental scene with the debut of a division it calls Homes & Villas by Marriott International.
Not long after launching its Marriott Bonvoy membership rewards program, Marriott International has announced its next big move. The world’s largest hotel group is gearing up to enter the home rental scene with the debut of a division it calls Homes & Villas by Marriott International.
Homes & Villas will offer more than 2000 luxury home rentals in 100 destinations across the United States, Europe and Latin America. This comes as a revamp of its Tribute Portfolio Homes, a pilot project that saw the operation of just over 200 homes in London in partnership with UK-based property management company Hostmaker last year.
You could say the 91-year-old hotel chain is pitting itself against home rental giants like Airbnb and HomeAway that have disrupted the hotel industry in recent years. However, Homes & Villas has unique selling points that differ from current players in the market.
For one, bookings on the platform are eligible for the Marriott Bonvoy program, which could attract existing Marriott members and foster customer loyalty. As results of the pilot project have shown, nearly 90 percent of guests were Marriott Bonvoy members. Stays during the test period also tripled the duration of the average hotel stay.
“The launch of Homes & Villas by Marriott International reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation as consumer travel needs evolve,” Stephanie Linnartz, Marriott’s global chief commercial officer, said in a statement.
“What started out as a pilot a year ago is now a global offering, providing our guests with the space and amenities of a home backed by a trusted travel company, and the very best in loyalty benefits.”
While its new plans will no longer involve Hostmaker, the group will be working with other property management companies that adhere to its standards of luxury. All properties will include a minimum three-nights stay policy, 24/7 support, housekeeping, as well as premium linens and amenities.
Homes & Villas by Marriott International is expected to launch this month.
For more information and updates, stay tuned to the official website here.