Marriott and Sonder's Sudden Split Leaves Guests in a Lurch

Marriott's recent breakup with Sonder, a short-term rental company, has left many guests scrambling. The sudden split, announced just a week into their stays, has caused chaos for travelers who had booked through Marriott's channels.

Guests Caught Off Guard

Steve McGraw, a retired tech executive, was caught off guard. He had planned a joyful 17-day trip to New York City with his family, including his premature granddaughter. But on Sunday, he received emails from both Marriott and Sonder, instructing him to vacate his apartment by 9 a.m. the next day. McGraw and his wife had to spend thousands more to find a new place to stay.

Not an Isolated Incident

Paul Strack, a business owner from Arkansas, returned to his Sonder apartment in Boston to find all his belongings packed and moved to the hallway. He was shocked by the impersonal way his possessions were handled.

Lenny Coynault, a tourist from Paris, thought Marriott's email was a scam and disregarded it. But when he returned to his NYC apartment, he found confusion and a lack of answers from the staff.

Significant Fallout

Guests have had to shell out extra cash to book last-minute accommodations.

• Craig Murphy, a health insurance broker from Houston, will have to pay an additional $1,401 to book a comparable Marriott property for his daughter's wedding.
• Ahmed Alsheikh, a tourist from Saudi Arabia, had to look for alternative accommodations on his own, costing him significantly more due to short notice and limited availability.

April Walloga, a remote worker staying in a Sonder residence in NYC for a month, was left without any secured accommodations. She now has to find housing for the rest of the month at short notice, estimating that rebooking could cost her at least $3,000 more than her original reservation.

Questions Raised

This incident has raised questions about the reliability and customer service of both Marriott and Sonder. Guests have expressed their disappointment and frustration, with some vowing never to book with Marriott again until the issue is resolved.