Marriott launches premium home-rental competitor to Airbnb

Marriott launches premium home-rental competitor to Airbnb

Marriott International has launched its very own home-rental initiative, offering more than 2,000 curated homes around the world.

Yesterday, the multinational hospitality company announced its latest brand: Homes & Villas by Marriott International – a home-rental initiative with properties in more than 100 destinations, spanning the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

It is a move that puts the company at loggerheads with short-term rental companies Airbnb, HomeAway and, recently, San Francisco-based Lyric – a brand recently acquired by Airbnb that, like Homes & Villas, aims to fill a niche in the premium rental market.

Starting next week, members of Marriott Bonvoy – the company’s new rewards program replacing Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) – will have access to more than 2,000 premium and curated rooms as a part of Homes & Villas.

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“The launch of Homes & Villas by Marriott International reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation as consumer travel needs evolve,” said Marriott International global chief commercial officer Stephanie Linnartz.

“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.”

Beginning in Europe in a limited market, the pilot has since expanded to more than 100 different destinations globally.

More than 40 of these destinations new markets for Marriott, including Sorrento, Italy and the Amalfi Coast, Italy; North Lake Tahoe, California; and St Barts in the Caribbean.

Marriott will also partner with property management companies TurnKey Vacation Rentals, LaCure, Loyd & Townsend Rose, Veeve, London Residents Club as well as current hotel owners and operators like Mainsail Lodging, and Reserva Conchal.

The company expects to increase Homes & Villas by Marriott International’s portfolio over time, breaching new markets and expanding with more homes.

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