Sonder, a real estate rental company offering luxury serviced apartments, has declared bankruptcy, leading to guests worldwide being asked to vacate their properties. This situation arose after Marriott terminated its lease with Sonder due to what it termed “Sonder’s default.” Although Sonder’s rooms were previously accessible through Marriott’s booking platforms, they can no longer be booked following the collapse.
Customers have expressed frustration, with reports of guests unable to retrieve luggage and difficulties in contacting Sonder for refunds. Sonder cited significant financial issues stemming from challenges in integrating its reservation systems with Marriott, resulting in a sharp revenue decline.
The interim CEO, Janice Sears, remarked on the devastation of having to pursue liquidation, attributing the difficulties to unforeseen technological integration delays. Employees at Sonder properties have also faced job losses and uncertainty. Many guests who chose Sonder due to its connection to Marriott now feel misled, with some reporting poor support from Marriott during this transition.
Marriott has stated it will assist those who booked through its platform but advised customers who used third-party services to seek refunds from their credit card companies. The company continues to emphasize its extensive portfolio across various accommodations, indicating it aims to support affected customers.
Source link
