Rage and Ruined Holidays: How the Marriott-Sonder Meltdown Unfolded
Marriott ended its licensing agreement with Sonder, triggering travel chaos and financial losses for many loyal customers.
Guest Experience During the Crisis
Steve McGraw, a retired tech executive with Elite status at Marriott Bonvoy, had booked a 17-day stay at the Sonder Battery Park Apartments in New York City to spend quality time with his daughter and premature granddaughter.
About a week into the stay, he received emails from Marriott and Sonder Holdings demanding they vacate by 9 a.m. the following day.
"We ended up spending several thousand dollars more to find a new place. It was very, very disruptive. They treated us so poorly." – Steve McGraw
Context of the Marriott-Sonder Partnership Collapse
- Sonder, a short-term rental company and former Airbnb competitor, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Monday.
- Marriott terminated its licensing agreement with Sonder, which had been signed in August 2024.
- The termination led to guests being forcibly removed from Sonder-operated properties on Monday.
Impact on Travelers
The sudden eviction and bankruptcy filing caused confusion and unexpected expenses for many customers, disrupting their holiday plans and trust in the Marriott partnership.
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Additional Notes
This situation highlights the risks travelers face when booking through licensing agreements with third-party operators rather than directly with hotel chains.
Author’s summary: The abrupt end of Marriott's deal with Sonder led to sudden evictions and financial strain for guests, exposing the vulnerabilities in third-party lodging partnerships.