Guests ejected mid-stay from bankrupt hotel chain Sonder
9 days ago
- #hospitality
- #bankruptcy
- #travel-disruption
- Guests were ejected mid-stay from Sonder properties after the company went bankrupt.
- Marriott terminated its leasing agreement with Sonder due to 'Sonder's default', leading to the collapse.
- Sonder cited severe financial constraints and integration challenges with Marriott as reasons for its failure.
- Guests reported being locked out of rooms, unable to retrieve belongings, and left scrambling for alternative accommodations.
- Sonder, a rival to Airbnb, specialized in premium serviced apartments and operated in over 40 cities.
- Employees like Rob Goodwin were left unpaid and in the dark, with many losing their jobs abruptly.
- Customers who booked through Marriott were advised to seek refunds via their credit card issuers.
- Many guests felt betrayed, having trusted Sonder due to its association with Marriott.
- Sonder's properties often lacked staff, relying on door codes, which stopped working post-collapse.
- Marriott stated it did not charge customer cards directly for Sonder bookings but would facilitate refunds.