Originally Posted by
beachmouse
Theres also the extended stay category (Residence Inn, Hyatt House, Staybridge Suites, Adagio Aparthotel, etc.) that has long operated successfully in several parts of the world under a ‘small apartment for the price of a Fairfield/Courtyard’ model, even with more staffing and amenities than a Sonder.
They also typically have a communal laundry room each floor or so.
Thoes are all American chains. We have stayed at Citadines before, they did have a front desk in both locations, but limited housekeeping. Cheaper than Western hotel chains in Paris.
Frasers Hospitality Official Site | Luxury Serviced Apartments Worldwide
Citadines by Discover ASR | Range of Hotel Apartments
I believe Sonder's original intent was to buy and rehab buildings in city centers, and sell some units as condos, some as apartments, and some as "hotel" rooms, cashing in on the real estate boom, and the AirBnB craze. I am not sure why this didn't really work out for them. COVID, poor Marketing. Everyone on this board had heard of AirBnb, even if they didn't use it, no one had heard of Sonder.
The second sin they had was advertising it as a Marriott. People have specific expectations of a Marriott, mostly that it resembles a traditional hotel These did not. This expectation is evident in this thread. AirBnB never had that expectation.
The concept Sonder was after could work. Look at MiniLoft in Berlin.
Our accommodation - Miniloft: Berlin’s unique apartment hotels We stayed there and it was amazing.
They built the buildings, sold some, rented some, and they are in the city, and mixed use. PrePay, all digital, no front desk or staff. .