Attention fellow travelistas, our ‘gram worthy adventures are about to get even more lit – and affordable.
Marriott recently announced plans to take on Airbnb with a new home-share program, Homes & Villas by Marriott International. A report from the Wall Street Journal claims the initiative will make the chain the first major hotel company to create a U.S. home-rental platform.
Once fully launched, Home & Villas will offer 2,000 luxury properties worldwide, ranging from a one-bedroom home for $200 a night to a castle in Ireland for $10,000 a night.
Marriott has already begun testing the program in Europe with London-based home-rental management company Hostmaker. The pilot has been seen as a major success, with the brand finding that guests stayed in the rentals more than twice the typical hotel stay length.
“The rentals appealed to customers who wanted more space and kitchen and laundry facilities. The European homes included a 24-hour support line and an in-person check-in at the property through Hostmaker,” says Marriott.
There’s been no word on when the platform would officially launch in the United States, but in the meantime, we’ll be looking for some fly Marriott apartments to rent while we travel through Europe this summer – can’t wait!