Sonder

So here's the thing about Sonder-it's kind of like if a hotel and an Airbnb had a baby, but that baby grew up to be way more sophisticated than either parent. Founded back in 2014 by Francis Davidson (who started this whole thing as a college student subletting his Montreal apartment), Sonder has basically carved out this weird middle ground in hospitality that nobody knew they needed until it existed.

The company manages over 9,000 units across 40+ cities in 10 countries, which is pretty wild when you think about it. But what makes them different isn't just the scale-it's the whole approach. Unlike Airbnb where you're basically rolling the dice on whether your host is reliable, Sonder actually leases and manages all their properties directly. So you get that apartment-style space with a full kitchen and washer/dryer, but with hotel-level consistency and design. And honestly? The design part is legit. They work with world-class architects to create spaces that don't feel like your aunt's spare bedroom or some cookie-cutter hotel room.

The tech angle is where things get interesting. Everything runs through their app-check-in, requesting towels, getting restaurant recommendations, even calling an Uber that automatically loads your Sonder address. It's all self-service, which some people love and others find a bit impersonal. There's no front desk to chat with, no bellhop to help with bags. You get a keycode sent to your phone, and boom, you're in. They've got 24/7 support available through the app, but it's definitely a different vibe than traditional hospitality.

In August 2024, Marriott International signed a 20-year licensing deal with Sonder, adding 10,500 rooms to Marriott's portfolio. This was kind of a big deal-it meant you could start earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points at Sonder properties. For a company that went public via SPAC in 2022 and has had its share of financial ups and downs (including laying off 21% of corporate roles in 2022), the Marriott partnership felt like a validation of the model.

The pricing is usually competitive with mid-range hotels, and they offer discounts for longer stays-which makes sense since they're targeting business travelers, digital nomads, and families who want more space than a hotel room. You can book directly through their website or app, or find them on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.

Notice how they've basically eliminated the inefficiencies of traditional hotels? Smaller lobbies, self-service luggage lockers, digital everything. It's all about using technology to cut costs and pass those savings to guests. Whether that's the "future of hospitality" or just a different flavor of it probably depends on what you value in a stay.