by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:56 PM ET, Mon April 29, 2019
UPDATE 4/30/2019 9:45 a.m.
Yesterday, Marriott International announced that they'll be offering 2,000 premium and luxury homes in 100 markets as part of their Homes & Villas initiative. By next week, guests will be able to book, earn and redeem their Marriott Bonvoy points on any of Marriott International's home rentals in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.
"The launch of Homes & Villas by Marriott International reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation as consumer travel needs evolve," said Stephanie Linnartz, Global Chief Commercial Officer, Marriott International. "What started out as a pilot a year ago is now a global offering, providing our guests with the space and amenities of a home backed by a trusted travel company, and the very best in loyalty benefits."
Home rentals can be found in such places like Sorrento, Italy, the Amalfi Coast, Italy; North Lake Tahoe, California, and St. Barts in the Caribbean, and will include everything from villas and cottages to castles.
Guests can book a home rental with Marriott International on the following website: www.homesandvillasbymarriott.com.
Marriott may be expanding into the home rental business.
According to various reports, including one in The Wall Street Journal, the hotel giant is preparing to take on Airbnb and the various other home sharing platforms that have sprung up in recent years.
The world's biggest hotel operator may reveal the details of its plan as soon as next month, the publication reported. If that comes to pass, Marriott would be the first major hotel company to create its own home rental platform.
The Wall Street Journal also notes that Marriott, which has a long list of brands under its umbrella including Sheraton, W, and Ritz-Carlton, will likely allow home rental guests to earn and redeem loyalty points.
While Marriott is preparing to move into Airbnb territory, the world's largest home sharing platform is doing its own market expansion as well.
Last month, Airbnb revealed that it was acquiring Hotel Tonight, a company that offers discounted hotel rooms. Airbnb also recently invested in the Indian hotel booking company Oyo Hotels & Homes.
As for Marriott's latest move, The Wall Street Journal reports that company executives have decided that home rentals are too good an opportunity to pass up.
Marriott has already run a successful pilot program in Europe, which is likely to be the blueprint for whatever is ultimately offered in the United States.
"tt's clear the home-sharing phenomenon is here to stay and hotel companies want to make sure they get their piece of this pie," Ryan Meliker, an industry professional, told The Wall Street Journal.
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