Marriott Ends Agreement With Sonder, Effective Immediately

In a surprising announcement, Marriott has ended its agreement with Sonder — the apartment-style hotel brand it started licensing last year. Sonder by Marriott as a brand started offering elite perks and points-earning and points-redeeming opportunities earlier this year.

Without providing any specifics, Marriott has ended the agreement with Sonder, citing a “default” by Sonder without saying what it was.

What happens to guests with current or future Sonder by Marriott bookings? Here’s what we know about this developing situation.

A Quick Recap on Sonder by Marriott

Marriott launched a licensing partnership with Sonder in 2024, and the Sonder by Marriott brand launched in early 2025. At that time, we learned what perks and benefits would be available for guests who booked through Marriott channels.

That’s because Sonder by Marriott was a brand in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. Guests could earn points on stays and enjoy a few elite perks on these stays.

Sonder properties are apartment-style lodging where guests still have a hotel-like check-in experience but then stay in a private space that might include a kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and so on. Think of booking a Vrbo or Airbnb property but having a check-in experience that feels more like a hotel arrival.

Marriott Ends Agreement With Sonder

On November 9, 2025, Marriott announced the end of the agreement with Sonder. Reasons for ending the agreement weren’t clear, other than Marriott citing Sonder’s suposed default.

What did Sonder do that makes Marriott think there was a default on the agreement? That remains unclear.

Based on publicly available documents for the Marriott-Sonder agreement, some of the events that could have caused Marriott to immediately end the agreement (or do so after asking Sonder to fix the situation and then not seeing changes) include:

• Sonder (or controlling person) becoming a “Restricted Person”
• Sonder or a controlling affiliate commencing bankruptcy proceedings
• Sonder admitting in writing its inability to pay debts as they became due
• Failure by Sonder (or affiliate) to pay amounts due under the agreement
• 40% or more of “all properties” failing to comply with “Collection Standards”
• Transfers violating certain sections

Which of these might be involved in the current situation? That remains unknown.

What Happens to Sonder by Marriott Bookings?

According to a statement from Marriott, the brand’s “immediate priority is supporting guests currently staying at Sonder properties and those with upcoming reservations.”

Marriott says it will contact guests who booked Sonder properties through Marriott channels to help them with reservations — including canceling and booking alternative lodging. Guests who booked through third-party channels, such as Hotels.com or Expedia, should contact their booking agency.

Travelers with questions can contact Marriott’s customer service channels.

Final Thoughts

In a surprising announcement, Marriott has ended its agreement with Sonder. This takes effect immediately, and guests with current or upcoming bookings should reach out to Marriott proactively to understand what to do now.

Marriott says it will reach out to these customers, but being proactive can help you manage your trip and find a resolution sooner.

Overnight, Sonder by Marriott properties started disappointing from Marriott’s website. We had emailed Marriott to understand what was happening, and a few minutes later, the public announcement came. Now we know the agreement is done, even if we don’t know the specific reasons.