Marriott International launches home rental business

Marriott International has become the latest global hotel company to enter the home rental market.

Homes & Villas by Marriott International will initially offer 2,000 luxury homes in more than 100 locations throughout the US, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Members of Marriott Bonvoy, the group's loyalty scheme, will be able to earn and redeem points when booking one of the properties.

The new initiative follows the move into the home rental market by French hotel company Accor following its acquisition of Onefinestay, Travel Keys and Squarebreak, which have now all been consolidated under the Onefinestay brand with a collection of around 10,000 luxury homes.

Hotel companies have been encouraged to diversify their accommodation offering as a result of the rapid expansion of Airbnb since its launch in 2008 to become a global player with more than six million privately-owned places to stay on its online platform.

Stephanie Linnartz, global chief commercial officer, Marriott International, said: "The launch of Homes & Villas by Marriott International reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation as consumer travel needs evolve."

Homes & Villas by Marriott International will operate with the support of a number of property management companies that are already managing the homes available for rent.

A six-bedroom townhouse in London with a children's playroom and climbing wall is among the UK properties making up the new collection.

Marriott's portfolio of 29 hotel brands across more than 7,000 properties include the Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Edition and Moxy Hotels.

Image shows a Homes & Villas property in Sonoma, California.

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