A Homes & Villas by Marriott International rental in Croatia
dent , HVMI . “ HVMI experienced a 720 % increase in demand Q1 of 2021 compared to Q1 2020 , driven by both increasing consumer demand and a higher number of homes on our platform .”
Marriott aims to complement their hotel business with whole homes in leisure destinations , Hseih says . “ HVMI is spread across 250 markets , with nearly 40 % of those markets being new to the Marriott portfolio – this gives our members more places to travel when staying with us .”
Accor , on the other hand , has over 15 extended-stay hotel brands ( including including Adagio , Mantra , and Hyde Living ), as well as the company ’ s portfolio of branded private residences which are privately owned and frequently included in managed rental programs ( Raffles Residences , Banyan Tree Residences , Delano Residences , Fairmont Residences , SLS Residences , etc .) and private rentals ( Onefinestay ) in over 350 destinations .
“ We offer something very different because the flats we rent are within our facilities and have the services and hospitality of a hotel ,” am Accor spokesperson told HOTELS . “ Guests always have someone to help them and a technician on hand to solve any problem . It is a very safe way to experience the city while enjoying the freedom of a flat .”
Accor continues to develop initiatives in consultation with local shopkeepers and residents to make its communal areas places of meeting and exchange , which it says is a good way of forging links and feeling even more integrated into the city for long stays .
Besides maintaining stringent cleanliness protocols , especially during an ongoing pandemic , Marriot has launched a ‘ Quality Assurance Program ’ where they conduct audits on homes , cleanliness , safety , service and performance delivered by their property management companies . This has resulted in an uptick of guest satisfaction , Hseih says .
“ Contactless check-in is something we know our guests appreciate and so more than 90 % of our homes in the U . S . offer it . During the last year , travel has been unpredictable – so we created more flexible cancellation policies to support any last-minute changes in plans ,” Hseih adds .
According to Accor , fully equipped kitchens in their apartments make it a safe option for guests . As a result , leisure shortterm rentals are overperforming , especially in resort destinations , for summer .
EXPANSION PLANS Both Accor and Marriott have been expanding their inventory of short rental properties , backed by guests ’ preferences for active , outdoor destinations .
Hseih notes that there has been a strong demand for premium homes in drive-to and ocean or mountain destinations and renewed interest in fly-to destinations like Hawaii , Mexico and some of their Caribbean destinations .
“ This summer and beyond , HVMI is poised for significant growth , including expansion into new markets globally , particularly in locations where Marriott does not have hotels or where hotels are not economically feasible . One area of focus is Asia Pacific , where we will look to add homes in key leisure destinations ,” Hseih says .
For Accor , managed rental programs are sought after by purchasers of branded residences in resort locations . The Paris-based hotel company has an ambitious renovation plan for Aparthotel Adagio , which was launched in 2018 , along with plans new properties in Dubai , and in the French cities of Freiburg , Suresnes and Lyon this summer .
While Accor ’ s branded residences with rental programs have performed well in markets like Acapulco , Mexico , and Telluride , Colorado , they see robust demand for luxury extended-stay brands in oceanfront locations in Dubai .
“ Short terms rentals at our Fairmont branded residence project in Acapulco increased 26 % year-over-year , as residents of Mexico City sought luxury residence rentals in drive-to oceanfront locations . Similarly , in Telluride , summer 2021 short-term rentals at our Fairmont branded residence property are 127 % ahead of last year ’ s pace ,” the spokesperson says . “ Fairmont Residences and Estates have been launched in Marrakech , developed along the fairways of the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech golf course . Our first Mondrian Residence
July / August 2021 hotelsmag . com 107