Category: Money

Marriott hotels announced in 2024 that they would be partnering with Sonder and rebranding the apartment accommodation service as Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy. Then, abruptly at in November 2025, Marriott released a statement saying they were terminating their partnership with Sonder effective immediately and all guests staying at Sonder properties had to get out. Immediately.

So here’s what happened between Sonder and Marriott.

The Partnership That Wasn’t

Right after Marriott’s press release on November 9th, messages were sent to Sonder guests informing them they had to vacate their rooms. Some returned to their rooms to find their belongings in plastic bags left in hallways. It turns out, Sonder had not been paying Marriott for their end of the bargain (Marriott even used the term “default” in their press release) and filed for bankruptcy within 48 hours.

Their CEO, Janice Sears made it seem like Marriott was to blame for their Chapter 7 filing:

“We are devastated to reach a point where a liquidation is the only viable path forward,” said Janice Sears, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Sonder. “Unfortunately, our integration with Marriott International was substantially delayed due to unexpected challenges in aligning our technology frameworks, resulting in significant, unanticipated integration costs, as well as a sharp decline in revenue arising from Sonder’s participation in Marriott’s Bonvoy reservation system. These issues persisted and contributed to a substantial and material loss in working capital.”

Yikes. The blame game has begun but it’s hard to see how partnering with Marriott could have devastated Sonder so quickly. It’s more likely Sonder were already running on fumes and simply could hold out until the (expected) revenue boost from Marriott came.

Sonder No More

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy leading to liquidation means that Sonder won’t exist any more. All future reservations have been automatically canceled and if you want a refund, you’ll have to work with your bank to get a charge back. Marriott is helping customers who booked through their site but have said Sonder users are on their own.

It’s been a messy break up and a shame for travelers. Sonder offered spacious, apartment style alternatives to hotel rooms in major cities. I guess now we know that it was all too good to be true.

Tucked in a quiet corner of a busy Bangkok neighborhood, there is a hotel that’s exceptionally comfortable, elegant, and a true oasis in Thailand’s capital city. With the right approach though and a few tricks, you can book a stay here for under $80 a night.

Here’s where to find that hotel and how to get a great deal on accommodation in Bangkok. You can watch the video above and then read on.

Heart Of The Action

Sukhumvit is a bustling district on Bangkok with high rise buildings dotting the skyline. A major artery of the city Sukhumvit Road goes through the heart of Bangkok and where popular celebrations like Songkran are most active. Between a quiet laundry shop and nearby a hospital is Ad Lib a hotel that’s decorated with hanging green vines, large glass walls, and remarkably quiet considering its location.

The breakfast buffet is impressive and the rooms new with spotless mattresses and comfortable pillows. There’s a pool, gym, several bars and restaurant but the Ad Lib never feels like overbearing. The open design and friendly staff all add to the experience of being relaxing while at the same time making it easy to drop into the bustle of Bangkok’s beating heart.

Getting The Best Rate

One key piece of advice to getting the best deal at the Ad Lib is to never book from a third party site. Always book through the Ad Lib’s main site, where you’ll save at least 20% than booking elsewhere. I often find rooms listed for $120 in some places to regularly be $90 directly from Ad Lib. The site also has another perk which are the very frequent sales and promotions they run. Those included, you can find rooms for $75 a night or less. An amazing deal considering the level of luxury you get at Ab Lib and when compared to the cost of nearby luxury accommodation.

All Kinds Of Travel

To me, the Ad Lib is the perfect type of hotel if you want to recharge at the hotel during a trip to Bangkok or if you want a comfortable base to explore the city from. It’s comfortable enough to be the hotel you never have to leave but also situated in a place that gives you access to all Bangkok has to offer. An upgrade hotel experience and a competitive alternative to Airbnb in Bangkok.