Category: Travel

The Sonder-Marriott Hotels Divorce is Ugly

by Anil Polat | Nov 20, 2025 | Lodging, Money | 0

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.

<a href="https://rss.com/podcasts/foxnomad-podcast-anil-polat/2325159/">Why Marriott Hotels Killed Sonder | RSS.com</a>

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.

Common eSIM Questions Answered!

by Anil Polat | Nov 13, 2025 | Tech | 0

eSIMs are some of the most useful but often confusing tools a traveler has at their disposal. We’ve talked about eSIMs before and the video above addresses all of the main questions many of you had. Watch it here first before checking out the quick answers below.

Do You Get A Phone Number?

This depends on the eSIM service provider locally, not the eSIM technology itself. For travel eSIMs, generally the answer is no since most online stores like Airalo, BNEsim, and Holyfly don’t have the proper permits for phone number (and SMS) so they only come with data.

Same With SMS?

Yes, that’s correct.

How Do I Make Calls?

You can use Facetime, Whatsapp, Signal, or any other Internet-based calling service. Otherwise you won’t be able to make a call with the travel eSIM if it doesn’t come with a phone number. You can go to a local shop or kiosk at the airport and set up a short-term mobile account (which will likely still use an eSIM) but probably get a phone number instead of data only. Alternatively, you can set up your home mobile service to include international roaming and use it when traveling.

Can I Use More Than One eSIM At A Time?

Almost all eSIM capable phones will let you use two eSIMs at the same time. (You can install many more.) This would let you use your home eSIM/service to make calls and the local eSIM for data. Just be sure you’re using the right eSIM for both. To be safe, deactivate your home eSIM when it’s not in use.

What Happens To Your Home eSIM?

Nothing. Any new eSIMs act independently, just like physical SIM cards would.

eSIM Summary

In short, eSIMs can make staying connected while traveling so much easier. They can be purchased in advance and activated later if needed and give you data all around the world. There are also regional eSIMs and all can be purchased right from you phone. For travelers to Turkey though, you’ll need to do this first.

Where To Stay In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Luxury Hotel Review

by Anil Polat | Oct 2, 2025 | Lodging, Pictures and Video | 0

Saudi Arabia boasts some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and the country is expanding its accommodation sector rapidly. The buildings though are going up before the prices reach them in the lower atmosphere. In particular, Jeddah, a main hub along Saudi Arabia’s western coast is where you can find luxury hotels for reasonable rates.

You can watch the full tour in the video above before reading the summary below.

Voco Jeddah Gate

Located in a barren part of Jeddah, just outside of the current downtown, the Voco Gate is the largest luxury hotel in town. Eventually the area around the Voco Gate will become the center of business and commerce in Jeddah though right now it is an absolute bargain. You can find rooms for $150 a night that include a kitchen, washer-dryer combo, spacious rooms, and an incredible breakfast buffet.

Amenities Everywhere

From the pools – yes, plural, – to the multiple outdoor hot tubs, large gym the Voco Gate is spacious. All of the aforementioned areas are open to everyone but in line with Saudi cultural norms, there are also optional women’s only gyms, hot tubs, and pool as well indoors with privacy. There’s also a central lounge serving coffee and mocktails, a separate wedding area with groom and bridge preparation areas, multiple conference rooms, and large party halls.

Breakfast Open

The breakfast buffet at the Voco Gate might be the largest I’ve ever seen and even if you’re not staying at the Voco Gate, you can purchase a pass to experience it. There is local and international food, several stations with cooks serving up a variety of dishes on demand and more varieties of bread than you knew existed.

Overall, I would expect the rates at the Voco Gate in Jeddah to go up as the area around the hotel expands but for now if you’re visiting, don’t miss the best accommodation deal in town.

Ridge Magnetic Power Bank Review: Almost Ideal For The Road

by Anil Polat | Sep 18, 2025 | Tech | 0

The Ridge Magnetic Power Bank is a really solid start on being a versatile, all-in-one, small charger that looks good and can do a lot. And depending on the phone you’ll be charging it’s just right or just short of ideal.

You can watch the video above for the full review and read the summary below.

Colors And Capacity

Ridge’s Magnetic Power Bank is a small charger with a capacity of 10,000 Milliampere hours (mAh) . That’s enough to charge most smartphones up full about twice over. The Magnetic Power Bank has 15 watt MagSafe wireless charging and a built in lightening cable and USB-C cable, plus a USB-C port that has 20 watt charging. All of those watts means your devices will charge quickly but if you don’t have an iPhone that has a lightening port, it’s one useless cable for you.

It comes in three colors, Matte Black, Matte Olive, or my personal favorite the Basecamp Orange. Lighter and more compact, ever so slightly than most chargers of this capacity, the Magnetic Power Bank can even lend some electricity to your laptop if needed.

Digital Design

On the bottom of the Ridge Magnetic Power Bank there’s a small display showing you whether or not the power bank is charging devices, being charged, and how what percentage the battery has left. One area of confusion is though when you plug it into a laptop, sometimes the Power Bank wants to charge your laptop when you might want it to be charged by the laptop.

Some clicks of the bottom on the button often resolves the issue but it’s something to keep an eye on if you’re someone who uses your laptop as an electrical outlet.

I do appreciate the swings Ridge took with the design and it’s one I think a lot of you will be happy with. If you’ve already got a charger around the 10,000 mAh capacity I don’t think the Ridge Magnetic Power Bank offers something revolutionary enough to replace it with. I’d suggest waiting for the next version, maybe one with 2 USB-C cables built in or with faster wireless charging. But if you don’t currently have a portable charger and want something small, versatile, and light, that costs about 10-20% more than some competing products, the Ridge Magnetic Power Bank is a powerful option.

10 Common Travel Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make

by Anil Polat | Sep 4, 2025 | Advice, Luggage | 0

There’s a good chance if you’ve been traveling for any length of time that you’re better at it now than you were in the past. Each trip represents an opportunity to refine your packing habits, shave off a few minutes at the airport, and find the best airfare deals. What you want to do is identify some common blind spots in your travel strategy that can set you back as you move forward.

These are 10 common travel mistakes you shouldn’t make.

1. Booking Too Far In Advance

Purchasing plane tickets at the very last minute carries some risks (not finding a ticket) and rewards (getting a great deal). The opposite is also true however, booking too far in advance can lock you into unnecessarily high airfare.

2. Never Using AirBnb or Hotels

In some cases one or the other can be better. Limiting yourself to only hotels or vacation rentals can have you missing amenities, deals, and a more local experience. Search both and find out which might be best for you on every trip.

3. Airport To Accommodation

Even people who don’t like to plan should have a good idea on how to get from your arrival point to the place you’re staying before you get there. You’re most vulnerable to scams, overpaying, and losing time with all your luggage while you wait around trying to figure out how to call a cab. foXnoMad Podcast guest Laurie Woolever‘s book World Travel: An Irreverent Guide has details for many major cities worldwide.

Sale

World Travel: An Irreverent Guide

4. Over-Packing

Put all the stuff and clothes you’ll need for a week. Anything more means you’ve packed too much stuff you won’t need or can’t just get at your destination.

5. Not Using Mileage Programs

One flight is enough to warrant using a mileage program. Here’s how to make the most of them and since most program miles never expire, they can add up, even if you fly infrequently.

For the remaining 5 travel mistakes (some of my personal favorites on the list) check out the video here.

Everything You Need To Know About Attending STLV: Las Vegas’ Star Trek Convention

by Anil Polat | Aug 28, 2025 | Lodging, Pictures and Video, Travel | 0

STLV Trek to Vegas is the world’s biggest Star Trek Convention on most years. It’s a sprawling event covering 5 days in Las Vegas and is a must-visit for any sci-fi fan (and certainly Trekkie). The scope of STLV, not to mention a trip to Las Vegas, means a lot of moving parts that can make it hard to wrap your head around what one actually does at a Star Trek convention.

You can watch the video above for your complete guide to STLV and read on for the highlights.

What Is STLV?

STLV one of the many fan conventions run by Creation Entertainment. It’s not a pure Star Trek convention (STLV does have guests and panels covering other fandoms) but is mostly about the show Gene Roddenberry created. STLV takes place every year in the early part of August and goes from Wednesday to Sunday at the Rio Hotel and Casino which has recently been acquired by Hyatt.

stlv trek to vegas vendors

Planning Your STLV

The first step is to sign up for a World of Hyatt rewards program account if you don’t already have one. You can earn and use Hyatt points for booking at the Rio, but you can’t claim points after a stay (unlike most airline mileage programs). You’ll want to book a room at the Rio – which is off the strip and makes staying a other properties much less convenient – at the very latest in mid-May to ensure you can find a room to meet your needs.

Once you’re at the hotel, you can sign up for a Rio Rewards card. That will not only let you earn points for any purchases at the hotel (minus your room) but Rio will send you free stay offers throughout the year. Using a Rio Rewards promotion you can often get at least one day of your booking before or after the convention for free.

The STLV tickets can be purchased as general admission or under a variety of tiers, each with perks of their own. For general admission, the busiest days are Saturday and Sunday so I recommend purchasing tickets at least a month in advance. Throughout the year around many United States Federal Holidays, Creation also runs sales on tickets. You can sign up through their website to get notified of any promotions.

Personally I like to get to Rio the Sunday before STLV, plan some side trips like Area 51, and leave the Tuesday after the convention. (There’s an unofficial Star Trek pool party on the Monday after STLV which helps with recuperating after the long weekend.)

What’s STLV Like?

STLV is like a Star Trek buffet, you can pick and choose how you want to make your plate. There are panel interviews with actors, crew, and writers who will take audience questions, a packed vendor’s room full of merch, science talks, concerts, and more all happening often at once. You’ll need to pick and choose in between all the events and any photo ops or autographs signings you have scheduled.

Photo ops are fun but if you want to interact a bit more with a given Trek personality, getting an autograph is the better way to go. You’ll pay for the autograph but many will take a selfie with you for free. Plus you get a few more moments to chat with the Trek actor, writer, or crew.

Money Saving Tips

An extra day before STLV gives you time to visit a nearby grocery store and buy snacks plus any alcohol you want. The Rio, like most Las Vegas resorts charges high markups for food and booze so going to a nearby grocery store can save you hundreds of dollars over an STLV. I’d also recommend bringing or buying a filtered water bottle so you can drink from the room faucet. The convention spaces all have free water available but having a bottle will cut down on waste.

Survimate 5-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Filtered Water Bottle,...

No Cosplay Needed

You don’t have to dress up but if you want to, there’s no limit to how creative you can get. At STLV you can be a different character every day but just be sure to wear good walking shoes. The steps down the long Rio hallways add up quickly and be sure to pop down to the Masquerade Bar in the evenings where most everyone at STLV passes through at some point to unwind.

For any Star Trek fan, STLV is a convention to visit at least once. Creation does run other regional ST-Conventions in other U.S. cities also worth considering but for the biggest show for the best show, there’s no place like STLV Trek to Vegas.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More