For those passionate about taking to the open road, maybe a holiday in a converted gas station is the perfect home-from-home. Or, for explorers wanting to get away from it all, an old log mill in the mountains could be the ideal retreat. With a line-up of quirky and distinctive holiday rentals, such as petrol stations and log cabins, Curated Collection x Eclectic Escapes by Marriott Bonvoy is part of the brand’s growing line-up, under its Homes & Villas umbrella. Travelers can book one of 130,000+ premium and luxury homes found across the world, including a reimagined gas station in Schulenburg Texas, and a log mill dating back to 1797 in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
You can stay in a converted gas station in Schulenburg, Texas.
The brand specialises in luxury villas large enough for extended families–found in destinations from Orlando, Florida, to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. But, adding a twist to your stay, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy also offers a range of one-of-a-kind properties in its Curated Collection. Located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for instance, travelers can sleep in a converted American school bus; while in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, there is a unique Smoky Mountain station cabin. Dating back to 1916, the charming CSX caboose sleeps four in two bedrooms and even has its own ticket booth. The caboose is connected to a replica Euro-inspired train depot that houses the main suite and access to a spa deck.
The train caboose in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Offering flexibility, privacy and the chance to actually ‘live’ in a destination, home rentals is a growing market for adventurers. Here, exclusively for Forbes, Jennifer Hsieh, vice president of Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, talks more about the rising home-from-home trend.
What is the ethos of Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy?
The brand offers a global collection of rental homes curated with the same high standards that Marriott Bonvoy hotel guests have come to trust. We can accommodate any occasion or gathering where privacy, space, style and flexibility are important, especially for memorable group travel experiences.
A home rental, such as this property in La Clusaz, France, is ideal for extended family groups.
What can these properties offer that a luxury hotel brand cannot?
We see home rentals continuing to be a desired accommodation choice for travelers, and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy complements our hotel business by offering more options, across more destinations for our guests.
There are trips where more space, multiple bedrooms and/or remote locations are ideally suited for a home rental. Many of our guests, who are traveling with large groups of friends or family, are looking for a sense of togetherness that a home can provide. Other trip purposes are better suited for hotel stays, like an overnight business trip, a weekend in the city to see the sights or an all-inclusive resort getaway. We’ve seen guests combine their home rental and hotel stays in the same trip, and booking longer holidays with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.
Having Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy in our portfolio means that our guests, who are looking for more privacy or space for a large group trip, now have an option within the Marriott Bonvoy collection. What’s more, they can also earn points on their stay to use elsewhere in our portfolio for a future trip.
The Pole House, Fairhaven Beach, Victoria Australia.
Why do you think the luxury rental market is a rising trend in travel?
We’re seeing luxury travellers looking for privacy first and foremost, as well as more space. Our home rentals are also found in interesting and remote destinations–places in demand from luxury travellers, where traditional hotels are not typically found. Some of our luxury rentals also offer personalised concierge services and the ability to have personal staff onsite, whether that is a professional chef or a butler service.
Where is the most buoyant market for the properties and why?
Since July 2022, there are five cities in Europe that are in our top 10 most booked destinations, due to overwhelming demand for European travel from consumers. Those cities include: Paris, Florence, Rome, London and Barcelona. We are continuing to grow our portfolio across Europe, and Asia as well, providing more options to meet the growing demand of these travelers.
A converted school bus overlooks THE Pembrokeshire coastline in Wales.
Where are you expanding to and why?
Since launching in 2019, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy has grown from 2,000 homes to over 130,000 homes and we have entered new markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Japan. Earlier this year, we launched in India, adding more than 500 luxury homes. We are always looking to find new destinations and properties to meet the needs of our members and guests.
One of the family-friendly villas in Four Corners, Florida.
Orlando, Florida is one of the most popular destinations for families. What can a Home & Villa by Marriott offer a visitor in Orlando?
Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy offers a plethora of home rentals in the Orlando market that go above and beyond for our guests. For example, one of our home rental properties has a digital concierge that allows guests to purchase Disney tickets, order groceries and more, all at the guests’ fingertips. We even have some fun properties with Disney-themed rooms. The kids can sleep in Frozen-themed bunk beds or enjoy a superhero-themed game room. It is true that Orlando is a market that attracts a lot of family groups. At times these are multi-generational, so a home rental can offer more space and flexibility, as well as give options for children or guests with accessibility requirements, than a hotel stay would.
What are some of the bonuses of staying in a Marriott Bonvoy property?
Every home listed on our site must include the following standards for design, quality, and safety: 24/7 in-stay support; professionally managed and cleaned homes; premium linens and amenities; rigorous standards when it comes to safety and service and a simple booking experience. In short, we pride ourselves on offering expertly curated homes with elevated standards for our guests.
A luxury villa in Stikovica, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
What are your favourite properties?
I love when we curate unique and out-of-the-ordinary properties on the platform. One of my favourites is the Te Kahu Lakehouse in the Otago region of New Zealand. The home incorporates interesting architecture and breathtaking views in a remote and scenic area. Another one of my favourite properties is located off the Mediterranean Sea in Croatia featuring an infinity pool and sauna. There is also amazing access to your own private beach. We also offer an historic villa in Cannes, France, which is the elegant, former home of Estée Lauder, and which has stunning views of the Cannes waterfront.
The historic property in Cannes, France.
One of the most unusual properties on the platform is the Water Tower House, located in Seal Beach, California, featuring 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The Tower’s interior is filled with authentic artefacts and information about its history. Families with children can even enjoy the challenge of finding the 12 hidden figures of the home’s mascot!
