Sonder, a new peer-to-peer home rental service seemingly offering more amenities and services, on Wednesday announced US$10 million in Series A financing led by Spark Capital to fund global expansion of 500 hometels across North America.
Further participation from Thayer Ventures, Real Ventures, BDC Capital and others will allow the company to focus on growth initiatives such as expanding into new cities, enhancing the guest experience and onboarding key new hires. The Series A brings the total amount raised to US$15 million.
Each hometel is managed by Sonder and must meet a 237-point checklist before joining the collection. Sonder’s customer support and concierge service are available by email, phone, and Facebook Messenger 24/7, and all guest requests are addressed within minutes. Bookings are instantly confirmed. Neighborhood Guides encourage Sonder travelers to explore, eat, drink, and shop locally.
“According to a recent travel trends report, of the 16% of Americans who have booked a peer-to-peer rental, 40% say they still prefer hotels,” said Francis Davidson, Sonder CEO and co-founder. “This data shows that while travelers want an authentic experience, they also demand the dependability and security offered by hotels. Our premise is that there’s no need to choose between an authentic travel experience and dependable customer service and amenities. With Sonder, you can have both.”
Sonder Hometels include houses, condos, apartments, and boats. At launch, Sonder offers more than 500 hometels in six cities in the U.S. (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Diego) and Canada (Montreal and Vancouver). Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto will be launching later this year.
Sonder’s standards include:
- 24/7 customer support and concierge service; guest requests answered within minutes
- Expertly appointed interiors designed for comfort and style
- Professional cleaning between staysBathroom toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion)
- Kitchen basics (pots, pans, plates, full place setting eight or more, microwave, stove, coffee pot, coffee grounds, selection of teas, etc.)
- Crisp white linens and towels
- Neighborhood Guide (digital and book version available in home)
- Free Wi-Fi; 10-20 Mbps, which supports up to eight devices
Sonder security measures include keypads and lock boxes that are changed after each stay. A three-point verification process ensures Sonder guests are trusted travelers.