Short-term renters and tourists were left stranded as the company abruptly shut down, canceling bookings and leaving guests scrambling for alternative accommodations
Sonder, the short-term rental company in major cities around the world, announced last week that it is winding down operations immediately. On Monday, November 10, the firm revealed plans to file for bankruptcy in the US to liquidate its assets and to initiate insolvency proceedings in other countries where it operates.
In Dubai, Sonder offered apartments in popular areas such as Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, JBR, and Dubai Marina, promoting them as premium, fully serviced short-term rentals. Property owners or developers in Dubai who worked with Sonder may now need to re-list their units on other platforms or switch to traditional leases. Attempts to book any of the Dubai properties through Sonder have been unsuccessful.
The company describes itself as a global operator of “premium, design-forward apartments and intimate boutique hotels serving the modern traveler”. According to a statement, it cited financial challenges related to its agreement with hotel operator Marriott International as a key factor behind the shutdown.
Sonder’s sudden global shutdown has left tenants flabbergasted. Social media lit up after customers were abruptly asked to vacate the property.
A tourist in Dubai recounted her experience after being “evicted” from her hotel on November 12. “We checked in two days ago and we’re getting evicted!” she posted on TikTok. “Basically homeless in Dubai,” she added, though the video was later removed.
Other tourists with bookings at Dubai properties through third-party platforms have been looking for updates and sharing concerns across social media channels, including Reddit.
“How is this even a thing to be able to kick people out of their reservation, and not even honour their reservation and leave them scrambling without any support?” a TikTok user wrote.
