Airbnb soon will tempt business travelers with suites at 75 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan. The lodging giant has partnered with RXR Realty to convert 10 floors of the commercial complex into about 200 apartment-style properties, creating a "new category of urban lodging." Guests will have access to a private social club and business center on the building's top floor, as well as meeting and events space, coworking areas and common areas. The companies also are exploring plans to convert units at 47 Hall St., a development across from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Clinton Hill. These accommodations will be available exclusively on Airbnb, via both its regular platform and Airbnb for Work, an Airbnb spokesperson said.
Airbnb also is leading a $160 million investment into Lyric, a business travel startup that converts premium apartments into studios with hotel-quality cleaning services and 24-hour online support for business travelers.
Meanwhile, Marriott's homesharing pilot will become an official division next week when the company launches Homes & Villas by Marriott with 2,000 accommodations in 100 destinations. Marriott began a pilot of home rentals in April 2018 in London and expanded it to Paris, Rome and Lisbon in October. The hotel company is partnering with property managers who already manage the residences—such as TurnKey Vacation Rentals, LaCure, Loyd & Townsend Rose, Veeve and The London Residents Club—as well as hotel owners and operators like Mainsail and Reserva Conchal. Bookings will be available immediately on Marriott's direct booking site and on a dedicated Homes & Villas site. The company also is developing a plan for distribution through other channels, including travel agents and the Marriott Bonvoy app.