Tag: serviced apartments

Sonder expands Edinburgh serviced apartment operation on Queen Street

Sonder, a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, has expanded its managed serviced apartment operation at Sonder Royal Garden Apartments in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.

Located opposite the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, the next-generation hospitality company has increased its previous 30 serviced apartments at the property to 41 units.

With the addition of these 11 new apartments, there are now 18 two-bedroom apartments, 15 one-bedroom apartments and 8 studios in total.

The apartments are thoughtfully designed, and come with simple contactless check-in and 24/7 on-the-ground support available via the Sonder app. They also offer access to the splendid Queen Street Gardens. These private gardens are located next to the building and are only open to neighbouring residents.

The property offers accommodation with in-unit kitchen and laundry facilities, ideal for extended stays, whether for business or leisure.

Sonder distinguishes itself in the hospitality industry through modern design and by infusing technology into its guest experience.

This tech-enabled experience puts guests in full control of their stay. They can access everything they need – from booking, to interacting with guest services, to check-out – via their own mobile device from anywhere and at any time, using the Sonder app.

The high quality of accommodation being offered has seen Royal Garden Apartments rated in the top 20 by TripAdvisor for Edinburgh.

Launched in 2014, Sonder operates in over 40 cities globally, including those located across North America, as well as London, Dublin, Rome and Dubai among others in EMEA.

Giulio Leporatti, Area General Manager for UK & Ireland at Sonder commented: “We’re excited to expand our Royal Garden Apartments property in Edinburgh, increasing our presence in the heart of this wonderful city.

“The rise of hybrid and remote working, as well as travellers combining business and leisure into a single trip, means that a new cohort of travellers are demanding flexible accommodation which provides space to work and relax.

“Our Royal Garden Apartments meet this need perfectly, while also appealing to families. Millennial and Gen Z guests in particular appreciate our ‘Instagrammable’ design and frictionless app-enabled service.”

Sonder Holdings to expand Edinburgh serviced apartment operation

Sonder Holdings Inc., a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, is set to expand its serviced apartment operation at Royal Garden Apartments in Edinburgh.

Expanding by 11 units, bringing the total units to 41, the apartments are located opposite the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, offering accommodation with in-unit kitchen and laundry facilities, ideal for extended stays.

This addition forms part of a major expansion by the tech-enabled hospitality provider, which is adding six properties in the UK & Ireland, including four new hotels in London.

In April 2022, Sonder opened The Henry, a 102-key hotel close to Hyde Park in Bayswater, and The Voyage, a 53-key hotel on Norfolk Square close to Paddington Station. A further property on Norfolk Square will follow shortly: The Rove, with 74 keys. Additionally, in the second half of 2022, Sonder will open an 86-key hotel near to Bedford Square in Bloomsbury.

All are located close to major business districts, tourist attractions and transport hubs, and have been updated to offer Sonder’s signature exceptional design and tech-enabled, modern service. Building on recent expansion, with an ongoing focus on prime locations, these four properties will join the six existing hotels in Sonder’s London portfolio.

Oliver Armitstead, Regional Director of Real Estate at Sonder, said: “As a high-growth global hospitality company, we are excited to expand our unique design and tech-powered hospitality offering across the United Kingdom & Ireland, with the expansion of our Edinburgh operation and the opening of a number of new hotels.

“The modern traveller demands digital service and thoughtful design, both of which we deliver across our portfolio worldwide. For owners, we offer competitive partnership terms with secured income, and we remove operational responsibilities. Following Sonder’s recent public listing, we’re advancing ambitious growth plans worldwide.”

Steph Thrasyvoulou, co-owner at New World Hospitality Limited, said: “Sonder are innovators in the hospitality space and have been a reliable property partner for us; which is why we are pleased to collaborate with them on a second London hotel.

“The Bloomsbury location will offer thoughtfully designed accommodation, moments from The British Museum, Oxford Street and the new Tottenham Court Road Crossrail station.”

In Dublin, Sonder will open its first hotel in the city, with 26 keys, on Leeson Street later this year and has contracted an additional 91 units in the Dublin 1 area. The Leeson Street hotel is a historic, 19th-century Georgian building undergoing updates, located close to St Stephen’s Green park. These operations are in addition to Sonder’s two existing serviced apartment properties in Dublin.

With these additions, Sonder’s total portfolio will now expand to 28 properties across the United Kingdom & Ireland with approximately 900 total units. In 2017, Sonder opened its first property outside of North America in London, and the region remains a focus for future growth.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Sonder operates in 35+ cities across ten countries – seven of which are in EMEA – and has approximately 18,100 live and contracted units worldwide.

The company partners with real estate owners and landlords to manage and operate hotel and multi-unit buildings. Sonder distinguishes itself in the hospitality industry through modern design and by infusing technology into its guest experience.

This tech-enabled experience puts guests in full control of their stay. They can access everything they need – from booking, to interacting with guest services, to check-out – via their own mobile device from anywhere and at any time, using the Sonder app.

Sonder previously announced EMEA expansion in France and the U.A.E., and recently reported company record annual revenue of $233 million in 2021. Sonder also provides corporate travel offerings, and is live with all major Global Distribution System (GDS) networks.

Sonder works in partnership with leading travel management companies such as ABC Global Services for business traveler-specific bookings.

Sonder also recently committed to eliminating single-use plastic amenities in all of its guest-facing units no later than Dec. 31, 2022, as part of the company’s wider sustainability commitments under its People, Place & Planet framework.

To explore Sonder real estate partnership opportunities, please contact:

partners@sonder.com