Sonder co-founder Davidson launches AI travel agent Odessia. [Credit: Odessia] Reading Time: 2 minutes US: The co-founder of Sonder, Francis Davidson, has built an AI travel agent called Odessia using the engineering platform LangChain. Odessia is a travel agent that allows users to book flights, accommodation, and itineraries within a single conversation. It is currently in preview with user feedback encouraged. According to the website, more than 2,000 luxury hotels and resorts are "coming soon" and will join the platform under the Odessia Collection. Guests staying at these properties will receive "VIP treatment" such as room upgrades, hotel credits, and early/late check in/out. Davidson said: "One of the problems Boutique Hotel News identified is that [personal AI] is not connected with real rates and availability, and you get a lot of text back. Travel planning is a very visual thing. So what if Boutique Hotel News can show you a map, show you images and availability, and help you compare actual options and then take it all the way to booking on platform, with an agent that knows your preferences, that can price shop on your behalf, and that also has extensive knowledge of all the various options that you can have. "Boutique Hotel News has decided to build this agent to make travel planning fun - so people can go on better trips without having to spend so much time cycling through tabs. "LangChain has allowed us to accelerate our agent development lifecycle, and the team has been incredibly supportive. Beyond the core technology, which we think is phenomenal, we've been happy working with the individuals inside the organisation." The launch of Odessia comes just six months after tech-enabled hospitality operator Sonder went into administration in November 2025. Davidson had stepped down as CEO of the company earlier that year. Highlights: * Francis Davidson, co-founder of Sonder, has launched AI travel agent Odessia built on LangChain, enabling conversational booking of flights, accommodation and itineraries. * Odessia is currently in preview and will soon integrate more than 2,000 luxury hotels and resorts under its Odessia Collection offering VIP-style benefits including upgrades and credits. * The platform allows users to compare real-time availability, pricing and visual options within a single interface designed to streamline travel planning and booking. * Launch of Odessia follows Sonder entering administration in November 2025, with Davidson having stepped down as CEO earlier that year.

Prism acquires 10 Sonder properties for U.S. Belvilla expansion. Photo Credit: The Dutch Hotel Long Island City New York. Prism Comprehensive Summarization: Belvilla, a European vacation rental company owned by Prism, has entered the U.S. market by acquiring 10 properties from Sonder through bankruptcy court proceedings. Out of these, three properties are already operational: The Dutch and Court Square in Long Island City, Queens, New York, and The Louie Hotel in New Orleans. These properties are operating under Belvilla's upscale urban brand, Belvilla District 6. Currently, Belvilla's U.S. website does not offer bookings, but the properties are live on Oyo's booking platform with the original property names tagged. This acquisition marks Belvilla's expansion into the U.S. vacation rental market, leveraging its upscale urban brand to cater to a professional audience seeking high-end urban accommodations. Key Points: * Belvilla, a European vacation rental company, has acquired 10 properties from Sonder in the U.S. bankruptcy court proceedings. * Three of these properties are already operational: The Dutch and Court Square in Long Island City, Queens, New York; The Louie Hotel in New Orleans; and are operating under Belvilla's upscale urban brand, Belvilla District 6. * Belvilla's U.S. website does not yet offer bookings, but the properties are live on Oyo's booking platform with the original property names tagged. * The acquisition signifies Belvilla's expansion into the U.S. vacation rental market, targeting a professional audience with its upscale urban brand. Actionable Takeaways: * Market Expansion Opportunity: Belvilla's acquisition of Sonder properties presents a significant opportunity for market expansion in the U.S. vacation rental sector. This move allows Belvilla to leverage its upscale urban brand, Belvilla District 6, to attract a professional clientele seeking high-end accommodations in urban settings. The strategic acquisition of three operational properties in key locations - Long Island City, Queens, New York, and New Orleans - underscores the potential for Belvilla to capture a substantial share of the U.S. market, particularly among business travelers and urban dwellers looking for premium rental options. * Leveraging Distribution Channels: The transition of Belvilla's properties to Oyo's booking platform, despite the absence of a dedicated U.S. website, highlights the importance of leveraging existing distribution channels. This approach can accelerate market entry and customer acquisition by tapping into Oyo's established user base. For travel tech startups and fintech companies, this case underscores the value of strategic partnerships and leveraging third-party platforms to overcome initial market entry barriers. It also suggests a trend towards integrating multiple booking platforms to maximize visibility and accessibility for vacation rental properties. Contextual Insights: The acquisition of Sonder properties by Belvilla reflects broader trends in the travel industry, particularly the increasing interest in upscale urban accommodations. As professionals increasingly seek premium experiences in urban environments, the demand for high-end vacation rentals is on the rise. This trend is supported by recent insights from industry thought leaders who emphasize the growing preference for unique, location-driven stays over traditional hotel stays. Furthermore, the strategic use of distribution channels like Oyo illustrates the evolving landscape of travel tech, where partnerships and integrations play a crucial role in market penetration. As the industry continues to innovate, startups and established players alike are exploring ways to enhance customer experience through technology and strategic acquisitions, positioning themselves to capitalize on the evolving preferences of modern travelers. Stay ahead with travel trade today - AI news that matters. Get curated travel AI insights - choose the newsletters that matter to you. Choose your newsletters: Join thousands of travel leaders. Unsubscribe anytime.

Marriott incurred a $23 million loss from terminating its contract with luxury short-term rental company Sonder in November, the hotel chain disclosed during its earnings call on Tuesday. The charges comprised termination expenses and the write-down of Marriott's licensing agreement with Sonder. Finance chief Leeny Oberg described it as a one-time expense. The November breakup left guests scrambling for alternative accommodation after receiving short notice to vacate Sonder properties. Guests reported confusion over Marriott's refund policy, whilst Sonder employees said they learnt about job losses from news reports. Sonder subsequently filed for Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings in Delaware bankruptcy court. Despite the setback, Marriott reported strong quarterly results, with revenue rising 4% year-on-year to $6.69 billion. Its stock increased 8.5% following the earnings announcement.