Blurring Lines, Hotels Get Into the Home-Sharing Business

Hotels largely stood by as home sharing companies like Airbnb began offering travelers a chance to bypass a standardized hotel room and, instead, live like a local.

But hotels are no longer standing by. In fact, they’re beginning to get into the private home-rental market themselves, mostly at the high end — but with a difference. They say they can consistently provide service that’s up to hotel standards.

Most home sharing guests leave positive reviews of their experiences, but when they do complain, it’s often about cleanliness, last-minute cancellations by the host, problems with check-in or an unmet need at the property they have rented. The hotel companies say their private lodgings are vetted, outfitted and maintained to hotel standards. In addition, the hotels say, services at their lodgings are provided by company employees rather than homeowners.