Sudden Marriott Exit Forces Guests Out of Philadelphia’s Sonder Witherspoon
It’s been a chaotic and sleepless night for guests at the Sonder Witherspoon in Center City, Philadelphia. Imagine being told you have less than 24 hours to pack up and leave your temporary home — that’s exactly what happened to dozens of people after Marriott abruptly ended its partnership with Sonder Holdings.
Late Sunday, guests at the Witherspoon — a well-known apartment-style property on Juniper Street — received an unexpected email from Marriott. The message explained that the licensing agreement between Marriott Bonvoy and Sonder was no longer in effect because Sonder had defaulted on their deal. By 9 a.m. Monday morning, everyone was required to vacate the building.
Many guests, some of whom had been staying for months, were left scrambling to find alternate arrangements. Maria Fernandez, a guest from Guatemala, shared that she’d been staying with a friend recovering from knee surgery. The sudden move-out order left her shocked and frustrated. “She’s post-surgery and needed to be here for two months,” Fernandez said. “It’s just inconceivable that a company could treat people this way.”
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For others, the situation was even more distressing. Mickey Silver, who had been living at the Sonder for five months while working in Philadelphia, said he feared being locked out because of the building’s electronic access codes. “I’m lucky I have a friend who can help drive me out,” he said. “But we really didn’t expect this to happen overnight.”
Sonder, which offers apartment-style accommodations designed for longer stays, had partnered with Marriott in 2024 to expand its reach through the Marriott Bonvoy program. However, now that the agreement has ended, Sonder is no longer affiliated with Marriott in any capacity. The fallout has caused confusion, inconvenience, and a sense of disbelief among guests who were depending on the stability that a big brand name like Marriott typically provides.
Many described the situation as “an upheaval,” especially in a city like Philadelphia, where hotel rates are already high. “All the rates now are at least double what we paid,” one guest explained.
In response, Marriott has stated that guests who booked through its platform will receive refunds for their deposits. However, anyone who booked through a third-party site will need to contact that organization directly to request a refund.
The sudden termination has raised serious questions about communication, accountability, and the human cost of corporate decisions made overnight. For now, guests are left packing their bags and searching for new accommodations — and wondering how something like this could happen with so little notice.
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