Well this sure is going to get interesting. Much like the taxi industry has faced a lot of competition from ridesharing services like Uber, the lodging industry faces a lot of competition from homesharing services like Airbnb. Most major hotel chains haven’t officially done much to acknowledge these services, which I guess is fair enough, since it’s tough for them to compete directly.
Well, it looks like Hyatt is taking a very different approach, and while we’ll have to wait to see what’s in store, this is a bold first step.
Hyatt has announced a new partnership with Oasis, which offers home rentals. Per the email I just received from Hyatt:
Discover home rentals with the hospitality services and amenities you deserve.
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt is pleased to now offer home rentals through Oasis, a global leader in serviced home rental accommodations. With thousands of handpicked homes in over 20 destinations worldwide, Oasis combines the comfort and authenticity of home rentals with the service and amenities of a hotel – including in-person check-in and check-out, fresh linens and toiletries, and on-demand concierge services.
Oasis is coming soon to the World of Hyatt program. We are actively working on adding the opportunity for members to earn and redeem points and enjoy benefits for stays at Oasis properties.
Fascinating. So not only does Hyatt have a partnership with Oasis, but they suggest that this is going to be part of the Unbound Collection, which is Hyatt’s first independent hotel portfolio. That suggests that this is more than just a small partnership, and that there will be some level of integration here.
For the time being, World of Hyatt members can save $100 when they book their first stay by October 31, 2017 (valid for a stay through December 31, 2018), using promotion code UnboundxHyatt.
I wasn’t really familiar with Oasis prior to hearing about it from Hyatt. Oasis has thousands of homes in 20 cities around the world.
What seems to make them different than Airbnb is that they seem to mostly be super luxurious and high end, rather than just offering any random apartment. Furthermore, it looks like Oasis properties always come with Goetz toiletries, a simpler check-in and check-out experience, etc. So they try to incorporate some elements of hotels into the experience.
While we don’t yet know how this relationship will expand, my guess is that:
- You’ll be able to earn World of Hyatt elite stay credits for Oasis stays
- You’ll be able to earn World of Hyatt points for Oasis stays (though perhaps at a reduced rate)
- You’ll be able to redeem World of Hyatt points for Oasis stays, though my guess is that it won’t be at a lucrative rate (maybe every point gets you one cent towards the cost of a stay, for example)
That’s just speculation on my part, of course.
I can’t wait to see how this develops, as this has the potential to be a pretty disruptive partnership. Ultimately home rentals aren’t going anywhere, and this is something the hotel industry will have to deal with. It seems that rather than ignoring it altogether, Hyatt figures that “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
What do you make of Hyatt’s partnership with Oasis, and how do you see this unfolding?
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