Canadian gets kicked out of Sonder hotel after it abruptly goes bankrupt
A Canadian woman was caught in the crossfire of the abrupt end of Sonder and Marriott’s hotel partnership.
Edmonton resident Ave Johnson shared a TikTok about her experience getting kicked out of a Sonder hotel on Sunday that she had booked for another three nights in Montreal.
“POV: Trying to maintain my composure while dragging my luggage down the street after Marriott hotels and Sonder hotels broke up with each other on a random Sunday and told us to gtfo,” reads the caption on her TikTok.
@jurassicave Nice, thanks @Marriott Hotels ♬ original sound – Ave from YEG
On Sunday, Nov. 9, Marriott International announced the termination of its licensing agreement with the Canadian-founded boutique hotel chain “due to Sonder’s default.”
“As a result, Sonder is no longer affiliated with Marriott Bonvoy, and Sonder properties are not available for new bookings on Marriott’s channels,” the hotel giant shared in a statement.
The following day, Sonder announced the liquidation of its operations and its plans to initiate insolvency proceedings in the countries in which it operates. It stated that the hotel chain had faced “severe financial constraints” due to challenges in the integration of its systems and booking arrangements with Marriott International.
“We are devastated to reach a point where a liquidation is the only viable path forward,” stated Janice Sears, interim CEO of Sonder.
“These issues persisted and contributed to a substantial and material loss in working capital. We explored all viable alternatives to avoid this outcome, but we are left with no choice other than to proceed with an immediate wind-down of our operations and liquidation of our assets.”
Sonder operated approximately 9,000 short-term rental apartments and boutique hotels in 40 cities across 10 countries. This includes accommodations in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver.
Johnson told Daily Hive that she and her partner learned they were getting kicked out of their hotel room on Sunday via email.
Other Sonder guests shared the email they received from the company, announcing the end of its licensing agreement with Marriott.
“As a result, Sonder is no longer able to honour your reservation,” reads the notice.
@EricKLein_/X
“They gave us less than 24 hours’ notice to vacate the premises,” Johnson told Daily Hive.
She added that staff at the hotel had only found out about the shuttering through other guests, who showed them the email.
The marketing professional said she had booked the room more than a month in advance using rewards points and had paid $220 a night.
She also shared a tour of the Sonder hotel room on TikTok.
@jurassicave Replying to @KELS some things just aren’t meant to be 💔 @Marriott Hotels ♬ original sound – 7AJ🎧
Johnson said she didn’t book directly through Marriott and Sonder, so she was able to get a refund in points from her provider.
Other guests who booked through third-party sites said their payments aren’t being refunded.
“Booked via @bookingcom stay in NYC for next March & received at time message saying ‘Your booking is confirmed at Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Battery Park Apartments Financial District’. I paid US$2,085.79 non-refundable. Now they’ve cancelled booking & you aren’t refunding me!” reads one post on X.
Booked via @bookingcom stay in NYC for next March & received at time message saying ‘ Your booking is confirmed at Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Battery Park Apartments Financial District’. I paid US$2,085.79 non-refundable. Now they’ve cancelled booking & you aren’t refunding me ! pic.twitter.com/XCAzjLYEWS
— Ori (@kendall1tau) November 10, 2025
Marriott noted in its statement earlier this week that it would be contacting guests who booked directly through Marriott channels, including marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy App and Marriott’s worldwide reservation centers, to address their reservation and booking needs.
“Guests who booked through a third-party online travel agency should contact those organizations,” the company stated.
Johnson told Daily Hive that neither Sonder nor Marriott helped them find an alternative accommodation.
“The only communication we had from Marriott was the email telling us we had to leave because they were ending their partnership,” she said.
Fortunately, Johnson was able to find an alternative stay, but had to pay substantially more at $500 a night.
Daily Hive has reached out to Sonder and Marriott for comment on guests being kicked out of rooms and receiving no compensation.
Are you a Canadian who has been impacted by the sudden closure of Sonder hotels? Share your experience with us at trending@dailyhive.com for a possible story.