AccorHotels buys into two home-share businesses

AccorHotels is taking on the growing threat from disruptive competitors head-on by acquiring a share in two home-rental businesses.

The French group has bought a 49% stake in Squarebreak, which operates in France, Spain and Morocco, alongside a 30% share of Oasis Collections, which has 1,500 properties in 18 destinations across Latin America, the USA and Europe.

Squarebreak is a French company which was launched in 2013 by Hugues van Heesewijk and Maxime Lesaulnier, who have experience in the hospitality, e-tourism and real estate businesses. It uses hotel management techniques and services to provide a luxury experience for guests who book privately owned properties through a digital platform.

Vivek Badrinath, deputy chief officer, marketing, digital, distribution and information systems of AccorHotels, said: "In partnership with innovative players, AccorHotels continues to forge ahead along the path of changing and new behaviours in hospitality and travel."

Van Heesewijk explained that the investment from AccorHotels will enable Squarebreak to expand at a faster pace.

Launched in Buenos Aires in 2009, Oasis Collections also aims to offer hotel amenities to guests through a concierge service and access to members' club venues.

Badrinath said: "Oasis allows us to explore a new complementary offer to upscale hotels."

Parker Stanberry, co-founder and chief executive of Oasis Collections, said he is pleased to gain the global infrastructure that AccorHotels can bring to the partnership. "We share the same hospitality DNA, and this partnership will give us the means to match our ambition to reach 70 top key cities by 2019."

AccorHotels' current portfolio of 3,800 hotels will be expanded by a further 155 properties when its deal to acquire Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel is finalised.

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