This was a big deal to me because I did not have a separate living space with a couch to do my virtual meetings. However, the next day I went on the app and realized that I had been downgraded from a King Suite to a King Room. Within 15 minutes, I had been taken care of and had a room on the second floor. I immediately reached out on the live chat in the Sonder App and asked nicely if there was any chance I could be moved to the second floor. But when I received the confirmation a few days before my booking, I saw that I had been placed on the first floor. Since I had read about the thin walls at Sonder The Cole, I was really hoping for a second floor room given that I would be working from my room all week. With the opportunity to cancel up to 3 days before, this flexibility is much more in line with hotels than with Airbnb-style properties. Sonder has an excellent cancellation policy. Because the experience is contactless, you must upload a photo ID to verify your reservation. I had looked at The Cole on first because I am part of their loyalty program, but I could not get as good of a deal. I booked my stay directly through the Sonder website because it offered me the cheapest price for my requested dates. Granted, some of the reviews complained about the lack of housekeeping and lack of employees which is part of the Sonder concept, but there were also a lot of comments in regards to cleanliness and thin walls. Consequently, my expectations for the stay were not set very high. There are two Sonder properties in Palm Springs, the V and the Cole, and the reviews for both were mediocre, but the Cole had a better rating. Ultimately, I believe that Sonder delivers in bringing the best elements of hotels and Airbnb-style accommodations to its properties.

And, the company allows you to reserve accommodations for 30 days and offers discounted rates on long-term stays. Many of the rooms have kitchens and extra living spaces since some of the spaces are converted apartments. And while Sonder does not proclaim to be like an Airbnb – they do manage their own rental properties – I personally find that there are similarities. There is no concierge or front desk and there is no daily housekeeping like you might have at a hotel. Their streamlined technology allows guests to book, check-in, check-out, and manage other aspects of their stay all through an app.

Sonder is a boutique apartment-hotel hospitality company that converts properties into short-term rentals and hotels in North America, Europe, and Dubai.

Palm springs airbnb