onefinestay is an online private home rental platform founded in London in 2009 which became part of Accor in 2016. Recognised as one of the 10 best home-sharing and villa rental companies in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, onefinestay offers high-end home-stays across the world with currently 5,000 homes and villas in its portfolio divided between two collections, City and Villa. City Collection homes operate in 9 key global cities; London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Milan, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sydney. While Villa Collection homes are present in Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Thailand and Bali. onefinestay is a founding member of the Short Term Accommodation Association.
Origins and history
Founded in 2009 by Greg Marsh, onefinestay launched in London in May 2010 with just 6 homes. Over the course of 2011 the business grew tenfold, and soon expanded internationally, launching in New York in May 2012, and in Los Angeles and Paris in September 2013 before launching in Rome in March 2016. Today onefinestay has 5,000 private homes under its portfolio. Four months following Accor's acquisition of onefinestay, Greg Marsh resigned in September 2016. In summer 2018, Thomas Girard joined as CEO, coming from the Accor New Business leadership.
Funding
onefinestay raised $3.7 million Series A funding in a round led by Index Ventures. Other angel investors included Brent Hoberman, co-founder & CEO of Lastminute.com, Andy Phillipps, co-founder of ActiveHotels, and David Magliano, former Director of Marketing for London’s 2012 Olympic bid. In June 2015, the company announced a $40 million Series D funding round. The round included participation from investors including Intel Capital, Quadrant Capital Advisors, and leading global hospitality brand Hyatt Hotels, as well as a number of angel investors including Joss Kent, CEO of &Beyond and former global CEO of Abercrombie & Kent. In April 2016, AccorHotels acquired onefinestay for at least $170 million.
Business model
onefinestay Homeowners
Once a home has been selected to join the portfolio, an account manager visits the home and homeowner in person to carry out a series of checks. This process is unique to the City Collection only. Once approved, onefinestay manages everything for the homeowner from photography, housekeeping and in-stay maintenance to managing all bookings, as well as welcoming and looking after guests during their stay. Homeowners keep onefinestay up to date on their home's availability using an online calendar. American business magazine, Forbes wrote "City collection properties you see on onefinestay are exclusive to the site and vetted and managed by them, but that they belong to individual owners and are peoples’ primary or secondary homes."
Guest Experience
When a guest books with onefinestay, their experience is supported by a team available 24/7. Every stay includes an in-person welcome, live local support and the option to add tailored amenities and services, such as chauffeured transfers, grocery deliveries, destination experiences and more.
Travel + Trade
onefinestay works with leisure travel professionals and consortias as well as corporate clients, real estate brokers, entertainment and relocation agents and concierge companies.
Awards and reception
Awards
Reception
reported that onefinestay is the more luxurious option for well-heeled travellers who prefer homestays to hotels. The brand’s personal approach to luxury travel hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to Departures Magazine, the company has “the world’s finest apartments and villas” and that its “service is impeccable.” W Magazine agrees writing that “onefinestay is known for their fine service; a local rep will greet you upon arrival, and show you the lay of the land of your vacation home, and can help suggest and arrange activities and restaurants.” The point was also echoed by US lifestyle website Byrdie who recommended onefinestay “for a more personalized experience that doesn't skimp on luxury.” Writing that its homes “are impeccably curated and the 24-hour service is top-notch.” Families especially enjoy the onefinestay experience. Travel Weekly reported “the brand's highly personalized and family-friendly brand of luxury hospitality was on full display" after a recent stay. Furthermore points to villa rentals as a growing trend in group travel thanks to luxury rental companies such as onefinestay, writing that the company “hand-pick their properties and have a host of options for design-loving parties of all sizes."Brides agrees saying that “if you’re in the mood for a secluded vacay, or are considering a buddymoon for and need an ample amount of space, onefinestay is an upscale home-sharing alternative.” Forbes also reported "On check in, guests are given a thorough tour of the home—how the heat and aircon work, anything to know about kitchen appliances, where the laundry is. onefinestay leave a starter kit with detergent, dish soap, coffee, tea, milk, and a local treats, particularly welcome after an overnight flight."
