Behind the Brand: How Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy is Driving Partner Success

In this week’s episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jane Gavin and Keven Wishard from Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, a platform that’s redefining what it means to deliver premium guest experiences in the vacation rental industry.

Jane and Keven bring decades of experience in hospitality, and in this conversation, they share how Marriott is applying its legacy of quality, structure, and guest care to a curated portfolio of professionally managed vacation homes. 

This episode offers a closer look at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy's approach to operational standards, loyalty-driven demand, and the expanding role of vacation rentals within a global hospitality ecosystem.

Why Marriott Entered the Vacation Rental Market

Marriott’s entry into vacation rentals was a carefully considered move. With over 220 million Bonvoy members and decades of experience in hotel operations, the company recognized a growing demand for residential-style accommodations that align with hospitality-level service.

Jane Gavin, who leads brand marketing and guest experience, shared how the Homes & Villas team draws from Marriott’s heritage while building something tailored to vacation rental guests. The result is a platform with global reach and high consumer confidence.

Each home listed must be professionally managed and reviewed through a detailed onboarding process. That includes adherence to safety protocols, cleanliness guidelines, and brand requirements for amenities and service.

Consistency and Operational Rigor

Keven Wishard, a 30+ year Marriott veteran and Senior Director of Operations, spoke about how Homes & Villas ensures alignment across a diverse portfolio of properties. Every home must meet a defined set of standards that includes safety equipment, guest support availability, internet speed, and in-stay reliability.

Keven also explained how the team reviews guest surveys to evaluate performance at the property and partner level. This feedback loop helps determine which listings remain active and which may need adjustments.

The goal is to maintain consistency across all homes, wherever they may be in the world. That consistency helps build long-term trust with Bonvoy members who expect a certain level of experience when booking through the Marriott platform.

Personalization, Discovery, and Unique Inventory

Homes & Villas is also innovating how travelers discover and plan trips. Their marketing engine is driven by deep insights into member behavior such as seasonal travel preferences, destination interests, and loyalty program engagement.

Jane discussed how personalized email campaigns and in-platform content guide members to homes that align with their travel habits. A new generative AI tool allows users to input their vacation vision and receive destination and home suggestions that match their intent.

In addition, the platform features over 30 Curated Collections, grouping homes by travel themes like design, eco-consciousness, or rare experiences. These collections give visibility to extraordinary properties, including estates featured on luxury TV shows or architectural homes in remote destinations.

A Platform Built for Professional Managers

For vacation rental operators, Homes & Villas represents an opportunity to access high-intent travelers who are already engaged in the Marriott ecosystem. Keven explained that before any home is listed, the team first evaluates the property manager’s ability to deliver consistent service.

Once qualified, partners go through a detailed curation process that ensures their properties meet brand requirements.

The team also provides support to help managers improve quality, address service concerns, and elevate their inventory. Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy's approach emphasizes partnership and long-term alignment, which helps property managers scale with confidence.

Where It’s All Headed

According to Jane and Keven, travelers today value trust, personalization, and meaningful experiences. Many Bonvoy members are blending city stays with countryside rentals. Some are planning milestone trips with family, while others are exploring emerging destinations that Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy is strategically expanding into.

The platform’s future focuses on improving the in-home experience, supporting high-performing partners, and expanding into Asia-Pacific and other underserved markets.

Watch the full episode here: