Marriott International has revealed that its Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform is testing an AI-powered search tool. 

The development of this search with AI functionality is a collaborative effort with Publicis Sapient. 

The AI tool is part of Marriott International's broader technology transformation, which seeks to enhance customer experiences with more seamless, personalised, and engaging travel options. 

This tool is expected to match travellers with a vacation home and destination based on their preferences, expressed in natural language. 

It will offer a curated list of properties from the platform's selection of more than 140,000 premium and luxury whole home rentals located across 800 destinations.  

The accessible and user-friendly tool allows travellers to input detailed descriptions of their desired vacations. 

It will suggest destinations and specific properties that align with the criteria or close alternatives. 

In addition to property suggestions, the search results will provide information such as local weather and activities such as hiking, sightseeing, or dining options.  

This feature aims to alleviate the stress associated with selecting a vacation property.  

Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy vice president Jennifer Hsieh said: “Using the latest technologies, our new AI search tool breaks new ground among vacation rental platforms by allowing travellers to search without a specific destination. Consumers can focus more on the experiences they are passionate about and the amenities on their ‘must-have’ list to reveal their next memorable travel adventure. 

“With natural-language search, we’re able to play matchmaker, helping travellers effortlessly discover the perfect but perhaps unexpected property and destination among our global collection of extraordinary homes available on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform.” 

Visitors to the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy website will have the choice to use the new AI search functionality or the traditional search method.  

Currently in the testing phase, the AI search tool is expected to be rolled out widely to all website visitors and subsequently on mobile platforms in the coming weeks.  

Earlier this week, Marriott International entered a partnership with Hainan Qianrui Industrial Development to introduce its W Hotels brand in Sanya, China. 

Called W Sanya, the new hotel is expected to open in Q2 2028.