Marriott is entering into a six-month trial with Hostmaker, a London-based homestay property-management company.

Marriott International is joining AccorHotels in the world of homesharing. With the perpetual success of the homesharing sector, it was only a matter of time before Marriott announced its entry. Travelers will be able to book a stay in London homes that will be considered members of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio collection.

"The short-term rental industry faces two fundamental issues: products with little quality or brand assurance and a lack of truly professional property management that ensures rentals have been vetted to meet specific standards and comply with local laws," said Connie Kim, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marriott International.

"Instead of creating a new brand, Marriott has this great collection of brands already," explained Nakul Sharma, Founder and CEO of Hostmaker.

The check-in process at a Tribute Portfolio Homes property will be facilitated by Marriott's "Welcome Wizards," team members who ensure guests don't encounter difficulty locating a property and provide assistance in setting up once they arrive. They will also be trained in the local area to provide recommendations throughout London.

The properties will have to meet, in Marriott’s “rigorous safety, security and design standards before they are accepted as part of Tribute Portfolio Homes,” but it's the experiential offerings are the true value behind Marriott’s new program.

Currently, there are around 200 Tribute Portfolio Homes’ properties on offer in London. When the pilot ends in October, Marriott could expand the program to other cities.