Squarebreak

Squarebreak was a French startup established in 2013 by co-founders Hugues van Heesewijk and Maxime Lesaulnier. Both founders leveraged their combined professional backgrounds in hospitality, e-tourism, and real estate to create the venture. The company operated a digital platform for renting upscale private properties in resort locations, primarily focusing on markets in France, Spain, and Morocco.

The business model was designed to offer a hotel-like experience in private homes, setting it apart from marketplaces like Airbnb by actively managing the properties. This hands-on approach involved a network of local 'Break Managers,' who acted as general managers for a cluster of properties, handling all on-the-ground operational tasks, including cleaning, maintenance, and guest services. This structure aimed to provide reliability and high-quality service to both property owners and guests. Revenue was generated by taking a commission from the homeowners for securing short-term rentals, which could range from a two-night stay to several weeks.

In February 2016, the major hotel group AccorHotels acquired a 49% strategic stake in Squarebreak, signaling a significant milestone for the startup. This partnership was intended to help Squarebreak accelerate its development. Subsequently, in July 2017, AccorHotels announced its plan to acquire the entire share capital of Squarebreak. This move was part of a larger strategy to consolidate its private rental acquisitions, including Travel Keys and onefinestay, under the single brand of onefinestay to better compete in the luxury private rental market.

Keywords: private rentals, property management, hospitality services, vacation homes, e-tourism, resort locations, luxury accommodation, short-term rentals, hotel services, concierge