Building a sustainable business partnership between owners and operators
ONDA's Hospitality Management Brand SoTA Collection Launches First Proprietary Lifestyle Accommodation in Yeosu
- Direct operation of 'U-Top Ubless' in Yeosu begins
- Proprietary software and integrated IT reduce labor costs and improve profitability
- Building a sustainable business partnership between owners and operators
(Press Release — July 5, 2021) SoTA Collection, the hospitality management arm of B2B lodging platform ONDA, announced the launch of its first directly operated property in Yeosu.
SoTA Collection signed a contract to manage U-Top Ubless in Yeosu, a property overlooking the South Sea, with service set to begin in September. SoTA Collection will leverage ONDA's advanced hospitality technology to maximize owner returns and deliver a differentiated guest experience.
ONDA has developed a proprietary SaaS (Software as a Service) platform that lets unit owners monitor room sales and operating expenses in real time. By integrating AI-powered IoT (Internet of Things) and contactless operations, the system is designed to cut labor costs and improve profitability.
For example, IoT sensors in each room adjust heating and cooling based on guest presence, significantly reducing energy costs. Customer-facing kiosks at the front desk and on each floor minimize staffing needs.
SoTA Collection also plans to maintain strong partnerships with unit owners by offering flexible revenue-sharing models and options to enhance the guest experience — from property maintenance and amenities to interior upgrades.
Guests will enjoy a cutting-edge stay. They can ask questions around the clock via an AI chatbot — before booking and throughout their stay. In-room IoT devices integrate with the chatbot to control lighting, climate, and blinds. Guests can even preheat or cool their room remotely before arrival.
Check-in is seamless: guests skip the front desk entirely and use a mobile key to access elevators and their room.
SoTA Collection was created to address the operational and sales challenges facing Korea's approximately 60,000 lifestyle accommodation units — often called serviced residences. These properties were originally introduced to serve foreigners on long-term stays in Korea and employees relocating for work, filling the gap for stays of one month to a year.
Today, they're popular with the "monthcation" trend and changing urban lifestyles. Fully furnished, deposit-free, and available for flexible durations, they suit anyone needing a temporary home for work or personal reasons.
Lifestyle accommodations can be purchased, owned, and traded by the unit — like officetel properties — making them attractive as income-generating real estate. But the need to work through management companies has led to ongoing friction between unit owners and operators. SoTA Collection's real-time dashboard eliminates long-standing pain points like undisclosed sales data and inflated expense claims.
"We'll work to restore unit owner trust and solve the systemic issues plaguing the serviced residence market through transparent operations and efficient property management," said Park Ji-hoon, Head of Business at SoTA Collection. "And we'll give our guests the most advanced hospitality tech experience available."
ONDA operates three business lines: lodging distribution (GDS), property management systems (PMS), and room inventory sales (GSA). Leading travel and hospitality brands — including Yanolja, Yeogi Eottae, Naver, Coupang, Airbnb, Agoda, and Hotels.com — use ONDA to power their distribution channels.