Those chains don't really deal with zoning or licenses. The actual hotels are almost all franchises.
The real difference, as you allude to, is centralized reputation. If you stay at a crappy Marriott you blame Marriott. If you stay at a crappy Airbnb you blame the host.
It will be interesting what happens in the long run. There's now a proven market for apartment style hotel options. I could see a reputable brand move into the space.
My point was that the above mentioned brands only offer their product in a properly licensed and insured hotel. They couldn't have came onto the scene and enabled small time owners to flaunt local laws like Airbnb did without great reputational risk.
The real difference, as you allude to, is centralized reputation. If you stay at a crappy Marriott you blame Marriott. If you stay at a crappy Airbnb you blame the host.
It will be interesting what happens in the long run. There's now a proven market for apartment style hotel options. I could see a reputable brand move into the space.