History For over 60 years, Sonesta has owned, managed, designed, built and marketed hotels throughout the world. Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is an outgrowth of Sonnabend Operated Hotels, founded in the 1940s by the legendary A.M. Sonnabend, and Childs Restaurant Company, founded in the 1930s. In 1956, they merged to become Hotel Corporation of America, one of the first major hotel companies. General Hotel Information 26 properties worldwide: 21 hotels & resorts, 5 cruise ships on the Nile. 2 properties owned & managed; 16 managed; 8 licensed. 6,355 rooms total