Mumbai: When it comes to spending some private time with your lover, unmarried couples always run out of options as hotels don’t provide rooms to them. And if you have a local identity proof then getting a room in a budget hotel is next to impossible.
Couple spending time at public places are often harassed by the police and also assaulted by vigilante groups for public display of affection. However, an entrepreneur has come to their rescue.
A new start-up ‘StayUncle’ has recently collaborated with hotels across India, where unmarried couples can easily rent rooms without any hassle.
‘StayUncle’ is a brain child of a BITS-Pilani graduate, Sanchit Sethi. Initially the website was for travellers, but Sethi was receiving enquiries mostly from unmarried couples, which led him to come up with this idea. Sethi launched the website along with a digital marketer, Blaze Arizanov.
First of all let me tell you, there is no law in India that can stop unmarried couples from renting a room. The only thing you need is a government identity card and if you have that, you should be given a room without any problem,” says Sanchit Sethi to Deccan Chronicle.
(Photo: www.stayuncle.com)
The hotels listed on the site charge on the basis of 10-12 hours rather than 24 hours and room rent starts from Rs 2,000-6,000. The hotels listed on the site offer an opportunity to pick between two slots - morning (10 am to 7 pm) and evening (9 pm to 8 am).
The idea is to make people feel comfortable, safe and provide them an affordable place. It’s important to understand that they are not doing anything wrong. A couple needs a room, simple. Not a judgement,” says Sethi.
The company has tied up with approximately 30 hotels in Delhi and 10 in Mumbai. Prime hotels like Oberoi and Trident are also on the list. However, as these are five-star properties, they charge standard price on per day basis.
StayUncle has begun catering to many unmarried couples. “There are hotels who want to be part of this, but they fear and don’t want to announce that unmarried couple are welcome. We tend to change this trend,” says Sethi.
On privacy aspect, Sethi said, "Most of the hotels listed are reputed and are private property, not owned by the government. These hotels wouldn’t do things that harm their business.”
