Mumbai: Ah, the sweet thrill of sneaking away for a cheeky “me time” with your partner. A cozy OYO room, a little getaway from the maddening crowd, far from prying eyes and, most importantly, far from judgmental pesky relatives. Well, those days might just be behind us, as the hotel booking giant has rolled out a new policy that’s about to throw the proverbial wrench into the works. The twist? You’ll need a marriage certificate to check into an OYO hotel with your partner.
It all started in Meerut (because where else?) and might soon spread to other cities. Yes, folks, the era of booking a hotel room for a romantic rendezvous—whether you’re a legally married couple or just “living in sin”—is over. You’ll now need proof of your marital status before you can get anywhere near that plush bed and experience those sweet privacy vibes. OYO, in its infinite wisdom, has granted its partner hotels the discretion to reject bookings from couples based on the local social sensibilities.
So, if you’re in a “we’re-together-but-not-married” relationship, you might just find yourself locked out. Why? Apparently, there’s been a cry from civil society groups in Meerut (who knew they had so much to say about hotel bookings?) asking for a more “responsible” approach. Pawas Sharma, the Region Head of OYO North India, told PTI that while OYO respects individual freedoms, it also has an obligation to collaborate with law enforcement and local civil society groups.
In other words, OYO is just trying to keep peace and ensure its image remains “safe and responsible.” All this, while throwing ‘individual freedom’ out the window. Here’s where things get juicy. What about those lovebirds who despite their deep affection haven’t yet taken the official plunge into matrimony? OYO’s message is clear: no marriage certificate, no check-in.
So, if you’re planning to spend the night with someone you love but haven’t yet signed that piece of paper, you’re out of luck. And don’t even think about pulling the “we’re just friends” card—because if you’re two girls or two guys, the secret is probably out. OYO’s big move is supposedly to cater to the social norms of certain regions. (Not that it accounts for the fact that LGBTQ+ couples still can’t legally marry in India—but who’s counting, right?)
So, does this mean same-sex couples will need foreign marriage certificates to get a room for the night? If so, you might as well start bringing notarized affidavits, background checks, and possibly a signed note from your parents, just to book a room. But, hey, if you’re married, congratulations! Your “privacy” is now officially OYO-approved. For the rest of us mere mortals, well, it might be time to reconsider that romantic rendezvous in a park, because booking a room just got a whole lot more complicated.
