What is OYO Rooms?
It’s a branded network of hotels spread across India, offering standardised rooms. What started with one property in Gurgaon (which is also the company’s HQ) in January 2013 now has over 2,500 properties in 118 destinations across India.
How is it different from other hotels?
The user experience is standardised, which means you will enjoy complimentary breakfast, an AC room with TV, clean linen, Wi-fi, clean washrooms and a toiletries kit, no matter the property it is housed in.
Do we have OYO Rooms here?
Yes. A quick search on the app from the t2 office (5km radius with Chandni Chowk as centre) reveals nine properties. There are OYOs throughout the city, including Salt Lake. What about Darjeeling? Oh yes, some on the Chowrasta.
How do I check in?
Download the app and log in or key in oyorooms.com on your desktop browser. Even phone booking is possible through 9313931393. Rooms begin at Rs 999 and you have the option to make an advance or pay at the hotel. The standard check-in time is noon and check-out time is 11am. Carry the booking ID/e-mail, and ID proof with address and photograph.
But how can I find an OYO Room?
On the app, one can search by locality, landmark or city. You can even zero in on hotels in a one-, three- and five-kilometre radius, like on an Uber app. On the desktop, simply key in your location and check-in details. As soon as you choose a property, a confirmation SMS is sent with the address and map link.
A new offering is OYO We, which is targeted at women travellers — to be attended by an all-women staff — who will be given amenities like automated door locks, iron, hair dryers and beauty services.
Who is the brain behind this?
Ritesh Agarwal, 21. The boy from Bissam (in Cuttack) is out to tackle the issue of predictability (rather than discoverability) of hotel stay in India, making it different from Airbnb (allows people to list, find, and rent lodging; the company is now valued at $20billion). This means you don’t have to put up with hotels where cards are not accepted, or have dirty linen or ants in the tub. Ritesh, the first resident Indian to win the Thiel Fellowship (offers a total of $100,000 over two years to those who have skipped college, is backed by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel), attended a college in Delhi for just two-three days because he wanted to do something on his own. But he didn’t mention this plan to his parents. His dad found out on a surprise visit to Delhi! Ritesh’s web life had started at age 13 and by 17 he had started his company, Oravel, something like an Airbnb. And then came OYO.
Any sign of funding?
His start-up recently received $100million in funding from SoftBank. This is in addition to an earlier funding of $25million.
Have you stayed at OYO Rooms?
Share your experience at t2@abp.in
