· First-of-its-kind solution assures early check-in facility to hotel guests
· Guaranteed early check-in now offered in 2000 properties across 160 cities
New Delhi, September 27th 2016: OYO, India’s largest branded network of hotels, has launched a much-needed solution assuring early check-in up to 7 days prior to booking. This is sharp disruption - to the prevalent industry norm across the world, with each hotel having its own arbitrary check-in time (usually 12 noon), and guests left stranded and helpless. The new feature is the latest in the list of pioneering solutions introduced by OYO to deliver efficient, predictable and standardized stays to travelers. This facility is being offered free of cost in many OYOs, and at a nominal charge in others. With this launch, OYO has become the first hotel brand in the world to offer guaranteed early check-in to guests.
OYO’s Sunrise check-in is now live both on its website and mobile app. Customers can easily identify, select and book hotels that offer confirmed early check-in. In addition, guests can also modify their existing booking and secure an early check-in.
Speaking on launch, Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, OYO, said, “Despite changes in the way we live, travel and work, the hotel industry across the world continues to follow the outdated concept of a standard check-in time. Nowadays, travel is no longer about following prescribed itineraries. At OYO we understand our guests and build features tailored to their needs. With Sunrise check-in travellers can plan their mode of travel, duration and trip-itinerary in a better way, without being constrained by the check-in time.”
Oftentimes travelling customers start arriving in cities as early as 6 AM. However, they are inconvenienced by the fact that most hotels offer check-in only after 12 noon. Whether they need to get ready or freshen up for a meeting, catch a quick nap before a long day, unwind or prepare to visit a temple, all types of travelers - business, leisure and pilgrim – can require early check-in. So far, their only option was to request the hotel prior to check-in or upon arrival, with the facility being offered subject to availability of rooms.
Ritesh elaborated, “The need to get a guaranteed early check-in is one of the key reasons that guests book hotels by walking in. Many of our guests shared that strict schedules for check-in times is one of their biggest pain-points related to hotel-booking. Our Sunrise check-in feature gives them the freedom to plan their travel in a flexible manner. We expect an enthusiastic response to this feature and early indications show that nearly 20% of bookings post-launch are availing this service.”
Sunrise check-in service is delivered via the OYO Partners system where hotels update days where they can offer early check-in and millions of users receive this update on a real-time basis. Strict guidelines ensure full compliance towards the fundamental philosophy of delivering a delightful stay experience.
About OYO
Founded in 2013, OYO is today India’s largest branded network of hotels operating 6,500 hotels and 70,000 rooms in more than 200 Indian cities. These include major metros, regional hubs, top leisure destinations as well as pilgrimage towns. OYO is also present in Malaysia.
The Company’s mission is to become the world’s most preferred and trusted hotel brand. OYO pioneered the industry-wide standardization of stay experience in India by providing AC rooms equipped with flat-screen TV, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 24/7 support across its network. Travellers can book a room in three taps using the OYO app. Besides booking a room, the OYO app can be used to call a cab and locate nearby restaurants. To deliver a seamless, standardized experience to guests, OYO partners with IRCTC, Airtel, Samsung, Lenovo, Biotique, Cleartrip, Itzcash, FreeCharge, Mobikwik and Grofers.
Committed to delivering innovative offerings to travellers, OYO recently introduced ‘Sunrise Check-in’ – a global-first initiative at this scale. With this, guests can avail assured early check-in instead of the standard noon check-in – a universal pain point impacting travel plans. OYO has also introduced a ‘relationship mode’ in its app enabling guests to discover couple-friendly OYO hotels.
OYO has received many awards, including Express IT Start-Up of the Year Award (2015) and was recognized by Business Today as among the Coolest Start-Ups in India (2016). It was also ranked by LinkedIn as one of the top employee attractors in India. OYO is backed by leading global investors, including the SoftBank Group, Greenoaks Capital, Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed India.