A New York resort famous for its upscale weddings will ironically also serve as the venue for "Divorce Hotel" - a business that promises it can allow couples to have a painless split in a beautiful setting, News.com.au reported on Sept. 4.
For a fee of $5,400, the divorcees are put up in separate rooms at Saratoga Springs' Gideon Putnam Resort for a weekend and work with a mediator to complete the details into a signed agreement. The services are expected to begin at the end of the month.
"Practically, they are divorced after signing on Sunday," founder Jim Halfens, who also runs similar projects in his native Netherlands, said, according to News.com.au. "After signing, all work is done and we send it to a judge who only puts a stamp on it to make it official."
He believes the main clients will be New Yorkers looking for a quick and painless split, but any American can participate in the program as long as they agree to use the mediators and lawyers provided to them.
Some guests will participate in a reality TV show, but most will dissolve their marriages in private.
Halfens contacted the Gideon Putnam about two weeks ago, according to Rob Sgarlata, a hotel representative.
"They want people to get into an environment that minimizes the stress of the situation and that's exactly what we offer," said Sgarlata, whose resort has golf courses, swimming pools, hiking trails and spa treatments.
Sgarlata does not think allowing Mr. Halfens' service will tarnish the hotel's reputation as a wedding venue, adding, "We welcome all kinds of guests."
"From our point of view, these are more guests with a specific need, and we have an opportunity to help them to fill that need," Mr. Sgarlata said.
