Netherlands offers Divorce Hotel service

With a company called Divorce Hotel, one entrepreneur really is putting the word break into break-up. While many couples may be looking for a romantic trip this February, Jim Halfens has created a concept offering couples quick divorces which can be agreed over the course of just two days. Based in the Netherlands, the idea is to talk couples through alimony and splitting assets as well as visitation rights to any children, putting all the documentation together without drawing the process out over weeks and months. Mr Halfens uses high-end hotels around the country, putting up the couple in separate rooms (if they wish) and providing mediators and legal advice for a set fee. Once the divorcing couple leave the hotel at the end of their stay, the only thing left to do is show the agreement to a judge, as required in Dutch law, which can take a couple of weeks. The company assesses couples when they apply for the service, to make sure they are suitable for the process and not caught up in a bitter dispute. It then ensures both parties' wellbeing during the stay. Sales manager Ninke Bons told Sky News: 'We treat them as any other guests, we just try to keep a closer eye on them or make sure they are not wandering around by themselves. 'Just as an example - we would normally enquire if a guest enjoyed their stay at the hotel. Well, obviously that's not very appropriate in the case of the Divorce Hotel.' The idea has become so popular that several television companies in America are looking at making it into a documentary series. Mr Halfens is also looking to expand into other countries, suggesting that the USA and Germany could be next on the list.