5-star hotel divorces: Arrive married, leave with divorce papers
A weekend divorce getaway, where couples arrive married and leave with divorce papers, wants to expand to hotels in more countries.
A weekend divorce getaway, where couples arrive married and leave with divorce papers, wants to expand to hotels in more countries.
It seems the appeal of Dutchman Jim Halfens’ ‘Divorce Hotel’ concept, where divorces are neatly arranged in a single weekend, is growing.
And for bitter asset disputes strung out through New Zealand courts - such as the multi-million dollar divorce settlement of ex-NBR Rich Lister John Sanders and his wife Yvonne [read about Mr Sander's global romp to sell the mansion here] or the current High Court wrangle between Rich Lister couple Craig and Katherine Heattley - the concept could be welcomed here.
Perhaps if the pair had been in the Netherlands, where one in every three marriages ends in divorce, they would opt for a quickie settlement hotel-style.
A weekend at Divorce Hotel is intensively guided with on-site mediators, tax lawyers, real estate agents, company valuers and psychologists.
The divorce team converge at a one of the boutique hotels with which Divorce Hotel has contracts.
The charge, to end marriage in this sort of luxury is between $US3500 - $US10,000.
Mr Halfens says on his website he launched Divorce Hotel because the market was ready for new divorce ‘solutions’.
Foreigners can’t get a divorce in the Netherlands, so Mr Halfens is now making moves to take the concept to New York, LA, Germany, Italy and the UK.
He's also reported to be negotiating rights to film Divorce Hotel as a reality television programme with two US production companies.
There’s bound to be plenty of good plots.
Mr Halfens hinted, in an interview with the Huff Post, at insights his team have had. Separating couples have been known to share the same room, order champagne to toast their new future and dine next to wedding parties.
But the success rate is close to 100%. Only one couple have left without the divorce papers.
Georgina Bond
Sat, 16 Jun 2012
Sat, 16 Jun 2012
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
5-star hotel divorces: Arrive married, leave with divorce papers
21454