Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking hotels by the hour on StayByHours.
What is StayByHours?
StayByHours is India's duration-based hotel booking platform. Book a verified room for the hours you need — from 2 to 48 hours — and pay only for that window. Check in when you want, check out when you're done. Built for meetings, airport layovers, day use, and short stays. Not a nightly OTA.
How does hourly hotel booking work on StayByHours?
Search hotels in your city, set exact check-in and check-out times (any duration from 2 to 48 hours), then book and pay online. You get instant confirmation with the hotel address and check-in details. You only pay for your hours — there is no full-night minimum.
Which cities does StayByHours operate in?
StayByHours is live in Mumbai, Pune, Shirdi, Delhi, and Bangalore. We are expanding to more Indian cities. Search on staybyhours.com to see hotels you can book today — we do not advertise cities that are not yet live.
What is the minimum booking duration?
The minimum stay is 2 hours. You can book any duration from 2 to 48 hours. Price is for that duration — not a slice of a nightly tariff.
How much does an hourly hotel room cost?
Prices vary by hotel, city, and duration. StayByHours shows the total for the hours you select before you pay. There is no invented “% of nightly rate” — you pay for your window, plus GST as shown at checkout.
Is StayByHours safe and trustworthy?
Yes. All hotels on StayByHours are verified properties. We use secure payment processing via Razorpay, your personal data is encrypted with AES-256 encryption, and we comply with DPDPA 2023 (India's data protection law). We are a registered Indian company.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 2 hours before your check-in time. After that, cancellation charges may apply depending on the hotel's policy. You can cancel directly from your booking confirmation page or by contacting our support.
Do I need to pay the full-day rate?
No. You pay only for the duration you book. A 3-hour stay is billed as 3 hours — not as a discounted night.
How do I check in?
After booking, you receive an instant confirmation with the hotel name, address, and check-in time. Simply arrive at the hotel at your selected check-in time, show your booking confirmation (SMS or email), and check in. It's that easy.
Is StayByHours available for couples?
Yes. Partner hotels welcome couples with valid ID. Book in any of our live cities: Mumbai, Pune, Shirdi, Delhi, and Bangalore.
How is StayByHours different from OYO, MakeMyTrip, or Booking.com?
Unlike nightly OTAs that sell a fixed night, StayByHours sells a duration: you set check-in and check-out. That is the product — anytime check-in, anytime check-out — not a cheaper night.
Can hotels list their properties on StayByHours?
Yes. Hotel owners can list on StayByHours via staybyhours.com/list-your-property. Register, submit property details, and our team reviews the listing. Listing is free.