No boys allowed: Hotels seek fortune with women-only zones
Filed under: Sex Sells, Make Money Fast, Extracurriculars, Travel
As hotels get ever more desperate to invent new niches to lure customers, we've have been hearing a lot about the "girlfriend getaway," vacations women take with just their girlfriends.
I confess I don't entirely get why we need the concept. Fun things to do are universal. Often, these packages include spa treatments, free cosmos, or something like that, which strikes me as more than a little sexist -- as if it's only women who like massages, and as if Carrie and Samantha would have no interest in, say, museums.
But whatever. Here's a woman-skewed concept that seems to have a place. The Naumi, a luxury hotel in Singapore, has launched a female-only wing for women guests. The concept, secured by private key-card access, reeks of boutique styling, complete with fancy Aesop skin care products, aromatherapy frills, and an entirely female staff. Since its introduction, staff says, the rooms have been at 80% occupancy, which isn't bad for a hotel, especially one charging $420 to $600 a night.
So far, the women-only zones are mostly confined to properties in Asia, Australasia and in Arab countries (such as this one in -- surprise -- Saudi Arabia), where presumably there are more women who prefer segregation for religious or privacy reasons. But the luxury execution goes way beyond simply providing a safe space. In fact, a manager at the Naumi says a big chunk of his clientele is women on shopping trips -- Singapore, a tiny city-state that is practically one big mall, is particularly attractive to the long-distance spree set. But women executives, too, not normally known for being timid, are also indulging in the new concept.
As with so many truly catchy trends, this one seems to have bubbled up from the low-budget front lines. Hostelling International has segregated by gender for years, even as independently run hostels often mingle the sexes in the same dormitories. That's a big reason why HI is favored by school groups and parents sending their little ones on their first big foreign trip.
The turning point, though, came in the early '00s when stylish Base Backpackers, a super-budget hostel chain in Australia and New Zealand, created a girls-only wing for its properties. Base was savvy enough not to simply cordon off the femme zone with a fire door. It gave the area a swishy name, Sanctuary, and without charging the girls more than the boys, gave them luxury-imitating amenities like sheets with high thread counts and fat bath towels. The result? Base mushroomed from a couple properties to a dozen today.
Would women-only areas of hotels fill up in the West, where genders are more integrated? So far, the idea isn't ruling the zeitgeist. Last year, a Marriott in Grand Rapids tried it, prompting fire truck-chasing lawyer Gloria Allred to cry discrimination. Three years ago, the Grange City Hotel in London gave it a try, but today, its website makes no mention of any specialized areas for the ladies. But who knows? Maybe it will switch back after girlfriend getaways sweep the nation. I suspect that will be a mighty long wait, though.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
9-09-2008 @ 7:42PM
Laura said...
I've seen this at a business hotel in Minneapolis. Different toiletries, amenities and security for woman on a separate floor. I personally stayed on a women-only floor in Shanghai, on a business trip once and appreciated it.....
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9-10-2008 @ 1:43PM
karen weiner escalera said...
Thirty years ago for Vista hotels, we had a panel with top women execs about the subject of women only floors and the consensus was, they nixed the idea. It keeps coming up in the industry, albeit instead of talking about roses in the guest rooms and bathrobes in the past, today it's aromatherapy and bath salts. I think what women would really value is a women only lounge or something else conducive to women networking and/or just meeting other interesting, accomplished women. I wrote a blog item on this. You can check it out at www.kwegroup.com/blog (my blog is on luxury travel and lifestyle trends).
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9-11-2008 @ 6:45AM
wgolembiew said...
why is it when men try to have the same thing the womens groups get upset. If i was staying at one of these hotels and paying the same price as these women are an not getting the best treatment ( good sheets an towels an such ) not only would it be the last time i used these places but i would make sure everyone i know knew about it an boycotted these chains.
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9-11-2008 @ 12:55PM
Sue said...
I don't know where you get the idea that women groups would raise cane, they are known for segregation based on gender. I can't think of one women's group, including the IRA that would complain about rooms for men only, or women only. It's only fair. Men just wouldn't want to pay the extra is the only reason I can think. Most men don't even know what thread count is. Now to mention, the upper class that can afford this, usually stays where they get men's services, including luxury bath rooms, massages and other amenities.
So name just one women's org. that would raise cane and we will talk again.
Sue
9-11-2008 @ 8:21AM
SqueakDizzle said...
Isn't this the same thing equal rights groups were trying to prevent men from doing. How is this equal treatment either way, to allow men to be criticized and reprimanded by everyone (men and women alike) for wanting to network among themselves and get together with their colleagues a few days out of the week? How is this equal rights to completely make a 180 and say that it is now ok for women to exclude men in the same fashion they claim men have been doing. Where is the balance in all this? How hypocritical is this? How can I honestly look my daughter in the eye and tell her that the progress of equality is there. With this going on, it will be even more difficult to convince my daughter to work alongside her male counterpart and be assured that equality is there. Why accommodate one and not the other? We have been taken back to a time where fairness is merely a suggestion, not an option. With everything going on in the world, $$$$ is now the only thing we are looking for, nothing more. What happened to learning and enlightenment? Don’t get me wrong, I love women and wouldn’t want to live a world without them, but as the struggles of the sexes continue there will be groups, companies and even politicians manipulating and even instigating, causing more of a problem. For the sake of children, (Girls and Boys, because yes men have the same feelings as women…) let’s actually work on this one.
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9-11-2008 @ 9:52PM
Paul said...
I remember the days of the men only places where men gathered to network. However, in those days there were no women managers, CEOs, politicians, or executives. Women did not own businesses. The only women who were in sales in those days were in retail stores.
Today, Women can be found at all levels in business and government. Like the male executives of old, women have the need to network, both with mixed gender groups, and with their own gender. However, that being said, so do male executives. Is it possible that we have reached a point in time when the different needs of men and women can now be addressed equally, and possibly even celebrated? I think our current election cycle has demonstrated that we may be reaching a point where we can view one another as equals regardless of gender, yet still enjoy the unique company of our own gender without being sexist.
9-11-2008 @ 1:02PM
Dave said...
How can you look your daughter in the eye and tell her? This is exactly the type of discussion we all should be having with our children. This is good for you to have this dialog. Share your view...no matter how skewed. I would start like this...MEN AND WOMEN ARE NOT THE SAME. EQUAL YES BUT THE SAME NO! When is this crap going to stop...We are different. Teach your daughter to be like Sarah Palin, politics aside. Seriously, politics aside, she is what every women should strive to be.
9-11-2008 @ 1:58PM
Andrea said...
As wonderful as equality would be for every group, the grim fact is that this is reality and in reality there will always be differances between groups of people. We don't live in a fairy world where everything is nice and pleasently equal, so we might as well be aware of that fact and make things more pleasent with the way they are. Men will always have the upperhand in the business world, thats why it would be unfair to have a men's only section that women couldn't join (for business trips). I think it would be more comforting personally to have an area that was just for woman, and it would be just the same for an area just for men. Just as long as it wasn't used for getting together for business reasons.
9-11-2008 @ 8:25AM
Jhazline said...
I like the idea on Women-only hotel floors, I love the whole concept. The security features are great, amenities and the whole thing. The only issue is I can not bring my husband with me.
Jhazline
- - - - - - -
http://www.1explore.com
Your life deserves a place like this.
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9-11-2008 @ 10:31AM
Kristen said...
Actually he could go with you.... He would just have to stay in a different room... But I think that is the point. It is a concept that targets women traveling alone. I personally love the idea...
9-19-2008 @ 8:41PM
jc said...
This is blatant sexism. The women who would go to this hotel are either man haters or lesbians (or both). Only in the twisted mind of a woman are "womens equality" and "male bashing" both considered acceptable. Men have rights, feelings and preferences also, and spend much of their time and energy working to help women to make their lives easier. Women should try to be more understanding ( as they claim to be) and stop trying to get the upperhand by tearing men down. Women should learn to appreciate what men do for them and stop focusing on the things they don't like just because we are different.
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9-11-2008 @ 10:30AM
Kristen said...
OMG Are you serious? Get off you poor me saddle and live a little. The problem with the world today is people just like you who get bent out of shape so easily. Men have had little getaways like this for centuries all over the world. They were and are called bath houses. And with all your whining over the scented soaps and aromatherapy candles, the bath houses for girly boys like you would be your best bet. LOL
I am just wondering where this anger is comming from. Just because a woman wants to spend her liesure time with out some man in her face does not make her a man-hater. As women we put up with a lot of crap from men. ESPECIALLY haters not unlike yourself who feel the need to constantly Blow His Own Horn and want a cookie for doing something they should be doin anyway. IE, striving for a better tomorrow for all sexs...
We are human and we evolve or we get left behind...
Grow Up And Get Over It!!!
9-11-2008 @ 10:53AM
AA said...
Or they were hurt badly by a man and cannot yet be comfortable in the same vicinity as one. Perhaps she doesn't trust society anymore and feels more comfortable with her female companions. Are men often concerned of being raped at every corner they turn?
9-11-2008 @ 1:39PM
nancy said...
And yet your first comments were that the women wanting this are men haters or lesbians. What part are women supposed to understand from you? You say women should stop male bashing and yet because we want something for our own it's wrong. Stop tearing you down, isn't that all you have done in your response. But because it comes from a man it's okay.
9-11-2008 @ 8:49AM
Kim said...
I LOVE the concept! My BFF & I try to get away for a couple of days every year with no husbands or kids. It would be really great to be able to relax without being hit on!
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9-11-2008 @ 12:25PM
Linda said...
"and not get hit on" are you serious? so you will never leave the room? you never had a woman hit on you?
I think you need to find a different reason.
9-11-2008 @ 9:00AM
therockofages said...
This is a prime example of why men and women argue so much and men are being turned into misogynists. Women are sexist beasts, hypocritical and manipulative nincompoops, and embrace a raging double standard. Men are not 'allowed' to have their own clubs or organizations that exclude women, but we now have a society that caters to the idea of women being able to exclude men. Feminists have turned out to be wholesale promoters of misandry. No more support for you, 100 years. The next question; why does our legal and judicial system support this obviously unconstitutional path? Where are the brainy prosecutor's ready to take on this idiocy?
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9-11-2008 @ 10:00AM
Zab Jade said...
I do agree that there is a lot of sexism against men lately, but I don't think the female only wings are a case of sexism. A woman, or small group of women, alone on a trip to an unfimiliar place run a risk of being attacked or raped.
We are generally smaller and weaker than men and are thus easier prey. A girl-only zone in a hotel would allow some women, especially those who have been victimized, to feel safe without having to huddle in their rooms behind locked doors.
There is pampering and such involved in these, but I think the main issue has to do with feeling safe while away from home.
9-11-2008 @ 9:01AM
charles said...
I'd love to be in a Hotel wing with just all men think of the fun you would have OMG .........
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9-11-2008 @ 9:14AM
T said...
Lesbian luxury. That is the subliminal attraction. Same sex is being sold in all kinds of packages. Straight women can go if they choose. Lesbians and curiosity seekers will be drawn. A Down low women's dream vacation. I would feel the same way about an all man's floor. A chance for men to be with men. Just go to the Y. You'll find what you are looking for. Or better yet, an airport bathroom. It is even cheaper for a quick hit and run moment of relaxation, You can market Gay any way you want Gay will still be Gay.
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