Have you heard about “Women-only” hotel floors now being offered to female business travelers in some major hotels? At these hotels, for a small upgrade fee, women can have fresh flowers and other pampering perks in their room on a women-only floor.
At first glance this seemed interesting to me but then I watched this video and it gave me pause. Isn’t this discrimination (against men), they say? Is this a throw-back to the fifties? Is this a stereotyping of men (as predators) and of women (as vulnerable)? Some suggest this trend will take us in the wrong direction, that the rights women have fought for are being compromised in this trend. Is this a slippery slope?
I’m not a business traveler so I have no personal experience with this. But I will say the pampering aspect does appeal to me. Would I pay more for it? Depends on where I’d be going and how long I’d be away from home. I’m not sure I’d be as concerned about safety, or worried about meeting a man in the hall as I’m going for ice in my slippers, though! It’s the perks that catch my attention.
I believe hotel owners are focusing on the marketing aspect of this idea. They’re looking at the numbers (40% of business travelers are female) and they’re trying to cater to this segment of the population. Perhaps in this debate too much emphasis is being put on the safety factor of these arrangements and not enough on the pampering features. If offering more perks like slippers, flowers, magazines and such can give a hotel an edge; why not offer these indulgences? If a woman’s work takes her away from home a lot, she may choose to treat herself to them.
What do you think of this 2012 trend? Is it stereotyping or discriminatory or a marketing idea whose time has come? Do you feel it is regressive? Women-only hotel floors: thumbs up – or down?
photo credit: Ulf Lilankoski
Article by 
few times during my business trip my room was knocked but stranger,barged in by the mantainance when i clearly put the "do not disturb "sign on the door knob in bangalore , my phone being called by a complete stranger from the room across the hallway and worst in bologna when a drunken man was kicking the door claiming i took his room.as much as i tried to avoid this odd situations when security had to come and keep things calm , it came to me and the culprits are the opposite sex.
As not many execs have plush brand names of hotels as part of their allowance, I wish more boutique, medium range /business hotel could come up with this idea.at least it does not put me in temporary trauma knowing that my floor is safe guarded by my own gender with extra security.
Thanks for such a great post.
I used to travel a lot for business, and I never felt unsafe. I'd love fresh cut flowers in my room. That would be a nice treat. I wouldn't be willing to pay extra for upgraded toiletries. Like most higher maintenance women, I bring my own. And the scale? Seriously? The thing I do like is the lounge where you can go and not get hit on. A single woman sitting alone at a hotel bar will get some really interesting comments. I've even been accused of being a call girl (I was in a business suit and pearls, NOT a hooker outfit...) On the other hand, what's with the men= predator vibe? In an age where we are becoming more and more isolated, do we really want to segregate ourselves even more? The grand majority of people are NOT trying to hurt each other, and I think it's about high time we stop being afraid of each other. Safety yes. Paranoia no. Take a self defense class if you need to, but don't treat all men as dangerous animals. At some point, the fear has to stop already.
Sorry I'm so late to the party Lori. This is a really good one. :o)
@DeliberateBlog Hi Melody! So many great points here! It's true about the toiletries. Most women brings their own! I suppose we are charged in hotels for even the basic ones, though I have to say, I loved to see what they had at the hotels in Greece- the different fragrances so typical of that country! But I digress.
You were taken for a call girl? I'm sorry about that. I think.Self-defense is the way to go if you are afraid. I'm with @ginidietrich on this point - how does putting all the women together on a floor make them safe anyway? There is a thin line between paranoia and fear and we need to avoid that proximity to the other side. I always feel safe when I travel and I think that's what attracts safe situations to me and helps me to avoid all others.
It's never too late for your comments. I hope everyone else reads them!
Latest blog post: A Story of Faith and a Whole Lot of Family Fun
@Lori LOL Lori, no worries. I was a bit shocked at the time, but laughed about it the same night. A guy came up and tried to solicit me. Actually, being mistaken for a high class call girl is kind of a compliment if you think about it. Those ladies tend to be hot. Also - I did not have to call the police or security or throw the guy out a window. I simply told him to go, um, take care of himself, and that was that. Good lord, when did women turn into such whiners?
You're definitely right. When you feel safe to begin with, you attract safe situations. That's why self defense classes can actually help prevent unsafe situations. When you know that you can take care of yourself, you aren't as afraid and you don't attract as many ugly situations in the first place. I love traveling. I don't expose myself to stupid risks, of course, but the world in general is so much safer than people often think it is. :o)
I used to do a lot more business travel than I am doing now so I am well familiar with what it is like. I don't buy into the safety angle at all. It is just another way to try and grab some more cash.
Latest blog post: Are You A 21st Century Father
@TheJackB That does seem to be the consensus here Jack. Do you think if they had said, "we are suffering because of economic challenges so we're offering this service to women as an upgrade because 40% of our guests are female business travelers and we want their business" period, if it would have felt more genuine. What do you think?
Hi Lori,
I don't have a problem with it but yes, it could be viewed by others as a form of discrimination. I doubt anyone is going to make a fuss over it though. There are too many fun things in life to focus on then to worry about a women's only floor.
Latest blog post: Empower Hour with Hiten Vyas - My Experience
@Justin Mazza Hi Justin! I know it's not a life and death issue, but I thought it would be fun to get different views on it. So you're thumbs up? Down? No thumbs? ;-)
There are so many things I find wrong with this ... but this is the kind of marketing that makes me angry... segregation based on the threat of "what exactly" and we will charge you more for it... hmmmm.
@smargo I hear you Sandra! Maybe if they'd never mentioned the safety issue at all it would have been more palatable. And yeah, if you're targeting the female segment of the business travelers, just GIVE them more perks and let them be surprised by it! ;-)
Hi Lori
We where flying home at Christmas and got delay overnight in Toronto. Their was no way to get our luggage, so the airline gave us an overnight kit. Undershirt, deodorant, shaving cream, razor , tooth past, and brush. My wife was not impressed because everything in the kit was for a man. The bottom line is that women have different preferences on a lot of things. Any marketer worth his/her salt is going to try to figure out if their is a profitable way to differentiate their hotel. The number one angle for marketing is to figure out if their is a fear real or perceived or fabricated that they can exploit or did I mean solve.
@johncharlesowens Hi John! They really didn't have a kit for the girls? That's surprising.A big opportunity to create the raving-fan customer was lost there. Any business should know that correcting an error is the best opportunity to do that - and flights that get delayed...that doesn't happen much, does it ;-)
I see what you're saying about the "perceived" threat to safety, though they mention that sometimes women just want to not worry about unsolicited attention. I don't know. I think I'm torn between the idea that the hotels are looking for an idea to give them an edge over their competition and the idea that they are trying hard to create a situation and a solution to a problem that's not really that relevant. For what it would cost to keep those rooms reserved for women, assuming they are not always booked fully, they could offer those perks for free and increase their security in the hotel. I didn't realize hotels weren't safe. Am I naive on this?
I's love to hear from some of the female business travelers as to their experience with these hotels!
@Lori@johncharlesowens I am not a business traveler but I am sure these women are not staying at Motel 6 on company dime. They are staying at relatively fancy hotels if the company has a budget for travel to begin with. The idea that there is a threat to their safety is fabricated so that they can have a reason to make more cash. To create a need where there was not one to begin with.. Have you seen Mad Men? Great show btw. If the hotel marketers were smart they would plant the restaurants and bars with young good looking males... word would spread, women and homosexual men would outnumber the rest of the clientele. Then they would have maybe an 85% captive audience that is very into pampering themselves.
@smargo@Lori@johncharlesowens Whatever hotel implements this, I'm going to be their #1 customer. :o)
What an intriguing concept. As a hospitality professional, my first perspective was from that of the hotel. What a logistical nightmare this must be! All kinds of questions would have to be asked -- and answered -- before a plan could be executed to reserve one floor or one wing of a hotel specifically for for 50% of the population. What happens if the hotel is sold out, and the only rooms left to check people into are those on the women's only floor? What happens if Tracy Morgan (of "30 Rock") or Lynn Swann (of the Pittsburgh Steelers) or the late Leslie Nielsen (of "Airplane!") had a reservation, and nobody realized they were male? What happens when the National Auto Dealers Association or the National Association of Home Builders -- both groups having a majority male membership -- decides to have a convention? There are all kinds of potential customer service issues and embarrassing situations for both the hotel and its clientele that would need to be avoided.
@dbsalk Hi David! Thank you for adding the perspective of the hotel staff. I agree that it is a challenging project, or should we say nightmare. I think their biggest problem might be when they are out of women-only rooms on that floor so the client may choose another hotel :o Or, as you say, when the other rooms are sold out but there is room on the women-only floor! It would be like running two hotels. I wonder how it's actually going at those hotels!
I'm assuming this is a thumbs-down!?;-)
Welcome to Life, for instance David!
What an interesting topic Lori, personally I am NOT a feminist at all. I believe that it's okay to have 'male' and 'female' roles, however, I also believe that if a woman wants or needs to do something , she can and should. However, I'll never complain that I do the cooking while my husband shovels the driveway :)
I agree that there is too much emphasis on the 'safety' aspect. Seriously? Let's look at the stats of attacks on woman in hotel hallways. Hmm...are there ANY? Couldn't these perks be offered in a multi-general 'normal' hotel. Aren't the perks added because of the person, as opposed to the floor the person is staying on.
I think we are doing women *and men* a disservice by allowing things to be solely for one. I am pretty certain there are many men out there that would enjoy a massage at the end ofhis long work day, and these men are also away from their families.
just saying. let's equalize it - - why do we have to have 'special' for women (or men) only...just have the 'pampering' options, and let whomever would like to use them, use them :)
@StaceyMJCouturier Good point Stacey. I've never heard of attacks on women in hotels - at least the stats haven't been presented. I found that reason for a women-only floor a weak one. "I think we are doing women *and men* a disservice by allowing things to be solely for one." Yes. Why not pamper the men? Why not advertise that you pamper everyone!?
exactly! Why can't we be a society/nation that just DOES for ALL!
I think it's odd. It makes me feel like I'm back in college living on the girls-only floor of the dorms. I'm a focus group of one, but not only would I not pay extra to be on a floor with only women, I wouldn't pay for the extras such as flowers and chocolates. There are already hotels that do a nice job of this, no matter your gender, and I'd be more comfortable there vs. a hotel that has the genders segregated. I also feel like it invites crime. I'm really careful about not using the pre-ordered breakfast option because people can walk by, read it, and discover you're in the room alone. Now they know there is a floor full of just women? No thanks.
Latest blog post: Pros and Cons of Changing the Name of Your Blog
@ginidietrich Ditto, ditto, underscore, bold letters, I would not pay extra for any of these things. I will not say more because I can already feel my blood boiling about the concept. That.is.all. Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough@ginidietrich So that's a thumbs down Kaarina? ;-)
@Lori@ginidietrich Most definitely
@ginidietrich Very good points Gini.
I instantly thought of all girl's wings in dorms, all girl highschools or all girl gyms. Which I don't think any are necessarily a bad idea. But as for the all girl wings in a hotel, I don't think I would sell it like that. The way I would go about offering "more value" to a female segment would offering packages called something like "Pampered Plus" - with higher threadcount sheets, Godiva chocolates, flowers, etc
But that would basically be like a penthouse or a suite, except it could be set in any room.
Interesting though
Latest blog post: Are You Really Prepared?
now that part makes sense...and you're right - more of a penthouse luxury, as I'm sure there are wealthy men who would prefer this too!
@bcromlish@ginidietrich I like this idea. And higher threadcount sheets - mmmm! I wonder why they didn't just do it this way rather than women-only floors.
@ginidietrich Funny, but that was one of my first thoughts - let's put everyone together with a potentially false sense of security. I don't think I would feel more secure on one of those floors!
When I was in university I lived in an all-girl dorm where the "guests" had to be signed in and out. While I was there some of the girls headed a campaign to fight for "Open Hours" LOL It did throw me back to my university days when I saw this in the news. My kid's residences were completely co-ed. So you think this is a regression (and a silly way to get flowers and chocolates!)?
:-)
Wow...this is an interesting question. On the one hand, I am against the "discriminatory" feel of this argument. When we start segregating places based on gender, aren't we just steps away from other forms of segregation and "packaging" these actions as if it is to one's benefit? On the other hand, after reading @Hajra 's comment, I get a sense of the community feel of having women get their own space...not so much for safety but for that sense of comfort and unity perhaps. There is an intriguing sense of community that goes with having a designated space for just women.
That all said, my gut tells me that to segregate like that is asking for future segregation incentives and that makes me very uncomfortable. If the "packaging" of this action is to provide special perks and a spa like feel, there is no reason in my mind that the hotels can't offer those perks and spa like ambiance to all of their customers as an option/upgrade. Perhaps women would take more advantage of those upgrades (although I am not completely sure of that) but, it would be a choice available to all.
Interesting post @Lori Thanks!!
Claudia
@SocialMediaDDS@Hajra Hi Claudia! When you say, "on the one hand" I'm thinking there are many hands to this issue! In one way, there always is segregation in hotels - the expensive rooms vrs the economy rooms. Money will always segregate us like this. I see what you're saying about a sense of community - just us girls - could be alright, but that it does lead to other possibilities of segregation once you open that door.
So are you thumbs up or down?
@Lori@Hajra Making me commit, huh? LOL...I'd say my internal overwhelming feeling is thumbs down....Now a specific "retreat" for only women or a yoga get away for women...or a spa get away for only women (I have been on one of those and they are awesome) THOSE, I think, are acceptable...because they are special events....
Hmmmmm, I guess I don't feel strongly one way or the other. A hotel can still cater to women without segregating them; but I don't do much overnight traveling either so don't know if it would be a big deal or not. Maybe some of the frequent travelers will weigh in and have a different opinion.
@Hajra had a different take from a cultural standpoint which made sense, but in the westernized world I don't know if it's that big of a deal. On one hand women might complain of the glass ceiling and not being treated equally, and on the other, still want to be treated like a woman (differently). Can you have your cake and eat it too?
Interesting topic, let's see how it goes.
@bdorman264@Hajra I don't think you can have your cake and eat it too BIll. :p
It's true, the hotel can offer pampering perks without offering an all-woman floor. Like you, I'm not a business traveler so I am only looking at this from the outside, imagining how it feels inside.
@bdorman264@Lori This topic is interesting. When I was in college, in India, there was a huge debate going on in the Parliament about the Woman's reservation (in politics). During this time, me and my friends got on a bus after class and it was very crowded. When one of my friends politely asked a guy to get off the seat meant for ladies (the first two rows of any bus in India is reserved for ladies / elderly / children / handicapped .. depending on the priority); he said this "When you girls are fighting for seats in the Parliament and trying to be "equal" (yes, he did the air quote) ; then try being tough like us men and learn how to stand in buses!
@Hajra @bdorman264 With air quotes!? Yikes! :o
Unless I'm staying in a flea-pit of a hotel (which isn't likely!), is safety really a concern? Seems like a made-up problem with a solution that will just end up costing me more so I vote thumbs down!
@Sandi Amorim I am so with you Sandi: it's a made-up problem to get people to think there's a real problem. And paying extra for flowers and nicey-nice toiletries?...really?
@Sandi Amorim I'm with you on that Sandi. Despite my suggestion to bring a string of bells to hang form a doorknob (or maybe because of it!) I never felt safety was an issue. I didn't quite get that part, but then I don't travel a lot and never have traveled alone.
One thumbs down - check!
Hi, Lori, what seens to be a simple question, has me thinking now for quite some time, weighing the pros and cons.
Mhh, I think it is a marketing idea, 40 % is a figure not to be neglected, middle class hotels could see some potential in it. Upscale hotels will offer fresh flowers and luxurious toiletries anyway, the gender issue does not apply there. And lounges where I can enjoy a drink without being disturbed with an onslaught of undesired male attention.
I used to do quite a bit of business travelling and never felt a need for extra safety or more pampering. There was once an incident where unsolicited roomservice tried to gain entrance to my room at night, luckily I had put on the chain and the rattling of it woke me up!
Latest blog post: Viva l'Italia
@Late_Bloomers Hi Barbara! So you don't see the need for this? Do you think it's a "clutching at straws' attempt at nabbing more business? Maybe I'm naive but I didn't think of safety issues while in Greece! Then again, we stayed at family-run inns, not large hotels. Business travel may be different.
That sounds like a disturbing incident. I think the one thing that would be good to take to a hotel is a string of bells to hang from the doorknob! A friend had a string of bells on her doors at Christmas time and I only saw "security system". I think, like your rattling chain, a string of bells suddenly ringing would give an intruder pause!
Do you think men are feeling left out in this arrangement? Doesn't everyone like to be pampered?
@Lori Hi Lori! No, I do not see any need for it.
I am not a very courageous person, this incident did disturb me some at the time. But you should have seen my room: cluttered with business papers and my knitting strewn all over the flour as I did some complicated multi coloured thing. This guy would have gotten himself entangled in it.
And yes, I like to be pampered in a hotel, if and when I can afford it. But I would never pay an extra charge for being pampered in a middle class hotel. And I think the safety and security issues play on emotional reactions.
You know I love Asia, specially Thailand. We (men and women) were pampered from morning till night, greeted with smiles, served the most delicious food at any time of the day, enjoyed the spa and pool amenities. We were social when we wanted to be social and we could retreat to an intimate place (beside our room) when we wanted privacy. Juxtapose this memory to the separate women floor idea - do I need to say more?
Latest blog post: Viva l'Italia
@Lori Oh, forgot that: THUMBS DOWN!
Latest blog post: Viva l'Italia
I think this is a time when we could all over think a simple thing. At least it's just a choice. Me? I probably wouldn't care what floor I was on, or who my neighbors were as long as I wasn't disturbed (or too bored!). Thank goodness there are options. That's all I have to say!
Latest blog post: Thanks For Your Patience!
@BetsyKCross Hi Betsy! That's a simple response! I think not being disturbed was one of the points. Having perks in the room is another aspect of it that is interesting, though you do pay for them ;-)
If costs were the same, would you choose a both-sex floor over a women-only one?
Hey Lori,
I am the first one here and this is the first time! Yayyy... I just hope someone else doesn't comment before I finish laying my thoughts on this one! :)
Firstly, this is quite an old concept this part of the world. The middle east is primarily Islamic in approach. So, the concept of woman being separated from the men's area is not quite uncommon. Even in the biggest of hotels here, there are facilities which are reserved exclusively for woman. Some have floors dedicated to them, some have other provisions. Like I spent last weekend in a beach resort for a break and there, they have a common swimming pool for both men and woman and then a separate swimming pool which is exclusive for woman for certain timings of the day. Even other facilities like the gym, the spa have reserved timing "only for ladies" and then the rest of the time it is common for both the sexes. Also, besides hotels, this part of the world have exclusive woman banks and female waiting areas and the likes.
I might be biased when it comes to having an opinion on this. Having lived in this part of the world I loved the ease which we woman get when it comes to such facilities. If you are a woman, work gets much, much faster for day to day services. Is it discriminatory? Maybe yes, maybe no. If you see it from the point of religion, it is not. But when we talk about ease for men and being on the same level, then there are a lot of factors which needs to be considered. Are men having it any worse. If not, then there really isn't any fuss right? If they are at a disadvantage because of such a priority for woman, then there might be some debate.
Also, even if we keep religion aside, then many people argue that woman have had it bad for so long, so let's make it up to them!
My, did I type too much. :) Yikes!
@Hajra Hi Hajra! Thank you for offering a middle eastern/"primarily Islamic" perspective on this. The reasons for the women-only areas there are religions? It makes me think of the book The Red Tent, sorta! And put in this light, I'm thinking this trend may be regressive. If it's what you're used to it just is what you're used to, but if it is a change, particularly in the direction of practices of the past, then maybe we're in murky waters. I think it depends on how you look at it - the intentions of the division.
I'm with you on the pampering, though I wonder if it can be "pay back time" though you do say it in jest!
What would happen if we stripped the religious and the historical connotations from the women-only floor issue and see it as purely a marketing trend? Do you think that's possible?
@Lori Oh definitely. This has huge marketing potential. And for a good reason. Imagine how wonderful it can be for single woman who just want a break (especially after a bitter break up); for woman with kids who want to take a break (okay, I am not saying that men are bad) but when they want a weekend to relax by themselves, then a little bit of seclusion might be nice. For a girls week out. Even if you want to send your teenage girls out for a break and might just love the "all female" thing she is getting into!
I might be wrong, but let's try making something nice of it. It might be a little irksome when we talk about progress and being the same, but it is quite an excellent idea to work with!
@Lori I wouldn't mind it really! Let's keep the men secluded! Why would I aruge ;)
@Hajra I like your spin on it Hajra! And it's really not a spin but an interesting facet. It sounds more like a spa opportunity, a chosen seclusion, rather than a segregation. I wonder if the originators of this idea were surprised by the controversy it gave rise to.
I'm curious to see what the guys say about this. Who's to say just women enjoy perks? Shouldn't there be a men-only floor with guy perks? How would we feel, for instance, if this were something offered only to men?