| Twenty-five years or so ago, when I first started | | | | The shower should have enough pressure to remove |
| travelling on business, there were very few other | | | | hair conditioner. It is very frustrating (and not a great |
| women on those early morning air commutes. Today | | | | way to start the day) trying to wash long hair when |
| women represent nearly 50% of business travellers, | | | | the hotel has installed a water miser! Hotelier hint: |
| and hotels around the world are trying to determine | | | | Cleaning staff should be instructed to leave the extra |
| what will keep women happy. It's an important question | | | | towels in the bathroom when there is a single female |
| because women are nearly twice as loyal to a hotel | | | | guest. Women need one towel for their hair, one for |
| as men. Said one senior executive who logs 70 - 80 | | | | their body, another for their hands when putting on |
| room nights a year, "When I find a hotel that make me | | | | make-up... you get the picture, I'm sure. |
| feel welcome and safe, I'll return again and again - | | | | 4) Attractive amenities. This means milled soaps in the |
| even if they are a little more expensive and a little | | | | bathroom, shampoos and conditioners that don't have |
| further from my meeting place." | | | | a sports scent, thicker towels, generously proportioned |
| So what do women want? | | | | and fluffy bathrobes. Some hotels have introduced a |
| Apologizing in advance for only being able to answer | | | | spa line for their female guests to a very positive |
| this question in terms of hotel stays, here are their/our | | | | reception. |
| top desires... assuming that all the business necessities | | | | 5) Locked cupboard "mini bars". Women travellers tell |
| (fax, internet connectivity in the room and/or WiFi, | | | | us that they would like a mini bar equivalent stocked |
| meeting rooms, access to printing, business | | | | such necessities as pantyhose (queen size and |
| newspapers delivered to the room, etc.) have already | | | | regular), tampons, panty liners - things that you can't |
| been met. | | | | just run out and pick up when you run out, or need |
| 1) Top notch security. Many women like the idea of | | | | unexpectedly. |
| having a floor that can only be reached with a key | | | | 6) Sports Centres. In addition to having well-lit, |
| card; it doesn't have to be an all-female floor, but | | | | well-secured gym facilities, some hotels are providing |
| non-residents should not be able to gain access. Under | | | | secure jogging tracks. Not only do women want to |
| the security heading, women include having well-lit, | | | | feel safe when they use the gym, they want to feel |
| monitored parking garages with intercoms, valet | | | | welcome. This means making sure the facility is kept |
| parking and escort service to parking lots. Many hotels | | | | clean and well-stocked with towels, cool water, |
| have their bell staff escort women to their rooms late | | | | Kleenex and anti-bacterial spray for the machine |
| at night. The front desk staff can help by giving | | | | handles. It also means including exercise balls, floor |
| women rooms near the elevators so they don't have | | | | mats and lighter free weights in the equipment line-up. |
| to walk down long, isolated hallways, especially ones | | | | 7) Food and Finer Fare. Women prefer bistro or |
| that turn corners - and keeping these room numbers | | | | café style restaurants to noisy sports bars; they |
| confidential at check-in. It can be as simple as pointing | | | | also like to have lighter fare to choose from whether |
| to the room number, rather than saying it aloud. | | | | they are dining in the restaurant or ordering |
| 2) Clean, fresh smelling rooms. Most hotels have this | | | | room-service. As for the actual dining experience, |
| one well in hand, but hotels making a special effort to | | | | women can feel uncomfortable being reminded of their |
| cater to women add woman's magazines, fresh | | | | single diner status. "Will anyone be joining you this |
| flowers and pot pourri for the bathroom when the | | | | evening?" is preferable to "Eating alone?" Being seated |
| room is made up. Cupboards are stocked with plenty | | | | against a wall can also make women feel more at |
| of hangers, including skirt and camisole hangers and | | | | ease when dining alone - as can a little extra attention |
| padded ones, too. "Chick flicks" get included in their | | | | from the wait staff. One idea is for hotels to establish |
| movie line-up; one hotel chain also offers yoga and | | | | a single diner's website where guests can make |
| guided visualization options. | | | | arrangements to dine with someone else. Or perhaps |
| 3) Inviting bathrooms. Women expect bathrooms to be | | | | to ask single diners if they would like to be joined by |
| pristine. They are far more particular than men about | | | | someone. |
| this. This means no errant hairs on the floor (check the | | | | 8) Last but not least: To be treated courteously and |
| corners, because women do), no grit in the tub or | | | | professionally. Hint to Hoteliers: Women in their 40's |
| smudges on the mirrors. Many hotels are starting to | | | | have the highest expectations for hotel service |
| install curved shower curtain rails so that the shower | | | | delivery - and yet are the most likely to receive |
| curtains can be kept far from the body (and are less | | | | second-rate service from hotel staff (and yes, this |
| likely to grow mold). As well as being tastefully | | | | takes into account that they register more complaints |
| appointed, there should be good light (for putting on | | | | because they are pickier!). Suggest your staff pay a |
| make-up application), a full length mirror on the door, | | | | little extra attention to this group because they are less |
| outlets that will take a curling iron, and a good quality | | | | price-sensitive and more likely to refer your property to |
| hair dryer with a cord long enough to permit styling in | | | | colleagues. |
| front of the mirror. Important to both men and women: | | | | |