For decades women have worked hard for equality in the workplace and have won responsible positions in large and small companies. Many of those positions require travel across the U.S. and abroad, in fact, women make up 40 – 50% of global business travelers. Hotels have begun to recognize that female travelers appreciate different amenities than their male counterparts, resulting in a growing trend of women-only hotel floors.

The appeal of women-only hotel floors is twofold: increased security for females traveling alone and soft goods tailored to women’s needs and interests.

Hotels that designate women-only floors offer restricted access by programmed elevator or hall key cards, much like a club level. Many also employ only female staff for these floors – from housekeeping to concierge services. Some women who are traveling solo feel an increased sense of security knowing that men are not allowed. Many simply appreciate not running into Dan from Sales when they open their room door in a bathrobe to pick up the morning newspaper.

Hotels also cater to women’s needs with female-oriented amenities such as extra hangers for skirts and dresses, powerful hair dryers and female-friendly television programming like Oxygen, TLC and Lifetime. Women say they like the female-focused rooms not necessarily because of the absence of men, but because they don’t have to worry about packing every single little thing they may need on a business trip.

Top properties with women-only hotel floors:

Bella Sky Hotel, Copenhagen – Bella Donna, the 17th floor accessible only by elevator key card, was designed by women for women. Soft colors, fresh flowers, fruit smoothies and fashion magazines create a female friendly environment. Bathrooms are stocked with exclusive products, including day and night moisturizers.

Dukes Hotel, London – Located in the St. James area that has a clubby, male-dominated reputation, the hotel created the Duchess Rooms to offer female guests many touches of luxury and female-specific amenities like magazines and flowers in the rooms.

Premier Hotel, New York – Women-only rooms come with an array of amenities (at no additional cost, no less) including curling and flat irons, nail files, bath salts and loofahs. The bathtub is oversized and the vanity has a stool and makeup lights. Women’s magazines like O, Self and Cosmopolitan are provided in room as well.

Wyndham Boca Raton, Florida – Amenities to make women feel special include bath sheets (as opposed to bath towels), a robe and slippers and aromatherapy candles. Women-friendly magazines and television channels, silk hangers and makeup lighting are additional distinctive touches.

Georgian Court Hotel, Vancouver – As one of the early adopters, their Orchid Floor includes special offerings for women such as curling irons, bath salts, yoga mats and nylon stockings.

Crowne Plaza has several properties with women-only floors including Washington, DC, Philadelphia West and Bloomington, Minnesota Airport locations; however in Milwaukee, the “female-friendly” floor is open to either sex who may enjoy the female-oriented amenities of fashion magazines, fresh flowers and ice cream.

Hotels that have these “No-man’s Lands” report that their popularity continues to increase and women who use them willingly pay the typical $10 to $50 upcharge for the pampering perks and secure access. On the other hand, some women feel that the product regresses the gender to a time when women were not equal players in the business world and stereotypes women as vulnerable. Further, some people feel that women-exclusive floors discriminate against males. Despite contrasting opinions, the trend continues to grow.

If you are a female traveling alone and would like your next hotel to include champagne and chocolates in the mini-fridge, fresh flowers on the table and your favorite moisturizer in the bathroom, ask your Covington travel advisor to reserve a room on a women-only floor so you can enjoy the added security and pampering amenities.