Women-Only Accomodations

When the Marriott in Grand Rapids Michigan decided to reserve a whole floor for female business travelers, it generated a flurry of news stories and commentaries about whether or not this amounts to discrimination.

If you want to weigh in on the subject, you can visit MSNBC's "Family Blog."

According to MSNBC, 40 percent of business travelers are women, and many are willing to pay a premium ($30 in the case of the Grand Rapids Marriott) for the added security, a few amenities like fresh flowers and "upgraded toileties," and the chance to socialize with fellow business travelers without being propositioned. The women-only floor has its own lounge.

It seems women all over the world have been finding out how much more fun it is to travel with other women. Women who might be looking for a partner can take singles tours and cruises, but those who aren't used to be limited to tours and cruises where all the activities were geared toward couples.

Women-only tours filled that niche, and turned out to be the biggest new trend in the travel industry. If you Googled women-only tours just a few years ago, you would find a few dozen entries. Now you'll find thousands and even tens of thousands. Some of those tours are run by and for women, and some are just cashing in on a hot new idea.

We're betting the Grand Rapids Marriott has worked out the legal angles and won't have to face any legal challenge based on discrimination. It's really not the same as a "whites-only" hotel.
And based on the feedback that's coming in, it seems that women-only floors may be the wave of the future.

"I had this idea years ago," said one blogger. "When traveling alone for a period of time, I thought having a women's lounge would allow like travelers to meet and socialize including having dinner companions while on the road. I did attempt this with a man once, and needless to say he wanted to take this beyond dinner."

"A women's only floor would be a comfort," said another, "and I do believe that the majority of men would understand that and support that, especially when their wives or daughters travel."