A FIVE-STAR hotel in London is to open a wing catering only for women guests. Men will be barred from the seven floors of the wing, which contains 68 rooms redesigned with women in mind.

While gentlemen’s clubs providing male-only overnight accommodation are a long-standing tradition, there are few similar facilities for women.

In the new development at the 300-room Grange City hotel, which mainly serves executives visiting the City, room service staff will be women, creating privacy and security for guests who will be able to walk along corridors without encountering businessmen.

Rooms will incorporate female-friendly features such as extra-large illuminated wardrobes and a “movie star” backlit make-up mirror in the bathroom, an extra-powerful hairdryer with long cord, and, for security, a spy-hole and chain lock.

The Grange hotel group decided to offer the service after market research indicated that half its customers were women, many of whom felt vulnerable when travelling alone.

Barry Wishart, assistant director of sales and marketing for Grange hotels, said: “We noticed that our women travellers were frequently asking for the same things. Traditionally hotels have always been male-centric, particularly business-class hotels.”

He admitted, however, that the ban on men could not be fully enforceable if, for example, a guest wanted to invite a man to her room.

Women-only tourism is increasingly popular, and not only for business travel. Hotels or resorts catering for females can already be found in locations including Spain, Switzerland and Dubai.

The trend is expected to grow. Harriett Baxter, 33, who works as an international events manager in London, but travels widely in Europe, said she welcomed the idea of a women-only wing.

“The most important thing for me when I travel is security. Whenever I stay in a hotel I always double lock my door,” she said, adding: “The extras sound great too.”

Not all women are likely to be happy with men being banished, though.

Amy Lamé, the London-based American comedian and broadcaster, said: “Segregating hotels could be a double-edged sword. Hotels can be quite sexy places; the atmosphere can be quite seductive.”

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