Hotel Som Dona in Majorca, Spain, has a mission: offering "a new space for women who are looking to disconnect from the stress of daily life." The hotel's management thinks that one of those big stressors might just be men, and as such, they're not allowed.
Hotel Som Dona
New Hotel In Spain Has Strict 'No Men Allowed' Policy
Hotel Som Dona only accepts bookings from women aged 14 and over, and men can't even get on the property.
Hotel Som Dona
"There are no exceptions," said hotel director Antonia Iturbide. "If a client goes out and meets a man, she cannot invite him back to the hotel. We have to think about the rest of the clients."
The only men allowed there are the few male workers who had to be hired to satisfy Spain's anti-discrimination laws. And even so, the hotel prioritizes hiring of women, especially in traditionally masculine roles.
Hotel Som Dona took the step in response to surveys in which women liked the idea of staying at a women-only property.
Hotel Som Dona
It's the first of its kind in Spain, but there are other women-only hotels in the world, notably in Germany, Scandinavia, and Japan.
So far, the response has been quite promising.
Hotel Som Dona
Hotel Som Dona opened in June and, over the summer, reported an 80-90% occupancy rate, with the majority of guests coming from Spain or Germany, and often mothers and daughters. "They want to have some days to themselves without husbands or brothers," Iturbide said.
The accommodations are focused on a luxurious, relaxing experience.
Hotel Som Dona
With 39 rooms and rates starting at €72.50 (about $80 U.S.) per night, guests can expect things like a pillow and aroma menu, tea and coffee in-room service, wellness services, a spa, and of course a pool and a rooftop terrace. All the food is locally sourced, and the hotel serves a semi-vegetarian "flexitarian" diet.
Maybe it's the 'Eat, Pray, Love' effect, but female solo travel is on the rise, so we may see more spots like Hotel Som Dona pop up.
Unsplash | Ben White
A British Airways survey found that out of 9,000 18–64-year-olds in the U.K., U.S., Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, India, and China, more than half have traveled for a holiday by themselves, and 75% were planning on taking a solo trip in the near future.
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