No Men Allowed!
Remember back in college when you had to sneak a guy into your all-girls dorm? No? Uh...erm... well ... me either! But I've heard stories and that's what I was reminded of when I heard about the plans for a women-only floor in a new Marriott hotel being built in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with providing amenities with the female traveler in mind, the hotel plans to offer an all-women lounge, where gals can go to enjoy a drink without fear of being hit on. That is if you're only fearing getting hit on by men and not other women. And just what are these amenities? Special hair dryers, chenille throws and premium bath products, to name a few. Yet no complementary Ben and Jerry's -- I guess because they're guys. This sparked a debate on discrimination between LA attorney Gloria Allred and CNBC's Donny Deustch on the Today Show. But for what women are really thinking about this "perk", I don't need to look any further than our own Hot Debates message board, where they're all over this story.
"Personally, I don't think everything has to be "exactly" equal between the sexes. And if a private company wants all unisex floors, male or female, that should be their right.""There are women only gyms and no one is up in arms about those. I think women only floors are a great compromise. Some places have women only hotels, and I think that's more discriminatory than just reserving a floor in a unisex hotel for women only."
"I agree that women may have different privacy needs...but I wonder why they would need something different at a hotel? I wouldn't go fill the ice-bucket in my pj's even if the floor was women-only. In your room you'd have all the privacy one could want regardless of who your neighbor was. I guess I don't understand the point of it...."
"Yet another reason why I might forgo booking on an "women-only" floor; I sure as heck don't want to see a bunch of strange women running around in their jammies."
So what do you say? Is creating a women-only floor only perpetuating stereotypes? Is it discrimination against men? Against women? Is it all much ado about nothing? And more importantly -- would you stay in such accommodations if given the choice? Let me know what you think -- and remember to fill the ice bucket on your way in.
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I'd love to stay at such a hotel. I think I'd feel safer even. I would definitely choose women's only accomodations if I had a choice.
Dumb.
Personally, I wouldn't. It's not like I'd be running around the floor in my pj's. Would that mean that only women would work on the floor? No men doing repair work?
I think this will appeal to some and not others. Smart move $$ wise on the hotel's part. People do pay for these considerations. And wow "Caped One", what an insightful response!!!
I think it's fine. It's not for me, but I can definitely see the appeal for some. I do think, however, that if they're being so sexist as to think that women *want* perfumed bath products, chenille robes, and hair dryers, they should also offer men only floors that provide special amenities that men want, like shaving cream and razors, cigars, a sports rag.... ;)
To me this is like having a fit because you don't approve of a TV or radio program. If you don't approve of the policy, don't spend your money at that hotel. Period.
Part of the fun of vacation with the girls is oggling at guys in the hotel. How dull! Can I stay on the men only floor?
It's not for me, but whatever! Some people get "up in arms" over the silliest things.
Women should be able to live their lives without worrying about being hit on by men. If a woman wants to get away from that, this is a good solution.
after a recent experience I had at a hotel, yes - this appeals to me. And yes, I would pay the $30 extra to stay in one of those rooms if I were traveling alone. If my company didn't reimburse, that would be okay - I'd be willing to shell out the extra $100-$150 for a typical business trip.
This is so stupid! And if women are worried about getting hit on, let them take a second and think about the relationships in their lives right now. I'm sure at some point in time they had a SO who "hit" on them. They should appreciate that meeting someone is the way to possibly make good new friends and possible SO's. And because it says women only floor..does that mean someone is watching the elevators and stairways to make sure no men get on the floor? Oh Gosh...how horrible that would be
I don't get why this is such a controversy. If a woman feels safer and/or more comfortable on a women-only floor, then fine, let her book a room at a hotel that will accomodate her. As for the special amenities, why not make them available to anyone who wants them? Uh yeah, "perpetuating stereotypes" -- come on, not all women want the chenile throw while some men do.
Maybe they should just offer an amenities upgrade for the men AND women who want it.
I recently traveled alone to a business conference and as I waited in the lobby with a man to catch the elevator I thought quietly that I would actually enjoy a women's only hotel. I respectfully declined to get on the elevator with the man and opted to catch the next one. I'm all for it.
okay... let's think about this... you're staying in a strange room, in a strange bed, more often than not in a strange city. The door has a lock and a deadbolt and there's a phone by your bed with a direct button to the front desk/security. And you're supposed to feel what? safer, more pampered? if it's only women in the rooms next to you on your floor? I don't get it.
Are women really hit on this much in a hotel that they would need a separate floor just for them? The last time I was in a hotel, I do not recall men rushing me and making me uncomfortable, and I never have a hard time meeting men, and if in a bar I am frequently asked out. I say no and move on. I hardly believe the average woman is being hit on so much as to impede her ability to stay in a hotel room and if that bothers someone so much, do they go out in public otherwise? If a hotel wants to do this, it is their choice but I would not patronize it. I left dorm life years behind and am a big girl now.
I have to laugh at the idea of better bedding, chenille, all that. Are we in hotel rooms long enough to really care?
It's nothing that would necessarily appeal to me, but I see nothing wrong with it. Seems like it would provide sort of a false sense of security, in my opinion. Wouldn't some "bad guys" think "Hey! A whole floor full of potential targets with no men around to protect them!"....?
I doubt it's only about getting hit on. Some of us are just less comfortable dealing with/being around strange men. And yes, I'd go to the ice/vending machine in my pjs, if it's late and I'd already changed. Not that I'd be running around in a baby doll nighty or anything like that, but why get all dressed again for a 5-minute walk down the hall and back?
I would definitely frequent a hotel that would cater to me while traveling alone. As long as there was security on the floor. I can't seem to even go to the grocery store without being hit on. I was even hit on while I was pregnant! It makes me very uncomfortable, and with the world like it is with all the whack-jobs out there, any extra sense of security (and pampering) would be awesome. Plus, when was the last time you were in a hotel room that actually looked relaxing?
This would not necessarily protect a woman from being "hit on". If its going to happen anyway, I'd prefer to be "hit on" by the male gender.