Spain's First Women-Only Hotel Is Open in Mallorca
Sorry, guys, but you won't be able to get a reservation at the Som Dona Hotel in Mallorca, Spain — ever — because only women are allowed.
Som Dona, which opened in June, offers women ages 14 and up comfort, relaxation and healthy living, all with a distinctly Mediterranean vibe.
In addition to the typical resort amenities (a beautiful, sprawling pool and chic rooftop bar), the hotel is home to a spa with treatments geared toward women; women-focused fitness classes; and special food and wine tastings.
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Rooms are distinctly feminine in design (yes, there are pops of pink, but incorporated in an artful, contemporary way) and feature thoughtful amenities such as professional-grade hair dryers, hair straighteners, antifog bathroom mirrors and special hangers for delicate garments. Closet organizers include special spaces for jewelry, while bathrooms are stocked with makeup-removing towelettes
And the hotel's mission to be focused on the needs of women doesn't end with its guests: Som Dona hires women employees whenever possible, while still respecting Spain's parity laws.
"One of our objectives is also to give a certain visibility to women doing traditionally masculine jobs," Som Hotels president Joan Enric Capellá told Lonely Planet.
The hotel arrived on the market at a time when solo travel, especially among women, is rapidly growing. In 2018, 33% of women respondents from around the world told Booking.com they'd taken a solo trip. But the Som Dona Hotel isn't just for women traveling alone. While it's a space where women can certainly feel safe and comfortable during solo trips, it's also perfect for friends, mothers and daughters and couples. In fact, group trips are a major trend for women who choose to travel solo. Joining other women on a trip (or at a resort) is a great way to make friends while avoiding certain safety and logistical concerns.
Of course, women-only spaces in the travel industry aren't totally new — even in Mallorca. In 2014, for example, the Barcelo Illetas Albatros created a special floor just for women, and some hostels on the island offer women-only dorms.
Double rooms at Som Dona start at 72.50 euros (about $80) per night. Packages with breakfast and other meals included are also available, and retreats and wellness workshops designed specifically for women travelers are in the works, too.