As more women rise to the top of their professionals, hotels have begun catering specifically totheir needs.
Women who travel for business used to be a niche business, but the Ohio Hotel and LodgingAssociation said that isn't the case anymore, 10TV's Andrea Cambern reported.
"Close to half of all travelers, business travelers, are women. Because of that, the hotelsrealize a great need to take care of their customers," said Matt MacClaren of the Ohio Hotel andLodging Association. "They've already realized this need, but now it's focusing on the specificneeds for women."
Catering to the customer is Karen Dobis' job. She is the director of experience at the ColumbusRenaissance Hotel. Some customers request monogrammed pillows for special occasions, while othersask for digital frames with family photos in their rooms.
"We have their kids' pictures up there so they can come in and look at their children beforethey go out," Dobis said.
Before the women checkout, they can pick up gifts from a toy box so they do not have to go homeempty-handed, Cambern reported.
Other perks include women's magazines, and bathtubs instead of showers.
"We found out that people really wanted bathtubs, especially the women," Dobis said. "So whenthey rearranged (the hotel), they started putting more bathtubs in."
The chef also redesigned the menu to cater to women's appetites, with more salads and flatbreadsavailable.
"One of the best things that we've done is kind of focused on some smaller dishes and some verylighter fare, especially for the spring," said hotel chef David MacLaren.
The exercise room at the hotel also got a makeover, with more exercise balls and lighter freeweights.
Denise Margolf is a flight attendant and said these touches keep her coming back.
"I am someone that uses hotels often, so when they do cater to me, I definitely do notice thelittle details," Margolf said.
"There are a lot of choices out there, and when a hotel can differentiate itself with thecustomer service, with that experience, it's what keeps the customer coming back," MacLarensaid.
The hotel also takes special precautions with security by having extra lighting and checking inwith women who request it, to make sure they returned safely from their local destination.
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