When women travel, they often hope hotels will provide the convenience items they need, so they don't have to overpack. If they can leave hair straighteners, quality shampoos, yoga mats at home, they easily can turn a checked bag into a carry-on, Sara Kearney, Hyatt's senior vice president in charge of brands told USA Today.
They also want an easier way to communicate with hotel management and get staff feedback, the paper reported.
At first, Hyatt wanted to look into ways to get to know all customers better, but then the chain decided that the best way to do it was to see what female customers were looking for.
"Initially, we were conducting a study to get greater understanding of what travelers' general perceptions of the overall travel experience were," Sara Kearney, Hyatt's senior vice president in charge of brands, told USA Today. "As we started digging, we found that the richest area of opportunity was to focus more on what we were hearing from women. You could tell there were passion points that would make a bigger impact for women, and that men would probably appreciate them as well."
Below are some changes at eight hotels, including the Hyatt Regency Chicago O'Hare. For some hotels, the new female friendly approach - officially in place as of Thursday- has meant buying new shampoo and conditioner. For others, a few different changes were in place, USA Today reported.
Easier communication: Many women look for confirmation that their rooms have been cleaned, so Hyatt's hotels have added old-fashioned sheets of paper where housekeepers sign their name, indicating that they have cleaned the room. Guests can also share their needs during the day using pen and paper instead of email.
No-hassle borrow or buy program: The research indicates that women are much more unlikely than men to ask for assistance, Kearney told USA Today. So if a woman forgot her Dell power cord of Blackberry charger, it could potentially become a major obstacle. Hyatt unveiled a new program called "Hyatt Has It," so that guests can borrow chargers, curling irons, flatirons, steamers, makeup remover wipes, razors and yoga mats. Visitors can purchase or borrow these items. Hyatt also expects this program will take off for men, too.
Customized meals: Because many women find it more difficult to maintain their health and weight on the road, according to the research, Hyatt revamped its menus. The hotel will begin featuring freshly made juices and smoothies as well as smaller-portion options, even on room-service menus. Women who want to are also able to simply order a plain piece of broiled fish and steamed broccoli.
More trustworthy shampoo: Most female travelers pack the facial soap they use at home, but they are likely to use hotel-provided hair care products if they're similar to what they usually use, Kearney told USA Today. So Hyatt is dropping its generic Portico toiletry line and bringing in products from labels including KenetMD Skin Care, Le Labo, June Jacobs and Aromapothecary. Kearney said women often told the hotel chain, "I want a quality bath product that's consistent with what I'd use when at home."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
