Check out these hotels that meet specialised needs. And because we’re still not able to travel overseas because of COVID-19, local alternatives are listed, too!
As we become more conscious of our individual needs and the necessity or desire to meet them, the one-size fits-all tour group holiday may no longer cut it. Hotels are becoming wise to this trend, and are catering to niche market segments so that they can reach customers in a targeted way. From women-only to pet-friendly and specialised-interest hotels, here are some of hotels that allow you to tailor your vacation to one that truly fulfils your individual desires.
Yay To Sisterhood
Female-only hotels offer the perfect sanctuary for girls to just be girls. Forget the kids, the boyfriend or even the hubby; it’s just for women to enjoy serenity and pamper themselves in a safe environment. You can have it all, from spa retreats with unlimited massages and pampering treatments at Bliss Sanctuary for Women in Bali, to a (female) team bonding or hen party at the private Supershe Island in Finland, to a journey of self-discovery at the idyllic Josephine’s Guesthouse in Zurich.
You can also enjoy the all-girls’ experience in Singapore in hotels such as the Naumi Hotel and JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, which have an entire floor set aside just for women. These would be complete with designer amenities tailored to women and a dedicated team of female staff serving the floor.
Me And My Fur-Friend
Pet-friendly hotels are heaven-sent for pet lovers who just cannot bear to leave their furry companions behind. Rated five stars, The Peninsula in New York City allows pets in all their suites, with the larger suites offering welcome baskets of pet accessories with the signature Peninsula brand. In Seoul, the Cappuccino Hotel has Bark Rooms and a terrace where guests can walk their pooches.
If flying with your pet is too much hassle, there are also pet-friendly hotels closer to home. The Regent offers a pet staycation package, complete with plush bed, chew toys and gourmet treats for your cat or dog. With the Botanic Gardens just a five-minute drive away, it is also ideal for enjoying a lovely walk with your fur kid. If you wish to travel ‘overseas’, consider Capella and Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, both of which offer pet staycations to remember, with delightful treats for your fur kids. You can even travel back in time for a modern kampong experience at Gallop Kranji Farm Resort, which is also pet-friendly. It’s a rare chance for your fur kid to enjoy the thrill of running in a huge open space in tiny Singapore.
Chase Your Dreams
Hotels can make your dreams come true, and we are not talking about dream wedding packages. Think niche establishments offering you an ideal setting where you can fully focus and fulfil your goals.
Say you want to achieve your ideal weight but lack the discipline or the motivation. Now you can check into weight-loss hotels such as Maha Gedera, a resort set on the west coast of Sri Lanka, which offers a 14-day slimming treatment using Ayurveda methods. Or you can shape up with massages, fitness programmes, spa treatments and a customised diet at Magnat Spa set by the Polish Baltic Sea. For writers desperate to get into the ‘write’ frame of mind, hotels such as Ryokan Tokyo Yugawara offer a quiet retreat among like-minded travellers, complete with delicious meals, free-flowing coffee, progress check-in by the staff, and a relaxing onsen. Musicians and narrators will love Berlin Hotel’s recording studios, which are decked out with top-end professional equipment that is perfect for producing music albums, audiobooks and generally getting inspired.
When it comes to decadent spa retreats in Singapore, you are spoilt for choice. From romantic couples massages at The Spa in Mandarin Oriental, to uber-trendy treatments such as luminous crystal facial offered at the AWAY Spa in W Singapore, to fitness programmes at St Gregory Spa in PARKROYAL on Beach Road, you can embrace it all. And now that working out of the office has become the norm, you can even choose to work in the privacy of a hotel room. Just book an eight-hour package at Sofitel Singapore and enjoy working in a luxurious air-conditioned guest room equipped with a dedicated work area, high-speed Wi-Fi and complimentary drinks.
