FEEL-GOOD FACTOR: Videocams provide higher security

For a single woman traveller stalked by vulnerability, business trips can be a source of discomfiture. Nina Patel should know. In December last year, the 28-year-old software professional from Delhi travelled to Chennai for work, and despite the five-star accommodation, worried constantly about her safety. When she was not grappling with anxiety, there were awkward moments to contend with: when a male attendant came to repair her faulty suitcase, she was only in a bathrobe.

In an endeavour to dispel such unease of the growing number of single corporate women travellers from India and abroad, the hotel industry has taken to inundating them with comfort and safety. A 1996 initiative that saw The Oberoi, Mumbai, reserve 10 rooms on an entire floor exclusively for women, has evolved into a trend with most major hotel chains vying to entice women tourists and travellers.

So when Patel visited Mumbai in February this year, a whole new experience awaited her. Her room was done up in pastel pink, a video camera allowed her to monitor visitors outside her door and a woman attendant took care of all her needs. Her bathroom was much bigger with enough space to tie on a sari, while an endearing little basket contained toiletries, including special conditioners, soaps and bath salts. "I was provided a room close to the elevator with only women attendants, which made me feel secure. Moreover, I didn't have to dress up just to open the door for breakfast service," says Patel.

COMFORT ZONE

» Hotel rooms and entire floors reserved exclusively for women. » Special women attendants in elevators, for room service, even to help tie a sari (below). » For security, videocam monitor at doors, call screening and patrolling of floors by guards. » Rooms in pastel shades, bigger bathrooms, enticing toiletries, chocolates by bedside, skirt hangers and satin nightrobes. » 24-hour spas, swimming pools with women attendants.

The Taj Land's End in Mumbai also has special lady butlers, besides a 24-hour spa with women attendants. An exclusive swimming pool is in the offing, as are 40 rooms with amenities ranging from Christian Dior toiletries to nightwear from Victoria's Secret. The Oberoi, on the other hand, pampers its women customers with chocolates by the bedside, special skirt and satin hangers in the closet, satin night robes, and ironing boards. It also offers half-hour massages for busy guests.

Those who stay longer get an extra dose of pampering. Dane Richardson, 29, of New Zealand, who stayed in the the Taj Land's End for a month, had henna tattooed on her hands, learnt how to tie a sari and had the guest relations officer take her for shopping.

As for the women who are "light eaters and prefer fat-free low-cholesterol food", according to Gopan Krishnan, director, sales and marketing, Le Meridien, Pune, the hotel offers special menus. "The facility was introduced late last year and has won us a lot of repeat customers," says Krishnan. The hotel also provides women guides for sightseeing and shopping.

Security, however, remains paramount. About 18 months ago, the Taj President in Mumbai invested in special videocams to help the guest monitor visitors. The rooms are next to the elevator for easy access, the operator screens all telephone calls, and a security guard patrols the floor.

As the hotel industry is only now discovering, women also make for more loyal guests. "They pay greater attention to detail and are likely to tell people if they have received good service," says Sanjay Singh, general manager, Taj Blue Diamond, Pune. Which is perhaps why the Taj chain of hotels is set to extend the concept to Bangalore and Mumbai, even as the Oberoi has introduced it in Delhi and Kolkata this year. The Leela Group is catching up with 17 rooms in Mumbai reserved for women.

"We average about 10-15 women travellers a day and the number is set to grow to 20-30 in two years," says Namita Mehta, Oberoi's front office manager. Catering to businesswomen on the move may make for good business sense for hotels.