Ten years ago, Wyndham became the first hotel chain to dedicate a department to women business travelers through its Wyndham on Their Way program, and 
more recently Kimpton Hotels have created Kimpton Women in Touch -- both featuring travel packages and online travel websites. While many hotel brands cater to women with occasional special offers and in-room and in-hotel amenities and services, these two chains have leveraged the online travel market and new technology to build website communities that offer helpful information and networking opportunities.
In a 2003 survey of women business travelers, Wyndham gained important insights into the habits and preferences of women guests and also debunked some of the myths (eg, that working moms always travel with their children). The Wyndham website includes a book club, profiles of successful women, and a newsletter.
Each Kimpton hotel has its own personality and, thus, offers different features for the womantraveler. Recently two business women travelers stayed at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar in San Francisco and were thrilled with the complimentary yoga basket (including mat) and in-room TV instruction guide to break up a multi-day conference. The Kimpton Life Women website is designed as an online community to address the variety of interests of business women travelers, from networking organizations to work-home balance issues facing working moms.
Not to be overlooked are other essentials for women business travelers:
- The absolutely primo spas at Ritz-Carlton properties (named the most prestigious luxury brand this year), especially the spas in New Orleans and Pasadena.
- The W Hotels of New York special Girls Getaway Weekend package.
- In-room fitness programs in Marriott's Great Health, Fit for You program, Hilton's Personal Trainer Program with Bally Fitness, and Westin's branded Workout partnership with Reebok.
