Female influence in hospitality on the rise

February 14, 2007 | Hospitality Industry

After many years of male domination, the luxury hospitality market is now experiencing a new trend - luxury hotels, resorts and villas owned and designed by women.

From Shambala Estate in Bali, the high-end Lindian Village in Rhodes, Greece and Casa Colonial in the Dominican Republic to the ultra chic Cerulean-Villa on St. Barnes Bay, Anguilla women are now leading the charge in ownership and design of unique luxury hotels and resorts.

This new breed of hoteliers is inspired by a booming luxury travel market, as well as personal experiences as hotel guests traveling for corporate and leisure. The end-result is hotels, resorts and villas that focus on the smallest details and design elements which incorporate comfort and style into communal areas to provide an ‘at home’ atmosphere. Another factor that distinguishes this group from its male counterparts is the commitment to using high-end materials for a truly luxurious experience.

Inarguably, there has been an increase in recent years of luxurious hotels, resorts and villas in the world’s most desirable destinations created, owned and managed by women: Rhodes in ancient Greece is home to Lindian Village, a five-star resort and conference center owned by Marisa Sviriades and her family; Cerulean Villa is the creation of filmmaker Laurie Weltz and is situated on the most coveted strip of beach in Anguilla; Shambala Estate and Parrot Cay offer unique hospitality experiences and are owned by Christina Ong; Hotel Esprit in St-Germain on the Left Bank of Paris, France is owned by Laurence Tafanel and Casa Colonial in the Dominican Republic was designed by Sarah Garcia who also owns the resort with her family.

In addition to purchasing high-end properties, women are also designing hotels with an emphasis on providing the ultimate guest experience along with conveniences and comforts of an upscale home. Attention to detail is the focus among female architects and hotel/resort owners.

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