Cover There is an unsurprising uptick of options for curated staycations with the girls (Photo: Villa Takun)
There is an unsurprising uptick of options for curated staycations with the girls (Photo: Villa Takun)
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From dedicated all-female hotel suites to staycation packages aimed at women travellers, there is an (unsurprising) uptick of options for curated holidays with your gal pals
Ladies like their holidays. It may sound like we’re stating the obvious here or even overgeneralising, but there’s no denying that the idea of all-girl staycations is transforming the travel landscape in Malaysia, especially as more women embrace thoughtfully curated weekends with friends.
With the rise of women-only travel tours and retreats around the world, the growing trend of all-girl road trips or luxurious weekend staycations is hardly surprising. According to data from Airbnb in 2023, around 30 per cent of women travellers booking stays in Malaysia via their platform preferred to travel in pairs, typically on short getaways spanning two to six nights.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are abuzz with well-edited videos of aesthetically pleasing ‘bestie staycations’. These clips of female friends booking a fancy hotel room for a weekend and enjoying some respite from daily life garner pretty much the same response across the board–with ladies tagging friends in the comments with enthusiastic invitations to plan their own trips soon.
Read more: 7 women-only spas and salons in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
Whether it’s a long overdue staycation with your best friend or a pampering girls’ getaway to surprise your bridesmaids, all-girl holidays have an undeniable appeal. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the hospitality sector, with luxury hotels tailoring their marketing efforts to reach this younger, travel-savvy crowd of women.
How often has W Hotel Kuala Lumpur played host to coveted ‘Girlcations’ amongst friends on Instagram who take advantage of offers like the ‘Sip and Stilettos’ on Thursdays?
The snazzy The RuMa Hotel and Residences in Jalan Kia Peng boasts an exclusive bridal shower package that includes afternoon tea, wine, discounted spa treatments and more for stays in its Grand Suite.
But these all-girl getaways are not limited to Kuala Lumpur alone. In August last year, The Granite Luxury Hotel in George Town, Penang launched its very first all-pink Diva Suite, aimed at hosting the ultimate girls’ retreat. The 730-square-foot suite sleeps four guests and offers views of the Komtar Tower.
The Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel has touted its Presidential Suite as the perfect place to plan a weekend trip with the girls (for context, the five-star hotel’s Executive Club Suite is priced at over RM5,000 a night). Sunway Resort Kuala Lumpur has drawn female travellers with attractive spa staycation offers encompassing pampering treatments at Sunway MediSpa.
For those willing to travel further, a Moroccan-inspired haven known as Villa Takun beckons from the verdant forest reserve of Templer’s Park in Rawang. A hot favourite for wedding photography, this family-friendly destination in Selangor has already played host to couples on a retreat as well as besties who just want a quiet and luxurious space to check-in for the weekend and relax in the company of friends in nature.
With the rising spending power of female travellers, the hospitality scene in Asia seems primed for change. As these travellers seek unique, shared experiences, we may witness a shift toward exclusive offerings designed with women in mind—from luxury staycations to thoughtfully curated group retreats. Could this mark the beginning of more tailored travel experiences, crafted to meet the tastes and interests of female adventurers? The future of travel may be set to follow their lead.
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
