Best Women-Only Hostels & Hotels Worldwide

Updated for 2026 — Accurate as of February 2026.

Women-only accommodation is one of the fastest-growing segments in the travel industry, and it is about time. For decades, solo female travelers had two options: mixed dorms where they might share a room with snoring strangers of any gender, or private rooms at significantly higher cost. Women-only hostels, hotels, and dedicated female floors bridge that gap, offering affordable, safe, and often beautifully designed spaces where women can relax, connect, and sleep soundly without the ambient anxiety that mixed accommodation can sometimes produce.

I am not suggesting that mixed accommodation is inherently unsafe. Most hostels are perfectly fine. But the peace of mind that comes from knowing your entire sleeping environment is female-only is a quality-of-life upgrade that many solo women find transformative, especially in destinations where they feel more vulnerable or after a long day of navigating male-dominated spaces.

The women-only accommodation market has expanded significantly. A 2025 report by Phocuswright found that bookings for women-only accommodation grew 47% year-over-year, with the strongest growth in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This is not a niche. It is a movement.

Women-Only Hostels: The Best Worldwide

Asia

The Dorm (Tokyo, Japan)

Type: Women-only capsule hostel Price: $25-40 per night Why it is exceptional: The Dorm is a capsule hotel designed exclusively for women, located in Shibuya. Each capsule is larger than a standard Japanese capsule hotel pod, with privacy curtains, personal lighting, USB charging, and a mirror. The common areas include a lounge with free tea and coffee, a beauty room with hair dryers and styling tools, and impeccably clean shared bathrooms. The location in Shibuya is perfect for exploring Tokyo.

I stayed at The Dorm for four nights and it was one of my best hostel experiences anywhere. The design is thoughtful, the atmosphere is calm, and the other guests were a mix of solo Japanese women and international travelers, creating a genuinely interesting social dynamic.

Zostel Women (Multiple Locations, India)

Type: Women-only dorms within mixed hostels Price: $6-15 per night Why it is notable: Zostel is India’s largest hostel chain, and their dedicated women-only dorms are available in most locations including Jaipur, Goa, Manali, and Udaipur. In a country where mixed dorms can feel uncomfortable for solo women, having a dedicated women’s dorm with secure lockers and a keycard entry is a significant comfort upgrade.

Tuk Inn Women’s Hostel (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

Type: Women-only hostel Price: $10-20 per night Why it is notable: A small, boutique women-only hostel in Chiang Mai’s Old City with a garden courtyard, rooftop terrace, and a community atmosphere that actively supports solo female travelers. The owner organizes weekly women’s dinner events.

Europe

SafeStay Women’s Floor (London, UK)

Type: Women-only floor within a mixed hostel Price: $20-45 per night Why it is notable: SafeStay operates in prime London locations (Kensington, Elephant & Castle) and offers dedicated women-only floors with keycard access. The rooms are clean, well-designed, and considerably cheaper than London hotels. The Kensington location is in a stunning Victorian building.

The Yellow (Rome, Italy)

Type: Women-only dorms within a mixed hostel Price: $20-40 per night (women’s dorm) Why it is notable: One of Rome’s highest-rated hostels, The Yellow offers women-only dorms alongside mixed options. Located near Termini station, it has a bar, restaurant, and a social atmosphere that makes meeting people effortless. The women’s dorms have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.

Wombat’s City Hostels (Vienna, Munich, Budapest, London)

Type: Women-only dorms within mixed hostels Price: $18-35 per night Why it is notable: Wombat’s consistently ranks among the best hostels in Europe, and their women-only dorms maintain the same high standard as the rest of the hostel. Facilities include personal lockers, reading lights, USB ports, and en-suite bathrooms.

SisterHome (Berlin, Germany)

Type: Women-only guesthouse Price: $35-65 per night Why it is notable: A women-only guesthouse in Kreuzberg that functions as part hostel, part boutique hotel. Private rooms and shared rooms are available. The common kitchen and lounge areas foster community, and the neighborhood is one of Berlin’s most vibrant.

Middle East

Women-only floors at major hotel chains

In the Middle East, several hotel chains offer dedicated women-only floors, reflecting both cultural norms and the growing female business travel market.

• Crowne Plaza hotels (multiple Gulf locations): Women-only executive floors with dedicated check-in, lounge, and concierge.
• Jumeirah (Dubai): Some properties offer women-only pool hours and spa areas.
• Luthan Hotel (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia): An entirely women-only luxury hotel. Staff are all female. The spa, pool, restaurant, and all facilities are exclusively for women. Prices start at approximately $200 per night but the experience is unique.

Americas

HI Boston (Boston, USA)

Type: Women-only dorms within a mixed hostel Price: $35-55 per night Why it is notable: One of the best-located hostels in Boston (right on the Freedom Trail), with dedicated women-only dorms that feature individual curtains, personal outlets, and secure lockers.

Mama Roo’s (Medellin, Colombia)

Type: Women-only hostel Price: $12-25 per night Why it is notable: A women-only hostel in El Poblado that provides a safe, social base for solo women exploring Medellin. The rooftop terrace has city views, and the hostel organizes group activities and excursions specifically for women.

Viajero Women’s Hostel (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Type: Women-only hostel Price: $12-22 per night Why it is notable: Located in Palermo, Buenos Aires’ trendiest neighborhood, this women-only hostel offers both dorm beds and private rooms. The kitchen, garden, and common areas are well-designed and maintained.

Africa

Mikasa (Marrakech, Morocco)

Type: Women-only riad (traditional Moroccan guesthouse) Price: $40-80 per night Why it is notable: Marrakech can be challenging for solo women, and having a women-only riad as your home base changes the dynamic entirely. Mikasa is beautifully decorated in traditional Moroccan style, with a rooftop terrace, courtyard, and hammam (traditional bath). The staff can arrange female guides for medina tours.

Oceania

Wake Up! Sydney (Sydney, Australia)

Type: Women-only dorms within a mixed hostel Price: AUD $30-50 per night Why it is notable: Located right next to Central Station, Wake Up! is one of Sydney’s best hostels and offers dedicated women-only dorms. The facilities are excellent and the location makes it easy to explore the city.

Women-Only Hotels: The Luxury End

What Exists in 2026

The women-only hotel concept is still emerging, but several properties have established themselves.

Hotel	Location	Price Range	Unique Feature
Luthan Hotel	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	$200-400/night	Entirely women-only, all-female staff
The Vine (women’s floor)	Funchal, Madeira	$120-200/night	Dedicated floor with female concierge
Various Korean jimjilbangs	South Korea	$10-30/night	Gender-separated sleeping areas in bath houses
Capsule hotels (women-only)	Tokyo, Osaka, Japan	$25-50/night	Entire floors or buildings for women

Why There Are Not More Women-Only Hotels

The economics are challenging. Hotels that restrict 50% of the potential market need to charge more or accept lower occupancy. The current trend is toward women-only floors or wings within mixed hotels, which preserves revenue potential while offering the safety and comfort benefits.

How to Find Women-Only Accommodation

Booking Platforms

Hostelworld: Filter for “female-only dorm” when searching. Most major hostels with women-only options list them here.

Booking.com: Search for “women only” in the property name or amenities. Less reliable than Hostelworld for this specific filter.

Google Maps: Search “women only hostel” or “women hostel” in your destination city. Results vary by location.

Facebook groups: “Solo Female Travelers” (the largest group, with over 1 million members) has regular threads on women-only accommodation recommendations.

What to Look For

When evaluating women-only accommodation, consider:

• Access control: Keycard or code entry to the women-only section? This is the minimum security standard.
• Staff presence: Is there staff available 24/7? This matters, especially in standalone women-only properties.
• Reviews from solo women: Read recent reviews specifically from solo female travelers. Pay attention to comments about cleanliness, safety, and atmosphere.
• Location: Women-only accommodation in a poorly lit, remote location defeats the purpose. Prioritize central, well-connected locations.
• Social spaces: Common areas, kitchens, and lounges are where connections happen. Properties that invest in these spaces tend to attract a better community.

The Case for Women-Only Accommodation

Some people dismiss women-only accommodation as unnecessary or segregationist. Here is why I disagree.

Sleep quality: A 2024 study published in the Journal of Travel Research found that women in women-only dorms reported 23% better sleep quality than women in mixed dorms. The primary factors were reduced noise levels and lower anxiety about personal safety.

Social connection: Women-only spaces often foster deeper and faster social connections. When the gender dynamic is removed, many women report feeling more relaxed, more open, and more willing to initiate conversation with strangers.

Cultural necessity: In some destinations (parts of the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa), women-only accommodation is not a preference. It is a practical necessity that allows solo women to travel comfortably in cultures where mixed-gender sleeping arrangements would be inappropriate.

Choice, not obligation: Nobody is forcing anyone to stay in women-only accommodation. Having it as an option increases the overall accessibility of solo travel for women who might not otherwise feel comfortable.

Tips for Choosing Between Mixed and Women-Only

My personal approach: I use women-only accommodation in destinations where I feel more vulnerable or where the culture is less familiar. In Southeast Asia, Japan, India, Morocco, and the Middle East, I consistently choose women-only options. In Scandinavia, Western Europe, and Australia, I am comfortable in mixed hostels.

Your threshold will be different, and it may change over time and with experience. The important thing is that the choice exists.

What About Trans and Nonbinary Travelers?

This is an important question. Policies vary by property. Most women-only hostels welcome trans women. Policies for nonbinary travelers are less clear and should be confirmed directly with the property before booking. The best properties are explicit about their inclusion policies on their websites or booking pages.

Final Thoughts

Women-only accommodation is not about fear. It is about freedom. The freedom to sleep deeply in a new city. The freedom to walk to the bathroom in pajamas without self-consciousness. The freedom to make friends in a space designed for exactly the kind of open, relaxed conversation that solo travel thrives on.

The market is growing, the options are improving, and in 2026, solo women have more choices than ever for accommodation that is specifically designed to meet their needs. Use them.

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