An invite-only Airbnb-style accommodation platform that connects female travellers with hosts has launched, with properties available in Dubai, London, New York and more.
GoLightly is a private members club that lets female travellers book a female-owned holiday rental. The site has several accommodation options available to rent, with everything from an Irish country mansion to a downtown Hollywood apartment.
As female-led travel continues to grow as a tourism trend, GoLightly joins a number of companies dedicated to women-only travel. This sector has seen an increase of 230 per cent in the last few years, according to a study by cruising specialist Condor Ferries.
A safe place to stay
GoLightly operates by approved membership only. Anyone wishing to join must submit an application form that will be carefully vetted before membership is approved.
This process helps to ensure secure travel experiences for women. Only those that pass the membership requirements can become part of the community. These members then have access to all of the site's property listings and profiles.
Finding connections
Members can also see how they are connected to hosts or guests via a platform similar to LinkedIn's Mutual Connections feature.
The idea for GoLightly came after founder Victoria O'Connell's London vacation home was ransacked by an all-male rental party.
Nearly 50 per cent of women are more likely to stay in a female-owned rental, according to GoLightly. Yet, while the site is aimed at women, it does not exclude men.
Members must make all of the bookings on the site but "can choose to travel with whomever you wish: your boyfriend, partner, kids, girlfriends, grandma or neighbour Steve – even Betsy the pug is welcome in some homes!", according to GoLightly's website.
Curated accommodation
GoLightly offers luxury accommodation for several budgets. Properties are divided into sectors by destination or category, such as solo or family-friendly. Similar to Airbnb, there's the option to book an entire place or a private room in a property.
There are hundreds of listings on the site with everything from an eco-lodge surfing villa in Nicaragua to an authentic Colombian house in Cartagena.
A few exclusive listings in Dubai are registered on the site.These include two studio apartments with swimming pools where rates start from $100 (Dh388) per night.
Five places to stay
Interested travellers who successfully apply to GoLightly will be able to see all of the site's listings. Until then, here's a sneak peek at five properties on the site available for booking.
A nature-led villa in Texas
This unique building in the hills of west Austin represents nature. Its organic shape mimics the flow of the air, the curve of the wind and the rise and fall of nature's melody, according to the BloomHouse designers. Guests can expect flowing hallways, curvilinear details, rounded windows and furniture sourced from West Elm. Rates start from $550 (Dh2,019) per night.
North-side Chicago living
Despite its masculine name, Mr Clark's Gallery in Illinois is available to book via GoLightly. This airy 335-square-metre apartment has two bedrooms and a stylish open gallery vibe. Huge bay windows, hardwood floors and open fireplaces complete this Lincoln Park rental. It's also pet-friendly so you can bring your four-legged friend along. Rates start from $300 (Dh1,107) per night.
A converted convent in Italy
Groups of travellers might want to book a stay at this former convent in the hill town of Pitigliano in Tuscany. Part of a 16th-century compound that was designed by famed Renaissance architect Antonio San Gallo the Younger, it can sleep up to 11 guests. The house has seven bedrooms and bathrooms, outdoor dining terraces, and a tree-lined infinity pool with views over the Tuscan hills. Rates start from $1,527 (Dh5,607) per night.
Royal opulence in Malta
Several suites at the Casa Rocca Piccola, a beautiful palazzo in Valletta, are available to book on the site. This 16th-century building was originally constructed for Don Pietro la Rocca, a knight of Malta. Today, the building is primarily used as a private museum but GoLightly travellers can book to stay in one of its restored suites. All of the rooms come with brightly coloured walls, ornate furniture and lavish marble bathrooms. Rates start from $157 (Dh577) per night.
A country estate in Cork
Travellers looking for a taste of the high life can book an entire 18th-century Georgian mansion in the town of Youghal, County Cork. With 11 bedrooms and five bathrooms, it's the ideal place to stay if you're planning a luxurious group trip to Ireland. The renovated house in the most easterly town in Cork comes with sweeping Irish countryside views, Blackwater River access and more than 800 acres of private land to explore. Rates start from $5,300 (Dh19,464) per night.
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20 top places to travel in 2020
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Slovenia: Slovenia's pretty capital Ljubljana has an emerging food scene that's set to be included in the Michelin Guide from this year. -
Egypt: The newly-built Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza will finally open its doors this year. AFP -
Mexico: Getting to Mexico City from the UAE is now a lot easier thanks to Emirates' new daily service from Dubai via Barcelona. Courtesy Emirates -
Japan: Escape the crowds in Tokyo and head for Yamaguchi, a Japanese prefecture known for its Samurai history. Courtesy JNTO -
Dubai: The site of Dubai's Expo 2020, which will open on October 20, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Rwanda: Rwanda's One&Only Gorilla's Nest is a haven for wildlife spotting. Courtesy One&Only -
Pakistan: Follow in the footsteps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with a trip to Pakistan this year. -
Sri Lanka: With lakes, tea plantations, beaches, temples and a slew of new hotels, Sri Lanka is ready for its second chance. Courtesy Haritha Villas & Spa -
Dominica: The country has recovered from a natural disaster and is on a climate-resilient crusade. Getty Images -
Georgia: Tbilisi in Georgia is on the travel radar for this year. -
Bhutan: With views like this from The Postcard Dewa Hotel, it's not hard to see why Bhutan was named the number one place to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet. Courtesy The Postcard Dewa Hotel. -
China: Travellers can walk China's first world-class trekking trail in the Hunan province. -
Paraguay: South America’s hidden gem is full of colour and will host the Adventure Racing World Championships this year. Getty Images -
Greenland: The world's largest island is not for sale, but it is worth visiting if you want incredible views and untouched places like the Uunartoq hot springs in South Greenland. Mads Pihl / Visit Greenland -
Montenegro: The One&Only Portonovi will open its first European resort in Montenegro this year. -
Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia is having a moment and Kyrgyzstan is one our travel radar for 2020. -
Tunisia: Anantara Tozeur Resort in Tunisia is a luxury desert wilderness in North Africa. Courtesy Anantara -
Saudi Arabia: After opening to tourists last year, Saudi Arabia is on our visit list for 2020 with the country set to host a series of events and entertainment including the first ever polo match to be played at historic Al Ula. Courtesy Winter at Tantora festival -
Sweden: Sweden's Gothenburg is a secondary city that's making waves in sustainability. Courtesy imagebank.sweden.se -
Sapce: Virgin Galactic is set to make its first commercial space flights in 2020. Courtesy Virgin Galactic
