London,
07
August
2018
|
12:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Top five hen party destinations for the new ‘zen-do’ trend

Calling all brides-to-be! Embrace the new ‘zen-do’ trend with the top five hen party destinations on Booking.com

Booking.com uncovers the rise of more subdued pre-wedding partying as women opt for pampering and beachside relaxation instead of strippers and L-plates

Once upon a time, Hen-do’s were synonymous with debauched games, strippograms and fancy dress to celebrate a bride’s final days of freedom ahead of her wedding, but women today have revealed these are the very things that would see them trying to avoid attending. Research commissioned by Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, reveals that a Zen-do is far more popular, with women preferring a sunny destination, a massage and some cocktail making as their perfect Hen-do ingredients. Shockingly, over half (54%) admit to lying to get out of a Hen-do if they didn’t like the sound of it!

Almost three-quarters of women (74%) view a Hen-do as the perfect opportunity to have one last holiday with the girls, but they’re not prepared to slum it! Luxury and convenience came out on top, as almost half of women (43%) opted for the ease of all-inclusive accommodation, a third (32%) chose a self-catered villa and a growing trend for unique stays was also popular, with almost a fifth (18%) choosing something a little more unusual including tree-houses, castles, yurts or farmhouses.

With most pre-wedding celebrations happening in summer, Booking.com has collated a destination guide featuring the best Zen-do stays from the five cities that came out on top in the recent survey – Barcelona, London, Ibiza, Marbella and Paris.

City Chic Retreat in Barcelona

Arguably one of the most vibrant cities in Spain, there is another way to enjoy Barcelona adopting the typically Spanish “manana” way of life. Nestled in-between the culture and buzzing night-life are beautifully relaxed hotels designed to offer a Chic City Retreat within the bustling town.

Where to stay: Almost half of women surveyed (43%) admitted they still yearned for the luxury and convenience of a well-equipped hotel, and in Barcelona they don’t come more “Zen” than the Hotel SB Glow. This cosmopolitan hotel in the heart of Barcelona connects guests with the Mediterranean spirit of Barcelona through the luxury of relaxing like never before. Get the girls ready to unwind in the many stunning spaces which are made to have guests feeling comfortable and refreshed, and with spectacular sunset views from every angle.

Secret central boltholes in London

London was the only UK destination to make the top five in the recent survey, but for the bride-to-be who wants a stay closer to home, nowhere does luxury and a little bit of pampering quite like our capital city. But for those looking for a more relaxed approach, there are a host of accommodation options nestled in the centre of town but offering all the ingredients for a truly relaxing stay.

Where to stay: Hidden away in Soho, the Soho Luxury Apartment is just a stone’s throw from some of London’s most impressive landmarks, fine dining and excellent shopping. Once inside the apartment, the calming décor creates a perfect little hideaway, with plenty of space to perhaps indulge in a cocktail making session or at-home beauty treatments – both of which scored highly with what women want from a Zen-do.

Doing the White Isle in Style, Ibiza

When it comes to a Zen-do it would seem that getting some sunshine really was a top priority, so much so that 40% of women admitted to planning two Hen-do’s, with 70% of those having one in the UK and one abroad. Number three in the list of destinations was Ibiza, with women wanting to combine their dancing shoes with daytime down-time in stunning surroundings. Ibiza is known for its hedonistic partying, but today there is a far more tranquil side to the island with people flocking there to relax, soak up the spectacular sunsets and embrace the Island’s self-care culture of meditation, yoga and clean eating.

Where to stay: For something a little different, it doesn’t get more zen than a beautifully converted farmhouse Agroturismo Atzaró, and this converted beautiful home quickly became a hit when it reopened in January 2018. With Balinese-style day-beds, gorgeous pool, courtyard restaurant, outdoor spa and yoga pavilion, it’s no wonder travellers come here to relax.

Beachside pampering in Marbella

A cold and damp weekend will no longer do, with Zen-do’s today requiring a far more exotic, and instagrammable backdrop. In fact, from the top 10 destinations chosen by women in the recent survey, only two were close-to-home UK towns. The sunnier climes of Marbella came fourth, for its unique way of combining the epitome of glam with lazy summer days.

Where to stay: Perfect for a larger group of girls, this imposing beachfront villa has what came out on top in terms of Zen-do must-haves – direct access to a beach. The Beachfront Urb Luxury Residence has the glitz and glamour you’d expect from Marbella, but is positioned on one of the most beautiful beaches in the region – perfect for lazing away days in the sunshine sipping cocktails with the bride-to-be.

Embracing the fairytale, Paris

Culture wasn’t completely off the table when it came to Zen-do destinations, with Paris finishing off the top five most desired locations. Staying in the famous city of love doesn’t need to break the bank, while still offering all the amenities we know brides today want – without being more than a stone’s throw from many of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Where to stay: An aparthotel in the heart of the city is the perfect way to give your bride the ultimate Zen-do experience, especially if the party is a larger group. With the flexibility to come and go as you please, the Residence & Spa Prince Regent Aparthotel is a charming 18th-centuty building with an in-house team available 24hrs a day to coordinate a tailored service ensuring your bride gets the ultimate Zen-do experience. Its onsite spa and wellness facilities can also provide beauty service for some pampering ahead of a day exploring the local arrondissement famed for cafes, culture and sightseeing.

Visit Booking.com to book your stay at one of these and many more Zen-do locations.

-ENDS-

CONTACT DETAILS

For further information, contact the Booking.com UK Press Office;

lon-booking@ketchum.com / 020 3755 6400

NOTES TO EDITORS

Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among 1,006 female respondents from Britain aged 25-40. Respondent completed an online survey in June 2018.

About Booking.com

Established in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com has grown from a small Dutch start-up to one of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com now employs more than 17,000 employees in 198 offices in 70 countries worldwide.

With a mission to empower people to experience the world, Booking.com invests in digital technology that helps take the friction out of travel. At Booking.com, we connect travellers with the world’s largest selection of incredible places to stay, including everything from apartments, vacation homes, and family-run B&Bs to 5-star luxury resorts, tree houses and even igloos. The Booking.com website and mobile apps are available in over 40 languages, offer 28,857,944 total reported listings, and cover 137,173 destinations in 228 countries and territories worldwide.

Each day, more than 1,550,000 room nights are reserved on our platform. So whether travelling for business or leisure, customers can instantly book their ideal accommodation quickly and easily with Booking.com, without booking fees and backed up by our promise to price match. Via our customer experience team, customers can reach Booking.com 24/7 for assistance and support in over 40 languages, any time of the day or night.