More Boutique For Your Money

Individuality matters to hotels in the boutique sector. These small, chic hotels endeavour to ensure that you get the best possible experience during your stay.

Staying at a boutique hotel is about more than just staying in a quirky building or having an MP3 player in your room. A truly hip hotel looks at the complete experience a guest can have – from the products in the bathroom to the availability of room service – so that you really feel you’ve had value for money.

Many of these hotels include things in the price of your room that everyday hotels wouldn’t, and give you access to services that many hotels wouldn’t be able to. It’s these additional features and services that make boutique hotels excellent value for money, no matter how much you’re paying.

Technology – boutique hotels cater for business travellers as well as discerning holiday makers and so the latest technology is a must – unless your hotel is a true retreat. Therefore, expect to find WLAN and LAN systems, cable or satellite TV and music systems. In addition, some city hotels also make use of key-less entry systems and electronically controlled curtains or blinds.

Relaxation – many of the hotels in this sector offer spa and other relaxation areas. Some hotels include full Turkish Baths, ideal for winding down at the end of the day, whilst others incorporate their own signature spa products into their treatments. Gyms are also incorporated into some hotels, along with pools and Jacuzzi baths, to ensure that there’s no excuse for guests feeling stressed during their stay.

Food – the food is a vital part of the boutique mix. Although a few boutiques concentrate on design and don’t offer food other then breakfast, most have invested in stylish restaurant and casual dining areas to attract guests and locals, and then hired innovative chefs who use local produce to produce classic and contemporary dishes. With good styling, clever marketing and faultless cooking, boutique dining can put the hotel on the map and certainly encourages people to book into the hotel for short breaks, romantic weekends or full holidays.

Location – not many “high-street” hotels can boast the types of locations occupied by boutique hotels. From old industrial buildings to 18th century townhouses; elegant beach villas to European castles, boutique hotels are usually in stunning locations, or right in the heart of the city, a stone’s throw from the best shopping or the most popular tourist destinations.

Five Great Reasons To Stay In A Boutique Hotel

If you’ve never stayed in a boutique hotel before, here are some reasons why you should book one today.

There are so many cool hotels to stay in around the world that there’s almost certainly one at your next holiday destination. Why choose boutique?

Location

Boutique hotels are usually in enviable locations. A townhouse right in the middle of the city, a chateau in rural France or a stunning beach retreat in the Maldives, boutique hotels exist to provide you with the very best location for your holiday. City hotels are in prestigious shopping areas, next to great restaurants, within a stone’s throw from the theatre or stumbling distance from the top nightspots. They provide a retreat in the middle of town where you can wind down, rest your weary feet and take advantage of the staff’s outstanding local knowledge. Alternatively, chill out on a private beach, where your bedroom doors fold open onto the sand and where you can snorkel without seeing another human being. Or just take in the countryside from a castle on top of a hill.

Design

If you want to experience real design, choose a boutique hotel. More than a few art-deco ornaments or modern art in the foyer, these hotels have design running through their core and it is a pleasure to stay somewhere that’s been designed and decorated with an eye for detail and finish. From the accessories in the bathroom to the china in the restaurant, everything is design-led, without being design-conscious.

Size

By their nature, boutique hotels are small. Even in large buildings, these hotel owners reduce the number of rooms available so that they can increase the size of the rooms and the public spaces and provide better service. The size of a hotel in this sector isn’t based on how much floor space it has, but how many rooms it offers, because this affects the ambience and the service.

Service

Service is all-important in boutique hotels. Hotel staff are trained to ensure that guests want for nothing, and yet the service is discreet, so guests don’t feel hassled or intimidated. The lower number of guests at each hotel means that the service can be impeccable, and it usually is.

Price

The term “boutique hotels” may give the impression that these hotels are all expensive, but that’s not the case. In fact, you may be surprised by how affordable many of them are. For the same price or very slightly more than you might pay for a very ordinary chain hotel, you could be staying somewhere with real atmosphere and real service. Whilst some of the boutique hotels are very exclusive and therefore very expensive, many of them are perfectly affordable.

Hotels That Give A Little Bit Extra

A boutique hotel will often provide additional services that guests in large chain hotels won’t find.

One of the joys of staying in a boutique hotel is that a range of activities can be arranged for you. Countryside retreats provide a number of options within their own grounds, whilst city and beach hotels have local contacts and can help you to book places or tickets or use facilities, often at a favourable rate.

Sports

Many people choose to take part in sporting activities whilst they are on holiday. Some boutique hotels have golf courses on-site, whilst others can offer tennis, fishing or horse riding. At beach resorts, you can take advantage of water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving. Whether you are a newcomer to these sports, or you have chosen this holiday specifically to indulge in your favourite pursuit, you boutique hotel can help.

Spa

It has become very popular for hotels in this sector to offer spa treatments. It doesn’t matter whether the hotel is in a small city building or a large mansion in the countryside, a spa facility of some sort is always welcomed by guests. Some hotels have their own Turkish Baths where you can fully unwind at the end of the day, or refresh yourself at the beginning of one. Some hotels provide cosmetic services and hairdressers, so that you can look your very best before you step out on the terrace. There are boutique hotels that are geared to offer you a full spa experience, where the emphasis of your stay is on treatments and remedies, sending you home totally refreshed and relaxed.

Dining

Although most hotels have dining rooms, not all of them take dining and great food as seriously as the boutique sector. For these hotels, having a great restaurant is a natural extension of having a great hotel and it is often these restaurants and bars that become favoured hangouts for locals as well as guests. With careful attention paid to the menu and the ingredients, hotel owners know that food is an integral part of any hotel experience and that, in many hotels, it often fails to meet expectations. That’s why so many descriptions of boutique hotels include a full review of the food available; it’s part of the appeal for guests.

Whatever you want to get from your holiday, a boutique hotel can help you to find it. If you want nothing other than peace and relaxation, just ask for the paper and your favourite drink and spend the morning on the terrace – just because all these extras are on offer doesn’t mean you have to use them – it’s just nice to know they’re there.

The Perfect African Safari

Many people dream of going on safari; seeing animals in the natural habitat and experiencing the beauty of the African landscape. A boutique safari hotel offers luxurious surroundings with an outstanding backdrop. Where is it? Many safari holidays are based in South Africa and Kenya. South Africa is one of the largest African countries, located at the bottom of the continent, whilst Kenya is further north on the east coast of Africa. Where can I stay? The beauty of staying at a boutique hotel when you’re on safari is that it offers you the comfort and luxury you would expect from a city hotel, whilst also allowing you to experience the unique landscape. The Makanyane Safari Lodge in South Africa is set within a huge game reserve and features just eight suites, whose design includes indoor and outdoor showers and glass walls so that your view of the park is undisturbed. Wide folding doors allow you to let the outside in and the hotel organises safari drives and game walks so that you can see everything you came for. In Kenya, Dodo’s Tower is a luxury boutique way to see big and small game up close. It’s expensive, but worth every penny, as a private airstrip allows you to go wherever you want to, the excellent cuisine can be served as you watch the sun go down from your balcony and you are free to drink in the sights and sounds of Kenya’s Lake Naivasha. What can I see? Safari holidays are designed to let you see big game and other wildlife in its natural habitat. There is nothing more astounding than being in the same environment as animals you’ve only ever seen in a zoo or on the television. The plains of Africa are home to a huge number of species, but most people want to see elephants, giraffes, big cats, zebras, hippos and birds. Whatever your particular interest, the guides arranged by boutique hotels can tailor your trip to give you the best chance of seeing it. In addition to the animals, don’t forget to pay close attention to the landscape itself. The wide plains, lakes and volcanic formations all make for stunning photographs and unforgettable memories – and the perfect backdrop for some stunning sunrises and sunsets. How do I get around? Once you’ve arrived at the airport, you will need to drive or take a connecting flight to the game reserve. This can be organised for you by your hotel, who may also be able to arrange your safari tours. These will either be in 4x4 jeeps, or special minibuses. You can also take safari walks with a trained guide, charter an aircraft or take a hot air balloon ride.

Turning A Trip Into An Experience

Don’t underestimate the difference that staying in a boutique hotel can make to your next journey. How often do you hear someone say, “I can’t wait to stay in the hotel”? Discussions about forthcoming holidays nearly always centre on the things we want to do, or the places we’re looking forward to seeing, and the place where we’re staying doesn’t feature at all. All that changes once you’ve booked into a boutique hotel. These hotels have been lovingly created by their owners in order to offer you an experience, not just a place to stay. The belief that your holiday or business accommodation should be well designed and provide great service is one that has resulted in hundreds of “boutique” hotels opening up around the world, to cater for the increasing number of travellers who want to stay somewhere special. Anticipation Anticipating your holiday is one of the things we all love. In the weeks before we leave home, we get increasingly excited and really look forward to taking a break from our everyday lives and having new experiences. This anticipation can often be flattened when we reach the hotel, which turns out to be impersonal and indifferent; unless you’ve booked boutique: • Welcoming – boutique hotels are designed to be welcoming, so you are looked after from the minute you arrive. • Different – you’ll notice lots of differences from regular chain hotels as soon as you arrive. From the way you check in to the design of the rooms and the public spaces, and the facilities on offer, you’ll know immediately that you are staying in an individual hotel. • Design – all the things you want to do with your home but haven’t had time to do. It might be polished wooden floors or spectacular artwork; Egyptian cotton bedding or funky armchairs. It’s this design and detail that makes boutique hotels different from all other traveller accommodation. • Facilities – large hotels have pools and spas, but they’re impersonal. The facilities at small, individual hotels are designed to make you feel at home whilst indulging in treatments or taking advantage of concierge services. The experience The low number of rooms at most boutique hotels defines your experience: you’re one of a small number of guests who are benefiting from the great designs and flawless service that these hotels provide. You immediately feel more relaxed and you’re able to enjoy your holiday as an all-round experience. Book again for next year, so that you can tell everyone how much you’re looking forward to staying in the hotel.

Creating A Boutique Hotel

Renovating and designing a new hotel is a daunting task; even more so when you’ve decided to create a chic, boutique place to stay. How do they do it? Owners of boutique hotels often transform buildings no-one would touch into hotels that everyone wants to go to. It takes a lot of hard work, planning and an eye for design and detail to create a successful boutique. Imagination Imagination is a key skill when it comes to creating a stunning small hotel. To see a building that is either derelict or in need of substantial renovation, and know that you can transform it into a stylish, desirable place to stay is a talent that not many people have. You need to be able to see the arrangement of the guest rooms, the provision of public spaces, the kitchens and offices and the outdoor spaces. If you don’t have a vision, it can be very difficult to pull off a successful make-over. Experience Although many boutique owners are first-time hoteliers, many have either hospitality or design experience. This helps to ensure that every angle is considered and that as much attention is paid to the running of the hotel as to its style. Understanding the market you are trying to attract, and designing your hotel with that in mind means that you are more likely to be successful. Equally, a knowledge of which design ideas work and which don’t is invaluable when creating a boutique hotel. Design is a key factor in turning a basic small hotel into an individual chic hotel and you need the experience to get it right first time. Determination Transforming a building into a hotel is a long, hard job. You need determination, focus and strict controls to ensure that everything is finished as close to your deadline as possible and within your budget. Research at the beginning of the project should allow you to set realistic deadlines and financial plans which in turn will contribute to the success of your project. There are bound to be times when things go wrong, but determination and a clear vision of the end product will help you succeed. Personality Some of the most successful boutique hotels are those where the personality of the owner or designer shines through. This is what gives these hotels their characteristic individuality, which attracts a lot of guests and repeat visitors. Personality can be evident in themed rooms, the choice of art, music or food and in the way that guests are treated during their stay. Never underestimate the importance of a hotel’s personality when it comes to marketing and occupancy rates.

Why Choose Boutique?

If you’re thinking about booking accommodation for your next holiday, or perhaps just a short city break, why should you go for a boutique hotel?

When you go on holiday, where you stay is as important as where you go. It forms an essential part of your holiday experience, so it’s surprising that most people don’t really pay much attention to the type of hotel they are going to be staying in for the duration of their trip. Package holidays use hotels that are virtually identical from one resort to the next. Bedrooms look the same, bathrooms have standard fittings and to the staff, you are just another tourist.

Take a risk

Chain hotels may be a safe option, but for the same price or only slightly more, you could be staying in a hotel that cares about the way it looks and makes a real effort to ensure that your holiday is as good as it can be. What distinguishes a boutique hotel from all the others?

• Thought – big hotel chains follow a simple theme; everything is the same. You could be in any city in the world, and your room, its fittings and its public areas are indistinguishable from any other hotel. Boutique hotels have thought and creativity behind them, resulting in no two being the same – even if they are owned by one company.

• Attitude – boutique attitude always puts the guest first. These hotels understand that the last thing you need is to argue over the wrong bottle of wine, bad food or poorly prepared rooms. That’s why their energy goes into ensuring that everything’s exactly how you want it, all the time.

• Rooms – a boutique hotel still has to work with the basic premise of all hotels – guests have their own room and share public areas. For boutiques, this means that the rooms have to be special and individual; places where people are happy to spend time. That’s why many boutique hotels concentrate on the size of the rooms, rather than the number. It allows them to incorporate really good bathrooms, large beds and spacious areas for relaxing. This focus on turning your hotel room into somewhere you want to spend time rather than a room you’d rather stay out of, is why everyone should try a boutique hotel at least once.

Make a difference

Staying in a boutique hotel really will make a difference to your holiday or business trip. Rather than spending your time noting the negative side of your accommodation, you’ll find yourself impatient to tell all your family and friends to go boutique themselves.

Why Boutique Design Matters

What is boutique hotel design, and why does it matter?

There are fashion trends in hotel design just as there are in other areas. In the late eighties and through the nineties, that fashion was for clean, stark, minimalist design, particularly in city hotels. This was such a diversion from the traditional way that hotels were put together that it attracted a whole new generation of travellers.

It’s easy to confuse the minimalist hotel trend with the boutique hotel trend, but in fact the two are distinct. Boutique hotels are small, individual places, that prize attention to design and detail as well as outstanding service. Survey all the hotels in the world that describe themselves as “boutique” and only a minority would fall into the minimalist class. The rest are design-led, but with a wide variety of styles that reflect their location, the buildings they occupy and the tastes of their owners.

The beauty of good design

It’s often said that good design is timeless. It’s also the case that good design can transform an ordinary hotel into a great one. The challenge, and ultimately the skill, is in choosing a design that works both for the owner and for the guest, and that means a number of considerations:

• The building – a good boutique design is sympathetic to the building. Many of these hotels are in older buildings, or buildings that were never meant to be lived in. Matching the design to the form and function of the building and using its own internal and external features to shape the design usually makes for a successful conversion.

• The location – the design of a city hotel is often very different to that of a beach hotel or a rural retreat. Including elements of the location in the design is vital if guests are to feel that the hotel is part of the experience of the location. A strong understanding of how location affects design is needed to make these hotels work.

• Individuality – no boutique hotel is like any other. They draw on a range of influences and that is immediately apparent when you’ve stayed in several. Rich colours or white walls, stark furniture or cushioned comfort – it’s all up to the individuality of the owner.

Boutique design matters because it’s what distinguishes these hotels from the run-of-the-mill competition. It’s essential that they’re all different, but that they uphold three basic principles – creative design, attention to detail and great service.

For "Boutique" Read "Fantastic Service"

One of the things that marks out a boutique hotel from others is the high standard of service it offers.

Why do hotel services matter? As long as the bed’s comfortable and the food’s edible, does it matter how the hotel treats you? For discerning guests, the answer’s “yes”. A hotel’s reputation is often based on its service – from the quality and availability of its food to its ability to handle complicated or sensitive requests. It is this type of service that many travellers believe is lacking in large hotels, which is why boutique hotels have high standards of service at their core.

What is good service?

People often complain about the service at their hotel, but what are they complaining about? Often it’s to do with the amount of time they spend waiting; waiting to check-in, waiting for someone to answer the phone, waiting for room service, waiting for food in the dining room. Slow service and lack of grace from staff is usually what causes complaints.

Boutique hotels believe that good service is:

Immediate – there’s no question of staff at a boutique hotel forgetting that you’ve ordered a drink. The service is designed to be almost anticipatory, making sure that you receive everything you ask for and that nothing is left out.

Pleasant and friendly – one of the most common complaints about hotel service is about attitude. No-one wants to be treated badly in a place where they are paying to stay. Boutique hotels ensure that staff are polite and friendly at all times, so that you feel comfortable asking for help.

Memorable – good service is not just about getting the minimum you expect, it’s about getting much more – to the point where it is one of the most memorable things about your stay.

Intuitive – it feels good to be greeted personally when you return to a hotel for a further visit. You notice if your favourite drink is available or if they’ve previously made a note of any allergies or particular likes, so that it almost feels like visiting old friends. Intuitively good service like this makes a real difference to guests.

Hotels shouldn’t be blinded by the trend for quirky design or hip accessories and forget the basics of good service. Those that do won’t make it into the boutique category of hotels, whereas those hotels that make the service one of the most important aspects of its offering will undoubtedly win fans from guests and travel writers alike.

Themed Boutique Hotels

If you really want to stay in a memorable hotel, choose one with a strong design theme. Far more than having room names with a common link, a strong design runs through everything the hotel does, and makes the whole guest experience more interesting. Choosing a definite theme can be a risk though and only those who have planned, researched and marketed properly pull it off.

The theme

A hotel can base its design around any theme, and most of the obvious ones have been done: books, music and artists, for example. Ideas for a theme need to be matched with a market for that theme, to ensure that the hotel can maintain profitable occupancy rates without having to compromise on its design principles. This is easier said than done, and some hotels have to tone down their original designs in order to attract a wider market.

The planning

Once a theme has been settled on, a great deal of planning is required in order to ensure that the design is properly thought through rather than just based on a couple of colours and a few pieces of artwork. Creating an individual hotel through themed design is a challenge and the planning process needs to be organised and well-managed to ensure that the eventual design runs clearly through all the hotel’s rooms and spaces.

The execution

Once the design has been approved, the project moves on to execution. This usually includes some architectural and building work as well as decoration, furnishings and fittings. For a themed design to work well, everything has to be from authentic sources, so hotel owners and designers often spend some time finding exactly the right furniture, art and accessories to create the themed look they are looking for. It is this attention to detail and finish that often distinguishes a boutique hotel from a run-of-the-mill hotel.

The marketing

Once the hotel is nearing completion, the owners need to market it. The best way to do this often depends on the theme, but a target market should have been established at the very beginning and this market now needs to know about the hotel and what it offers. From magazines to online advertising, the hotel needs to use its strong theme to attract attention and from that, to attract bookings.

A strongly-themed hotel usually narrows its market, but if the design and execution are properly planned and managed, the hotel can fill a niche and enjoy high occupancy rates.

More Than Rooms And Food

In general, we have low expectations of our hotels. As long as the room is decent and the food’s OK, we won’t complain. Boutique hotels hope to change that attitude.

Hotel rooms aren’t cheap, so what do we get for our money? In many cases, it’s not much. A reasonable room that’s clean, a bathroom that’s functional and food that’s often not as good as it should be. These hotels should now expect to come under pressure from the smaller, boutique sector, where space, design and cuisine are all important.

The rooms

Unlike mainstream hotels, where every room in every hotel is the same, boutique hotels strive to create individuality through design. These hotels will usually be designed to a theme; in some places that theme will be obvious in the room names, the furnishings, the artwork and the finishing touches, and in others it might be very subtle, such as an Asian influence, or bringing the colours and textures of the landscape into the hotel.

Above all, it’s the attention to detail, comfort and style that differentiates a boutique room from other hotel rooms. Guests’ needs are carefully considered from start to finish, so there is often a range of exclusive toiletries in the bathroom which in turn is fitted with the latest shower or Jacuzzi bath. The room will be cleverly designed and functional so that there’s always somewhere to put your luggage, plenty of storage space and all the high-tech equipment you need to run your life during your stay. The superior levels of comfort and service at a boutique hotel is what makes it stand out.

The food

Although not all boutique hotels have a fully-operational restaurant on their premises, many have understood that the guest who likes a well-designed room will also appreciate good food and wine. Integrating an excellent restaurant into a small hotel is difficult, but if it is properly planned and executed, it can be an additional benefit to guests as well as establishing a reputation for the hotel within the local community. For guests to be staying in the hotel where all the locals go to eat is a real marketing coup – whether it’s a funky city centre brasserie, or a formal restaurant in a rural retreat. Many boutique hotels focus on the standard of their food – freshly prepared breakfasts, light lunches or formal dinners – precisely because it contributes to the overall experience of staying in a small hotel.

Cool Hotels On A Budget

Whilst some boutique hotels are, by their nature, more expensive than regular hotels, it is possible to stay somewhere small and individual without breaking the bank.

Should good design and individuality only be available to the wealthy and privileged? Many boutique hotels want a wide range of guests to see what it’s like to have a completely different hotel experience and, whilst they may still be more expensive than a youth hostel or a regular guesthouse, you’ll be getting fantastic comfort and service for a great price.

Hollmann Beletage – Vienna

This hotel has just nine bedrooms, and it’s chic and trendy. Set in the heart of Vienna’s old town, it’s an ideal base for visitors, who can enjoy Vienna’s fabulous buildings and culture as soon as they step out of the front door. Designed to make you feel right at home, the public spaces are perfect for reading or chatting and the room price, which starts at just €130, includes an individual breakfast, tailored to your tastes.

Hotel Grimaldi – Cagnes sue Mer

This small hotel is set in a medieval village, not far from the sea, on France’s south coast between Nice and Antibes. Beautifully designed to let you experience life in a traditional French village, it uses light and natural materials to create a cool, relaxing environment. With only four double rooms and one suite, it’s the perfect getaway. Double rooms start at €115, with freshly-prepared breakfast just an additional €6.

Casa de Poema – Porto

A boutique bed and breakfast, the Casa de Poema is an elegantly-designed property, sitting in a residential part of Porto. With breakfast available on the terrace, with ocean views and an honesty bar in the drawing room, it’s a bed and breakfast with a difference. Double rooms are from €125 including breakfast.

Can Carreres – Barcelona

Ten luxury bedrooms, chic design and a great restaurant characterise Can Carerres. The perfect spot from which to explore Barcelona and the surrounding area, it provides a haven of calm and tranquillity. It is family friendly, providing babysitting services and a play area for children, but it doesn’t stint on hip decoration and fresh cuisine. Rooms start at €120, including breakfast.

It’s possible to have a fantastic long weekend away in these hotels and others without spending a fortune. Take the plunge and see what a difference a chic hotel could make to your next trip.

Stay In A Hotel Where Quality Matters

An eye for detail and an insistence on quality are two of the main things that distinguish a boutique hotel from any other.

There are many characteristics that make up a good boutique hotel; number of rooms, good design and excellent service are among them. Two of the most important are often overlooked though, which is a shame, given the tremendous amount of research, time and energy that goes into providing them: quality and detail.

Quality

A boutique hotel should be solely concerned with quality in all areas of its operations. From the cleanliness of the rooms to the standard of the food, boutique guests expect more from these hotels than from “regular” hotels and owners have to make sure they exceed these expectations. A constant striving for the very best in everything is one of the things that define this type of accommodation. Examples of places where quality really matters include:

Fabrics – curtains, bed linen, furniture coverings, bathrobes, towels and tablecloths must all be of exceptional quality. That’s why many boutique hotels use Frette linens or exotic netting; guests notice the difference.

Furnishings – whether they are genuine antique pieces or contemporary designer chic, good furniture stands out from the crowd.

Accessories – from candles to lamps; vases to clocks, quality accessories can transform the plainest of rooms. Hoteliers spend a lot of time sourcing exactly the right pieces for their designs.

Food – boutique hotels are often as well known for their cuisine as for their rooms. This means that they have to be using the freshest ingredients, preferably locally-grown, farmed or caught.

Detail

The way the cushions are hand-sewn, the dinner napkins folded, or the breakfast tray laid out in the morning; these are just three of the details that really make the difference between a regular and a boutique hotel. Owners of these small, exclusive hotels make sure that everything has been thought of, so that guests feel truly at home because their every need has already been considered. Even though these hotels are often more informal than larger hotels, don’t let that informality fool you into thinking that they haven’t got every “i” dotted and “t” crossed. An eye for detail and the expertise and creativity to put those details into practice is the mark of an excellent hotelier.

Hotels: Why Small Is Beautiful

What is it about staying in a big hotel that annoys you? Maybe it’s the impersonal service, or the amount of time you have to queue to check in. Perhaps it’s the buffet breakfast that’s been under hotplates for a while, or the fact that your room looks like every other room you’ve ever stayed in. Large hotels are great for some occasions, but its worthwhile looking at boutique hotels to regain some enjoyment from your stay.

So what is it about small hotels that enchants you? If you’ve stayed in a boutique hotel before, then we can make a fairly accurate guess:

The design

Properly designed hotels are so different from regular hotels that you notice the difference as soon as you walk in. The furniture, the artwork, the colours and the flooring all convey a message that this hotel has been designed for a purpose; to make you feel at home.

The attention to detail

The purpose of a boutique hotel is to make your stay comfortable and stress-free. The design includes attention to details that enhance your stay. It could be the fact that you can tailor your own breakfast in the morning, or that your shoes are shined and your laundry done overnight. It may be the fact that your bedroom opens directly onto the beach or the welcome tray that’s in your room on arrival. It’s the details that make a difference, and boutique hotel owners know it.

The numbers

The main characteristic of a true boutique hotel is the number of rooms. A lower room count means that the hotel is dedicated to ensuring that your stay is as perfect as possible. Too many people to look after often results in poorer service, whereas a higher service-to-guest ratio means that you should never have to worry about asking for anything – in fact, staff usually anticipate your needs.

The locations

By their nature, big hotels require big buildings. Boutique hotels can run from small, individual buildings, using their unique architecture and features in the design and layout of the hotel. It means better city centre locations, better views and more interesting interiors. Location is as important when you’re choosing a hotel as when you’re buying a house, and boutique hotels can usually deliver.

Boutique is small and small is beautiful; particularly when it’s combined with classic design, detail and service.

Find The Perfect City Retreat

Is it possible to stay in the middle of a city and still have an oasis of calm to retreat to?

The aim of any boutique hotel is to provide guests with a welcoming, comfortable environment that reflects its design and location. In city centre hotels, that design and environment is influenced by many things and the hotel must decide which type of guests it is catering to.

Nightlife Boutique

There are many cities that are referred to as 24-hour cities. New York is famously known as “the city that never sleeps”, whilst Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Bangkok and many others enjoy a reputation for partying and good nights out. It’s unsurprising then that the number of hotels catering for those people who live life to the full is increasing. Creating a hip, funky hotel for this market is a good move. More often than not, the men and women that come to enjoy themselves in these cities are well-paid and happy to spend their money on good design, spacious rooms and flamboyant cuisine. Making your hotel part of your nightlife adds more to the experience and those boutiques that integrate popular bars or restaurants into their premises will attract large number of guests eager to stay where the action is. Whilst this doesn’t sound like a retreat in the usual sense, for these visitors it’s exactly what’s needed.

Pamper Boutique

You don’t have to run a huge spa hotel in acres of land in order to offer the sort of pampering that city visitors want. Business visitors and tourists alike enjoy the benefits of a small, exclusive hotel that offers a range of spa and beauty treatments. A massage, facial or body treatment helps to reduce stress and induce relaxation, and if that’s followed by a freshly-prepared meal, or a quiet chat in an informal lounge while the city rushes past you, then all the better.

Design Boutique

All boutique hotels are built around an essential and integral design. Some city hotels opt for a design which automatically turns to building into a cool, calm retreat, no matter where it is. The colour schemes, choice of furnishings, fittings and linens and attention to detail all contribute to an atmosphere that’s immediately welcoming and relaxing. These hotels really are designed to make you feel as though you’ve entered a different world.

Holidays With Boutique Style

If style and comfort matter to you, then book a boutique hotel the next time you go away from home.

Boutique hotels are designed to offer you a travel experience you won’t forget. Their interiors, fittings, facilities and services are carefully crafted to ensure that you receive the very best of everything during your stay. There are as many different styles as there are hotels, but what binds them all together in this class of accommodation is their design flair and attention to detail.

Destination boutique

No matter where you want to go, there will be a hotel with style and individuality that will turn your trip into an experience. Whether you’re heading to London or New York on business, or taking a romantic holiday to the Caribbean or Bali, choosing a boutique-style hotel can really make a difference. These hotels deliver:

• Style – whether its minimalist chic, classic contemporary or ethnically-inspired, the design and décor of hotels in this category really matters. Owners spend a lot of time researching themes and tracking down furniture, fabrics and accessories that give them the look they want, without compromising on comfort or quality. It’s this planning, creativity and style-conscious attitude that turns an everyday guesthouse into a chic establishment.

• Atmosphere – it’s really important that these hotels feel different as soon as you walk in. It may be to do with the way you’re greeted, or the location of the reception area. It may be the welcome tray or gift package that’s left in your room, or it could be the restaurant that’s packed with locals because it’s so good. Whatever it is that distinguishes the boutique hotel from the chain hotel is immediately apparent in its atmosphere.

• Service – whilst other hotels are busy telling you about how great their service is, these hotels are getting on and doing it. They only employ the best staff and ensure that they really do know how to anticipate guests’ needs and how to go that little bit further to ensure that guests feel at home. Whether its an honesty bar in the sleek lounge area, or last-minute theatre tickets, these hotels ensure that you are comfortable asking for help and that you receive the levels of service that sets boutique accommodation apart.

Holidays With Boutique Style

If style and comfort matter to you, then book a boutique hotel the next time you go away from home.

Boutique hotels are designed to offer you a travel experience you won’t forget. Their interiors, fittings, facilities and services are carefully crafted to ensure that you receive the very best of everything during your stay. There are as many different styles as there are hotels, but what binds them all together in this class of accommodation is their design flair and attention to detail.

Destination boutique

No matter where you want to go, there will be a hotel with style and individuality that will turn your trip into an experience. Whether you’re heading to London or New York on business, or taking a romantic holiday to the Caribbean or Bali, choosing a boutique-style hotel can really make a difference. These hotels deliver:

• Style – whether its minimalist chic, classic contemporary or ethnically-inspired, the design and décor of hotels in this category really matters. Owners spend a lot of time researching themes and tracking down furniture, fabrics and accessories that give them the look they want, without compromising on comfort or quality. It’s this planning, creativity and style-conscious attitude that turns an everyday guesthouse into a chic establishment.

• Atmosphere – it’s really important that these hotels feel different as soon as you walk in. It may be to do with the way you’re greeted, or the location of the reception area. It may be the welcome tray or gift package that’s left in your room, or it could be the restaurant that’s packed with locals because it’s so good. Whatever it is that distinguishes the boutique hotel from the chain hotel is immediately apparent in its atmosphere.

• Service – whilst other hotels are busy telling you about how great their service is, these hotels are getting on and doing it. They only employ the best staff and ensure that they really do know how to anticipate guests’ needs and how to go that little bit further to ensure that guests feel at home. Whether its an honesty bar in the sleek lounge area, or last-minute theatre tickets, these hotels ensure that you are comfortable asking for help and that you receive the levels of service that sets boutique accommodation apart.

Why You’ll Return To A Boutique Hotel

Any good hotel will attract return customers, but boutique hotels often have a higher return rate than others.

Once you’ve stayed in a boutique hotel, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about. For the same money as you can spend on a city-centre chain hotel, you can stay in an individual place where the design is intrinsic to the experience and where the service ensures that your stay is comfortable and relaxed. If you choose a boutique hotel once, the chances are you’ll book again for your next trip because:

You feel more relaxed – a small, quality hotel is full of charm and the owners and designers work hard to create an intimate atmosphere that helps you to relax before you’ve even checked in. The reduced number of rooms means that you don’t have to fight for tables in the dining room or a comfortable chair in the lounge, and staff are always on hand to help with any queries or requests you might have.

Quality counts – chic hotels pay attention to detail and that means that everything is of the highest quality. From bed linen to breakfast ingredients, the quality of furniture, fittings, materials, fabrics and produce is all designed to give you a true taste or luxury at an affordable price.

It costs less than you think – although some of the high-end boutique hotels are expensive, you can probably afford to stay in the majority of boutique hotels around the world. Whether it’s for a city weekend, or two weeks by the beach, you’ll be surprised at how affordable a good boutique hotel can be.

It’s as individual as you are – national and international chain hotels make up most of the overnight hospitality market, but there are people who like individuality and want to express it through the places they choose to stay. By staying at a boutique hotel, you are experiencing an individuality of style, design and service, and because each one’s different, you never get the feeling of duplication that can happen in big hotels across the world.

They’re where you want to be – location is an important factor for a boutique hotel. Whether it’s in the middle of the city, on a private stretch of beach or nestled in acres of tropical gardens, this type of hotel offers a hard-to-beat location advantage.

Take A Romantic Break In A Boutique Hotel

When you’re looking for a romantic place to spend your honeymoon, wedding anniversary or just to have some time together, go for a boutique hotel.

What small, chic, designer hotels don’t know about creating a romantic atmosphere isn’t worth knowing. Making guests feel welcome and unique is a hallmark of all these hotels, and if you call to ask for something special, they’ll make sure that you get it.

Why go all the way to Venice for a romantic weekend just to stay in a regular hotel? If it’s worth doing at all, it’s worth spending a little extra money to make the trip as special and memorable as possible; and that includes the room, the food and the service. Make this holiday something you will be talking about for years to come.

Honeymoons

A honeymoon is a never-to-be-repeated holiday, so it makes sense to ensure that it’s as special as it can be. People often choose the country they want to go to before they decide where to stay, but it’s also worth taking a look at the boutique hotels available in collections like ours. You may find exactly the type of hotel you want, and that in turn could shape your destination choices. Look for boutique hotels that have large, luxurious rooms, with modern bathrooms and hotels that offer special packages, room upgrades or additional details such as beachfront access or complimentary spa treatments. Choose a hotel that’s really different to anywhere you’ve stayed before so that you can use it to create a unique honeymoon experience.

Anniversaries and romantic breaks

Celebrate a special occasion or just take advantage of an opportunity to spend some time together, and let a boutique hotel be your base for a romantic break. Whether you choose a hotel that offers relaxing spa treatments, or an urban hotel where you can experience the bright lights and fine dining of a major city, you can find a boutique hotel that will fulfil all your requirements. Try a cooking class in France, or a wine-tasting course in Italy. Explore Boston’s historic sights from a hotel in the most exclusive street in the city, or book into a child-free beach idyll in the Pacific. Turn a couple of days away into an unforgettable romantic break by selecting a boutique hotel.

Try A Boutique Ski Hotel

Cheaper flights and a wider range of European ski resorts has created a market for boutique hotels in skiing areas.

Whilst many people still enjoy staying in chalets or apartments when they ski, many people are opting for a little extra individuality and luxury, and where better to get that than a boutique hotel? Small enough to maintain the intimacy of a chalet, but with services that let you truly enjoy your break, boutique ski hotels are becoming more popular by the year.

Dedicated ski hotels have to offer slightly difference facilities for skiing clientele. Aside from needing a perfect location, they also have to be able to store skis, boots and other equipment safely and provide the sort of food and drink that would be expected by a seasoned skier. Comfort and quality are important too, as is access to local après-ski scene, and boutique hotel owners in these resorts are making sure that their guests want for nothing. Blessed with fantastic views, great cuisine and with all your needs anticipated by the attentive staff, these are the sorts of hotels that turn your annual ski trip into a holiday to remember.

A boutique ski hotel offers you the best of both worlds – a chic hotel experience with the convenience and service of a top quality hotel. No more finding out your hotel is miles from the slopes, or fighting to get on the bus in the morning, and no more wondering if your chalet’s evening meal is going to be up to scratch. Instead, concentrate on having fun on the slopes in the knowledge that you will come back to an intimate, tastefully furnished, discreetly serviced hotel that will look after your every need.

In France, for example, Concept One Chalet is the perfect blend of design and service, set in the heart of Chamonix and with just five rooms. Austria has the Schloss Prielau, a medieval castle in Zell am See where glacial skiing is available in the winter. Take a look at both of these boutique hotels the next time you’re planning a skiing holiday and make it an unforgettable one.