All the information you want on boutique hotels

They arrived, observed, and overcame. That’s essentially the narrative of boutique hotels.

Even with their widely reported surge in popularity, many people are still unaware of boutique hotels. What else do you know about these kinds of hotels except the fact that they are elegant and beautiful?

What constitutes a boutique hotel

A boutique hotel has the feel of a tiny, cozy, and charming lodging establishment. It provides clients with extremely personalized treatment and usually has less than 100 rooms. A boutique hotel adheres to the local culture, in contrast to how the general public views the majority of other hotel brands.

Despite their modest size, boutique hotels include all the facilities you could possibly need. These hotels are indeed so overcrowded that they compete with larger, far more roomy hotels. It’s safe to say that these hotels offer it everything, from luxurious lounge spaces to cutting-edge spas.

After finishing the definition, let’s quickly review the background of boutique hotels.

A synopsis of boutique hotels’ past

Although the exact genesis of boutique hotels is up for debate, several sources credit Bill Kimpton with coming up with the concept.

For the most of the 1960s and 1970s, Kimpton worked as a mobile investment banker. He frequently traveled around Europe and stayed at small hotels where you could get to know the proprietors, enjoy wine in the lobby, and experience a cozy and private setting.

When he returned to the United States, he would discover hotels that lacked individuality. That really annoyed him. In order to make everyone feel at home, he made the decision to create a boutique hotel. He was mostly concerned with creating a lobby fireplace and encouraging people to remember one another’s names. Thus, the concept of boutique hotels originated in the United States.

The Bedford Hotel, America’s first boutique hotel, opened its doors in San Francisco on April 1, 1981. Soon after, more boutique hotels appeared, such as the Morgans in New York, which Ian Schrager established in 1984. Although Kimpton introduced the concept of boutique hotels to the United States, Schrager was the one who really transformed it. Since then, the Morgans Hotel Group—which owns and operates hundreds of boutique hotels—has grown to become a household name.

Multinational corporations have now focused on the phenomena and developed their own networks of lifestyle hotels and boutique luxury resorts.

What are the figures showing?

The boutique hotel industry in the United States has grown at an absolutely explosive rate. The industry was on the verge of going extinct thirty years ago.

In 2021, the boutique hotel sector has overcome all obstacles to become a multibillion dollar market that is drawing in investment from all directions.

The market size of this industry is presently a staggering $18.36 billion, according to Statista. To put it in perspective, the global market for hostels is only around $5.2 billion.

The boutique hotel sector continues to thrive in spite of the devastating epidemic. According to data from the Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association, in July 2020, the occupancy rate for boutique hotels in metropolitan areas was 40.5%. On the other hand, occupancy rates in other sectors were below 10%.

Given these numbers, it’s clear why boutique hotels are so popular. Tiffany M. Braun concurs that the boutique hotel sector has experienced “phenomenal” development in recent years.

To find out what makes these hotels so unique, continue reading.

What distinguishes boutique hotels from the competition?

Here are some things to think about if you want to build your own boutique hotel or remodel an existing one:

1. Dimensions

It will be difficult to create the “special something” that a boutique hotel requires if it has more than 100 rooms. Boutique hotels may only have ten rooms. Quality is more important than quantity.

When designing a boutique hotel, your ultimate goal should be to create a feeling of coziness and intimacy.

Create a “communal living space” where visitors may congregate, enjoy a drink, and laugh heartily rather than building more rooms.

2. Elegant style

Although a boutique hotel’s interior design is as distinctive as its activities, it is always high-end. It frequently combines historical features with contemporary elegance.

3. Tailored assistance

If you don’t provide personalized service, your boutique hotel won’t succeed. In order to make your guests feel completely at home, treat them well.

Allow customers to personalize amenities, toiletries, and everything else (please have a look at attribute-based selling if you haven’t already). Additionally, when they check in, say hello by name.

4. Regional customs

Staying authentic to the local culture, from the food to the décor, is the main goal of boutique hotels. For example, you may arrange sketches and paintings from the area around the walls.

Additionally, you might provide complimentary tours so that your visitors can experience the local town’s attractions.

Going against the grain is also part of the “boutique” way of thinking. Both an industrial design-themed hotel in the heart of the woods and a fully-stacked hunting-themed hotel as an island in the center of a challenging urban setting may function equally well. The execution is crucial. It ought to be perfect, genuine, and unbelievably passionate!

5. The perfect place

Because of their tiny size, boutique hotels are frequently found in affluent residential neighborhoods or bustling, premium locations. Some can also be located in resort regions that are well-served by public transit yet are nestled away from the tourists.

Make sure your boutique hotel is in an excellent location if you want it to succeed. It might be a few miles from the city, in the middle of wilderness, or on a secluded cliff with stunning gardens and expansive views of the sky and sea. You have the entire world at your fingertips.

6. Customized décor

Despite having a ton of contemporary comforts like air conditioning, multimedia systems, and rain showers, many boutique hotels also have unique elements.

The goal is to create distinctive décor that adds a cozy, inviting charm to your room. Any old furniture may be painted a variety of exciting colors. To create a visually appealing home, use locally sourced, relevant materials. Additionally, you might include unique accents and high-end furniture. Put differently, ensure that your décor produces a striking visual impression.