What is a Boutique Hotel – The Definitions and Criterias

Every hotel of the not-huge variety seems to call itself a boutique hotel. But what does this term actually mean? Leaving the hype and buzz aside, what is exactly is a boutique hotel?

Unlike the open-to-interpretation meaning of luxury hotel, the definition of a boutique hotel is pretty clear.

Defining Characteristics of a Boutique Hotel

Here are some elements that typically separate a boutique hotel from other lodging options.

It’s petite. Most hospitality pros agree that for a property to be considered a boutique hotel, it should not be much bigger than 100 rooms. (But it’s not tiny: if it’s under 10 rooms, it’s not a boutique hotel but a B&B or inn.)

It has a strong personality. A boutique hotel’s intimate size produces its one-on-one five-star hospitality service and its heady ambiance. A boutique hotel strives to be one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s independently owned or a member of a luxury hotel brand or association, it has an independent attitude and works hard to not feel like a corporate hotel. (Sometimes, a boutique hotel belongs to the boutique brand created by a more conventional hotel company, such as Hyatt’s Andaz brand or Marriott’s Edition Hotels.)

A boutique hotel may also be tucked inside a bigger hotel. The boutique wing feels totally separate and has its own reception desk, lobby, and look. A good example: Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is a quiet enclave within the massive Caesars Palace casino-hotel.

A boutique hotel’s clientele is individualistic, too, appealing to guests who shy away from cookie-cutter décor and business hotels.

It has a contemporary vibe and a quirky, modern spirit. Boutique hotels are not stuffy. Their décor is typically modern and often cutting-edge, featuring stark palettes with bold color splashes. Fussy, glitzy furnishings are not boutique-hotel hallmarks.

A boutique hotel can surprise and delight guests with winsome touches: a tiger-shaped faux-fur rug before the fireplace; a chocolate treat shaped like your first initial; your own (and not very corporate) temporary business cards.

It’s rich in local flavor. Often, the small size of an urban boutique hotel affords it a stylish, dead-center location in the heart of town, and its spirited ambiance suits its lively location. You’ll find boutique hotels in fashionable resort towns, too. But whether urban or rural, a good boutique hotel reminds you of where you are. Often, it conveys a strong sense of place and pride in its location’s heritage.

It focuses on food and beverage. You can count on a boutique hotel to house an outstanding restaurant and bar that draw a city-wide crowd. (The hotel’s eatery may be run by a celebrity chef.) A boutique hotel often offers a stylish bar or lounge with a modern cocktail menu and regional wines.

Credit: The post was originally posted on Trip Savvy

See also:
https://lesboutiquehotels.com/what-is-a-boutique-hotel-requirements 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boutique_hotel