Boutique hotel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Boutique hotel is a term originating in North America to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing personalized level accommodation and services / facilities.
Sometimes known as "design hotels" or "lifestyle hotels," boutique hotels began in the 1980s in major cities like New York, London, and San Francisco. Very often it is the Morgans Hotel in Murray Hill of New York, that is awarded with the title of first boutique hotel in the world. It was opened by Ian Schrager in 1984 according to a design by Andrée Putman.
Typically boutique hotels are furnished in a themed, stylish and/or aspirational manner. Although usually considerably smaller than a mainstream hotel (often ranging from 3 to 100 guest rooms), boutique hotels can often have hundreds of rooms in major cities. Guest rooms and suites are fitted with telephony and Wi-Fi Internet, air-conditioning, honesty bars and often cable/pay TV. Guest services are attended to by 24 hour hotel staff. Many boutique hotels have on-site dining facilities, and the majority offer bars and lounges which may also be open to the general public.
Despite this definition, the popularity of the boutique term and concept has lead to some confusion about the term. Boutique hotels have typically been unique properties operated by individials or companies with a small collection. However, their successes have prompted established multi-national hotel companies to establish their own brands. The most notable is Starwood Hotels and Resorts' W Hotels. There is some overlap between the concept of a small boutique hotel and a bed and breakfast.
The French Quarter of New Orleans has several dozen boutique hotels, most of which are located in old homes or inns. These usually provide an ambience based on 19th-century antiques, artwork with New Orleans themes, vintage or reproduction furniture and decor and/or interesting historical associations.
Currently, there are a few publications dedicated to the boutique hotel. One is boutique DESIGN magazine, which is published quarterly. Another is Deluxe Traveller Magazine, which is available in print and online. The online version can be downloaded for free at their website, www.deluxetraveller.com. Boutique hotel resources are more commonly available online. Two such sites dedicated to boutique hotels are chic retreats and Tablet Hotels. There are also a number of stylized design and coffee table books highlighting various properties throughout the world.
[edit] Notable boutique properties
- The Rockwell
- International House Hotel in New Orleans
- Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City
- Firmdale Hotels, a small collection of hotels in Central London
- Hotel Union Square in San Francisco
- 62 Castle St a refurbished Grade II listed building in Liverpool
- The Royale Bintang Damansara, a hotel located at The Curve shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
- Mandarin Oriental KL, located next to the famed Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur
- K West Hotel, West London, popular with rock bands
- [Tablet Hotels], source for boutique hotels around the world
