What is a boutique hotel?

The term boutique hotel originates from North America to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments but what specific attributes qualify a hotel for the term ?boutique hotel? and what makes one hotel a boutique while another is not?

There are a few distinct characteristics that contribute to qualifying to be a boutique hotel and these are as follows:

1. The first factor is size and a boutique hotel should have no more than 100 rooms.

2. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain or branded hotels by providing an exceptional and personalized level of accommodation, services and facilities.

3. Boutique hotels often have a theme or style of their own.

4. Room amenities include Flat screen TV?s with cable/Pay TV, telephone and Wi-fi Internet connections and honesty bars.

5. 24 hour guest services by hotel staff.

6. On site dining facilities, and the majority offer attractive bars as well as lounges which may also be open to the general public.

Atmosphere is considered the sum total of the physical facilities and all the intangibles that comprise a memorable hotel experience. This above all things will set the hotel apart from a normal hotel and will include interior decoration, hotel ambience, customer service and the attitude and professionalism of management and staff. All these ingredients must be combined to create a genuine sense of intimacy.

Where there is an atmosphere of intimacy without familiarity then the hotel is on to a winner and is well along its way to be claimed a boutique hotel. What do we mean by intimacy when we talk about hotels? We define intimacy as caring, warm, personalised, yet totally professional. Familiarity involves using guests? first name, friendly hugs and hand shakes and other physical contact.

The boutique environment also includes anticipating guests? needs and desires rather than simply responding to a request. Knowing what a guest wants, when they want it, and how they want it is a major difference between good service and great service. The goal of any fine hotel, boutique or otherwise must be great service but as with many intangibles, boutique hotels like beauty may be in the eye of the beholder.