Often times when traveling we get so caught up in the whirlwind of where we’re going and what we plan to do when we get there. A detail that is commonly overlooked is where we plan to lay our head to rest after a long day of traveling and sightseeing. Sure, there are plenty of chain hotels that would be a great fit for simply sleeping and doing nothing more. But shouldn’t your vacation time, that you’ve been painstakingly planning for months, be as marvelous as you dreamed from the time you wake up to the time you crawl into bed for a good night’s sleep?
Boutique hotels are special in this right because it’s not just about accommodating their guests, it’s about guaranteeing that everything from start to finish goes above and beyond your expectations. At TruDesign, we love boutique hotels, and here’s just a few reasons why:
- Boutique hotels welcome their guests as if they’ve been long awaiting their arrival – you do not simply ‘check-in’ at a counter. One of Cynthia’s most memorable boutique hotel experiences includes being welcomed with a (truly) freshly home-made chocolate chip cookie on a silver tray. The indulgence after a long day of travel is something she fondly remembers to this day. After all, it’s the little things, right?
- Sleeping is actually a rejuvenating experience. There are many annoyances during travel that can disrupt sleep – the mattress and bedding at a boutique hotel won’t have you tossing and turning, but rather leave you counting the hours until you can return to its comfort. We’re talking amazing thread counts, supportive mattresses, and crisp duvets. Wouldn’t we all love to wake up feeling like royalty?
- Two words, giant impact: designer aesthetics. Boutique hotels have personality, layers, fabrics and furnishings that would never make it in the mundane corporate world. They frequently reflect a distinct style that is all their own and being surrounded by the unique beauty you expect on a vacation getaway, inside and outside your hotel, is truly satisfying.
- They’re intimate. Boutique hotels typically have between 10-100 rooms. Instead of mega-hotels where you’re only a number, boutique hotels take the time to get to know you and your specific needs. Simple luxuries, like the front desk welcoming you by name, or the room steward learning you really prefer apple to orange juice, set boutique hotels apart from your run-of-the-mill hotel.
Depending on your destination, boutique hotels can be hard to come by. But where possible, we always give them priority over a chain hotel. If you’ve never stayed in one, we suggest venturing into the simple luxury that is a boutique hotel – of course, we expect a full report with the fabulous details.