what is boutique travel

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What Boutique Travel Is and Isn’t – Here’s How to Qualify Your Clients

Some well-traveled clients want what they want. Others aren’t quite sure what they want – and therefore rely on you to qualify them. When it comes to boutique travel products, one could almost say it’s as close to custom as you can get – reserved for those seeking something exclusive and ideal for anyone who likes their needs catered to.

Boutique and unique may rhyme by coincidence but one is very much a part of the other. So when determining whether or not your client is suited for boutique travel, consider lifestyle, age group, preferences, past travel experiences and some of the reasons why boutique is in a category all its own. If you’re not quite sure, here are a few reminders of what boutique is:

Small. Boutique travel is limited, but in a good way. The very definition of the word calls for specialized goods or services aimed at a specific customer base. Translation? The general population does not fit the bill. Does your client tend to have specific needs and wants when they travel? Do they prefer small groups over big? These are questions worth asking.

Premium Prices with a Superior ROI. Whether or not your client is willing to pay to qualify for inclusion in the “boutique club” can help in narrowing down your search. If you have a customer who prefers the best to the rest and cost is secondary, then boutique might just be what they are looking for. But if cost is still a sticking point, don’t give up just yet. Consider this advice from one agent who sells boutique. “The key is to emphasize value over price,” said LuAnn Lisell, owner of Lisell Travel in Plano, Texas. “If you know they can afford it, but they’re not willing to absorb the cost quite yet, then encourage them to postpone their trip from six months to a year out. Then they can plan and save and you didn’t lose the sale entirely.” While you might need to convince them initially that their return will far outweigh their investment, odds are you won’t have to sell them twice.

Luxurious. Elegance is the essence of luxury and a large part of why boutique appeals to so many, but is only reserved for some. From the glorious setting to the carefully-selected amenities, the scrumptious food and wine to the unparalleled service, luxury is the essence of boutique travel. Your client will feel their boutique experience has been designed just for them. Who doesn’t want to be pampered?

Immersive. The atmosphere of a boutique experience is subtle but not missed – this is because it is absorbed into the product. When traveling in boutique fashion, clients will typically note the intimate and relaxed atmosphere, the stylish décor and the refined artistry. They will marvel at how when in France, everything from the food and wine to the music is French, whether they are onboard a boutique ship, settling into their hotel or touring the local city. Often boutique travel products blend old-world elegance with the latest technological innovations, original art and plush furnishings and antiques. In essence, boutique travel products tend to have personality. “We have found that as our clients become more experienced travelers, they seek out a more boutique experience that reflects the location [they want to visit],” said Sheelagh King, co-owner of North & King Signature Travel in Seattle, Washington.

Gracious Service. Boutique providers pride themselves on authenticity, which is why attention to the smallest of details can make the greatest impact. It’s another reason why boutique travelers tend to be repeat travelers. They know that no request is too large and no detail is too small to be met. Staff-to-guest ratios in boutique properties or aboard boutique cruises tend to be higher than the norm, ensuring they go above and beyond to cater to guests and help create extraordinary experiences. “What makes boutique travel special is the dedicated teams that make every moment memorable, plus the uncompromising service, experience and value that is provided to each and every customer,” said Mary Jean Thompson, an agent with TravelDesigns by Campbell in Dallas, Texas.

Not Everything to Everybody. While this is true, it also doesn’t mean that everyone shouldn’t experience boutique travel – at the very least, once. Don’t assume your client isn’t a boutique traveler without first giving them the option to decide. Present the value proposition and all of the reasons above as to why boutique could be the perfect fit for them and then let boutique sell itself.

FROM THE SPONSOR: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection —the world's most luxurious all-inclusive river cruise line - features stunning, one-of-kind boutique ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, exclusive excursions, five-star farm-to-table cuisine, and one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios on the rivers. Based in Los Angeles, California, Uniworld offers the most all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, as well as voyages in Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, India, and Egypt—a total of 23 rivers in 24 countries worldwide. With the guiding principle “no request too large, no detail too small,” Uniworld approaches each guest, each itinerary and each ship with an unparalleled attention to detail, resulting in a highly intimate experience. Uniworld voyages include in-suite butler service, Hermes, Asprey and L’Occitane bathroom amenities, distinctive wines, regional beers and premium spirits, all meals onboard, ship-wide Wi-Fi, bicycles for use on shore, expertly planned shore excursions, all gratuities and airport transfers. For more information, visit www.uniworld.com .

What is Boutique Travel? Thoughts from a Travel Blogger

What is Boutique Travel?

Table of Contents

Boutique travel is my favorite type of travel. I love the immersive qualities and attention to detail it offers. Though not always possible due to location, budget or circumstance, I highly recommend experiencing travel this way at least once.

What Boutique Travel means to me.

To me, boutique travel means a focus on quality over luxury , thought many times it’s both. It will usually provide modern amenities and local flare .

The design concept at the hotel is well thought out and offers an artistic effort or efficient lay out.

The feeling of being there is magical, special or feels like my own.

Seeing the same staff and forging relationships with locals makes all the difference.

Immersing myself in the local art, food and drink scene are my top priorities.

This doesn’t mean that I won’t tick the top 5 places to go off my list, but I’ll visit some spots that are suited to my wants and tastes rather than simply following a guide book. I’ll also leave room for spontaneity. When I get to a destination and meet friendly staff or locals, I usually ask them — where do you spend your free time ? Where do you eat ?

If I had to choose between a cookie cutter hotel or a well designed (+clean) hostel, I would almost always choose the hostel. Mor often than not you will meet other like minded travelers.

Typical requirements for a hotel being a ‘Boutique Hotel’

When I travel, the accommodation is a major part of package for me. Whether I’m choosing to Airbnb, stay with a host family, glamp or stay in a boutique hotel – it will greatly impact the trip experience.

There is no solid definition of the term, but it’d rather a lifestyle, ambiance or feeling. However, these are some of the typical characteristics of a boutique hotel:

The typical size of a boutique hotel is under 100 rooms and smaller than massive chains.

The service is attentive and helpful but not stuffy or overbearing. It’s generally more relaxed and friendly than traditional luxury hotels.

Design +Personality

A unique, minimal or interesting design, usually with contemporary amenities for the modern traveler.

A trendy urban neighborhood or in the middle of the desert, boutique hotels can be anywhere.

The Best Boutique Travel Experiences I’ve had.

Touring the best boutique hotels in upstate new york and meeting some of the owners., visiting santa fe, new mexico and learning about the culture., staying in boutique hotels in puerto rico , and experiencing the local scene., visiting livingston manor, ny and finding food gems., staying at san roque boutique hotel in tenerife and exploring the ‘other’ side of the island., what’s on my boutique travel bucket list, going on a luxury safari., glamping under canvas at the grand canyon or yellowstone., sailing around the french polynesia., staying in an igloo in norway and seeing the northern lights., what’s on your boutique travel bucket list, share this story, choose your platform, about the author: lauren mcgill.

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Everyone Loves a Boutique Hotel. But What Exactly Is One?

We asked the experts to break it down by size, vibe, and appeal—and to share their favorite boutique hotels..

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A guest room at the Ham Yard Hotel, with a bright red patterned headboard and colorful curtains.

The Ham Yard Hotel in London’s Soho neighborhood was designed by Kit Kemp.

Courtesy of Ham Yard Hotel

Most of us feel we know a boutique hotel when we see one: It’s defined by its character, quirk, and cachet and tends to be small and independently owned. The term began to appear in the 1980s, with hoteliers like Anouska Hempel, Steve Rubell, and Ian Schrager using it to describe their smaller, uniquely designed, nonchain hotels. But in recent years, as more properties have begun to use the label, the definition has gotten a bit blurry.

“The term ‘boutique’ is meant to evoke stylish design, intimate settings, personalized service, and sometimes less expensive nightly rates,” explains Vikram Seshadri, a San Francisco–based luxury travel advisor with Global Travel Collection . “But the concept has been adopted by some . . . to excuse bad service, expensive nightly room rates, and interiors past their prime.” So, what does define this now-ubiquitous travel term? We turned to the experts for some guidance—and asked them for their favorite boutique hotel stays.

What is a boutique hotel?

Most experts agree a boutique hotel should project personality as opposed to feeling cookie-cutter. That individuality of a hotel is often tied to the specific destination or setting, and “evokes a sense of place, personalized service . . . an overall feeling that when you visit that hotel, you are in essence an extension of the community and neighborhood you’re in,” explains Seshadri. “It is a way [for a guest] to belong, even if just for a few days.”

In other words, a boutique hotel should make you feel more like a local than an out-of-place tourist. After all, homegrown hoteliers with fewer rooms to operate often have the connections and bandwidth to create more immersive stays, according to Kenan Simmons, SVP Americas of Small Luxury Hotels of the World , a collection of more than 550 independently owned and operated properties. “We look for luxury properties with a soul, with character, and who deliver special experiences to the guest,” he says. “We like to say, ‘we are anti-chain, anti-same.’ It’s not about what is boutique or not; it’s more about what is the essence of the hotel.”

A lobby with a green velvet sofa, two lamps, small tables, and wall of bookshelves at Hôtel Barrière Fouquet's New York

The living room–style public spaces have plenty of nooks for tête-à-têtes at Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York

Courtesy of Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York

What to expect from a boutique hotel

Independent ownership and fewer rooms shouldn’t mean bare-bones service or limited amenities. “Many properties claim that they are ‘boutique,’ but . . . it’s just a way to nicely say that they are not full service,” says Cory Hagopian, SVP of sales and partnerships at luxury travel company Virtuoso . “This does a great disservice to the concept of a boutique hotel [which] should be about individuality, charm, and, of course, size.”

Still, boutique hotels may not always meet the needs of globe-trotters across the board. Choosing a certain type of accommodation over another might depend on the goal of a particular trip: There can be upsides to large five-star hotels connected to familiar brands, which can offer a level of consistency from property to property, and perhaps even multiple onsite restaurants and large spas.

Smaller independent hotels have their own advantages. “To me, boutique hotels—the truest kinds—are the best way to experience the soul and life of the place one is visiting,” says Seshadri. “I recommend them as much as possible, but also realize they aren’t for everyone. I reserve boutique hotels for clients who prefer local experiences and [feel that] the unexpected is what can make a trip.”

Size matters—to an extent

While not all small hotels are boutique, all boutique properties are small. The industry standard is under 100 rooms. But the designation is less about monitoring the number of accommodations and more about attention to detail and opportunities for privacy—and even quiet—at hotels where management’s focus isn’t spread thin. “It’s not about the number of rooms,” agrees Simmons, who confirms that SLH properties have an average of 56. “It’s about how the hotel feels: Does it feel intimate? Do they offer secluded, discreet options with the highest standard of guest well-being?”

Smaller guest counts and fewer rooms optimize the chances of creating special moments and being able to cater to individual needs and desires. But for companies like Virtuoso and SLH and advisors like Seshadri, any hotel would need to be evaluated separately to make sure it lives up to the boutique standard and do the term justice.

A Junior Suite bedroom at Hotel de la Ville in Rome.

Courtesy of Hotel de la Ville

At SLH, as with other true boutique hotel options, it’s all about character. According to Simmons, all SLH hotels must adhere to a high level of service and comfort while embodying an attention to detail, but no two properties are alike—and that’s a big part of the draw. They may look wildly different aesthetically and offer varied experiences, set in locations or structures that are worlds apart. Guests delight in historic mansions like the Francis in Portland, Maine, in woodland tree houses like the Green O in Montana, or at alpine chalets like the Crans Ambassador in Crans Montana, Switzerland.

So, when defining a boutique hotel, Hagopian asks the following questions: “Is the service individualized or does it seem more prescribed? Are there personal touches throughout the property (perhaps artwork from the owner’s collection)? Do I feel like I am connected to the property?”

The world’s best boutique hotels

The experts themselves have their own favorite boutique hotels that reflect their individual tastes. Hagopian adores Passalacqua on Lake Como in Italy, among the 15 of AFAR’s Best New Hotels 2023 . “It is the definition of individualized service: Eat whatever you want, wherever you want,” she says. “The whole hotel is like your private home. The hotel’s owner, Valentina de Santis, is always there to provide ideas about how to spend your day or explain the history of the building. And, most importantly, the entire staff has been empowered to make decisions to ensure your stay is perfect.”

Aerial view of the manicured grounds at Passalacqua, with Lake Como in background

Passalacqua is on Lake Como, Italy.

Courtesy of Passalacqua

For Simmons, a standout is Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River in Bagaces, Costa Rica, part of SLH’s Considerate Collection due to its extraordinary sustainability efforts. “Thirty forest bungalows are surrounded by a dwarf forest, across a beautiful 1,500-acre reserve,” he says. “This wellness retreat really stands out because of the mile-long stretch of ‘lost river’ that’s fed by natural hot springs—and hotel staff can arrange a variety of thermal healing . . . experiences. It’s special, intimate offerings like this which contribute to a truly boutique experience.”

As a travel advisor, Seshardi has discovered boutique gems in most well-visited cities and resort destinations. In Paris, he sends clients who like a more intimate experience to Pavillon de la Reine on the Right Bank and Relais Christine on the Left Bank. In London, he directs them to Soho’s eclectic and colorful Ham Yard Hotel . In New York, he loves the bright and airy Crosby Street Hotel and the new French pied-à-terre-style Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s . When in Rome? His go-tos are the 14-suite mansion hotel Portrait Roma or the newly restored Hotel de la Ville . “All of them offer a true sense of place,” he says, “and a feeling like you’re truly . . . part of the community.”

What Are Boutique Hotels?

TripSavvy / Theresa Chiechi

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. They are small hotels, often with 10 to 100 rooms, that have unique amenities or design choices.

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 the one-on-one, five-star hospitality service and heady ambiance that they're known for. 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. Though sometimes a boutique hotel belongs to a 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 is Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, a quiet enclave within the massive Caesars Palace casino-hotel resort.

It has a Contemporary Vibe and a Quirky, Modern Spirit

Boutique hotels are not stuffy. Their decor 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 a boutique hotel in a city 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.

It's Pet-Friendly

Boutique hotels tend to have fewer rules and restrictions than bigger, more conventional hotels. Many, perhaps most, boutique hotels are very pet-friendly, welcoming your furry friend.

Courtesy of Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa

Our Favorite Boutique Hotels Around the World

The Point in upstate New York occupies a onetime Adirondacks lakefront lodge built by the Rockefeller family. Its 11 sunny rooms are filled with antiques and creature comforts (almost every room has a wood-burning fireplace). As a Relais & Châteaux hotel, The Point has a special emphasis on dining with ultra-gourmet meals, an ultra-high-end open bar, and nightly cocktail party.
The Jefferson , an elegant neoclassical structure with 99 rooms in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to the third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, a bon vivant and philosopher. His namesake hotel is laden with the kind of French furniture that "TJ" collected, and its Plume restaurant and bar serve newer vintages of the Madeira wines he relished.
Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe, New Mexico is set in adobe homes that constitute the United States' oldest neighborhood, built during the conquistador era of the late 1500s. The hotel's 24 suites are all different, decorated with antique furniture and rugs from the Southwest, Bali, India, and Morocco. The bathrooms are works of art, covered with mosaic designs.
Once a convent, Monastero Santa Rosa is now one of southern Italy's most upscale hotels. It hugs a cliff on the magnificent Amalfi Coast , and the windows and terraces of its 20 handsome, sunny rooms frame unforgettably rosy sunrises. Virtually every guest amenity here is locally produced, from the restaurant's wine and olive oil to the lusciously fragrant room soaps.
Carcassonne, France, is Europe's most famous medieval fortress town, and Hotel de la Cité is set within its high stone walls, offering painting-like views. The hotel's 60 rooms and suites combine the beauty and grace of early 20th-century architecture with cutting-edge tech. The in-house restaurant is a Michelin-starred French feast that pours hard-to-get southwestern French wines.
The 54 villas and pavilions at Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton Reserve in southern Thailand come with a lavish bathroom suite, a plunge pool (in the villas), and a private butler who knows what you want before you do. Every detail of this resort pleases the senses, from the futuristic spa to the beach lapped by the Andaman Sea's turquoise waters.

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All you need to know about boutique hotels

I am a luxury travel journalist by trade, so it’s fair to say I am pretty fussy when it comes to finding the perfect hotel stay, especially when it comes to a boutique hotel. But what is a boutique hotel?

Well, a hotel is very much like a home. It reflects you, your tastes, and your personality. Booking one goes beyond price or location. When it comes to deciding whether you want to take the plunge and ditch the corporate hotel in favor of a boutique one, it all comes down to one thing alone: your values.

Over the last few years, I have opted for family-run hotels because they care for, support, and help communities grow. They often employ locals and the entire experience is tailored to travellers looking for an authentic well-curated hotel.

Knowing what to look out for and the key things and characteristics that make a boutique hotel special can be a little daunting. To make things easier, I’ve put together a handy guide to help you find the best lodgings for your own individual tastes.

What is a boutique hotel?

What are the key features and design elements in boutique hotels.

Does a boutique hotel offer an even better guest experience?

Are the locations of a boutique hotel better?

What’s the food like at a boutique hotel, my favorite boutique hotels to stay at, the key differences between a boutique hotel and a regular hotel.

How does KAYAK know what to put in this guide?

A curly-haired woman in a bathrobe checks the bathtub water's temperature.

So, first things first: what is a boutique hotel? There is no strict definition, but whenever someone asks me this question my answer is simple: nothing corporate. That’s exactly the sentiment I had in mind while I was on a recent trip to Japan.

Yes, there are mega hotel chains like Bulgari and Marriott, but I wanted to swap the mega luxe for something smaller, more intimate, familial, traditional, and stylish. And that’s exactly what the boutique hotel experience offers. If you’ve never once stayed in one, think of them as something in the middle between a hostel and a 5-star luxury hotel.

When I was in Japan, for example, I stayed in a small, converted ryokan (a traditional Japanese home) in Kyoto. It was a small upscale hotel with only 23 rooms located within the ancient walls of the city complete with a bar, restaurant, and concierge team who knew all the locals personally. This, in a nutshell, sums up the fullest and best boutique hotel experience out there. Hyper-local, tailored, and nestled in a perfect location .

Unlike big brands that follow star ratings and strict brand guidelines, there are no explicit rules set in place to define a boutique hotel stay. Generally, they are much smaller in size (some may have as little as five rooms) and are often located in up-and-coming or fashionable urban areas .

Many are more intimate compared to other hotels, which makes the service more personable. Whenever I stay in smaller hotels, the staff are generally way more relaxed and are a lot more likely to treat me as a friend as opposed to just another guest. The point is that you are made to feel part of the family as opposed to just another credit card they swipe.

A boutique hotel is all about detail

As for style rules, boutique stays are much more unique and bougie in style . When I travel (which is a lot thanks to my job) I am often on the lookout for hotels that ooze character and individuality and not a clinical space. That’s the beauty of staying boutique.

Boutique hotels have unique design features, themes, and luxury historical details you don’t often find in bigger chain hotels. They are often the work of local designers who source everything from the furniture to the beds and the art on the walls. The result is a hotel experience that is more curated, ambient, and above all, homely.

As I have learned over the years, a handful of boutique hotel styles might not suit everyone’s tastes (my advice is to always check and request certain rooms before you book ) but the general idea is that most follow contemporary, chic, and stylish vibes.

Boutique hotels are also much smaller businesses, so they tend to have a good eco-friendly track record . Most, if not all, will always have locally sourced products, and a lot of the furniture will often be upcycled or made by local designers.

Does a boutique hotel offer a better guest experience?

A gay couple leans on the wall of an outdoor cafe.

It all depends on the type of hotel experience you are looking for. Some prefer to be in their comfort zones so opt for the bigger hotel chains whereas others prefer to plunge themselves into the adventure of a hyper-local experience.

Local community support

Many, if not all boutique hotels, prefer to partner up with local artists, brands, tour guides and food suppliers to give a taste of authenticity to their guests. This is often in the form of bespoke amenities like tailored fashion houses in the boutiques, artisanal body washes and creams in the bathrooms and well-researched experiences and excursions that many of the bigger hotels simply don’t have the time to offer.

Personalized service

The biggest perk I find, is the concierge team. Service from booking to checkout is usually meticulous and is tailored to your individual needs. On a trip I made to South Africa last year, every part of my boutique hotel stay in Johannesburg was crafted by local expertise.

From jazz-themed coffee shop tours to exclusive out-of-hours access to attractions and lunch and dinners at family-run eateries, this boutique hotel gave me a taste of what the area had to offer through the eyes of the locals.

Hotels, for me, are all about the service . Great customer service is very much part of the boutique hotel experience and very few big brands can offer this consistently. If you want soul and a personality, plus a great selection of things to do put together by an expert, my advice is to opt for a boutique hotel.

A woman leaning on a balcony railing next to a hat and a glass of wine as the sun sets over the city.

Location is really what sets big hotel groups apart from independent boutiques most. Look around any big city and you will notice that many of the bigger hotels and resorts are located by big train stations, within walking distance of big landmarks, or just outside of the city. Boutiques, on the other hand, are often found in a city’s more fashionably diverse areas, where cultural hotspots and attractions reign supreme.

Take London, my home, for example. Neighborhoods like Bloomsbury, Notting Hill, Kensington, and Shoreditch are home to some of the capital’s best independent boutique hotels. While some share streets with huge urban resorts, others are hidden in residential haunts (many of them in exquisite period buildings) but are still within easy reach of all the great things London has to offer . Some are better located than others, but the general rule is that boutique hotels provide (and prioritize) the easiest access to a city’s most in-demand cultural hotspots.

Experience local life

Another great reason to stay in an independent hotel is that you get to live with the locals for a couple of days. You’ll often find yourself lost in their go-to coffee shops, bookstores, supermarkets, galleries, and fashion boutiques, many of which you won’t even find in guidebooks. This also allows you to meet new people and you might even make friends along the way.

If you are a foodie you are in for a treat. Boutique hotels believe in the joys of hyper-local gourmet eating. Say for example you find yourself in a small cottage-themed pub hotel in rural England.

The chances are that you’ll find seasonal grub from corn-fed chickens to veggies from the garden on the menu. The point is, the chefs and the owners of these hotels want you to taste homegrown talent and many of the restaurants in boutique hotels are becoming destinations in their own right.

When I travelled across Japan one of my stops was at the Luxury Sowaka hotel in Kyoto. The Restaurant La BOMBANCE Gion had its own Michelin star and paired traditional ryokan living with locally sourced ingredients served on traditional crockery, plus a knockout sake collection.

All the food was specific to the region and highlighted the flavours and delicacies of Japan. Why am I telling you this? Well, the point is that there was not a single inkling of a Westernised pasta or burger on the menu. When you go boutique there is always an emphasis on trying the fruits of the land and in my case, this meant trying puffer fish, eel sushi and greens I had never come across before.

In comparison to your standard resort, the menus are often far more innovative and will invite you to try the food the locals eat.

My job is to stay at and review hotels so, naturally, I am very picky. For me, staying at a boutique hotel is always the highlight of my job because I can immerse myself in the local culture, meet new people, and experience a destination as if I were living there.

Over the years, I have begun to appreciate the perks of going boutique, and as a result, I always stay in one or two when I am traveling. As a result, I have found myself exploring places that most tourists would never have stumbled across.

If you are still unsure, my top picks for starter boutique hotel stays come in the form of the Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina in Lisbon; a magical period palace once owned by a count; the Hotel Vilon in Rome right next to the stately homes of the Roman princes; and the aforementioned Luxury Hotel Sowaka in Kyoto to experience what Japan was like before its rapid modernization.

A light and bright living area with seats, wooden coffee tables, potted plants, and decorative wall plates.

When it comes to boutique hotels vs. regular hotels, there are many key differences. Both have different audiences and cater to all sorts of needs and comforts. Most boutique hotels as I have mentioned are unique in style and create their own rich ambiance thanks to their added personality and character.

Unlike bigger hotel brands, they are often located right in the center of cultural hotspots and are housed inside small, period buildings with fewer rooms. Think of them as one-of-a-kind stays that do their best to stand out from the rest of the competition.

An even bigger difference is that traditional hotels tend to cater to more classic luxury experiences; while independent boutique hotels prefer to curate services based on the individual needs of their guests.

Target market

Boutique hotels tend to attract travelers in search of trends. They are often stylish, design savvy, and down to hang out with the locals. How does this compare to a regular hotel? Aesthetic plays a huge part.

Traditional hotel brands generally cater to the general public which means everything is more neutral and standardized. Bigger hotels will also often attract guests who are in search of comfort and know what they like. For example, a big pool, spa, fitness center, and 24-hour room service.

Luxury or boutique hotel?

Then, of course, there’s the price. Branded luxury hotels that partner up with labels and big fashion houses will always be more costly, especially if they are five-starred. While there is a luxury boutique market, overall, you get more for your money and won’t find yourself having to re-mortgage your home to finance your vacation.

A woman strolls leisurely along the edge of a tranquil pool, with a wall framing the area and adding a touch of privacy and seclusion to the picturesque setting.

To wrap things up, boutique hotels are best booked by those looking for unique experiences , intimate settings, and personalized service. The beauty of travel is exploring the unknown and getting to know a location beyond the surface level. Staying at a boutique hotel gives you this and more, and the chances are that after experiencing your first, you’ll never go back.

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Travelers around the world are flocking to boutique hotels — but no one can agree on what, exactly, they are

Travelers are all about the boutique hotel trend — but what exactly is a boutique hotel?
Business Insider spoke with four industry experts, including legendary hotelier Ian Schrager and director of the annual Boutique Hotel Awards Shlomo Gabbai, to get to the bottom of it.
"In truth, there is no official definition," Gabbai said.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

In 2019, a boutique hotel on a remote, private island in Norway owned by polar explorer Børge Ousland debuted three eco-friendly "sea cabins" on the edge of the Barents Sea. Clad in aluminum and featuring a waterside glass wall, they cost a minimum of $390 per night, are only accessible by ferry from the mainland — and are already booked into September.

Manshausen Island 2.0 is just one example of the boutique hotel rage that seems to be sweeping the world. The term has 1.5 million hashtags on Instagram and has been used to describe everything from an art-filled hotel with apartment-style rooms in downtown Asheville to cocoon-like suites with infinity pools on an island in Santorini . There's even a committee that spends an entire year visiting boutique hotels around the world and judging the best accommodations.

So what, exactly, is a boutique hotel? They have a certain je ne sais quoi , but beyond that, no one quite agrees on what they are.

To get to the bottom of this question, Business Insider spoke with four industry experts: Ian Schrager , the legendary hotelier behind boutique hotel brands EDITION and PUBLIC ; Shlomo Gabbai, director of the annual Boutique Hotel Awards , which recognizes excellence among luxury boutique hotels around the world; Deanna Ting, author of " The Complete Oral History of Boutique Hotels ," a 60,000-word longform article published in 2016 that focuses on the development of boutique hotels in the US; and Bjorn Hanson , who retired as a professor at NYU's Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and now works as an industry consultant.

But from the size of the establishment to the details that make it "boutique," there was only one aspect of boutique hotels that all four agreed on: The term has evolved over time and will continue to do so.

As Gabbai put it, "In truth, there is no official definition."

Boutique hotels are rooted in a sense of place and evoke a "special" feeling

"Special" is the word that surfaced most in conversation — Ting, Gabbai, and Hanson all used it at least once.

"Boutique is maybe just like another way of saying 'special' or 'memorable' or 'different,'" Ting told Business Insider. "That's kind of what everyone is looking for — that magic."

Gabbai agreed. In 2019, the Boutique Hotel Awards judging panel received over 300 hotel nominations spanning 80 countries. They whittled the list down to 15 "world's best" winners , ranging from World's Best Beach or Coastal Hotel and the World's Most Inspired Design Hotel to the World's Best Wellness Spa.

"There are an infinite number of recipes, but the key ingredients I see in a boutique hotel are individuality and a great emotional impact," he said.

Schrager, meanwhile, described the experience of a boutique hotel as "elevated."

"It has to appeal to a certain sensibility as much as if it were demographic. It's all about the attitude," he said.

The experience of a boutique hotel begins the moment a guest walks in the door, according to Hanson. "At the end of the first minute, someone at a boutique hotel should feel like he or she is being kind of captured with whatever that experience is," he said.

A range of factors can create this experience. "It can be the location, architecture, design, history or just something clever that is part of a theme," Hanson said.

Boutique hotels are also often rooted in a sense of place — one that appeals not just to travelers, but locals as well.

"It's not meant to just be a place where people check in, check out. It's meant to be a fixture of that specific community that it is part of," Ting said.

Consider ACE hotels , a chain of art-filled boutique hotels that opened in Seattle in 1999, has branches across the US and London, and will be opening in Kyoto and Toronto later this year. The hotels' lobby bars, seating areas, and event spaces often seem to draw as many locals as guests.

Boutique hotels have been around for decades — and today's boutique hotels don't look like the early ones

Boutique hotels emerged in the US beginning in the 1980s. Credit for the first boutique hotel is largely given to either Bill Kimpton, who launched his first Kimpton hotel in San Francisco in 1981, or Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, who launched the now-closed Morgans Hotel in New York City in 1984. Both sets of hoteliers, as Ting and Schrager put it, created an experience different than the chain brands at the time.

"Anouska Hempel could [also] lay a strong claim with her design of The Blakes Hotel for launch in 1981," Gabbai said, though he noted the difficulty of determining the first boutique hotel. "Finding the first is as hard to pin down as the definition of a boutique hotel itself," he said.

The line between boutique hotels and mainstream hotels is blurring

Changing traveler tastes and technology have also opened the door for larger brands to follow the boutique hotel model.

Beginning in the '90s, hotel chains, with W Hotels leading the charge, started recognizing the boutique hotel model as a concept they could adopt, Ting said.

Large hotel brands used to prize uniformity, highlighting "no surprises" in their advertising, according to Hanson. Today, uniformity doesn't carry the same weight.

"Travelers are looking for something that's genuine, that respects local materials and culture and traditions and food," he said.

Boutique and independent hotels started off as synonymous, but that's no longer the case. Kimpton is one example: While it retains its "boutique" identifier, Intercontinental Hotels Group acquired the brand in 2015.

What this all means in practice is that it's often difficult to identify, simply from appearance and branding, whether a hotel is boutique or not.

Boutique hotels constantly adapt to the changing expectations of travelers. Instead of prescribed standards, modern travelers want to experience something novel when they're on the road. It's an appetite that social platforms are fueling.

"Now we don't need that uniformity to avoid unpleasant surprises because between guests posting about experiences and being able to do 3D tours of hotels, now we can not rely on that uniformity to have a good experience," Hanson said.

Size doesn't define a boutique hotel — unless it takes away from that "special" boutique feeling

Whether or not a boutique hotel can have too many rooms was a polarizing subject.

"In our awards, we consistently find that judges record a lack of intimacy and an accompanying loss in the emotional impact that comes with it when hotels push at the upper 'limits' of what might be considered a boutique-sized hotel," Gabbai told Business Insider. "This is somewhere around 85-100 rooms. Although it doesn't make standard business sense to stop doing what works on a bigger scale, in boutique hoteliering, it's crucial."

Schrager agreed with Gabbai on loss of impact, but not on size. A hotel stops being boutique, he said, only "when it loses its point of view and specific attitude ... when it becomes generic and institutionalized, cookie cutter."

Even if EDITION had one thousand hotels worldwide — which Schrager hopes could be a possibility one day — it could still be a boutique hotel brand, he said.

At that scale, though, there's a tendency to standardize. When a hotel company becomes too big with its brand, "it starts to find ways to discover efficiencies and take what works best in multiple locations and apply it to other locations. That's when the boutique character is lost," Hanson said.

"A boutique hotel stops being a boutique hotel when it stops providing an experience for its guests," he added.

Ting agreed. "I think it's hard to use size or number of rooms a qualifier for that anymore. I think it's when you lose that feeling of being in a special place or having a special experience — that's when your boutique hotel card is removed."

Now that more hotels are trying to be "different" and "special," they face the danger of ultimately looking the same

With an eye on the future of boutique hotels, all four experts had a sense of how the concept will transform in the coming years and what issues it will face. As Schrager put it, the hotel industry is at risk of "falling into the same trap that it always falls into. They all start to look like each other."

Everyone trying to replicate the boutique hotel model is the industry's "hamster wheel," Ting echoed.

Schrager shared his theory that as society divides more deeply into two groups — the 1% and everyone else — hotels will do the same. "Hotels follow what the people are doing," he said. In the future, there will be two main types of hotels: small, incredibly expensive hotels, and hotels for the rest of the population, Schrager predicts.

In order to continue to deliver on the boutique hotel's promise of a special experience in a sea of hotels promising the same, Hanson, for his part, predicts that hotels will resort to using an increasingly high-tech, flashy set of techniques to differentiate themselves. Hanson sees hotels adding devices where guests can change the color of the walls with the flick of a remote device, or even change the firmness of a pillow, in order to continue to deliver on the boutique hotel's promise of being special.

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In 2015, the Skift travel magazine declared “The Rise of the Boutique Destination” as a trend to watch. This mirrors the message put forth by urban expert Richard Florida, author of “The Rise of the Creative Class”. Florida has predicted the rise of the distinctive city and the people that support its identity, saying, “How people think of a place is less tangible, but more important than just about anything else.”

The idea of boutique is percolating in the tourism space. In a globalized world, destinations feel they must avoid becoming homogenous places lacking a unique identity.

What is a boutique destination?

The term boutique comes from finance; a boutique bank is one that specializes in one aspect of investment banking. The word is now commonly used to describe a business strategy that provides specialized services for a particular segment of the market.

In travel, boutique often refers to a product like a hotel that is small and focused on a specific clientele – not necessarily expensive, but tailored to a niche.

For destinations, boutique means distinct or specialized . A boutique destination is a place that actively articulates its distinct character. It isn’t trying to be everything to everyone, but instead focuses on the experiences and the stories surrounding what it can do best.

Tourism specialization is increasing across cities, continents, and the world

The trend toward boutique is becoming more important. It has been validated again this year by the European Travel Commission , which produced a competitiveness study of the EU market. The study identifies the breakthrough of boutique destinations as one of the predicted trends for the coming years in Europe.

Estonia (population: 1.3 million) is a splendid example of a boutique destination; its focus on e-Estonia brings colour to the stories it can tell as nation where Skype was born and “internet access is a human right.”

Cities are also making themselves distinct in many places, as Richard Florida predicted. Tel Aviv and Eindhoven have a similar emphasis on technology, while Helsinki focuses on design. Antwerp leads with fashion & diamonds. Lyon is the height of haute cuisine. Riga offers art nouveau architecture. Places like Sarajevo, Belfast, and Bucharest are set to develop the stories of their recent heritage and local conflicts into their own historical identities.

Boutique strategy can also be found within neighbourhoods. For example, Amsterdam Marketing is now promoting surrounding areas like Haarlem, Ijmuiden (rebranded as Amsterdam Castle) and Zandvoort (Amsterdam Beach) in an attempt to distribute visitation beyond the city’s core. Similarly in New York City, word-of-mouth trends tell us that visitation is spreading beyond Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens as the outlying boroughs are promoted as the places to be.

This also reflects larger changes in travel across Europe. European tourism is still growing in volume, but there is an internal shift from the traditional mass tourism destinations to more niche destinations. Geographically, this means a shift in visitation from west to east and from south to north. The nautical tourism boom on some Mediterranean islands is an attempt to respond to this trend with a boutique strategy focused on yachting (with the support of local governments).

You might argue that the same thing is happening on a global scale. The New Yorks, Tokyos, and Sydneys of the world already attract plenty of visitors, but the second- or third-tier cities are seeking their fair share. These smaller places know they need to become known by going niche, because it is better to be a big fish in a small pond than one in the open ocean.

Boutique implications for destination marketing

1. Going niche in a globalized world allows a destination to attract visitors from faraway markets. Passionate tourism means more long haul visitors that are willing to spend more money during their trip. The economic impact per visitor can increase dramatically. For example, the Tour of Flanders cycling race in Belgium attracts amateur cyclists from as far away as Japan. For these guests, the bucket list experience of following the same course as the cycling pros is too attractive to pass up.

2. Destinations with a boutique strategy need to become better known to their niches. To solve this problem, these destination marketers often go the extra mile to manage word of mouth. Content marketing and influencer campaigns are often used here (see Restaurant Australia ’s celebrity chefs for just one example).

3. Your destination can’t separate development from promotion. With a boutique strategy, you need to walk your talk with a holistic approach that includes all branding and marketing activities. Since a brand is the sum of all stories that are told by and about your destination, the experiences you provide must match your words.

Related reading: Why destination marketers need to understand place DNA

Are you developing your brand strategy? Destination Think has helped many destinations as a unique partner through workshops and consultation. To learn how to identify your place DNA and refine your destination’s brand, contact us today .

Featured image credit: Paolo Trabattoni , Flickr

Being involved in a branding process of Israel’s southern desert, the Negev, I wonder if branding a desert will be considered as a Boutique Destination in the eyes of the author of this challenging write-up ?

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Osprey Boutique Travel Dreams in France Made-to-Order

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A luxurious journey into french living, our story.

Tailor-Made itinerary : We specialize in creating Unique, Exclusive and Authentic bespoke travels to France, meticulously tailored to your personality and preferences.

White glove services : We take care of all your arrangements & bookings. With a focus on personalized care, we ensure your travel is a stress-free journey.

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Our goal is to extensively assess the experiences that we offer, allowing us to handpick and present options that truly align with your unique personality and preferences.

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Experience the privileges of accessing prestigious wineries, our selection of the best Michelin-starred restaurants, behind the scenes tours, and much more!

“Planning our trip to France with Osprey Boutique Travel was an awesome experience that exceeded our expectations! Stephanie is wonderful to work with. She carefully listened to what we wanted for our dream France vacation and then organized very detail, from itinerary to execution, delivering an even better experience from what we had imagined. She provided us with days full of magic, balancing guided tours with free time to explore, ensuring we experienced the best of each destination, from Paris to Lyon and the French Riviera. We had an unforgettable evening spent at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Lyon, which we highly recommend! We also appreciated Stephanie's personalized recommendations, she clearly has a deep knowledge of the country and all it has to offer, and makes sure you enjoy France to the fullest while you are there.

I highly recommend Osprey Boutique Travel to anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure in France. Stephanie's expertise , dedication and attention to details make her services truly exceptional."

Javier, San Diego

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The Boutique Traveler

Let us turn your next trip into perfection!

Welcome to the boutique traveler.

We would like to be your main contact for all your future travel plans to Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Portugal. As we are absolute specialists in these countries and work only with the best suppliers to make sure your clients will experience a dream holidays.

Nowadays there is so much information online and unlimited amount of hotels and tours to choose from that it can become somewhat of an overload of information. The Boutique Traveler is here for you to make booking your next trip simple, efficient and perfect.

As our name says it, we are a boutique travel agency, our main company values are very similar to staying at a boutique hotel. We also like to keep our company small, so that we can provide a personalised service, tailor-made to the clients interests and budget.

Besides that we focus on a quick response time and turn-around of requests, together with presenting you all kinds of unique and special experiences in Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Portugal.

While in the end, always offering very competitive pricing compared to other destination management companies. Let’s plan together your clients next holidays?

We will tailor the perfect itinerary according to your clients interests and budget. Turning it into the perfect trip to France, Spain and/or Portugal.

Some unique experiences:.

Douro Valley, Portugal: Explore the Douro Region and experience what makes it so unique during a 2-day private Douro River cruise, that starts from Pinhão. On the first day head towards Foz do Sabor, passing through Valeira’s lock and stopping at a local restaurant for lunch. Then enjoy a wine tasting at Quinta de Vale Meão. At the end of the day overnight at the magnificent Hotel Casa do Rio. The next day, visit in the morning the Côa Museum, where, after the visit, you can also have lunch – overlooking the Douro Valley. We will welcome you aboard again after lunch at Foz do Sabor pier and we will arrive in Pinhão by the end of the day.

Valencia, Spain: First of all Valencia is a wonderful city to visit, a lot less touristic than Barcelona and Madrid. Start the day with a private walking tour of the highlights of the city before heading to the City of Arts and Sciences, with its stunning architecture. Since by now you must be getting ready to have lunch, what better way to join a Paella cooking class, in the city where the dish has originated.

Lisbon, Portugal: The city itself has so much to offer and see, but it would be a shame not to go on at least one day-trip outside of Lisbon. Let your private driver-guide pick you up from your hotel and drive to Obidos. This mediaeval town is one of the most picturesque and well preserved in Portugal. Then visit the Quinta dos Loridos, where the impressive Buddha Eden – the largest oriental garden in Europe, can be found. Such a wonderful and unique place to wander around. And finally head to Quinta de Chocapalha for a tour of their vineyards, and of course a fantastic wine tasting with Portuguese tapas.

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How to Give Your Home a Boutique Hotel Vibe, According to an Expert

Upgrade your home this holiday season with this all-in-one luxury hotel box from Hotels Above Par.

Whether you're off on a beach getaway , urban adventure , or ski trip , there's a coziness factor that comes with checking into a boutique hotel . Combining the feel of an elevated home-away-from-home with all the pampering in the world makes it feel like a true vacation.

Often, I've returned home to find myself trying to recreate elements of those experiences, hunting for (and constantly failing to find) fluffy towels , bringing back scents (I'm still holding onto my last few drops of lotion from Lake Como's Grand Hotel Tremezzo ), and infusing new habits into my daily life (I've become a sparkling water mega-fan after the all-you-can-drink fountains at Denver's Catbird Hotel and London's One Hundred Shoreditch ), yet never even coming close to matching the feelings these hotels provide. Enter The Hotel Box by Hotels Above Par , a gift box filled with six products that can instantly turn any home into a hotel-like oasis.

Meticulously curated by founder Brandon Berkson, the inaugural edition comes stocked with slippers from Monaco, a face mask from a well-known spa, a scented candle from a charming inn, a honey jar from an international hotel's beekeeping program, a cookbook with a property's trademark dishes, and a famous hotel's branded playing cards. The box comes just in time for the holiday season for $155, including shipping, and can be ordered here .

"Boutique hotels are my greatest passion — and it's not only me but our hotel-hungry readers, too," Berkson told Travel + Leisure . "So, with that in mind, I conceptualized The Hotel Box as a way to bring the magic of hotels into our readers' homes and daily lives."

Want to turn your house into a boutique hotel oasis this winter? We talked to Berkson about all the tricks to give your home that elevated atmosphere you're after.

T+L: What gives boutique hotels such a special feel?

Berkson: In my eyes, for something to be a boutique hotel, it needs to have a distinctive personality — most of the time, its traits garner inspiration from a general overarching theme or the surrounding area. While boutique hotels are commonly considered strictly petite, I believe they come in all shapes and sizes — they just need to embed a sense of character, feel boutique-oriented, exceedingly unique, and, most of the time, independent-feeling, the antithesis to overly commercialized, hyper-corporate stays.

How can travelers recreate that same energy at home?

The best way to bring boutique hotel energy into your home is not only to implement a theme into it, but also by ordering signature products on sale from your favorite stays — think signature-scented candles, bath bombs, and branded towels. I can tell you firsthand that making your apartment feel like a boutique hotel gives you a dose of vacation every time you use an item — and who doesn't love a vacation?

What's one quick switch that can instantly give your home that vibe?

Decluttering is the easiest way to make your bedroom feel like a hotel within five minutes, from clearing your nightstand to organizing your bathroom sink area.

What room is the easiest for a transformation?

I'll have to say your bathroom. You can organize the sink area and put items such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, plus fragrances accordingly so they don't clutter your space. You can also add bath products that your favorite hotel stocks — Chicago's The Emily Hotel 's shower equips Malin and Goetz cilantro hair conditioner, and ever since my stay here, I've been buying it for my shower.

What hotel decor inspiration have you brought back into your own life?

I love the Murano glass pieces at my favorite boutique hotel, Casa Angelina , on the Amalfi Coast . Each sculpture is colorful, whimsical, and surrealist, with the majority showcasing disfigured humans and animals. They burst with personality among the hotel's whitewashed interior and, from some angles, the sea backdrop.

The sculptures put me in a good mood — they are playful yet exceedingly delicate. While my apartment is too small for a slew of glass sculptures (and I'm too clumsy to have them), I've brought that playfulness into my loft: a glass encasement full of colorful rubber duckies and a black-and-white picture of a female supermodel reading a newspaper while nude hang on my living room walls, then a surrealist-meets-pop-art painting of Marilyn Monroe fronting an assemblage of East Asian scriptures is in my kitchen. The bottom line is that bringing playfulness into my home drew inspiration from these whimsical, don't-take-life-too-seriously sculptures found throughout Casa Angelina.

What hotel decor are you still trying to emulate?

I recently stayed at The Thinking Traveller's Palazzo Alvear villa, in Noto, Sicily. While it's not technically a hotel, the boutique holiday villa company manages independent properties across Italy, Greece, and France. Each one, from the services to setup, feels like a boutique hotel, but with no lobby or onsite restaurant (although you can arrange for a private chef). At this specific villa, I fell in love with the zebra-striped ottoman sitting between two white sofas. So much so that I've been on the hunt ever since then to find a zebra-patterned furnishing for my living room.

Beds are the centerpieces of most hotel rooms — what's the secret to making your bed more hotel-like?

London's Beaverbrook Town House 's bedroom configurations exemplify what it means to have the bed be the nucleus of a hotel room. Nicola Harding's design efforts at this British hotel, which sports bedroom headboards that enliven the room via their colorful clashing patterns, make your bed a statement piece.

Fluffy towels are one of the greatest comfort items, but it's hard to find ones that last. What's the trick?

Not only are they as fluffy as can be, but Mayfair Townhouse in London also has heated towel racks. Let me tell you, this functionality is on my holiday wish list — winter in NYC can be brutal, so I need these racks in my life!

How can the at-home bath experience be made more boutique-like?

You need candles from boutique hotels, first and foremost: The Morrow Hotel in Washington D.C., The Scott in Scottsdale, and the Sands Hotel & Spa near Palm Springs are three that I love. In addition to these candles, you need a bath bomb — I recommend Le Labo products, which you can find at many boutique hotels.

What colors and tones are best to capture a boutique hotel feel?

It depends on the hotel and its desired aesthetic. Soothing tones such as creams, beiges, and light browns are perfect for minimalist interiors, while statement colors such as red, yellow, and blue inject vibrancy into a space, sometimes spawning a maximalist feel. I appreciate a consistent interior design theme when visiting a hotel.

What hotel stands out for immediately having an aura you wanted to bring back home?

I love Scandinavian-style minimalism — exposed concrete, a dearth of furniture, and a monochromatic color palette of neutrals and soothing tones are my vibe. Some of my favorite boutique hotels that exemplify this are Paradero Todos Santos in Mexico , Forest Dolomites in Northern Italy, and Andronis Concept Wellness Resort in Santorini. With all this in mind, I've brought a monochromatic color palette of whites and grays into my living room, specifically with the sofa, rug, and wall shade — the only pops of color are my travel- and hotel-centric coffee table books sitting atop my coffee table.

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All you need to know about boutique hotels

Well, a hotel is very much like a home. It reflects you, your tastes, and your personality. Booking one goes beyond price or location. When it comes to deciding whether you want to take the plunge and ditch the corporate hotel in favour of a boutique one, it all comes down to one thing alone: your values.

Over the last few years, I have opted for family-run hotels because they care for, support and help communities grow. They often employ locals and the entire experience is tailored to travellers looking for an authentic well-curated hotel.

What is a boutique hotel?

What are the key features and design elements in boutique hotels.

Does a boutique hotel offer an even better guest experience?

Are the locations of a boutique hotel better?

What’s the food like at a boutique hotel, my favourite boutique hotels to stay at, the key differences between a boutique hotel and a regular hotel.

How does KAYAK know what to put in this guide?

Yes, there are mega hotel chains like Bulgari, Marriott and more, but I wanted to swap the mega luxe for something smaller, more intimate, familial, traditional and stylish. And that’s exactly what the boutique hotel experience offers. If you’ve never once stayed in one, think of them as something in the middle between a budget hostel and a 5-star luxury hotel.

When I was in Japan, for example, I stayed in a small, converted ryokan (a traditional Japanese home) in Kyoto. It was a small upscale hotel with only 23 rooms located within the ancient walls of the city complete with a bar, restaurant and concierge team who knew all the locals personally. This, in a nutshell, sums up the fullest and best boutique hotel experience out there. Hyper-local, tailored and nestled in a perfect location .

A boutique hotel is all about detail

Boutique hotels have unique design features, themes and luxury historical details you don’t often find in bigger chain hotels. They are often the work of local designers who source everything from the furniture to the beds and the art on the walls. The result is a hotel experience that is more curated, ambient and above all, homely.

Does a boutique hotel offer a better guest experience?

It all depends on the type of hotel experience you are looking for. Some travellers prefer to be in their comfort zones whereas others prefer to plunge themselves into the adventure of a hyper-local experience.

Local community support

Personalised service

Location is what sets big hotel groups apart from independent boutiques most. Look around any big city and you will notice that many of the bigger hotels and resorts are located by big train stations, within walking distance of great big landmarks, or just outside of the city to help bring down the price . Boutiques, on the other hand, are often found in a city’s more fashionably diverse areas , where cultural hotspots and attractions reign supreme.

Take London, my home, for example. Neighbourhoods like Bloomsbury, Notting Hill, Kensington and Shoreditch are home to some of the capital’s best independent boutique hotels. While some share streets with huge urban resorts, others are hidden in residential haunts (many of them in exquisite period buildings) behind all the action but still within easy reach of all the great things London has to offer .

Some are better located than others, but the general rule is that boutique hotels provide (and prioritise) the easiest access to a city’s most in-demand cultural hotspots.

Experience local life

Another great reason to stay in an independent hotel is that you get to live with the locals for a couple of days . You’ll often find yourself lost in their go-to coffee shops, bookshops, supermarkets, galleries and fashion boutiques, many of which you won’t find in up-to-date guidebooks . This also allows you to meet people and who knows, you might even make long-lasting friends along the way, too.

If you are a foodie you are in for a treat. Boutique hotels believe in the joys of hyper-local gourmet eating. Say for example you find yourself in a small cottage-themed pub hotel in rural England.

In comparison to your standard resort, the menus are often far more innovative and will invite you to try the food the locals eat.

My job is to stay at and review hotels so, naturally, I am picky. For me, staying at a boutique hotel is always the highlight of my job (and even when I go on holiday) because I can immerse myself in the local culture, meet new people and experience a destination as if I were actually living there.

Over the years, I have begun to appreciate the perks of going boutique and as a result, I always make sure to stay in one or two whenever I am abroad. As a result, I have often found myself exploring places that most tourists would never have stumbled across.

If you are still unsure, my top picks for starter boutique hotel stays come in the form of the Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina in Lisbon; a magical period palace once owned by a count; the J.K. Place Roma in Rome located right around the corner from the Spanish Steps; and the Soraniwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei in Kyoto to experience what Japan was like before its rapid modernization.

When it comes to boutique hotels vs. regular hotels, there are many key differences. Both have different audiences and cater to all sorts of needs and comforts. Most boutique hotels as I have mentioned are unique in style and create their own rich ambience thanks to their added personality and character.

Unlike bigger hotel brands, they are often located right in the centre of cultural hotspots and are housed inside small, period buildings with fewer rooms. Think of them as one-of-a-kind stays that do their best to stand out from the rest of the competition.

Target market

Boutique hotels tend to attract travellers in search of trends. They are often stylish, design savvy, and down to hang out with the locals. How does this compare to a regular hotel? Aesthetic plays a huge part.

Traditional hotel brands generally cater to the general public which means everything is more neutral and standardised. Bigger hotels will also often attract guests who are in search of comfort and know what they like. For example, a big pool, spa, fitness center, and 24-hour room service.

Luxury or boutique hotel?

Then, of course, there’s the price. Branded luxury hotels that partner up with labels and big fashion houses will always be more costly, especially if they are five-star hotels. While there is a luxury boutique market, overall, you get more for your buck and won’t find yourself having to re-mortgage your home to finance your holiday.

Boutique hotels are best booked by those looking for unique experiences, storied period properties, intimate settings and excellent, highly personalised service. The beauty of travel is exploring the unknown and getting to know a location beyond the surface level. Staying at a boutique hotel gives you this and more and the chances are that after experiencing your first, you’ll never go back to that stuffy, corporate you once loved and adored.

Some of my favourite cities to stay in a boutique hotel

Choosing your perfect hotel stay comes easier with KAYAK. Using the style filter in your destination hotel search , you will find the ideal boutique hotel for you, whether in London , Edinburgh , Amsterdam , Manchester , Paris , or anywhere else in the world. J

ust look for the Style filter on the left of your search result page when looking for hotels in KAYAK and see the results change and adapt to your style choice. That simple!

How was this guide created?

Travelling is all about adventure and immersing yourself in the great unknown. I love searching and knowing all the best places to stay across the globe, whether I find them on social media or through personal recommendations. Alongside my personal experiences and KAYAK tools, all advice is pulled from extensive research.

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Hotels We Love: Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos Is Baja California Sur’s Newest Adults-Only Luxury Getaway

I’ve only been to Mexico once before — to Tulum and Playa del Carmen on the east coast. We’re talking lush, tropical jungles with plenty of cenotes to explore and bask in while Instagram influencers flood the streets to get their photos taken standing backstage at house and techno parties . It’s fun, to be sure, but in my experience it’s certainly not tranquil.

So when I landed in Los Cabos, on the southern tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in a completely different setting. Calmer, quieter, and decorated with cardon cacti peppered across a desert oasis backdrop. Newly placed in this landscape lies Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos . Having opened in January 2024, the all-inclusive, five-star resort is Velas Resorts’ third property in Los Cabos, following the footsteps of its sister properties of Mar del Cabo and Grand Velas Los Cabos.

Upon arrival at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, you’re greeted with breathtaking ocean views at nearly every corner, vibrant magenta bougainvilleas lining the hallways and white-painted corridors, and a colorful geometric infinity pool that overlooks the Sea of Cortez and the surrounding mountains. And with 79 suites — each boasting a private terrace and personal concierge — the property is a picture of luxury, privacy, and escape.

As you might imagine, the fact that no kids are allowed helps with that latter point.

WHY IT’S AWESOME

Sorry-not-sorry but the best part about this place is that it truly is an adults-only resort.

I didn’t see any children or teenagers during my stay, which helped me to relax while on vacation. Everything was created with only adults in mind, all the way down to the food offerings, the communication style between the staff, and the design of the resort itself. Also, having opened just four months ago, everything is brand new. The infinity pool’s colorful geometric design is completely jaw-dropping while the freshly planted bougainvilleas adorn each little hallway and corridor of the resort making me feel like I was in a sexy fairytale.

Additionally, all guests of Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos have access to the five Grand Velas Los Cabos gourmet restaurant offerings at no additional charge. With the sister resort being a quick two-minute walk away, this was a game changer — greatly expanding your food offerings each night.

I also love that Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos offers complimentary cultural experiences to guests. These include a Mexican chocolate tasting journey of 12 flavors; Mexican wine and cheese pairing from varying states of Mexico like Chihuahua, Oaxaca, and Michoacán; and tequila tasting in the Agave Tasting Room.

FOOD & DRINKS

There are endless food options at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos. With the hotel being newly opened, it was clear that some recipes and dishes were still being dialed in. I ordered several of the same dishes every day and some came out completely different each day, which was confusing but also thrilling — in that you weren’t quite sure what you were going to get. (I joke, but the various chefs can surely be forgiven for needing to get presentations and expect ingredient ratios dialed.)

There are four direct on-site restaurants and bars to satisfy your cravings at any time of the day or night. Frida, featuring high end Mexican cuisine; Piaf, with traditional French cuisine; Lucca, showcasing Italian-Mediterranean specialties; Velas 10, serving seafood and prime cuts; and Cocina de Autor, presenting creative gastronomy led by Chef Sidney Schutte.

In the morning, you can order your breakfast to your room or start your day overlooking the Sea of Cortez at Del Mar restaurant.

A few highlights of Del Mar breakfast:

Hash Brown Potatoes: I wouldn’t even call these “hash browns” as more like scalloped breakfast potatoes. These came as a surprise side on the first morning and I requested them every morning after. They were, without a doubt, one of the best breakfast offerings. The only issue is that they never came completely consistent or the same each morning but when they came crispy and hot they were unbelievable.
Omelet: Just make sure to tell them what you want in it — otherwise it will come as fluffy scrambled eggs. But if you tell them how you want it – filled with bacon, sausage, spinach, mushrooms, peppers, and cheese – it’s the perfect size and consistency.
Avocado Toast: Not all avocado toast is made equal. Instead of a usual guacamole-style avocado spread, these were freshly cut pieces of avocado stacked alongside hummus, cherry tomatoes, and crushed pistachios.
Lox & Bagel: I ordered this every morning and it came out very consistent. The capers added a great pack of flavor to the salmon. They put lox on one side of the bagel though and leave the other half with the smallest amount of cream cheese — they shouldn’t tease you like that!
Crème Brúlee French Toast: I’m a sucker for something sweet in the morning and this satisfied my sweet tooth. The crust was a little too thick but the fluffy middle was to die for, especially if you drizzled just a touch of maple syrup.
Seasonal Fruit: The fruit was fresh! The pieces of papaya melted in your mouth. Bravo to the kitchen team on sourcing produce fresh and at scale!

Then there was the poolside Roca Bar . You could dip into the stunning infinity pool and order your drink of choice at the swim-up bar or bask at one of the dozens of poolside or beachside chairs for a drink and mid-day snack or lunch.

Highlights include:

Al Pastor Tacos: These were initially my favorite. The three “street-style” tacos had exceptional flavor rounded out with red peppers, raw onions, tomatoes, and pickled onions. The meat was juicy and tender and the serving size was perfect. Unfortunately, they didn’t come out the same each day and came out looking and tasting completely different. Overall, the dish was hit-and-miss.
Ceviche: This is where consistency doesn’t have to be an issue. I really liked this because it was different each day depending on the type of fresh fish that was caught. While the fish was fresh and silky, the chips weren’t doing it any justice and were pretty hard and crunchy.
Tempura Shrimp Tacos: The pineapple is perfectly complemented with a hint of lime and overall crunch.
Veggie Samosas: Indian food in Mexico just hits different, right? The curry sauce was to die for and had my mouth water just by the smell of it. That said, they need a new name for these though because they only had potatoes in them with no addition of any vegetables.

LOTO Robata Grill is the flagship culinary destination for the resort. Led by two-Michelin-starred chef Sidney Schutte, I tasted my way through Japanese cuisine prepared over a slow-cooked robata open-fire grill.

Highlights of dinner:

Steak & Tuna Tartar Cones: I’m always wary of steak or beef tartar. The cone presentation made these welcoming and fun to try while the flavors burst in your mouth like how you would take bites of the end of an ice cream cone. Amazing execution.
Rock Shrimp Salad: I was a big fan of the flavor but the shrimp wasn’t crispy. I did like that it came on a bed of French lettuce so it was a nice, light appetizer.
Ribeye: I tried a variety of cooked meats and steaks and the ribeye was by far the best. I’m pretty picky with wanting my steak cooked medium rare, and I thought the ribeye was perfectly juicy and tender.

Again, the restaurant is new and working through kinks. That said, I didn’t have a good experience with the corn or the french fries.

Private butler-concierge service for every suite
Ocean views
Personal plunge pools
Private terraces
Private beach access
Outdoor infinity pool
24-hour fitness center
24-hour suite service
Minibar in suite replenished daily
Parking and valet parking
Business center
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary cultural programming, including Tequila and Mezcal tastings, Mexican Wine & Cheese Pairing, Mexican Chocolate Tasting

Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos features 79 brand-new luxurious suites exceeding 900 square feet of living space. Each suite includes a walk-in shower, a personal jacuzzi, a daily-stocked minibar, welcome bottles of wine and mezcal, aromatherapy diffusers, 24-hour personal concierge service, bathrobes, electric curtains, and Dyson hairdryer and straighteners.

Garden Suite – King bed with double outdoor daybed + outdoor jacuzzi
Ambassador Ocean View Suite – King bed with private terrace + plunge pool
Sunrise King Suite – Ocean-facing King bed with private terrace + outdoor jacuzzi
Pool King Suite – King bed with private fire pit + plunge pool
Grand King Suite – King bed overlooking the highest point of the building with outdoor jacuzzi + separate living room
Grand Class King Suite – King bed with private terrace, plunge pool, firepit + two separate living spaces
Elite King Suite – Two bedroom King bed suites with indoor jacuzzis, outdoor terrace, plunge pool, fire pit

THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK

The best thing to do at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos is fully relax and bask in its offerings. With the private beach just steps away from the pool, you can spend your days sitting poolside getting waited on with endless food and drinks overlooking the Sierra de la Laguna mountains or get your toes sandy and walk the beach. I will say that the beach isn’t set up for swimming unless you walk five or ten minutes to the left where it levels off more, but it’s a great area for exploring the rocks and environment.

With the property still undergoing construction, its on-site spa hadn’t opened yet for guests when I visited. However, guests of the hotel do have access to its sister property Grand Velas Los Cabos’ SE Spa . Spanning 35,000 square feet, spending an afternoon here is true luxury.

The Water Ceremony was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. With my own spa valet, I was directed through a seven-step water journey that included a eucalyptus-scented steam room, polar pool, sauna, and multi-sensory hydro pool with massaging faucets and bubble beds. The bubble beds made me feel like a kid again as they tickled my body but also sent me into a state of full relaxation.

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I always deem a massage successful if I fall asleep, which doesn’t always happen. After I spent an hour guided through the water ceremony, the tequila massage sent me into a deep state of relaxation that I wish I could tap into more. As the name implies, they mix one shot of tequila with massage oil to rub into your muscles, which was something completely new and very well received by me. I was worried that the smell of tequila would be too overpowering but it wasn’t at all.

THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A $20 TAXI RIDE

With the resort being 30 minutes from the Los Cabos airport and 15 minutes from the downtown area, exploring the area is quite easy. The hotel offers transportation and personal scheduling for several activities including visiting El Arco De Cabo San Lucas and Medano Beach, yacht charters, fishing expeditions, and sunset cruises at Cabo San Lucas Marina, snorkeling and swimming at Santa Maria Beach, whale watching, and more.

I decided to set off on my own and get dropped at Plaza Mijares . The town square is the main square of the city and is the perfect place to spend hours walking around like a local. It almost reminded me of Frenchmen Street and Bourbon Street in New Orleans where you can get drinks to go and freely walk around and find something new on every corner. The place lights up on a Friday night with skateboarders, rollerbladers, bikers, and people just frolicking around enjoying the atmosphere.

I’m a sucker for being a cheesy tourist, so taking a photo of the San Jose del Cabo sign in front of the Church of San José was a must. Getting a margarita to go and spending hours poking your head into dozens of little shops, art galleries, and filling up on appetizers from restaurants was the perfect way to spend an afternoon and evening.

Some highlights of the Historic District:

Corsica Galeria De Arte : Offered a compelling walk through multiple rooms featuring contemporary and modern art from Mexican artists.
TWH Art Gallery : I loved this little art gallery! The sculptures, paintings, and jewelry were so unique and most of them touched on graffiti street-style art. I spent quite a bit of time chatting with the owner about the stained glass lamps.
Tequila Town: Pop in here to get a $1 can of beer to walk the streets with.
La Lupita : This place was packed and for good reason. I had some of the best tacos of my life here accompanied with tunes by a local live band. The soft shell crab and kampachi tostadas melted in your mouth. I’m pretty sure I died and went to Heaven when I ate the al pastor tacos, which are wrapped in an asadero cheese crust wrap.

Let’s be clear here: I’m not a morning person. Was I a morning person in Los Cabos? Very much so. The bed faces the near floor-to-ceiling balcony windows and doors, so you can easily catch the sunrise wrapped up in blankets in bed. The goose-down comforters and addition of the pillow menu elevate this bed to the next level.

Rating: 9/10

SEXINESS RATING

Having your own private ocean-view balcony naturally decorated with pink little flower petals would make anyone swoon. The jacuzzi or plunge pool that’s perched on each one sends it over the edge. Having 24-hour access to endless food and drinks straight up to your room – meaning you can relish rich desserts naked on your balcony with your lover – is priceless.

Rating: 10/10

THE VIEWS AND PHOTO SPOTS

Grand Velas Los Cabos is perfect for scoring ultra-sexy Instagram photos. Each suite’s balcony is naturally adorned with bright magenta bougainvilleas flowers to accentuate any photo while the geometric infinity pool lends a beautiful backdrop for a golden hour photoshoot.

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

There really isn’t a bad season to visit and stay at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos. I enjoyed my stay here in February which granted me warm days and cool nights. I personally would have liked it to be a tad bit hotter to fully enjoy the ocean and pool, but it was nice to not be sweating just walking around the property.

December through April is considered “high season” and you can also count on seeing whales coming up for air from your balcony during this time.

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING

The hotel is very much still under construction, both literally and figuratively. Literally in the sense that some corridors were blocked off for construction and you could see some parts of the hotel getting built up more from your balcony, which at times was disruptive. Figuratively in that with it being completely new and open, the service is not completely dialed in. Is that something to be expected of a new hotel? Sure. But if you’re paying for five-star service, you should know that this is a work in progress.

Another thing to note is that I’ve never been so bummed to get on an elevator. Knowing that the elevator is the magical vibe holder to the grander hotel experience , this was like getting into a dark, futuristic warehouse-style room that lacked air conditioning. The elevators did not align with any of the design of the resort in the slightest, which was just bizarre to me.

Suites at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos start at $1,200 per night.

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The 29 best glamping resorts in the u.s..

Get off the grid in glamour and comfort.

The Best Glamping Resorts in the U.S.

Glamping tent with two chairs on the porch at Mendocino Grove.

Courtesy of Mendocino Grove

Glamping resorts offer both adventure and luxury.

If you're enticed by the idea of camping but don't want to deal with the inevitable grunt work that comes with it, glamping (or glamorous camping) is the perfect compromise. Read on to discover the most unique glamping resorts in California, Florida, Tennessee and other destinations across the U.S.

The Resort at Paws Up: Greenough, Montana

Exterior shot of snowy cabin at The Resort at Paws Up.

Courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up

There's glamping, and then there's glamping at The Resort at Paws Up . One of the pioneers of modern-day glamping, The Resort at Paws Up offers six exclusive glamping camps (with prices to match), each one offering a different experience. Solo travelers and couples will love the two-story Tree Haus at the resort's adults-only retreat, called the green o. North Bank Camp – with three-bedroom, two-bathroom tents – is ideal for large families. You can book an individual tent or, if traveling with extended family and/or friends, even an entire camp. Guests can even bring along a furry friend, as this resort is dog-friendly.

Glamping guests enjoy a dedicated camping butler and, because this is an all-inclusive resort , three gourmet meals with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages daily. Select activities such as mountain biking and snow tubing are covered in nightly rates. For additional fees you can also take advantage of the many unique guided activities and excursions you don't find at most resorts, from snowmobiling to hot air balloon rides. On-site transportation and shuttle service to and from Missoula Montana Airport, about 35 miles away, are also included in your stay.

While the lodging and amenities make Paws Up one of the best glamping resorts in the U.S., it's the staff members who have earned this resort rave reviews from previous guests. The Resort at Paws Up offers glamping mid-May through mid-October, while the green o is available for stays year-round.

Address: 40060 Paws Up Road, Greenough, MT 59823

Terramor Outdoor Resort: Bar Harbor, Maine

Interior of tent at Terramor Outdoor Resort. Two chairs in front of a bed.

Courtesy of Terramor Outdoor Resort

As KOA's first foray into glamping, Terramor Outdoor Resort offers luxury tent accommodations near Acadia National Park in Maine. All tents feature electricity, Wi-Fi, portable heaters and coolers plus other convenient amenities, though the types vary in capacity from two up to five guests and whether they have a bathroom. This family-friendly resort features an abundance of amenities that travelers love, including a pool and hot tub, lawn games, live entertainment, evening campfires, stargazing lectures, and an on-site restaurant and bar where guests can enjoy craft cocktails and regionally sourced beers. Pets are also welcome at Terramor, especially in the on-site dog park.

Terramor is a designated stop for the Island Explorer, a free shuttle service that transports visitors to Acadia National Park, downtown Bar Harbor and other areas of interest on Mount Desert Island. The Island Explorer operates seasonally, from mid-June to mid-October.

Address: 1453 Maine state Route 102, Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Backland: Williams, Arizona

Interior of cabin room at Backland. Bed facing a large window on a sunny day.

Courtesy of Backland

Opened in 2022, Backland is a remote resort with four glamping options: Backland Suite, Grand Suite, Sky Suite and Grand Sky Suite. The latter two feature a view of the stars from a 16-foot skylight over the bed, but all four are fitted with panoramic windows for breathtaking views of the Arizona wilderness. These luxury tents accommodate up to either four or six guests, plus no more than two pets. Each features king-sized beds, a full en suite bathroom with a shower, luxury linens, electricity, automatic climate control, an outdoor patio, a coffee maker, a minifridge, housekeeping services and some toiletries.

Backland purposefully doesn't offer Wi-Fi in the tents – only at reception – as guests are encouraged to unplug during their stay. Instead of doomscrolling on social media, you can enjoy bird-watching, stargazing and roasting s'mores over a campfire. There's also a tented spa, a restaurant and a pond with a beach. Glampers at this resort say they appreciate the cozy accommodations and peaceful atmosphere.

Backland is located less than 15 miles from downtown Williams, Arizona, close to some of the best places to visit in Arizona , including Flagstaff (about 40 miles away), Grand Canyon National Park (less than 60 miles) and Sedona , which is a roughly 60-mile drive from the resort.

Address: 6929 E. Rosilda Springs Road, Williams, AZ 86046

Klarhet: Lutsen, Minnesota

Exterior shot of dome windowed tent at Klarhet.

Courtesy of Klarhet

Klarhet, which means "clarity" in Swedish, aims to bring just that to its glamping guests. The intimate property is located on the shores of Lake Superior and surrounded by a regenerative food forest, where an assortment of edible plants and animals attempts to mimic natural ecosystems – and where guests are invited to take a tour.

Klarhet offers just four domes – Raidho, Dagaz, Laguz and Berkanan – which all bring the outdoors inside with stellar views of the night sky and lush greenery. Each dome is equipped with king- and queen-sized beds; sustainably sourced cotton bedding; a large fan; a toilet; a custom rainfall shower; Public Goods bath amenities; Turkish bath linens, bathrobes and slippers; and a yoga mat. Amenities at Klarhet include a communal fire pit, board games and snowshoes to use in the local state parks, where you can also hike. Recent guests praise everything about Klarhet, from the accommodations to the staff.

Address: 233 Ski Hill Road, Lutsen, MN 55612

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo: River Ranch, Florida

Exterior shot of cabins at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.

Courtesy of Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

The Sunshine State is synonymous with theme parks and beaches , so you might be surprised to learn you can also go glamping in Florida.

At Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo near Kissimmee, you can spend the night in a variety of luxury glamping accommodations, each with a private bathroom and kitchenette: Choose one of the climate-controlled luxury tents or the Luxe Conestoga Wagon, which has space for up to six guests. Regular glamping tents with separate bathroom facilities are also available. Guests of all the glamping accommodations enjoy perks such as coffee and pastry deliveries each morning and access to a personal concierge; if you opt for one of the three luxury glamping options, another special amenity is a golf cart for roaming the property.

Not only is Westgate River Ranch considered a glamping resort, but it's also the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of this property's activities and amenities: airboat and swamp buggy rides, horseback riding, an archery range, a petting farm, a weekly rodeo, an on-site steakhouse and more. Resort activities, including VIP tickets to the rodeo, are covered in rates for glamping guests staying in one of the two luxe accommodations, making the experience nearly all-inclusive. Previous visitors agree this relaxed resort is a fun alternative to the nearby theme parks in Orlando .

Address: 3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch, FL 33867

Bodhi Farms: Bozeman, Montana

Exterior shot of tent in grassy field at Bodhi Farms.

Courtesy of Bodhi Farms

Nestled beside the Gallatin Mountains, Bodhi Farms allows travelers to sustainably and authentically experience the beauty of Montana through immersive activities and amenities. The warmer months boast creekside yoga and spa services, farming projects such as gardening and caring for livestock, a wood-fired sauna, nightly campfires, and fly fishing both on- and off-site. Farm-to-table dining at the field kitchen restaurant – situated on an open-air patio during the summer – includes the opportunity to try the Cowboy Brunch. Complimentary breakfast is available to guests of the hotel's nine glamping tents, another highlight of this eco-resort .

Available for stays from May to October, each cone-shaped tent features either one king bed or two twin beds, plus plush pet beds for up two dogs. The accommodations are also equipped with a private porch, two lounge chairs, a hammock, plenty of natural light, and heaters and fans upon request. Luxurious bathrooms are shared yet still feel private, and Bodhi Farms provides eco-friendly toiletries and complimentary bathrobes.

Just south of Bozeman, Montana, Bodhi Farms' location makes a convenient base to visit some of the state's top attractions , including Big Sky Resort and Yellowstone National Park , one of the top-rated national parks in the U.S.

Address: 13624 S. Cottonwood Road, Bozeman, MT 59718

Camp Long Creek: Ridgedale, Missouri

Exterior shot of a bright tent at Camp Long Creek in the evening.

Courtesy of Camp Long Creek

Named for its location on Table Rock Lake at Big Cedar Lodge (created by the founder of Bass Pro Shops), Camp Long Creek offers glamping near Branson, Missouri . Its glamping units bring wood floors and chandeliers into a canvas tent, with each offering an outdoor bathtub, a fire pit, a table and chairs, a small fridge and coffee maker, and sleeping accommodations for two. These tents are scattered around the property, so views range from the lake to the forest. All units are dog-friendly and feature a private bathroom.

When you're not white-knuckling the roller coasters at Silver Dollar City (considered one of the best amusement parks in the U.S. ) or uncovering history at the Titanic Museum Attraction, take time to enjoy the resort's activities such as golfing, hiking, or boating and fishing on the lake. Other amenities include pools and hot tubs, a fitness center, and a canteen with grab-and-go bites and beverages. Previous guests rave about the setting and conveniences of glamping at this resort.

Address: 1358 Long Creek Road, Ridgedale, MO 65739

Alila Ventana Big Sur: Big Sur, California

Courtesy of Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort

There are few destinations in California that offer luxury in a place where you would otherwise have to rough it. In Big Sur , a region that is only accessible via one road and doesn't always offer electricity, travelers will find a limited selection of five-star accommodations – among them Alila Ventana Big Sur .

The resort offers safari-style tents in a 20-acre redwood canyon, all equipped with plush beds, electric lamps, instant hot and cold potable water with sinks, and power outlets with USB ports. Glampers can also make use of amenities for enjoying the outdoors, such as Adirondack chairs, wood-burning fire pits and picnic tables. Restrooms and showers are available at a shared, well-maintained bathhouse.

Glamping guests can purchase the Spa Alila Day Pass, which includes one 50-minute massage or facial, one poolside entree and one nonalcoholic beverage, plus full access to the meadow pool, infinity hot tub and sauna. You also have the option to enjoy fine dining at The Sur House on-site. Some parts of the Alila Ventana Big Sur grounds are reserved for resort guests only, so glampers will not have access to certain facilities.

Address: 48123 California state Route 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Treebones Resort: Big Sur, California

Exterior shot of Treebones Resort overlooking the ocean.

Courtesy of Kodiak Greenwood

If you want to glamp in Big Sur, you might also consider Treebones Resort, which offers yurts with king beds and modern furnishings, as well as accommodations you're not likely to find elsewhere. The Autonomous Camp Collection's twin units, which can best be described as a full apartment fit into a tent, take glamping to the next level; this solar-powered, upscale option is complete with a bedroom, en suite bathroom, lounge area and outdoor deck. For a more rustic but no less unique stay, the Human Nest campsite is exactly what it sounds like – meaning you'll need to bring your own bedding and tent for protection from the elements when you sleep on the futon pad inside this wood art.

Something else Treebones Resort has that you don't find at most glamping resorts? Sushi. The Wild Coast Sushi Bar features an omakase dining experience in which patrons sit face to face with the chef, who uses their reactions to craft the 14-course tasting menu. Previous guests say it's an absolute must when staying here. You can also dine at The Lodge Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner.

Other on-site amenities include a massage studio and yoga. The rugged coastline views at Treebones Resort rival many in the area, and glampers may also choose to explore the beauty of Big Sur through guided excursions.

Address: 71895 California state Route 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Under Canvas: Multiple Locations

Bailey Made | Courtesy of Under Canvas

First-time glampers should consider Under Canvas, which offers a dozen glamping locations nationwide – including its newest outpost in Paradise Valley, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park.

Guests in the safari-style tents enjoy king-sized beds, wood-burning stoves, West Elm patio furnishings, and en suite bathrooms with organic bath products and hot running water. On-site cafe-style dining (including locally sourced ingredients) is available in addition to complimentary camp programming that spans yoga, guided hikes, live acoustic music, fireside chats and s'mores.

Other amenities vary by location. At Under Canvas West Yellowstone, there's a coffee bar and an event space just for kids, while at the Grand Canyon site, guests can sip cocktails at an outdoor bar. Under Canvas operates seasonally, with dates varying for each site.

ULUM Moab: Moab, Utah

Courtesy of Bailey Made

An elevated experience by Under Canvas, ULUM Moab – which opened in 2023 – caters to travelers in search of the ultimate luxury-meets-camping experience. As such, all Suite Tents feature a plush king bed with Parachute linens; a living area with a queen bed and chairs; an en suite bathroom with a rain shower, Aesop toiletries and Turkish cotton bathrobes; and a private deck. All accommodations are pet-friendly.

ULUM Moab also offers on-site dining, three dipping pools, a yoga deck, sound bath meditation and more – making it the perfect home base for explorations in the nearby city of Moab as well as Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Reviews of the new resort are all positive, with many mentioning the location and staff among their favorite highlights.

Address: 147 Looking Glass Road, Moab, Utah 84503

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort: Townsend, Tennessee

Exterior shot of cabin at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. Women on porch.

Courtesy of Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

Aside from Under Canvas' Great Smoky Mountains location, there are several individually owned resorts and rentals with glamping in Tennessee . Among the best options is Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, which in addition to its modernized cabins and tiny homes offers glamping tents.

These glamping accommodations come in three forms: the Luxury Glamping Lodge, Luxury Glamping Tents and Primitive Glamping Tents. All are equipped with plush bedding, heating and air conditioning, and a fire pit with a grill grate. The luxury options come with private bathrooms and kitchenettes, while the "primitive" experience means you'll have to venture over to the bathhouses.

An exhaustive list of resort amenities includes a lounge with coffee, games and books; a zero-entry swimming pool, splash pad and hot tub; outdoor spa services; a dog park (yes, the resort is pet-friendly); a playground; a community garden; sports courts; and food truck service. Don't forget to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park , just minutes from the resort. Recent guests say Little Arrow Outdoor Resort is especially fun for families and groups.

Address: 118 Stables Drive, Townsend, TN 37882

Asheville Glamping: Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina is the best place to travel alone

Getty Images

Asheville Glamping stands out for the variety of accommodation options it offers across three sites near Asheville, North Carolina . In addition to traditional glamping tents, travelers can rent a treehouse or choose from a variety of domes, including options with indoor slides and space for up to eight guests – perfect for families.

Amenities vary by accommodation category. If you select the Safari Tent (which sleeps up to five guests with an additional cot), you'll enjoy a queen-sized bed and a futon; an outdoor propane grill, fire pit and picnic table; air conditioning; and a shared bathhouse with toilets and showers. Pets are welcome at Asheville Glamping, and you'll find plenty of local outdoor adventures to enjoy with your furry family members.

Read: The Top Hikes in Asheville, North Carolina

El Cosmico: Marfa, Texas

Nick Simonite | Courtesy of El Cosmico

If you're looking for a dog-friendly glampground with whimsy, consider the stylish El Cosmico in the small desert city of Marfa, Texas. One of the best glamping resorts in Texas , El Cosmico offers a variety of unique accommodations including solar-powered Jupe Tents, designed by a team from SpaceX and Tesla. In the future, it will offer the world's first 3D-printed hotel accommodations.

Travelers also have the option to stay in a vintage trailer, yurt or the Cosmic Kasita, a limited-edition bunkhouse. With the exception of some of the trailers and the Cosmic Kasita, most accommodations don't have private indoor bathrooms, so you'll use a communal bathhouse. El Cosmico also offers a communal outdoor kitchen and dining area, bike rentals, a provisions store, a hammock grove, an outdoor stage, and wood-fired Dutch hot tubs.

Address: 802 S. Highland Ave., Marfa, TX 79843

Collective Retreats: Multiple Locations

Courtesy of Collective Retreats

Did you know you can go glamping in New York City ? Collective Retreats, which has a location on Governors Island, also operates two other glamping resorts – in Texas Hill Country and near Vail, Colorado – with several others in the works.

Accommodations in every location are pretty cushy, with luxurious linens, panoramic views, electricity and upscale toiletries. Some tent types, such as the Outlook Shelter exclusive to the Governors Island resort in New York, feature an en suite bathroom, while others require you to use a shared bathhouse.

Collective Retreats offers an array of activities across its locations, whether you want to get a massage in New York, go wine tasting in Texas Hill Country or ride a horse in Colorado. You can also enjoy the on-site dining experiences, with globally inspired cuisine.

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Dunton River Camp: Dolores, Colorado

Courtesy of Dunton River Camp

Situated on 500 acres in the Colorado Rockies, this former cattle ranch is surrounded by verdant meadows and forests radiating a sense of adventure. Dunton River Camp is not only stunning but also intimate: It has just eight safari tents on-site. Each tent, sitting on a 640-square-foot wooden platform, comes equipped with luxe amenities including a king-sized bed, a gas stove, complimentary Wi-Fi access, two mountain bikes, a private bathroom with a 6-foot soaker tub and shower, and a towel warmer.

Guests can choose between glamping sites with views of the Dolores River or the mountains. Nightly rates, based on two guests, include all meals and beverages (including nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks at the resort's lounge, Barbara's Bar), making this an all-inclusive resort.

Keep in mind that Dunton River Camp is only open in summer, from June to October. You can find Dunton River Camp in southwestern Colorado , about 190 miles south of Grand Junction.

Address: 50014 Road 38, Dolores, CO 81323

Capitol Reef Resort: Torrey, Utah

Courtesy of Capitol Reef Resort

Capitol Reef Resort is among several places in the U.S. where glamping takes the form of a Conestoga wagon. The resort's Conestoga wagons can sleep up to six guests thanks to two twin bunk beds accompanying the king bed. They feature lighting, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and beautiful rustic furnishings. Additionally, guests have access to detached private bathrooms located a short distance away.

The resort also gives lodgers the option to stay in conical glamping tents, which sleep two adults and come with much of the same amenities as the wagons – plus flat-screen TVs. Both glamping options are available seasonally, typically from late May through September.

Capitol Reef Resort also offers on-site dining and an outdoor pool and hot tub with views of Utah's red rock cliffs. Previous guests say it's a convenient place to stay if you plan to explore Capitol Reef National Park, one of the lesser-known treasures in Utah .

Address: 2600 Utah state Route 24, Torrey, UT 84775

Sinya on Lone Man Creek: Wimberley, Texas

Courtesy of Sinya on Lone Man Creek

Experience the beauty – and the award-winning wineries – of Texas Hill Country at Sinya on Lone Man Creek, a property inspired by a trip to Tanzania and named after a baby elephant in Kenya. This glamping retreat is situated atop a ridge, making you feel as if you're in a treehouse overlooking the beautiful surrounding greenery and Lone Man Creek. The creek's name aptly sets the scene for this exclusive experience, since the property consists of only one tent – but it can accommodate two guests, so there's no need to be truly "lone" if you don't wish to be.

This singular tent is decked out in beautiful country-style furnishings and outfitted with a king-sized bed (not to mention goose-down pillows), a Nespresso coffee maker, a sofa, a kitchenette and a bathroom, which features a claw-foot tub, bathrobes and Turkish towels. Venture outside and you'll find the resort has five furnished outdoor spaces for lounging, including a deck with a hot tub and shower. Recent guests, many of whom visited with a romantic partner, appreciate the seclusion of this glamping resort.

Address: 428 Deer Lake Estates, Wimberley, TX 78676

Read: The Top Romantic Getaways in Texas

The Ranch at Rock Creek: Philipsburg, Montana

Courtesy of The Ranch at Rock Creek

This five-star dude ranch in western Montana, frequently lauded for providing one-of-a-kind travel experiences, also specializes in glamping. Like the rest of its property and offerings, The Ranch at Rock Creek takes its glamping to the next level.

Glamping accommodations start at nearly 800 square feet and are part-tent, part-cabin. With 10 such dwellings in four different styles – some of which are open year-round – options for amenities vary. Inside these "canvas cabins," you'll typically find spacious bedrooms, additional living areas, gas stoves, attached bathrooms, and outdoor spaces such as porches or decks. Guests can also sleep in a Conestoga wagon with a king bed and twin bunks.

What's more, glamping accommodations qualify for the resort's all-inclusive rate, which covers farm-to-table meals, drinks, transportation on the ranch and airport transfers, as well as resort activities like horseback riding and archery. Peak season at this property spans late May to early September, but the property is open year-round. The Ranch at Rock Creek exceeds expectations, according to previous guests.

Address: 79 Carriage House Lane, Philipsburg, MT 59858

Borealis Basecamp: Fairbanks, Alaska

Courtesy of Borealis Basecamp

If you've ever dreamed of sleeping beneath the northern lights in Alaska , it's time to plan a stay at Borealis Basecamp. Located less than 30 miles north of Fairbanks , Borealis Basecamp unfurls across 100 acres and offers igloos and cubes in lieu of tents, further elevating the one-of-a-kind experience.

These igloos feature cozy beds, Wi-Fi access, private bathrooms with showers and hairdryers, free toiletries, and skylights so guests can fall asleep admiring the aurora borealis when visible. The cube accommodations feature most of the same amenities, but instead of skylights, guests enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows and "treehouse" beds with viewing windows just for kids, plus an en suite bathroom. Not surprisingly, recent guests say staying at Borealis Basecamp was one of the most unique experiences they've ever had.

Address: 2640 Himalaya Road, Fairbanks, AK 99712

Little Raccoon Key: Jekyll Island, Georgia

Courtesy of Little Raccoon Key

Little Raccoon Key – a small, uninhabited island accessible by a short boat ride from Georgia 's Jekyll Island – stands out from most other glamping destinations in the U.S. for one reason: There's just one campsite available. Not only will you have the entire reef island to yourself, but you'll be pampered by staff from start to finish. In addition to your private-island accommodations and the short boat tour there that often passes dolphins, you can request chef-prepared meals, pre-arrival grocery delivery and a lesson on oyster reefs around the island at no extra cost.

Your campsite features most necessities, such as a luxury canvas tent, a memory foam mattress, a gas grill, a stove, a kettle, other cooking supplies, and an outdoor shower and toilet. You can also take advantage of the Adirondack chairs, board games and books. While Little Raccoon Key provides a cooler for ice, it's recommended to bring your own so you can store several days' worth of food, since there's no refrigerator. You also won't find running water or air conditioning at this solar-powered island camp, but you'll be provided with a battery-powered fan. Note that Little Raccoon Key requires a two-night minimum stay.

Address: 1 Harbor Road, Suite No. 1, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Firelight Camps: Ithaca, New York

Sean Stalteri | Courtesy of Firelight Camps

Experience the natural beauty of upstate New York with a stay at Firelight Camps. This glamping site enjoys a scenic location in a wooded area that's not only minutes away from local state parks including Buttermilk Falls but also less than 4 miles south of Ithaca's popular Collegetown neighborhood, making this particular destination easier to reach than most.

Canvas drapes the natural wood beams of the tents, which come with either one king bed or two queens. Tents also feature hardwood floors, a private tented balcony complete with rocking chairs, lanterns with USB ports, and a writers desk and chair. Upgraded tents come with electricity, though it's important to note that none have private bathrooms; instead, there's a shared bathhouse with eco-friendly products.

Guests can also expect to enjoy artisanal spirits at the on-site bar as well as delicious (and complimentary) breakfast each morning, thanks to co-founder Emma Frisch, who was a top finalist on season 10 of "Food Network Star" and has her own cookbook. Previous guests praise the resort staff's hospitality.

Address: 1150 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850

Read: The Top Romantic Getaways in New York State

Sandy Pines Campground: Kennebunkport, Maine

Douglas Merriam | Courtesy of Sandy Pines Campground

Kennebunkport is known for its beaches and quaint downtown area, which often leaves the nearby green spaces overlooked by visitors. But Sandy Pines Campground offers travelers the chance to experience these underrated landscapes in Kennebunkport without sacrificing proximity to the water. Guests can choose from a variety of unique accommodation options, including Airstreams, Conestoga wagons, cottages, huts and traditional glamping tents.

The tents for couples are decorated to the nines – some with chandeliers – and outfitted with a king-sized bed, a seating area, a private deck, a mini-fridge, lighting, air conditioning and a small heater, and bath amenities. The family tent options have similar features but come with either a daybed in the main tent or a separate smaller tent with twin beds.

Guests can take advantage of glampground amenities such as bathhouses, a saltwater pool, the General Store and Snack Bar, laundry facilities, bike and water sports equipment rentals, and lots of activities for kids. Speaking of younger guests, previous visitors say Sandy Pines Campground is especially ideal for families.

Address: 277 Mills Road, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Mendocino Grove: Mendocino, California

Find a serene glamping experience in one of California's most breathtaking small towns . Mendocino Grove sits within a forest bluff adjacent to the town, affording spectacular views of the camp's towering trees and the coast.

Most glamping tents sleep two guests, but some sleep up to four or six. You'll also find some options that are dog-friendly. Beds vary in size and come with down comforters and wool blankets; the adult beds also feature heated mattress pads. All tents come equipped with fire pits, picnic tables and limited electricity for powering lamps (which have USB ports) as well as other approved devices including CPAP machines. Private decks with leather butterfly chairs complete the glamping accommodations.

Other on-site amenities include two shared bathhouses with organic products (plus a dog wash), hammocks, a bocce ball court and yoga. Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa at The Meadow Commons, which also offers Wi-Fi and lends out books and games.

Address: 9601 California state Route 1, Mendocino, CA 95460

Huttopia: Multiple Locations

Courtesy of Huttopia

What started as a small campsite in the French Alps in 1999 has since expanded to more than 60 locations across three continents, including five U.S. sites in California, upstate New York, southern Maine and New Hampshire's White Mountains. Huttopia's goal is to provide travelers with comforts that go above traditional camping but aren't so comfortable that you'll stay in your tent rather than explore the beautiful surroundings of its properties.

All tents and cabins offer plush beds and electricity, while some have private bathrooms, kitchenettes or kitchens, and decks. Shared bathhouses are available to guests who don't have private toilets and showers. The company's newest U.S. location, Huttopia Wine Country, opened in 2023 in partnership with Northern California's Six Sigma Ranch and Winery. Overlooking the region's rolling vineyard hills, it features a swimming pool as well as French camping cuisine – from espresso to crepes to brick-oven pizza – at its on-site Café-Bistro.

AutoCamp: Multiple Locations

Exterior shot of van and grounds at AutoCamp.

Matt Kisiday | Courtesy of AutoCamp

If your idea of glamping is spending the night in an RV – but you don't have the budget or patience to buy one – it's time to explore AutoCamp. This glamping resort company specializes in Airstream accommodations, with six locations (and counting) ranging from national parks to beaches. Airstream amenities vary slightly by location, but you can expect plush beds (including dog beds upon request), spa-inspired bathrooms, heating and air conditioning, basic cookware, and fire pits with grills.

Families love the BaseCamp Mini Suites – an Airstream with an adjacent tent for kids – available seasonally at select resorts; another unique lodging option at some sites is the BaseCamp Suite, which is part-Airstream, part-tent. All locations offer traditional standalone glamping tents as well as accessible accommodation options.

Like the accommodations, some of the on-site programming varies by resort. For instance, AutoCamp Yosemite and AutoCamp Zion (the newest property) have pools, while the Cape Cod location has a playground. But all of AutoCamp's outposts are dog-friendly and offer complimentary cruiser bikes (first come, first served), Wi-Fi and coffee; they also promise on-site stores for provisions, including wine and beer, and an experience you won't soon forget.

Lakedale: San Juan Island, Washington

Shot of tent at Lakedale in the evening.

Courtesy of Lakedale

Off the coast of Washington state, Lakedale offers year-round glamping on San Juan Island, a picturesque place that can only be accessed by ferry or floatplane. Here, year-round glamping accommodations consist of yurts. Each comes with a king bed, full-sized sleeper sofa, an en suite bathroom, a wet bar, a fridge, a flat-screen TV, a skylight, seating indoors and outside, and private decks with hot tubs.

In the summer months, travelers also have the option to glamp in a canvas cabin or cottage, ideal for families with space for up to six guests. Complimentary on-site activities at Lakedale include lawn games, bike rentals and water sports on the resort's three spring-water lakes.

Address: 4313 Roche Harbor Road, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA 98250

Read: The Best Weekend Getaways From Seattle

The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls: Logan, Ohio

Interior shot of a kitchen with red appliances inside cabin at The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls.

Courtesy of The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

Surrounded by the lush forests of Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is one of the most romantic getaways in Ohio . Choose from fully equipped cabins and cottages (some of which are pet-friendly) as well as yurts and geodomes. Each insulated yurt has a king bed or two twin beds, a full bathroom, a kitchenette that includes a gas log stove and microwave, a wood deck, and rocking chairs. The geodomes, outfitted with one king bed, have similar amenities to the yurts, plus a dining table and sofa.

All guests have access to a full-service spa and a restaurant, lauded by guests for its food (which includes complimentary breakfast); both are located in 1840s-style log cabins. Of course, you'll also find outdoor activities galore, from hiking to stargazing at nearby John Glenn Astronomy Park, named for the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth.

Address: 21190 Ohio state Route 374, Logan, OH 43138

The Vintages Trailer Resort: Dayton, Oregon

Interior shot of a bright trailer at The Vintages Trailer Resort.

Courtesy of The Vintages Trailer Resort

The Vintages Trailer Resort offers 36 trailers in a variety of styles, nine of which welcome dogs and all of which make the perfect home base for those exploring Oregon's Willamette Valley, otherwise known as Oregon wine country. Trailer styles and designs vary, but all offer comfortable beds, bathrooms – or at the very least toilets – air conditioning and heating, and kitchenettes or outdoor grills. Separate shower facilities are also available. Pro tip: Book the 1956 Spartan Royal Mansion trailer in the warmer months to stargaze from an open-air soaker tub.

The on-site amenities at The Vintages Trailer Resort are almost as good as the trailers themselves – think: a seasonal swimming pool, fire pits, a general store and complimentary cruiser bikes for enjoying Dayton, the gateway to several local vineyards. Even better is the staff, whom previous guests praise in their glowing reviews of the resort.

Address: 16205 SE Kreder Road, Dayton, OR 97114

The Best Wellness Retreats in the U.S.

Private hot tub in Ladybird Suite at Lake Austin Spa Resort.

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These Are the 5 Best Hotels in Nantucket for Every Type of Traveler

From historic bed-and-breakfasts to sprawling, amenity-rich resorts.

The hotels on Nantucket are all proud, thoughtful reflections of their coastal environs and pleasant pace of life that invite all guests to slow down and savor each moment. We’ve narrowed down the island’s top-notch properties that offer the best in hospitality, accommodations, dining and amenities that will keep you coming back for more, whether you prefer the buzzy summer months or relish in the quiet of the off season. These properties offer something for all ages and interests, whether you're seeking a multi-generational getaway, romantic weekend, vacation with friends, or a solo trip. Here, the best hotels in Nantucket for every type of traveler.

Best Hotel for Romance: The Wauwinet

Who it’s for: Couples seeking a romantic getaway, travelers seeking a five-star experience
Type(s) of Accommodations: Rooms, one-bedroom cottages, and the three-bedroom Anchorage House
Notable Amenities: Oceanfront with private beach access, one of the top restaurants in town, complimentary BMW X5 rentals
Location: Wauwinet

Pros: Privacy, unbeatable views, award-winning wine collection, seasonal in-room floral displays

Cons: Far from most other top destinations on the island, no on-site spa

While certainly the top pick for couples, The Wauwinet is also fantastic option for any party seeking the ultimate luxury experience on Nantucket. Situated at the farthest end of the island (about eight miles from downtown), guests will not only savor privacy but also some of Nantucket’s most picturesque views. There is truly no better place to be during golden hour than on the hotel lawn or seated outdoors at Topper’s sipping a glass of sunset-hued rosé.

The Wauwinet has a boutique feel that captures Nantucket’s breezy yet elegant charm while offering a host of top-notch amenities, such as a pre-arrival concierge to ensure a seamless experience; daily sherry, port, and cheese tastings in the afternoons; and tours of the hotel’s widely acclaimed wine cellar. It's also the only Relais & Chateâux property on the island.

Best Hotel Accommodations: White Elephant Nantucket

Who it’s for: Families and other large parties looking for spacious, stylish accommodations and a range of amenities closer to downtown
Type(s) of Accommodations: Rooms, suites, residences, garden cottages, and downtown lofts
Notable Amenities: Plenty of kid-friendly equipment and activities, two beloved restaurants, pool cabanas, on-site spa
Location: Downtown Historic District

Pros: Newly renovated, wide variety of accommodations, location, complimentary transportation around town

Cons: Not on the water, very pricey during high season

The sprawling White Elephant resort, a sister property to The Wauwinet, is a top destination for families and parties of all sizes looking a luxe stay while being right in the middle of the action. This property boasts the widest range of accommodation options for whatever your group desires, be it a more traditional suite overlooking the Nantucket Harbor, a chic garden cottage, or a gracious pied-à-terre-style loft downtown.

Beyond having some of the best culinary destinations on the island in Brant Point Grill and Topper’s, the newly renovated White Elephant boasts one of the few hotel spas on Nantucket, along with a family-friendly pool equipped with cabanas and an ice cream cart. However, the resort offers complimentary use of bicycles and self-driving BMWs for those looking to venture outside the property, and a pre-arrival concierge will ensure that you make the most of your time with a roster of curated local experiences.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE WHITE ELEPHANT

Best Boutique Hotel: Greydon House

Who it’s for: Aesthetes and travelers seeking a cozier setting
Type(s) of Accommodations: Rooms, suites, private guest houses
Notable Amenities: Acclaimed Via Mare restaurant, Acqua di Parma and Ursa Major toiletries, library

Pros: Inspiring interiors, in-house dining, unique packages for enthusiasts of all kinds

Cons: No in-house breakfast or room service

Designed by famed husband-and-wife team Roman and Williams, this stunning 20-room boutique property in a mid-19th century house takes a global approach to Nantucket’s classic coastal design, from the block printed John Robshaw linens to the hand-painted Portuguese bathroom tiles featuring nautical scenes. However, Greydon House is much more than a pretty face, boasting a popular Venetian-inspired dining destination in Via Mare, clever amenities (think: complimentary use of Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 11 cameras), and thoughtful wellness-inspired programming, as well as seasonal retreats that feature functional medicine consultations, massages, and a memorable trek through Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.

While we love the cozy, historic property that houses the main rooms, hotel restaurant, and charming library, Greydon House also offers more luxurious, private accommodation options in its four distinct guest houses nestled around the island's best neighborhoods. These stylish properties will help you establish a true home away from home in Nantucket while having the same chic design and curated amenities found at the hotel.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT GREYDON HOUSE

Best Hotel for Families: The Nantucket Hotel

Who it’s for: Travelers seeking a quintessential Nantucket vacation with all the amenities and beach proximity
Type(s) of Accommodations: Rooms, suites, cottages
Notable Amenities: Unparalleled wellness facilities, a seasonal kids’ club, ample culinary programming
Location: Brant Point

Pros: Only all-season resort on the island, award-winning hospitality, complimentary shuttle services

Cons : May be too bustling for a romantic getaway

This iconic hotel became even more famous with Elin Hilderbrand’s The Hotel Nantucket , which was inspired by this property (sans ghosts!). If you’re looking for an all-ages destination with every amenity you can think of, The Nantucket Hotel offers a colorful, comprehensive vacation experience. Children will love the kids’ club (offered in-season) and dedicated kiddie pool, while the adults will appreciate the ample spa and fitness programming and a separate pool for ages 14 and up.

The Nantucket Hotel is acclaimed for its impeccable hospitality that will leave you feeling like family after just one stay at this beloved property. While there is clearly plenty to do without leaving the hotel (including plenty of exciting dining experiences), the property offers complimentary beach and ferry shuttles, as well as antique vehicle rides around town to help guests maximize their itineraries. It’s worth mentioning that the hotel is dog-friendly, which may be a major pro for some and a deal-breaker for others, but it does add to the festive atmosphere.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE NANTUCKET HOTEL

Best Hotel for Historic Charm: Jared Coffin House

Who it’s for: History buffs and those looking to be at the center of it all
Type(s) of Accommodations: Rooms and suites
Notable Amenities: Pre-arrival concierge, courtesy car service, continental breakfast
Location: Downtown

Pros: Location, free island transportation, classic design, great value

Cons : On-site restaurant only open for part of the year, not much privacy for families

The historic Jared Coffin House is seated at an idyllic address on downtown’s buzzy Broad Street, though it manages to feel quite private. Another sister property to The Wauwinet and White Elephant, the Jared Coffin House offers a slew of modern amenities within this elegant bed-and-breakfast-style manse filled with antique furnishings and prominent local art. The hotel features a dining destination in the Nantucket Tap Room, daily continental breakfast and afternoon snacks, courtesy car service, and complimentary access to bicycles for cruising around town. Plus, you’re just steps away from the best dining, shopping, and local sights—many of which can be seen from the window of your suite.

While you may not have as many on-site amenities as the sister properties, Jared Coffin House offers the best of both worlds in staying at a cozy, historic inn, while having access to the pool, spa, fine dining, and other offerings at The Wauwinet and White Elephant. Each room is inspired by the grace and charm of this historic island and the suites are named after prominent citizens through the years.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE JARED COFFIN HOUSE

Lauren Wicks is a freelance writer and editor based in Birmingham, Alabama. Before going on her own, Lauren worked for brands such as VERANDA, EatingWell, and Cooking Light , and she covers all things lifestyle from interior design and luxury travel to wine and wellness.

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Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort

Experiences

Welcome to Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort

Discover an all-new resort experience in the florida keys.

Welcome to a one-of-a-kind place of possibilities. Fifteen waterfront acres of invigorating adventure and idyllic relaxation in the heart of the Florida Keys. A family-friendly place of easygoing enjoyment and simple pleasures, with a variety of bright, island-inspired guestrooms and cottages. And The Cove, an adult-centric resort-within-a-resort, features a tranquil, private beach lagoon. All around, you’ll see the tropical beauty and feel the authentic spirit of the Keys. Enjoy nine distinctive culinary offerings, from the woodsmoke warmth of our Signature Restaurant to the legendary Tiki Bar. Here in Islamorada, the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” the expertise of seasoned fishermen and a full-service marina await serious anglers and curious newcomers alike. Whether you’re looking for unparalleled fishing, family fun in the sun, a romantic getaway, an upscale corporate retreat, or an unforgettable seaside event, Three Waters Resort & Marina offers the ultimate Florida Keys experience.

Rooms & Suites

Rates vary by date & room type

FEATURED AMENITIES ON-SITE

Hotel information.

Check-in: 4:00 pm

Check-out: 11:00 am

Minimum Age to Check In: 21

Pets Welcome

$150 USD non refundable fee per room per stay.

Maximum Number of Pets in Room: 2

Complimentary On-Site Parking

The Tiki Bar at Three Waters Resort & Marina was established in 1969 and stands proud as the Florida Key's very first.

Little Limon

This elevated cocktail and raw bar is the perfect place to enjoy the freshest catches from our waters, paired with a breathtaking view.

Mercado Morada

At the resort's epicenter, this new outdoor street market celebrates cuisine from across Central America in various formats.

Islamorada Pizza Co.

A pizza paradise renowned for its signature pies. Enjoy beer, wine, and frose in an indoor-outdoor setting surrounded by retro art, beachy colors, and a large banyan tree. This spot blends flavorful pizzas with a laidback tropical vibe.

Guests will never have to leave the pool for drinks or light bites with the resort’s swim-up bar, Kokomo.

Located poolside at the resort-within-a-resort concept, The Cove’s Hideaway will offer healthy dining options and lighter cocktails for guests looking to refresh after a swim or a workout in the resort’s Wave Motion Studio.

Coming Soon – Signature Restaurant

Lucky Twist

Lucky Twist offers a delightful twist to beach days with a soft-serve window, serving up creamy treats to satisfy every sun-soaked craving.

Starbucks offers handcrafted beverages, premium teas, and delectable treats. High-quality arabica coffee is artfully roasted and brewed to unlock distinctive flavors, served one cup at a time.

More Ways to Enjoy Your Stay

Hotel Gym and Fitness Facilities at Tribute Portfolio Hotels

Wave Motion Studio

Our studio has everything you need for a great workout, all while enjoying breathtaking ocean views!

GETTING HERE

84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida, USA, 33036

Property Details

Accepts: Credit Cards

Concierge desk service

Property has elevators

Languages spoken by staff: English, Spanish, Creole

For more information about the physical features of our accessible rooms, common areas or special services relating to a specific disability please call +1 305-7031300

Accessible on-site parking

Self Operating lift or a sloped entry in hotel swimming pools

Service Animals are Welcome

Van Accessible on-site parking

Accessible Entrance to On-Site Pool

Entrance to On-Site Fitness Center is Accessible

Main Entrance is Accessible

Meeting Spaces are Accessible

On-Site Restaurants are Accessible

Room and Suites Access through the Interior Corridor

Bathtub Grab Rails

Closed Caption TV

Deadbolts on Guest Room and Suites Doors

Electronic Room Key

Guest Room and Suites Doors Self-Closing

Hearing Accessible Rooms and/or Kits

Lever Handles on Guest Room Doors

Lowered Viewports in Guest Room Doors

Mobility accessible rooms

Roll-in Shower

Room Windows Open

Safety Chains and/or Latches on Guest Doors

Secondary Locks on Room Windows

TTY/TTD Compatible

Viewports in Guest Room and Suites Doors

Frequently Asked Questions

The check-in time at Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort is 4:00 pm and the check-out time is 11:00 am.

The pet policy at Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort is:

The parking options at Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort are:

The property amenities at Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort are:

Yes, Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort has free Wi-Fi available to hotel guests.

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THREE WATERS RESORT AND MARINA, ISLAMORADA, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO™ HOTEL RESORT

84001 Overseas Highway,

Islamorada, Florida, USA, 33036

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leading consulting group

Leading Consulting Group (LCG) is a sales and marketing company specializing in luxury hotels, premium lifestyle services and exclusive brands. Launched in 2007 by Viktor Dimitrov, it offers a prestigious portfolio of clients strategic direction and a comprehensive range of personalized marketing and sales representation services across the Eastern European region.

We represent exceptional luxury hotels, service providers and lifestyle brands.

We hand pick just the right ones for the portfolio to ensure a consistent level of excellence.

They know they are special and unique and want a team of experts that share the same values and goals. A visionary team that can open the right doors and move market share one company at a time. Our clients represent luxury beyond the traditional understanding of this notion.

Leading Consulting Group offers bespoke comprehensive solutions to build a long-term relationships with our clients.

We grow revenue for our clients by creating awareness, educating the travel trade and generating sales by positioning ourselves as an extension of our client's sales & marketing team.

Outsource Sales and Marketing services
GSA Representation
Strategic planning and communication
Brand strategy
Destination Management
Media relations
Public Relations
Lobbying and Public affairs
Media planning and buying
Content creation
Press clipping services
Crisis Management
Corporate Reputation Management
Sales Calls
Sales Solicitation
Corporate and Leisure Business
Call Center & Room Reservations
Newsletter and Mailing Creation
Business Pairing
Trade and Consumer Events
Event management
Trade and Media Fams
Client relations management (CRM)
Annual rate contracting and negotiations
Educating training programs for travel professionals
Printed Materials Handling

Grada Boutique Hotel

About grada boutique hotel.

Hotel Room You’ll have a private room with all the hotel’s amenities
Freebies This stay includes Wi-Fi for free

The Grada Boutique Hotel lives up to its name and is a four-star boutique hotel just one mile from the center of Moscow. With only 27 beautifully designed rooms, and a location that allows you to walk to the world-famous Red Square in just 15 minutes, it is a rare find. Certain to appeal to both leisure and business travelers equally, it provides many upscale amenities and services to all guests.

Upon arrival, guests can count on the free shuttle services to and from the hotel. Onsite amenities include full business services, laundry and shoe shine services, a coin-op laundry, and a tour and ticket desk. There are several dining options on the premises, including a bar and lounge area, 24-hour tea and coffee in the lobby, a café and snack bar, and a restaurant.

Visitors may also want to use the fitness center, the sauna, book some time for a massage, or relax in the TV lounge, or if the weather is good, on the garden or sun terrace.

The rooms are all unique, but each will feature a mini-bar, private bath, separate dressing area, premium toiletries, television and radio services, cable TV services, a terrace or siting area, and individual heating. There is free WiFi throughout, and the front desk is staffed 24-hours a day.

Elegant and popular, the Grada Boutique Hotel offers guests a two-minute walk to the delights of the Bolshoi Theater, and is but five minutes from the Teatralnaya Metro Station. The Sheremetyevo International Airport is a 35-minute express train ride from the neighborhood, and all of this makes it a good choice for the business or leisure traveler in Moscow.

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What's nearby

Bolshoi Theatre 157 m
State Historical Museum 0.7 km
Red Square 0.8 km
GUM Shopping Centre 0.8 km
Lenin's Mausoleum 0.9 km
St. Basil's Cathedral 1 km
Moscow Kremlin 1.1 km
Tchaikovsky Concert Hall 1.6 km
Patriarch's Pond 1.6 km
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour 2 km
State Tretyakov Gallery 2.2 km
Moscow Zoo 2.6 km

When to book a room at Grada Boutique Hotel

Faqs when booking at grada boutique hotel, where is grada boutique hotel located.

Grada Boutique Hotel is located at Kuznetsky Most Street, 6/3, Bld. 3 in Tverskoy District, 2.1 km from the centre of Moscow. Bolshoi Theatre is the closest landmark to Grada Boutique Hotel.

When is check-in time and check-out time at Grada Boutique Hotel?

Check-in time is 14:00 and check-out time is 12:00 at Grada Boutique Hotel.

Does Grada Boutique Hotel offer free Wi-Fi?

Yes, Grada Boutique Hotel offers free Wi-Fi.

How far is Grada Boutique Hotel from the airport?

Grada Boutique Hotel is 26.5 km from Moscow Sheremetyevo.

How does KAYAK find such great Grada Boutique Hotel hotel deals?

KAYAK scours the web for all room deals available at Grada Boutique Hotel in Moscow and lets you compare them to find the best rate for your stay. Many different travel sites will offer discounts or deals at different times for rooms at Grada Boutique Hotel and KAYAK will provide you with prices from a huge range of travel sites. That means that you can always find a great deal for Grada Boutique Hotel.

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Travel Boutique
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What Is a Boutique Hotel? Definition and Examples
What is Boutique Travel? Thoughts from a Travel Blogger » NY to Anywhere
What Is a Boutique Hotel? Characteristics, Perks, & More
What is the meaning of boutique hotel?

COMMENTS

What Boutique Travel Is and Isn't
"What makes boutique travel special is the dedicated teams that make every moment memorable, plus the uncompromising service, experience and value that is provided to each and every customer ...
Boutique Travel
While that might be true for a 500 person booze-cruise, a small boutique cruise is different. You have a single, central location for food, housing, and activities. Think of how many people you see passing through the hotel lobby, eating at three restaurants a day, and getting to various activities. On the boat, you see the same group of people ...
What Is a Boutique Hotel?
Boutique hotels often feature accommodations where the decor is tailored to the property's geographic location or neighborhood. The word "boutique" is thrown around quite a lot these days, from ...
What is Boutique Travel? Thoughts from a Travel Blogger
What Boutique Travel means to me. To me, boutique travel means a focus on quality over luxury, thought many times it's both. It will usually provide modern amenities and local flare. The design concept at the hotel is well thought out and offers an artistic effort or efficient lay out. The feeling of being there is magical, special or feels ...
What Is a Boutique Hotel, Exactly?
What is the difference between a boutique hotel and a regular hotel, anyway? Learn what a boutique hotel is, along with a few examples we recommend booking. ... intimate offerings like this which contribute to a truly boutique experience." As a travel advisor, Seshardi has discovered boutique gems in most well-visited cities and resort ...
Definition and Examples of a Boutique Hotel
A boutique hotel's intimate size produces the one-on-one, five-star hospitality service and heady ambiance that they're known for. 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.
What is a boutique hotel? Your complete booking guide
Boutique hotels have unique design features, themes, and luxury historical details you don't often find in bigger chain hotels. They are often the work of local designers who source everything from the furniture to the beds and the art on the walls. The result is a hotel experience that is more curated, ambient, and above all, homely.
What Is a Boutique Hotel, and Why Do People Love Them so Much?
Boutique hotels are rooted in a sense of place and evoke a "special" feeling. "Special" is the word that surfaced most in conversation — Ting, Gabbai, and Hanson all used it at least once ...
Boutique destinations are making a massive impact
In travel, boutique often refers to a product like a hotel that is small and focused on a specific clientele - not necessarily expensive, but tailored to a niche. For destinations, boutique means distinct or specialized. A boutique destination is a place that actively articulates its distinct character. It isn't trying to be everything to ...
Milk + Honey Travels
If it was just about loving travel, I'd spend my time trying to be an influencer and call it a day as I hashtag blessed my way around the world. Here is the truth: I love helping people. I've found this beautiful intersection of my knowledge and expertise with all things travel, my knack for understanding people, and geeking out over ...
Savor Travels
Contact. Trips worth savoring. Your perfect getaway awaits. We're a modern boutique travel agency that curates luxe trips to beautiful destinations, with tailor-made itineraries, seamless planning, and complimentary VIP perks at thousands of properties around the globe. Whether you're planning a honeymoon, girl's trip, or family vacation ...
Boutique Travel Agency
Welcome! Our travel experts truly listen to clients' desires so that they can co-create custom itineraries that deliver exceptional vacation experiences, complete with luxurious touches and extra special surprises. We also believe that part of what makes a "luxury vacation" genuinely luxurious is being taken care of every step of the way ...
Away 2 Be
Away 2 Be is a boutique travel company focusing on authentic experiences around the world. We bring families and small groups abroad. Our trips are custom-designed to meet the needs of open-minded people who want more from international travel. We connect people.
Boutique Luxury Travel Agency
There is a better way to plan your next vacation—and it starts with The Departure. Work with your own personal travel advisor to craft a customized journey that surprises and delights you at every turn. Our vetted travel partners deliver exceptional experiences in the world's most spectacular places, and our list of curated properties ...
Luxe & Leisure
Luxe + Leisure is a boutique travel agency that designs exceptional travel experiences for luxury travelers. ... At Luxe+Leisure Travel, we curate exceptional itineraries for travelers ready to experience and connect more. Whether you are thinking of a bucket-list, solo trip to an iconic, vibrant destination or a relaxing vacation surrounded by ...
Osprey Boutique Travel
At Osprey Boutique Travel, we specialize in creating exclusive travels to France, perfectly aligned with your unique personality and preferences, and we invite you to experience the authentic French Way of Life, elevated by our native french expertise.
Travel boutique online
Travel boutique online is the largest Online travel agency. TBO offers the White label Solutions and B2B, B2B travel agency. You can buy domestic and international air tickets, hotels, travel insurance, holiday packages through Travel Boutique Online.
The Boutique Traveler
The Boutique Traveler is here for you to make booking your next trip simple, efficient and perfect. As our name says it, we are a boutique travel agency, our main company values are very similar to staying at a boutique hotel. We also like to keep our company small, so that we can provide a personalised service, tailor-made to the clients ...
How to Give Your Home a Boutique Hotel Vibe, According to an Expert
"Boutique hotels are my greatest passion — and it's not only me but our hotel-hungry readers, too," Berkson told Travel + Leisure. "So, with that in mind, I conceptualized The Hotel Box as a way ...
What is a boutique hotel? Your complete booking guide
A boutique hotel is all about detail. As for style rules, boutique stays are much more unique and bougie in style. When I travel (which is a lot thanks to my job) I am often on the lookout for hotels that ooze character and individuality and not a clinical space. That's the beauty of staying boutique.
World of Hyatt Adds Over 700 Boutique and Luxury Hotels and Villas
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces that World of Hyatt is offering members new access to earn and redeem at a collection of more than 700 boutique and luxury hotels and villas around the globe with Mr & Mrs Smith, the luxury travel platform Hyatt acquired in 2023, now available for booking today.From glamping stays and boutique wellness retreats to grand palazzos, world-class ski resorts and ...
Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos: An Awesome Hotel You'll Love
Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos features 79 brand-new luxurious suites exceeding 900 square feet of living space. Each suite includes a walk-in shower, a personal jacuzzi, a daily-stocked minibar ...
Embark on a journey of luxury and diversity: Bangkok Airways introduces
Redefine — through a new series of online advertisements featuring Yaya, showcasing a travel experience beyond the ordinary in the boutique cabin of the Boutique Blue airline. This caters to the lifestyles of all travellers, offering convenience from check-in, complimentary baggage allowance of 20 kilograms, boutique lounge service ...
New Boutique Luxury Residence Resort Debut in Tulum
Namron Hospitality is a collection of boutique luxury Mexican hotels and restaurants in Tulum, Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende. For more information, visit www.thebespoke.com . Related Stories
The 29 Best Glamping Resorts in the U.S.
Just south of Bozeman, Montana, Bodhi Farms' location makes a convenient base to visit some of the state's top attractions, including Big Sky Resort and Yellowstone National Park, one of the top ...
The 5 Best Hotels in Nantucket for Every Type of Traveler
The Wauwinet has a boutique feel that captures Nantucket's breezy yet elegant charm while offering a host of top-notch amenities, such as a pre-arrival concierge to ensure a seamless experience; daily sherry, port, and cheese tastings in the afternoons; and tours of the hotel's widely acclaimed wine cellar.
Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute ...
Stay with character in Islamorada at Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Resort. Our independent boutique hotel offers captivating accommodation & amenities.
Leading Consulting Group
Viktor is a Founder of the well-renowned Conde Nast Traveller Luxury Travel Fair, a travel-trade event that became synonymous with the luxury travel industry in Eastern Europe. ... Viktor personally deals with all major key players on the market from large tour operators. boutique travel agencies to media. bloggers and celebrities. We represent ...
Grada Boutique Hotel . Moscow Hotel Deals & Reviews
Compare prices and find the best deal for the Grada Boutique Hotel in Moscow (Moscow) on KAYAK. Rates from $102.
Walking Tour: Central Moscow from the Arbat to the Kremlin
This tour of Moscow's center takes you from one of Moscow's oldest streets to its newest park through both real and fictional history, hitting the Kremlin, some illustrious shopping centers, architectural curiosities, and some of the city's finest snacks. Start on the Arbat, Moscow's mile-long pedestrianized shopping and eating artery ...

Search Travel Market Report

What Boutique Travel Is and Isn’t – Here’s How to Qualify Your Clients

What is Boutique Travel? Thoughts from a Travel Blogger

What is Boutique Travel?

What Boutique Travel means to me.

Typical requirements for a hotel being a ‘Boutique Hotel’

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Everyone Loves a Boutique Hotel. But What Exactly Is One?

What is a boutique hotel?

What to expect from a boutique hotel

Size matters—to an extent

The world’s best boutique hotels

What Are Boutique Hotels?

Characteristics of a Boutique Hotel

It's Petite

It Has a Strong Personality

It has a Contemporary Vibe and a Quirky, Modern Spirit

It's Rich in Local Flavor

It Focuses on Food and Beverage

It's Pet-Friendly

Our Favorite Boutique Hotels Around the World

All you need to know about boutique hotels

What is a boutique hotel?

Are the locations of a boutique hotel better?

A boutique hotel is all about detail

Does a boutique hotel offer a better guest experience?

Local community support

Personalized service

Experience local life

Target market

Luxury or boutique hotel?

Some of my favorite cities to stay in a boutique hotel

How was this guide created?

About the author

Explore more articles

Travelers around the world are flocking to boutique hotels — but no one can agree on what, exactly, they are

Boutique hotels are rooted in a sense of place and evoke a "special" feeling

Boutique hotels have been around for decades — and today's boutique hotels don't look like the early ones

The line between boutique hotels and mainstream hotels is blurring

Size doesn't define a boutique hotel — unless it takes away from that "special" boutique feeling

Now that more hotels are trying to be "different" and "special," they face the danger of ultimately looking the same

Watch: A villa once owned by Pablo Escobar is now an impeccably designed boutique hotel

Boutique destinations are making a massive impact

5 April 2017

What is a boutique destination?

Tourism specialization is increasing across cities, continents, and the world

Boutique implications for destination marketing

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