So if you're planning something independent and unique, here are a few tips to help you create the right hotel in the right place and for the right market.
Luxury, comfort, service
Those are your three buzz words; your principle focuses and the three things generally associated with the boutique hotel brand as a whole. Boutique hotels are lifestyle experiences, small scale establishments offering an upscale stay. A boutique hotel should be a one off with a unique theme and a high level of personal service.
Size matters
Too big and your hotel stops feeling 'boutiquey' too small, well, boutique hotels can't really be too small. As a rule of thumb, anything under 200 rooms can fit into the boutique category.
No cookie cutters
This applies to both your hotel's look and its service. Guests expect something out of the ordinary; a sense of enchantment. The design of your hotel goes part way, be it a styled reflection of your local history or some other novel approach. On top of that, and as guests tire of the robotic, technology-heavy processes of the big chains, an up close and personal style of service will help to set you apart. Guests of boutique hotels generally stay in such places because they want to connect with staff. They want an interactive experience and they want to be treated like royalty.
Renovate, don't build
This is a purely financial one to avoid any blow outs in start up costs. It's far more economical to find an existing building approximating your vision than to build one from scratch. What you save in overall structural costs can then be channelled into room titivation and such niceties as pools, spas and fine dining.
The right location
If you have a building in mind, go there and look around you. Look down every adjoining street. What businesses are already there? Are there a good number of international operations likely to bring business your way? If you can't see a good number of companies likely to need the services of a top flight local hotel, you're probably in the wrong place.
