Why Boutique Hotels Beat Big Chains Every Time
Chances are, you’ve had to feel this before, so you ever walk into one of those big chain hotels and think, “Wait… have I stayed here before?” Well, chances are, if you’ve stayed in one, to a degree, you’ve stayed in all of them. Actually, Hilton and even Marriott are both great examples, because their decor, food, and overall services are all the same (right down to the interior). So yeah, it’s not really a surprise that hallways, beds, and decor all look and smell the same no matter where you are in the world.
They’re fine, sure. Plus, they’re safe, predictable, and even convenient too. Like, you know what you’re getting, you can go to Canada or India, or wherever, and with those chains, you know what to expect. But they’ve got zero personality. You don’t leave thinking, “Wow, what a stay!” Well, sometimes those chains offer premium experiences, so maybe then, but that’s a big fat “maybe”.
But anyways, getting back on track, you would if you stayed in a luxury hotel, but you wouldn’t for a generic chain hotel, right? So, why not consider a boutique hotel for your next trip? They’re a whole different story. You walk in and instantly know you’ve made a good life choice. If you haven’t stayed in one yet, well, here are some pretty good reasons why you should.
They Actually Feel Like Somewhere You Want to Be
So, it’s best to just start right here, because yeah, boutique hotels just get it. They’re not trying to dazzle you with 14 floors, five conference rooms, and a gym. Okay, sure, they want to dazzle you, but they want to do it differently.
They’re going for comfort and charm. They want to give the kind of warmth that makes you feel like you can stay as long as you want, not the whole “Check outs at 11, no exceptions” that hotels push. Just think of small businesses versus small businesses in general, you usually get more care and attention from a small business, right? Well, boutique hotels are small businesses!
The Staff Actually Remember You Exist
The people actually care, just being blunt here. On top of that, they don’t just hand over your key and pretend to type your name into the computer for effect. They chat. They ask how your day’s been, what you’re in the area for. Like, it’s genuine, it’s not small talk. You can tell if someone was trained to ask questions versus someone who is genuinely curious.
They remember you. This is the best part, and yeah, this is what hospitality is supposed to be. Now, this isn’t knocking large chains, but there are so many rooms, so many floors, so it’s not like they can remember everyone’s name and give everyone special treatment like a boutique hotel could.
The Luxury is Better
Have you ever stayed in a chain that was labeled as “luxury”? Well, if you have, then you’ll notice that the luxury itself feels stiff. It just doesn’t feel warm or welcoming. For the most part, everything is cold, it’s weirdly quiet, and it just doesn’t feel calm or anything like that. Sure, some people love that stiff feeling, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Doesn’t it feel better to be relaxed, like that “lived in “ type of feeling? Wouldn’t you rather have afternoon tea in a relaxed and fun environment than an unusually quiet environment? Yeah, exactly. Well, most boutique hotels focus on that calm and open type of luxury feeling. Like, you can curl up in their lobby with a drink without feeling like you’re being judged by a passing manager (or even other hotel guests that somehow know this weird unspoken rule).
