The Boutique Renaissance: The Many Flavors of Boutique Hotels

The boutique hotel world continues to get more intriguing. Following decades in the underground, catering to travelers in the know, today’s boutique hotels are more accessible and popular than ever.

Following our blogs over the past few months discussing what it means to be a boutique hotel and how these spaces have become so popular, we’re today looking at the many types of boutiques available to guests. From budget-friendly spaces to luxury digs and so much more, many guests are seeking out new experiences—and new operators to provide.

Boutique Hotels for Every Need

Today, boutiques have taken on a life of their own. Rather than simply existing as part of the larger hospitality space, boutiques do it all. From boutique hostels to convention boutiques, there’s an offering for every taste, budget, and style. Boutique hostels for the budget-minded traveler? A unique space to hold a convention? How about a boutique B&B?

Just some of the options, according to the Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association. As the competitive landscape matures, offerings have become more diverse. Here are just some of the offerings available.

Classic Boutique: The Original

The hotel that started it all. Combining the local flair, unforgettable designs, and comforting furnishings that emulate their respective neighborhoods, classic boutiques are provide the unmatched experiences that boutiques are known for. Expect intimate hotels with less than 50 or 100 rooms, a tight connection to the neighborhood, and a reasonable price for the amenities.

Budget Boutique: Making the Most out of a Space

For the traveler seeking accessible-but-intriguing amenities, the budget boutique is the answer. Rather than going all-out on amenities, these spaces are built on giving travelers something fun, especially in the public spaces. This emerging niche is one of the fastest growing areas in the boutique world, giving travelers a social media-friendly space in a high-price location—at a budget-friendly cost.

Luxury Boutique: The Next Level

Take a classic boutique and ramp up the amenities, and you have a luxury boutique. Still providing the unique experience that boutiques are known for, guests are treated to upscale design, top-rated dining options, and often-spacious rooms.

Branded Boutique: National Chains, Unique Experiences

The biggest trend in the past few years has been the rise of boutique collections by national brands. Resulting in the Branded Boutique, guests still receive the same boutique focus on hyperlocal experiences, personalization, and authenticity from a company they already know—and with whom they may have a relationship.

Residential Boutique: Extended Stay Meets Creative Experience

Combining long-term stays with luxury amenities and services, the residential boutique offers the consistency of a serviced apartment and the small things that make a boutique stay special. Guests still get the consistency of coming home to a full apartment, but also get the fun vibes and ability to explore the town.

Boutique Bed & Breakfast: Thoughtful Spaces, Comfortable Stays

Guests have long turned to B&Bs as a way to get away. But boutiques take the idea of offering maybe five rooms, up the number to 50, and make it work. Boutique B&Bs often combine the rustic design elements with luxury food, unique amenities, and customized services to provide guests with unforgettable trips.

Historic Boutiques: Authenticity Meets History

Part of any good boutique is its connection to the neighborhood or the space itself. Historical boutiques make the most of both, paying homage to historic buildings while offering modern and personalized amenities. If done right, guests receive the best of both worlds from these offerings, getting the opportunity to connect with the city they are staying in new and unexpected ways.

Micro Boutique: Unique Experiences, Even in Small Rooms

For the true urban explorer, Micro-Boutiques give travelers an intriguing space to sleep without the room drawing too much attention to itself. Rather than building around the guest rooms, micro-boutiques focus on social and lively public areas while driving guests to explore the neighborhoods around them.

Hipster Boutiques: The Pinnacle of Discovery

Often the most connected to local events, unique activities, and interaction, Hipster Boutiques focus on public spaces and recommendations. Whether built to cater to concertgoers, beer aficionados, or urban explorers, guests often see an ordinary room experience that coax them out and about.

Concept (or Lifestyle) Boutiques: Experiential and Focused

One of the boutique hotel ideas to become popular recently, concept boutiques are built around a lifestyle. Want to go on a wellness week? Focus on the art scene? Get connected to the local brewery scene? This is where the concept boutique shines. Think of these as a themed space that is built around its audience to provide the pinnacle of personalization.

Convention Boutiques: Unique Spaces for Business Travel

Though convention hotels can offer incredible amenities, travelers seeking the unique experiences after a long day of networking have the opportunity to live the boutique lifestyle. These independent hotels are often located near convention centers, and provide a truly unique experience for guests.

Adventure Boutique: Off the Trail, but Ready to Cater to Guests

Focused on unique destinations, these independent hotels give guests the opportunity to explore breathtaking landscapes and return to a hotel that offers more of the same. From guided tours to outdoor activities, guests are still pampered—even after a long day outdoors.

Boutique Resort: Independent, All-Inclusive, and Immersive

As all-inclusive resorts become more and more corporate, the boutique resort takes its own approach. Built for a leisurely stay, guests seeking an immersive experience can stay at one of these independent spaces that caters to travelers craving this.

Boutiques at Sea: Cruise Independently

Shrink down a cruise ship, offer interesting experiences, and design for avid travelers, and you have yourself the boutique at sea. These spaces are built on hiring the best staff, providing focused on-board activities, and offering immense knowledge of the ports they stop at.

Morgan Li: Supporting the Hospitality Space

Whether it’s a boutique space or a brand-friendly experience, we’re trusted by operators and architects to ensure that their space comes out just the way they planned. As a custom manufacturer of casegoods and furniture for the hospitality space, we’re ready to take on whatever project you need done, turning out work on time, on budget, and just like the rendering. Get to know more about who we are, the many hospitality brands we’ve worked with, and contact us for a free consultation.

Recent Work: Boutique Hotels

• Fieldhouse Jones Nashville
• The Chicago Collection – Wrigleyville (formerly The Wheelhouse)
• Hotel Northland
• Infinity Hotel