The meaning of a Boutique Hotel in Italy

What is a boutique hotel?

It is not easy to describe the meaning of a “Boutique Hotel” because the definition varies from state to state and also because each holder provides his interpretation of the meaning of the “Boutique Hotel” label.

Although the definition is not completely clear, we can identify four focal points that qualify a hotel to be called a boutique hotel in Italy

 Place: First of all, all the boutique hotels are characterized by two types of accommodation: urban and resort accommodation. The boutique hotels located in the urban-style accommodation are immersed in a trendy atmosphere and a style that we find in cities such as Rome, Venice, Palermo, Milan, which influence the design, architecture or style. The boutique hotel accommodation in the resort type are characterized instead by their proximity to the tourist centres of prime importance and generally are placed in hidden places and less known and from islands.

 Style: Secondly, the boutique hotels in Italy do not belong to hotel chains and have no more than 150 rooms. They contain comfortable and elegant accommodation, one different from the other. Most of them are also referred to as “design hotels”, as the furnishings of the boutique hotels maintain local materials revisited, completely white furniture or with flashes of bright colours, a mix of success between modern and ancient. The boutique hotels in Italy are also a tribute to the furnishings, materials and details termed ‘Made in Italy’.

Atmosphere: Warmth and intimacy are the key points that describe the atmosphere of the boutique hotel in Italy. Moreover, this enveloping and intimate environment coexists with the idea of accommodation provided with all the necessary services and with the mission of proposing only quality products, and for those hotels located in the heart of the city, the presence of technology (from Wi-Fi to music and light games).

Experience: Finally, a boutique hotel in Italy provides a strong connection between the guest and the host. This category of hotel attracts a niche of travellers looking for different and particular accommodations, able to satisfy all their needs. The guest wants to be surprised and often choose a Boutique Hotel to spend their holidays, not just as a place to sleep, it is a type of accommodation that allows you to live a real experience. Many boutique hotels in Italy have internal facilities for meals, bars and lounges also open to the public and also give the opportunity to make new meetings on vacation.

Why Is This Type of Accommodation So Successful?

Here are its most important reasons why this type of accommodation is successful.

Among the various types of accommodation, there is one that – in recent times – seems to be particularly popular: it is the boutique hotel. But what is meant, exactly, by this term? A hotel, to be a boutique hotel in Italy, must respond to specific characteristics, which can be summarized in this way.

The size:  A boutique hotel in Italy is never excessively large; generally, it has some rooms between 10 and 100. The feeling that guests must try is, in fact, that of being in a home, intimate and cared for. A house that also has common areas, where travellers can gather to get to know each other and exchange chat and experiences.

Design: There is no boutique hotel without a strong personality. Often, this comes from the union between a historical context and a chic and elegant design, made of warm colours, fabrics, and soft beds. There are hotels having contemporary furnishings, others are more traditional, but all respond to fixed points: the richly decorated rooms, the mix of different elements, the use of fine fabrics, the exclusive amenity sets. Often, these are eccentric, trendy, unconventional hotels, frequented by young customers who want to stay in hotels with a unique character.

The uniqueness:  A boutique hotel in Italy is an independent hotel, or – at least – gives that feeling. Even when they are affiliated to associations such as Relais & Chateaux or Small Luxury Hotels in the World – or when they belong to prestigious chains like the InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, or to a particular section of a traditional hotel chain (like the MGallery Boutique Line of Accor Hotels) -, the guest never feels the sensation of being in a place where it has already been.

The location:  All the coolest cities are home to boutique hotels. Often, boutique hotel in Italy are located in urban areas redeveloped and high artistic content, or in refined residential areas, away from the chaos and – even when built in areas rich in resorts – generally hidden to major tourist flows.

The service: One certainty – in the world of boutique hotels in Italy – is the service, always personalized. Upon arrival of the guest, the staff knows his name. And it is ready to satisfy all your needs. Generally, in the bathrooms, you will find refined and high-quality products, and you can choose the pillow for the bed from an extensive menu. Even the spas – if they are present – offer level and personalized services.

Catering: If a boutique hotel in Italy has a restaurant (or a bar), this will be sought after, unique, exclusive. The authentic cuisine, the new cocktails and a trendy environment are their prerogatives, to make it a point of reference not only for tourists but also for the locals.

The above-listed characteristics make a boutique hotel in Italy successful in accommodation.