When we think of travel lodging, we often separate options into a couple of main groups: hotels and short-term rentals. However, within the hotel sphere, there are many ways to classify different places to stay. For example, boutique hotels and chain hotels offer contrasting experiences for travelers. Boutique hotels, with their intimate size and local ownership, pride themselves on unique decor, personalized service, and cultural immersion. They cater to travelers seeking luxury, authenticity, and a personalized touch. On the other hand, chain hotels, operated by large corporations and known for consistency and convenience, provide standardized amenities and a predictable experience across their global properties. Whether you prefer the charm of boutique hotels or the reliability of chain hotels, both options cater to different travel preferences, ensuring there's a perfect fit for every traveler's needs.

Boutique hotels vs. Chain hotels

Boutique Hotels:

You may have heard about boutique hotels, but do you know the difference between boutique hotels and chain hotels? Boutique hotels typically have:

• 10 to 100 rooms
• Unique decor, style, cuisine, and more
• Local ownership 
• Many “extra” amenities 
• Ideal locations
• Personalized experiences 
• Exceptional guest service and staff that go the extra mile 
• High attention to detail
• Concentration on comfort, luxury, and intimacy
• The potential to offer greater value - there is a stigma boutique hotels are more expensive than chain hotels, however they actually provide a more personalized experience, and you can get more bang for your buck: they have more benefits and services. 
• A connection with local lifestyle and culture: they are deeply connected with their surroundings, infusing their aesthetics with the essence of the city/town they are in. 
• A focus on using local products and enriching the culture of the town by using local businesses.

For these reasons and many more, boutique hotels have contributed to the rise of experimental travel today. Social media is a large part of our lives and does influence the hospitality industry in more ways than one. The feel and look of boutique hotels make them attractive for sharing on social media. When seeing these picturesque places online it immediately makes others want to go there to capture similar moments. Seeing these places online helps put these boutique hotels on the map even more.

Boutique hotels can also help shift towards sustainable and responsible travel. They are known for focusing on eco-friendly practices, supporting local businesses, and promoting responsible travel. This connects them with the younger demographic of environmentally-conscious travelers. 

‍Chain Hotels:  

When people think of a hotel, a chain hotel often comes to mind. Many people have more than likely stayed in one before and usually there is not a big differentiation from one standard hotel to another. But here are what regular hotels offer:

• Can have 100 to 1,000 plus rooms (Average ~313 rooms). 
• Standardized and consistent feel and look of hotel, such as the decor, style, and cuisine
• Usually owned individually and ran under a corporation
• Emphasis on essential amenities
• Same service and experience throughout all hotels within the brand 
• Large and spacious
• Located in high-tourism locations and close to attractions 
• You know what to expect before you even check in

Going off that last point, travelers more than likely know what to expect when they book a standard hotel room. Folks can expect the standard amenities of a clean room, towels and toiletries, parking, cable television, WiFi, etc. All these amenities are essential to a standard hotel stay. There are the perks of staying in a chain hotel, such as knowing what to expect, staying for a night or two, and saving money over  boutique hotels. They are great for convenient and accessible travel!

Impact of boutique hotels on the hotel industry

With the continuing rise of boutique hotels all around the world, there is starting to be an impact on the hotel industry overall. Boutique hotels are redefining the experience of what it is like to be staying in a “hotel.” One impact is the increase in competition. These smaller hotels are increasing in popularity and are becoming a more viable option over regular hotel chains and resorts. Another impact is the emergence of hybrid model hotels. This means that hotel chains are indulging into more of a “boutique” feel by incorporating elements of boutique hotels at their properties. This trend is starting to become more popular and is a way for the chain hotels to add a bit of “homeiness” at their properties that may have been lacking before to draw in potential boutique hotel-goers. 

‍The next impact is that there has been a shift in the market. Millennials and Gen Z have been seeking a more personalized experience when it comes to traveling, and boutique hotels offer just that! Along with that even luxury hotel-goers value personalized services and unique design elements. Lastly, another influence is the reinvention of hospitality. In this sense it just means that boutique hotels are paving the way for hospitality, the sense of “comfort,” innovation, and creativity. Reinvention is important, because the ever-evolving needs of the industry are constantly changing and understanding the desires of the travelers today is crucial to continue to stay competitive in this industry. 

How guest messaging help meet those expectations from travelers

Hotel texting adds that personalized touch to the experience that travelers are looking for when staying at these unique properties. A trend that seems to pave the way for boutique hotels is that they exude the “guest first” approach where their customers are always prioritized t. Guest messaging can help these boutique hotels with continuing the conversation with their guests. Having more conversations enables staff to get to know the guest even more, which can help elevate their experience with personalization. Boutique hotels already value giving each of their customers a personalized experience, and adding in guest messaging will turn up that personalized value even more! 

Like boutique hotels, one of Kipsu’s core values is “We Think Customer First,” making Kipsu and boutique hotels a great match. Check out this blog that we have recently published to read about tripadvisor reviews about how guests love guest messaging at independent hotels. OH  

‍Schedule a conversation with us to learn more about how you could add even more personalized experiences at your property. 

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