Uncommon Hospitality to Open Boutique Hotel in Portland, Maine’s Historic West End District
Post Company | December 13, 2022
5 Telltale Signs It’s Time to Change Your S&C System and Why It’s Quicker and Easier Than You Might Think
Ryan Hamilton | July 6, 2022
All Things Independent
Other Methods of Garnering Guest Loyalty
Frances Kiradjian | May 22, 2017
by Frances Kiradjian We all know the power of loyalty in the hospitality industry, as our most valued guests are those who stay over and over again. One enticement to promote this behavior is the loyalty discount, which offers guests a financial incentive to return. It also encourages them to book direct, cutting out those hefty online-agency fees and keeping the hotel in direct contact with that all-important customer base. But for hotels, the downside to free loyalty schemes is the cost. If a discount is offered to one customer, it should be offered to all, and so we face a situation where regular revenue streams dip significantly as ...
The New Boutique Hotel Lobbyists
Frances Kiradjian | May 12, 2017
by Frances Kiradjian 'After the party, there's the hotel lobby ….. And round about four you've got to clear the lobby,' R. Kelly once sang in his hit 'Ignition (Remix)', painting a debauched picture of how hotel lobbies functioned at the start of the 21st century. But what are these things called lobbies and how have they changed over the years? In actual fact the lobby's origins couldn't be further than R. Kelly's bumping'n'grinding R'n'B entourage. It's a term that originates in the chaste monasteries of the 16th century, where a lobbia signified a covered walkway or open arcade. The first recorded printed instance of the word ...
Boutique “Soft Brands” Defined
Frances Kiradjian | May 1, 2017
by Frances Kiradjian, Founder & Chair, BLLA Looking at the large online travel agencies recently you might be surprised to spot a few new names among the Starwoods and Marriotts. Tribute? Curio? Quorvus? Could these be new independent David's taking the hotel-world Goliaths by storm? Of course, these aren't new companies by any stretch of the imagination, but fresh incarnations of those same hospitality superpowers that have dominated the industry for decades. Independent in ethos, but multinational in outreach, these are the new hotel 'soft brands', they've come out of the blue, and they're opening up everywhere. But what is a soft...
A Pair of Midtown New York City Boutiques Upgrade Their Operations
ALICE | April 10, 2017
New York, NY -- The Gregory Hotel and The Renwick Hotel - a pair of historic boutique hotels in Midtown Manhattan - are using ALICE's operations technology and guest engagement platform to improve staff coordination and provide convenient communications options to guests. Both hotels have a strong legacy of New York City hospitality. The Gregory opened as the Gregorian Hotel in 1903 and quickly became a popular residence for the famous and well-to-do. The Renwick began its life as a home to artist studios and intellectuals and is a member of Historic Hotels of America®. Both hotels were restored (and, in the case of The Gregory, ren...
The Who’s Who of Boutique Hospitality Industry Come Together in New York City for Distinguished Conference
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | March 20, 2017
Arianna Huffington and C-Level Executives of Equinox Hotels, Leading Hotels, Virgin Hotels, Sixty Hotels, Grace Hotels, Valencia Group and More to Speak at BLLA Conference, June 7 New York – Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) announces powerhouse line-up for 2017's annual boutique hotel investment conference. The Times Center in New York will be the backdrop for this year's acclaimed conference that will bring together the industry's most elite hoteliers, investors and developers. BLLA is the leading Boutique & Lifestyle Association aimed at globally connecting independent, upscale hoteliers with fellow indust...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Announces New Board of Advisors for Strategic Alliance with UCLA Extension
UCLA Extension | March 8, 2017
Leading Hospitality Executives and Industry Suppliers Address Strategies for New Hospitality Program Designed to Address the Luxury Boutique Hotel Sector Los Angeles, March 8, 2017 – BLLA's top executive, Frances Kiradjian, brought together leading boutique hotel brand CEOs and the industry's top service providers to participate in advancing hospitality's only boutique luxury-focused educational program, in conjunction with UCLA Extension. The Board of Advisors recently held their first meeting in Los Angeles to announce a new 5-day educational program for hospitality executives and professionals to launch in March 2018. Through ...
The Olympia Companies to Develop & Manage New Hotel for Colby College
The Olympia Companies | February 17, 2017
The 42-room Boutique Hotel will Launch Downtown Waterville's Revitalization Portland, Maine – The Olympia Companies is proud to announce Colby College as the newest addition to its growing portfolio of properties in the campus hospitality sector. Olympia will develop and manage Colby's new 42-room boutique hotel and restaurant in downtown Waterville, Maine. The hotel is owned by Elm City LLC, Colby's development arm, and will be the focal point of Waterville's downtown revival. Ground breaking is expected to commence in 2017. "We are thrilled to partner with Maine-based Olympia Companies, which is known for developing unique h...
Boutique Design to Debut Hands-On Demo Space at BDNY Featuring New VR, 3D Tools for Hospitality Designers
HMG | November 10, 2016
Learn from the tech experts how to use the latest virtual reality and 3D printing breakthroughs to amp up the impact of your presentations and designs, and get clients not only on the same page but visually "in the room." Strap on the headset and immerse yourself in next-gen design in Boutique Design New York's new Incubator space at the Boutique Design Booth, Display #349, Nov. 13 and 14 at the Javits Center. Cincinnati, OH (November 10, 2016) – Leading developers of virtual and artificial reality (VR/AR) technologies for the hospitality design industry will provide interactive demonstrations for attendees in the new Incubator sp...
Hey Independents! Are You Thinking About Joining An Association?
Larry Mogelonsky | November 2, 2016
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) For most independent hoteliers, the decision to join an association such as Leading, Preferred, Small Luxury or Relais & Chateaux is a critical and complex decision. All of these organizations have stepped up their game of late, with grand improvements to both their web and sales offerings so that they can all stay relevant as traveler behavior changes. Moreover, the impetus to participate is exacerbated by the proliferation of inventory in the alternate lodging sector – that is, Airbnb – coupled with the marketing behemoths that are the OTAs. The costs of joining an associa...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association’s Leadership Event Debuts at UCLA Luskin Conference Center in October
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | September 29, 2016
Leading hotel and restaurant owners, developers, and vendors to partake in symposium UCLA Extension to teach a first-of-its-kind education day at the conference on the subject of "Turning an asset into a luxury boutique hotel" Los Angeles, 29 September, 2016 – Boutique hotel pioneers, industry visionaries, and trade media will gather on October 24 – 26 at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center for the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association's (BLLA) three-day Leadership Symposium. BLLA is the official organization to the world's premiere boutique hotels aimed at connecting independent upscale hoteliers with fellow industry i...
Boutique Hotel Industry Leaders Will Come Together for Annual Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association Symposium in Los Angeles
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | August 31, 2016
Symposium will feature luminaries from leading hotel brands and will debut first-ever luxury boutique hotels hospitality education day with instruction by specialists and UCLA faculty Los Angeles, 31 August, 2016 – Boutique hotel pioneers, travel advisors, media and industry professionals will gather at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center for the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association's (BLLA) annual three-day Leadership Symposium, October 24-26. BLLA is the leading hospitality association aimed at connecting independent, upscale hoteliers with fellow industry innovators, discerning travelers and hospitality investors around t...
Perkins+Will Expands Hospitality Practice with Addition of Industry Expert Jacqueline McGee
Perkins+Will | July 13, 2016
McGee and team join Boston office to accelerate hotel, restaurant, and multi-family residential design work BOSTON – July 11, 2016 – Perkins+Will announced today that award-winning hospitality interior designer Jacqueline McGee and her team have joined the firm's Boston office, helping to strengthen the firm's hospitality practice while supporting McGee's ongoing interior design work in hotels, restaurants, and residential projects nationwide. McGee has more than 23 years of experience in interior design, as well as theater set design and film design, including London theaters, the BBC, and motion pictures. Her work on hotel...
HVS Key Takeaways: Boutique Hotel Investment Conference 2016
Susan Furbay | July 11, 2016
By Susan Furbay The conference keyed in on ways for independent hotels to gain ground in today's market, from financing avenues to booking channels. Changes in consumer behavior, with tastes favoring the hotel "experience" more than price or brand, were a highlight. The following are some key takeaways from this year's Boutique Hotel Investment Conference. Evolution of Consumer Tastes in Travel Over the past several years, hoteliers have become aware of the rise of the Millennial generation of travelers and the shifts in consumer behavior its preferences have brought about in the field of hospitality. Price still matters. So does conven...
A Brief History of Boutique Hotels
BLLA | June 30, 2016
Provided Courtesy of BLLA Hotels haven't changed too much since Joseph and Mary arrived at the inn in Bethlehem and the clerk told them that their reservation had been lost. The hotel industry, of which started with boutique hotels, is closely linked to civilizations, periods, and nowadays, generations. The first wave of facilities offering guests accommodations are evident through biblical and medieval times. Enterprising Greeks developed thermal baths in villages designed for rest and recuperation. Not to be outdone, the imaginative Romans built mansions to provide accommodation for travelers going away for religious retreats. The cre...
Airbnb vs. Hotels: Study Reveals Consumer Preferences Behind Explosive Growth
iModerate | June 22, 2016
Qualitative study finds boutique properties could help hotels chains bridge the gap with Airbnb DENVER – June 22, 2016 – Airbnb is growing at an explosive rate and gunning to become a full-blown hospitality brand, putting even more pressure on large hotel chains to hold onto their customer base. A new research study by iModerate, a progressive insights firm, reveals the consumer preferences behind this growth and details the personas and different expectations of guests who stay at each type of property. Airbnb Guests Seen as Risk-Taking Extroverts, Hotel Guests as Conservative Introverts iModerate asked 1,500 consumers nati...
Hyatt and Boutique Corporation Ltd. Open the 161-room Hyatt Place Phuket, Patong in Thailand
Hyatt Place | May 18, 2016
CHICAGO - May 18, 2016 - Hyatt and Boutique Corporation Ltd. announce the opening of Hyatt Place Phuket, Patong on the island of Phuket, Thailand. The 161-room beachside hotel marks the first Hyatt Place hotel in Southeast Asia, and features the Hyatt Place brand's stylish design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. The Hyatt Place brand is rooted in extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek stylish, comfortable, seamless experiences that accommodate their lifestyles and familiar routines. To embody this, the brand offers casual hospitality and purposeful service in a sm...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association Brings Together Hospitality Heavy Hitters to Discuss Future of Boutique Hotel Industry
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | May 16, 2016
Brands Including Viceroy, Destination Hotels, Trump, Gansevoort and EDITION Among Panelists; Pilar Guzman of Conde Nast Traveler to Keynote, Ian Schrager's Personal Interview by CNN Money, returning for the 4th year New York, NY, May 16, 2016 – The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) reveals an all-star line-up for this year's Annual Hotel Investment Conference taking place Wednesday, June 8 in New York City. An esteemed list of the most prominent developers, financiers and hotel luminaries will forecast dynamic hotel trends and deliberate the latest in industry news, performance and development. Pilar Guzman Ian...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Announces Collaboration with UCLA Extension and Secures Venue for Annual Leadership Symposium
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | March 29, 2016
Leadership Symposium to be held at UCLA Luskin Conference Center October 24-26, 2016 Los Angeles, March 29, 2016 – BLLA has announced its collaboration with UCLA Extension in conjunction with this year's 2016 Annual Leadership Symposium. The three-day conference, to be held at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center in Los Angeles, will feature industry leader speakers alongside hospitality luminaries and education executives. The symposium will also deliver a new hospitality program designed specifically for hotel industry professionals and students interested in the hospitality sphere. "This pivotal collaboration with UCLA Extension h...
Historic San Juan Hotel in Miami Beach Completes Renovations
Oberhausen Marketing & PR | March 22, 2016
Miami, FL – The historic San Juan Hotel, located on 1680 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, has finished a multi-million dollar renovation. Stantec, the architectural and design firm known for award-winning hotel renovation projects in South Florida, completed the new interior redesign which included guest rooms, public spaces and pool area featuring a fresh sophisticated nautical design. Renowned architect Henry Hohauser originally built the three-story, 76-room hotel in 1948. Design inspirations stemmed from the hotel's original postwar modern style with nautical influences reminiscent of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Warm woods with vintage ...
Centerstone Hotels Wins Design Awards at HI Connect
Vimana Franchise Systems, LLC | March 21, 2016
Nashville, TN – March 22, 2016 – Vimana Franchise System's Centerstone Inns, Hotels & Plaza Hotels and Braeside Design recently won several People's Choice design awards when they teamed up for the unveiling of Centerstone's new ALL-AMERICAN manufactured guest room prototype at the HI Connect event held in Nashville, TN March 17-19th. The room designed Cary Benjamin of Braeside Design debuted a design intended for the mid to upper mid tier that is practical and affordable, yet timeless. "What we wanted to do was show that we can provide an amazing room where all the items have been manufactured in the United States. ...
Boutique Hotels Continue to Lead the Way in Guest Experience Technology Enhancements
Greystone Hotels | March 9, 2016
Greystone Hotels Announces In-Room Technology Partnership with KEYPR's Integrated Guest Experience and Management Solution Pilot Program to Launch at Elan Hotel in Los Angeles SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 9, 2016 – San Francisco based Greystone Hotels has announced a strategic technology partnership with KEYPR to begin offering the Los Angeles based company's cloud-based management solution in all eight of Greystone's independent boutique hotels. Featuring wireless, customized, interactive tablets in each guest room, KEYPR allows hotel guests to order and schedule services, room service, view hotel and nearby information, access to cu...
BLLA’s Annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference Returns to New York, June 2016
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | March 9, 2016
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association Will Connect Industry's Most Elite Hoteliers, Investors and Developers for This Year's Distinguished Event on June 8, 2016 NEW YORK, March 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) has announced its most prestigious annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference will be held at the Florence Gould Hall of the French Institute, New York. This esteemed event will bring together hospitality's most sought after developers, financiers and hotel luminaries to discuss the value of the boutique hotel industry today. At the helm of over 40 guest speakers, ...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Celebrates Top Female Hospitality & Travel Dignitaries for Its 3rd Annual Year of the Executive Women
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | February 3, 2016
Industry Luminaries Gathered in Los Angeles to Deliberate Top Trends and to Discuss the Successions of Female Industry Leaders Los Angeles (February 3, 2016) – BLLA, in partnership with the Travel Industry Executive Women's Network (TIEWN), wrapped its third annual Executive Women's Conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, January 27. Over 25 guest speakers and more than 100 hospitality professionals, discerning travelers and elite media attended the symposium to enhance the knowledge, ambition and education opportunities for female hospitality successors. "It's rewarding to see how the women of today continue to empower and thr...
BLLA Connects Travel and Hospitality Aficionados for 3rd Annual Executive Women’s Conference in LA
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | January 5, 2016
Conference to feature leading female hospitality executives for one-day event, January 27, at Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Los Angeles, CA, January 5, 2016 – For the third consecutive year, Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA), aimed at connecting independent, upscale hoteliers with fellow industry innovators, will join forces with the Travel Industry Executive Women's Network (TIEWN) for its annual Executive Women's Conference. The January 27, 2016 conference aims to support the goals of BLLA, and to further goals and objectives of women in tourism and hospitality. Over the course of the day, top female industry leade...
