Boutique Hotels - My Idea of Conde Nast Traveler's Motto "At Home in the World" - for a Good Night Sleep

4/11/2015

When I find that perfect boutique hotel, it always instantly upgrades my travel experience beyond 5 stars. Way beyond! I am always searching for that special "home away from home" experience that will not only provide the comfort of a home, but also that magical element of surprise and curiosity that you can find nowhere else. A well designed boutique hotel is often the answer to my ongoing quest of exploring a destination with an unique base that is an experience in itself. An unique experience customized with local aesthetic elements, style heritage, and design innovations. Not to say that an international chain is incapable of providing that, some can do it. However, the experience of staying in a smaller independent hotel is more like that experience you get from visiting an independent art gallery or museum. It allows you to see more than the main stream. They draw attention to the different facets of subcultures you sometimes don't see in a big national gallery. Boutique hotels provide insights into local architectural and design talents, allowing you to live inside their ideas of what a well designed space should be. It's always so fascinating to me how much interior design speaks of a culture. For example, European designs definitely incorporate a lot more humour into luxury than what you will find in Asia. And if you pay attention, you might catch their humour in the bed that you sleep in! It is no surprise that you will find more well designed independent boutique hotels in cities that are more mature in their liberal arts culture. A city richer in its liberal arts culture will naturally have more independent voices in its galleries and theatres, and naturally restaurants and hotels, so on and so forth. A place speaks to its guests through all kinds of venues. Hotel culture is definitely one of them. Communication through design is a way of cultural exchange that enriches any trip. For me, some of the experiences I get from a boutique hotel is so much more than just a five star service. With this attitude, a hotel stay is never just a place to sleep and rest. It is always a part of the whole experience - a boutique experience packed with big personality and swagger.

I will be sharing more of my hotel treasure finds in the coming months. For now, just take a sneak peak into some of the amazing boutique hotels that I love!

House Hotel Bosphorus in istanbul
www.thehousehotel.com