How often do you hear someone say, I cant wait to stay in the hotel? Discussions about forthcoming holidays nearly always centre on the things we want to do, or the places were looking forward to seeing, and the place where were staying doesnt feature at all. All that changes once youve booked into a boutique hotel.

These hotels have been lovingly created by their owners in order to offer you an experience, not just a place to stay. The belief that your holiday or business accommodation should be well designed and provide great service is one that has resulted in hundreds of boutique hotels opening up around the world, to cater for the increasing number of travellers who want to stay somewhere special.

Anticipation

Anticipating your holiday is one of the things we all love. In the weeks before we leave home, we get increasingly excited and really look forward to taking a break from our everyday lives and having new experiences. This anticipation can often be flattened when we reach the hotel, which turns out to be impersonal and indifferent; unless youve booked boutique:

Welcoming boutique hotels are designed to be welcoming, so you are looked after from the minute you arrive.

Different youll notice lots of differences from regular chain hotels as soon as you arrive. From the way you check in to the design of the rooms and the public spaces, and the facilities on offer, youll know immediately that you are staying in an individual hotel.

Design all the things you want to do with your home but havent had time to do. It might be polished wooden floors or spectacular artwork; Egyptian cotton bedding or funky armchairs. Its this design and detail that makes boutique hotels different from all other traveller accommodation.

Facilities large hotels have pools and spas, but theyre impersonal. The facilities at small, individual hotels are designed to make you feel at home whilst indulging in treatments or taking advantage of concierge services.

The experience

The low number of rooms at most boutique hotels defines your experience: youre one of a small number of guests who are benefiting from the great designs and flawless service that these hotels provide. You immediately feel more relaxed and youre able to enjoy your holiday as an all-round experience. Book again for next year, so that you can tell everyone how much youre looking forward to staying in the hotel.