What Makes A Hotel A Boutique Hotel?

I have been a frequent flyer and corresponding frequent hotel guest for many years now; not because I am a jet setting playboy or a super star of any kind; but, simply because I am a hard working guy whose job description used to be "travelling salesman"; these days, my business card says "regional and overseas marketing executive"! Anyone else noticed how the labels we put on things exhibit an ever growing tendency to "upgrade" the basic wording so as to make even simple things sound much grander than they really are?

In France, they use the word boutique to describe just about any kind of small shop (with emphasis on "small") – the word comes from the Greek via Latin for a storehouse. In today’s world of fancy labels, our American boutique became an exclusive shop selling designer or other trendy fashion items and clothes.

All I Want Is Somewhere To Lay My Head In Manhattan

One day, a while back, I had to make a business trip to New York to meet with several customers during the course of a week. Many of my meetings would be in the Manhattan area; but, my regular hotel was fully booked and those nearby were above my price range. Searching the internet, I came across a category called Luxury Boutique Hotels Manhattan.

"Boutique" – I guessed that to be their way of saying small is beautiful to describe a hotel that is less than imposing in size? As to "Near Manhattan"; that could mean an optimistic anything!

In a spirit of desperation, I clicked on the link and – WOW – what an eye opener! By comparison to many of the featureless giant hotel chains where, on wakening each morning, you struggle to remember which city this one is in; these boutique hotels were smaller; but, they were all originals in their own right.

Exclusive Accommodations

The Luxury Boutique Hotels Near Manhattan that I was considering were definitely exclusive – not in the sense of who they would accept through their doors; but, with regard to their overall design concept, interior decoration, and facilities; they are definitely "one of a kind". Luxury – that sounded good but had to be considered in relation to their room rates.

Anyway, I saw enough to convince me that I would try staying at one of the Luxury Boutique Hotels Near Manhattan. By the way, near meant it was located on Long Island; but, public transport is good in New York so that was no problem.