Boutique Destinations

Less is More – Exceptional Accommodations with Smaller Footprints

What defines a hotel or accommodation as “boutique” has become obscured as places to stay have become more original. In the past a boutique hotel was an accommodation with fewer than 100 guest rooms. It was also “boutique” by virtue what it did not offer. That is no longer the case. And we couldn’t be happier.

We include in our definition unique hotels that are generally small but may have over 100 guest rooms. We also include some small hotels that offer full services and amenities. These are all very special. What characterizes each of our boutique destinations is an amalgam of special qualities, both visual and intangible, that give it a singular and distinctive identity.

No two hotels presented in this category are alike. Each accommodation has its own unique character and history, whether historic or contemporary. We find particularly appealing and fascinating buildings that have been converted to hotels from other uses.

We love this category as there are so many outstanding examples where existing physical features or limitations were creatively highlighted or overcome by design. The opportunities are endless, and thus so is our search.

 

Recommended propertiesView all places to stay >

A totally original hotel concept that brings art to everyone,  not just the guests

21c Museum Hotel, Louisville

21c Hotels is the creation of Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, who wanted to express their passion ...

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Reflecting on the past while boldly and imaginatively embracing the future – this is Glasshouse

The Glasshouse

One of the best ways to honor an historic building, while expanding it for 21st century use, is ...

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Once inside the Champagne Lounge, it will be difficult to leave this dramatic space

Threadneedles Hotel

Threadneedles Hotel is a slice of architectural heaven. The 19th century building was originally a Victorian banking hall; ...

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The Conservatorium — modern hospitality within the context of a local historic landmark

Conservatorium

Once again we delight in learning of a hotel conversion from a formerly unrelated use. The Conservatorium Hotel ...

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A famous Swiss brewery is recast as the distinctively hip B2 Boutique  Hotel

B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa

It would seem to us that a hotel born from a brewery would have a “spirited” personality and ...

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A famous 19th century hotel on the Left Bank renews its legacy in true artistic fashion

L’Hotel

L’Hotel is one very special place to stay in Paris. It has a history as a hotel for ...

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An iresistable transformation from factory to urban boutique, the Wythe Hotel

Wythe Hotel

Brooklyn is experiencing a renaissance, and we couldn’t be more excited! It has a rich architectural heritage and ...

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Over 30,000 of these beautiful blue and white tiles grace the walls of Palacio Belmonte

Palacio Belmonte

Palacio Belmonte is the oldest palace in Lisbon and has, over several centuries, evolved into one of Portugal’s, ...

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A totally original experience in 21st century urban hospitality — Hotel Americano

Hotel Americano

There is truly no place on earth like New York City. It is a city with one of ...

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A very special slice of New York Art Deco glamour, recast as the Chatwal

The Chatwal

It was the late 19th century, and American theater was alive and well in New York City. A ...

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A respectful merging of local  Irish heritage with the boldness of 21st century design

The Ice House

Ireland’s Ice House hotel has a wonderful history. It is the site of a former ice storage facility ...

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The elegant architecture and refined detailing of the Neoclassical Palais Coburg

Palais Coburg

Palais Coburg, or Palais Sachsen-Coburg, is named after the Duke Ferdinand Georg August von Sachsen-Coburg for whom the ...

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Fine dining at Palazzo Manfredi along side a rather famous neighbor

Palazzo Manfredi

Palazzo Manfredi has a very special address in Rome. To say that it is surrounded by history is ...

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Spend the night with an icon of architecture at the Seven Stars Galleria Milano

Seven Stars Galleria

We are longtime fans of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (the “Galleria”) in Milan. It is a late ...

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1960s London is transformed at 45 Park Lane, taking the art of design to a new level

45 Park Lane

It is a dream project for any design professional — to convert a classic office building from the 1960s to ...

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Old meets new and hit it off at the multi award-winning Town Hall Hotel & Apartments

Town Hall Hotel & Apartments

In 2011, the Town Hall Hotel & Apartments opened to acclaim as a rare pairing of both historic ...

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The Florentine villa that hosted the Pope, Italian kings, and the stars of the day

Villa le Maschere

Villa le Maschere, or Villa of the Masks, has a celebrated history spanning over 5 centuries. Fortunately, there ...

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The graceful beauty of the Palacio's entrance gate increases the closer you get to it

Tivoli Palacio de Seteais

In 1783 a successful and powerful Dutch businessman, Daniel Gildemeester, relocates to Portugal and builds himself a palace. ...

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A restoration of presidential proportions recaptures the legacy of the Jefferson DC

The Jefferson DC

In 1923 a star was born in America’s political capital. It was the Jefferson Apartment Building on 16th ...

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The glorious reception area of Abbaye de la Bussiere

Abbaye de la Bussiere

Abbaye de la Bussiere has a long and well documented history with land records dating as far back ...

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The extraordinary Sale della Musica at Relais Santa Croce

Relais Santa Croce

Once the Florentine home of the Marquis Baldinucci, a Vatican treasurer, the palace is now the absolutely gorgeous ...

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The bold and the beautiful historic hall at Leon's Place, Rome

Leon’s Place

 Leon’s Place is a small Neoclassic building, dating from the 19th century, located in one of Central Rome’s ...

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The naturally beautiful and notably sustainable Bardessono

Bardessono

Bardessono is the remarkable creation of its owner and developer, Phil Sherbourne. Sherbourne, an early supporter of environmentally-responsible ...

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The palazzo's interiors take an Eastern approach in the Moroccan-inspired Coppola Suite

Palazzo Margherita

Palazzo Margherita is a late 19th century Italian palazzo located in Italy’s Southern region of Basilicata. Once belonging to ...

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Centuries of history as seen from the heart of L'Orto Angeli — the Hanging Garden

L’Orto Degli Angeli

A stay at L’Orto Degli Angeli, or the Garden of the Angels, offers a rare and intimate journey ...

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The Duke of Monmouth Suite overflows with historic character in a context of luxury

Hazlitt’s

Hazlitt’s, a small boutique hotel in London’s Soho Square, absolutely overflows with character. Named after essayist William Hazlitt, ...

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Once a medieval  fortress, now a romantic luxury retreat —  Castello di Vicarello

Castello di Vicarello

Castello di Vicarello is a small 12th century castle perfectly sited on a hilltop in Tuscany, Italy. It has ...

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Palafitte - Close-up balcony

Hotel Palafitte

This little slice of heaven is Europe’s first luxury hotel built over a body of water. Elevated on piles ...

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Dylan Hotel - Restaurant

Dylan Hotel

The Dylan Hotel occupies a site where two 17th century theater stages once stood. The first theater was ...

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Designers take a modern approach in a landmark with centuries of historic context

Caro Hotel

Valencia, Spain, has just debuted its first hotel within an historic landmark. This is the Caro Hotel, or ...

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Banke Hotel-Lobby

Banke Hotel

The early 20th century Banke Hotel is a visual feast. It enjoys a great location in Paris’s Opera ...

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Alma Berlin - Lobby

Hotel Alma Berlin

Tucked away, in Berlin’s exclusive residential neighborhood of Grunewald, is a well-preserved former German palace that is now ...

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A brilliant interplay of antiquity and 21st century luxury resonate at Augustine, in Prague

Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Like history and the architecture that defines it? Go to Prague. Like many design periods and styles but ...

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Punta Tragara - Exterior and Views

Punta Tragara

Growing out from the rocks of Capri is a most unusual private residence that brought the modern movement ...

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Hotel Lautner - Guest Unit

Hotel Lautner

This is a most unique place to stay and a time capsule to mid-century design and culture in ...

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Villa Feltrinelli - Bedroom

Grand Hotel Villa Feltrinelli

It was the dream of Italian lumber magnate Faustino Feltrinelli to build a summer home on the shore ...

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