This is the question you need to be asking yourself if you decide to throw yourself into the trials and tribulations of a career within the hospitality industry. If you love the idea of providing exceptional customer service, working for yourself and seeing the happy smiles on your guests as they check out of your boutique hotel after a relaxing two-night stay, then quitting your 9 to 5 to set up an establishment within the competitive world of hotels could be for you. Take a look at the most important factors that contribute to making the perfect boutique hotel.
Image And Style
Boutique hotels are renowned for their quirkiness and ability to offer something a little different to the more uniform and standard multinational hotel chains. Your hotel could be based around an art deco theme because of the stunning 1940s building you find yourself basing your accommodation in. On the other hand, you may opt for a minimalist, light, airy and stark white approach to your decor. Trying to cater to a niche will ensure a specific clientele and can set you apart from other establishments in your local area. It’s vital that offer something different.
The Personal Touch
Unlike those hotels with over a hundred rooms, all set up in exactly the same standardized way, it’s vital that your smaller establishment offers a much more personalized service. Your limited room numbers should mean that you can get to know your guests on a deeper level. You could find out what they wish to get up to on their getaway and offer up tips and advice to help them achieve their aims. If they want to go for scenic walks, lend them a map, offer up some well tried and tested hikes and tell them where to get a good coffee and cake to rest their weary legs after their trek.
Each of your rooms should also be unique. It’s imperative that you employ a company that has FF&E logistics at the core of its motivations. By focusing on the fixtures, furniture and equipment that you require, a third party installation company can ensure that your room is complete on time and to budget.
Food
While in a larger and busier hotel, a canteen style buffet breakfast may be the order of the day, a more boutique venue may offer up breakfasts that are cooked to order. This means that your guests have much more choice and can enjoy a fresher meal to start their day. By investing in this area, you could gain a reputation for excellent cuisine and find your breakfast alone sees you enjoy an surge in bookings.
It is the smaller, bespoke and personal touches that make people book a boutique hotel over a chain. It’s vital that you are able to provide the exceptional customer service that people expect. Potential guests will flood to review sites prior to making a reservation and its key that you can compete with your rivals. After all, this will make or break your business venture.