If you love luxury hotels but grow tired of staying at the same chains or brands over and over, boutique hotels are a perfect solution to suit your travel tastes. As frequent travelers, we’re big fans of boutique hotels – they tend to be smaller than most resorts and hotels, with unique details and locations that make them “must stay” destinations. Here are 10 of our favorites, each full of delightful surprises and an intimate and personal experience you can’t get at a big chain.
Karmagali Boutique Suites
This beachside boutique in the heart of Sanur subscribes to the locavore philosophy (presenting and eating locally sourced, organic food), so all meals are cooked on premises and served on your private terrace. Despite the urban setting, this hotel also prides itself on maintaining the highest possible ecological standards in order to be as eco-friendly as possible without sacrificing any luxurious aspects one would expect to find on the island of Bali.
Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid
This stunning palace dating back to the early 19th century has been renovated to combine old-fashioned grandeur with a modern luxurious atmosphere. Located in one of Madrid’s hottest neighborhoods, Salesas, it is just steps from Chueca and the Paseo de Recoletos. As an added bonus, there is an on-property Thai spa offering traditional Thai massages as well as facials, body scrubs, and various other wellness treatments.
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
Inspired by the hip, cool feel of the 1960’s and 70’s, a classically mod ambiance resonates throughout the property. Not only does this property boast a hard to beat location in the heart of the Meatpacking district, but it also has an amazing rooftop bar with year-round heated pool. As if that wasn’t enough, The Gansevoort is within walking distance of the High Line, Whitney Museum, Chelsea Market, and Chelsea’s famous art galleries.
Auberge du Soleil
Auberge du Soleil continues to be a timeless destination where guests return again and again for its natural beauty, tranquility, fine dining, and unmistakable romance. This hotel has long been considered Napa Valley’s most iconic luxury resort property, and with only 50 rooms all boasting private patios it’s easy to see how this has become known as a slice of paradise in wine country.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico
Condé Nast Traveler describes this atypical all-inclusive as “a boutique hotel on steroids” where guests can participate in archaeoastronomical experiences on the Mayan Vestiges of Destino Xcaret. From the hotel, you can embark on a tour of Mexico’s famed cenotes or the ancient city of Chichen Itza, or if relaxation is the name of the game you can book a treatment in one of the cave treatment rooms of Muluk Spa.
Le Châtelain Boutique Hotel
This critically acclaimed retreat in Belgium’s capital city offers a central location, sophisticated dining, and beautiful accommodations. One of the hotel’s most unique features is its Florentine Garden, a beautiful outdoor courtyard available for cocktails and relaxation. While it is slightly off of the beaten path for Brussels’ more famous tourist attractions, it is just a 5 minute walk from a train station that can take you to the heart of the action.
Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway
In all of its surroundings, this beautiful beachfront hotel reveals a contemporary interpretation of the traditional hospitality of Mexico. While some all-inclusive resorts in Mexico cater to families, this boutique hotel caters to an adults-only crowd. Personal touches for each room range from 8 different choices on in-room aromatherapy to a pillow menu at check-in to ensure your stay is as comfortable and relaxing as possible. If you want to get a taste of life outside of the hotel, there are plenty of authentic Mexican restaurants and bars within walking distance as well.
Nugget Point Boutique Hotel
Set among the evergreens and surrounded by the area’s rocky grandeur, this exclusive year-round resort tenders contemporary suites with garden exposures and river views. Just minutes away from Queenstown, it is also the closest hotel to the famed Coronet Peak Ski Area if you’re looking to hit the slopes and relax afterwards in style.
De.Light Boutique Hotel
Greek hospitality, along with tailor-made services, bring pleasure, satisfaction, joy, and delight to guests. With only 22 rooms this hotel does not draw the same crowds as many other Greek resorts, and the sweeping views of the island of Delos just off the coast are picture-perfect. The downtown area of Mykonos is just a 10 minute drive form the hotel, so if you crave a little excitement after an amazing day by the pool it is certainly easy to come by.
Le Mount Stephen
Montreal, Canada
;Built in 1886 and once the stately home of Scottish businessman Lord George Stephen, Le Mount Stephen is Montreal’s newest boutique hotel. Combining neoclassicism and contemporary lines, the 90 rooms and suites boast floor-to-ceiling windows and chromotherapy rainfall shower heads in addition to many other “smart home” features. Located in the middle of the Golden Mile, once home to captains of industry and Montreal’s elite, Le Mount Stephen is also just over one mile away from Old Montreal, allowing for as much exploration of The City of 100 Steeples as you’d like.
