What to Look for in Boutique Hotels

When you book a room at a Hilton or other hotel chain, you have a good idea of the services and quality you can expect. But when renting a room at a boutique hotel, it can be a little harder to know what you’re getting. In order to get the best possible experience at your hotel, look for these five things.

Proximity to local attractions

Part of the charm of staying in small hotels is being in the middle of the local scene. Look for a hotel that is near cultural centers or colorful neighborhoods. You will have a more genuine, less touristy experience.

Balanced reviews

In general, it’s best to discount the most negative and the most positive online reviews — these tend to be outliers — and take a look at what the majority of guests say. This will give you an idea of the typical experience travelers have there.

An up-to-date website

You should be able to find pictures of the rooms and information about your stay. If it is difficult to find information online, you may also find that it is difficult to confirm your payment, or that the hotel itself is much less pleasant than you expected.

Clearly stated amenities

Every hotel should tell you what they offer in terms of rooms, climate control, wireless, food and safety measures. Whether or not any of these things decide your stay is an individual choice, but either the website or a phone conversation should give you a clear idea of what is available.

Reservation confirmation

Whether you book online or by phone, you should receive confirmation of your stay and a receipt for all payments. Make sure you can confirm your reservation before you arrive, especially when traveling overseas. Otherwise, you may find yourself without a place to stay.