The Awards Series 2022: Justin Grimes
The BLLA Team sits down with Justin Grimes, Regional Managing Director at Kennebunkport Resort Collection & Runner-Up for the Boutique Hotel General Manager of the Year Award! Hear what Justin has to say.
News
Boutique Hotel Association (BLLA) Addresses the Importance of Keeping Boutique Hotel Properties as Independent Hotels
With the recent announcement of Hyatt purchasing Dream Hotels, this is the exact moment to reflect on big chains buying out smaller boutique brands. It may be a good move for the owner of the Dream brand, who has spent many years building up the brand value while keeping ownership of the assets at bay [as each property is owned by others, with just a few exceptions]. Hyatt is also gaining a lifestyle group of properties to add to its portfolio. While this may be a good move for both, independent hotels and small brands are most likely to reject offers to join a larger group if they are already successful in their markets.
By Frances Kiradjian, Founder/CEO, BLLA
Ennismore Announces AIME Studios - An Award-winning Team Of Interior And Graphic Designers
Ennismore, fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, today announces AIME Studios, a specialist team of 30 strong interior and graphic designers responsible for creating globally renowned brands and spaces including Gleneagles,
BLLA Conference Discusses the Future of People in Boutique Hospitality
On October 25th and 26th, a very special gathering of the top hospitality professionals attended the 2022 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference by BLLA in Westlake Village, CA. Over the two-day event, hotel owners, operators, entrepreneurs, and managers celebrated the prosperity of independent boutique hotels in the industry. They collaborated on topics such as consumer markets, hotel operations, and technology innovation; some unconventional topics such as energy and the philosophy of deal-making.
Molton Brown unveils the Art of Home Scenting with a new Home Fragrance Collection
Molton Brown has released its new Home Fragrance collection for hotel partners. Inspired by more than 50 years of Molton Brown’s fragrance-making experience and crafted in line with the brand’s ongoing sustainability journey, the new collection extends Molton Brown’s offer for hotels seeking to create a truly luxury fragrance experience for guests.
The Awards Series 2022: L’Ermitage Beverly Hills
The BLLA Team sits down with L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, Winner of the Boutique Hotel Design of the Year Award for Branding & Visual Identity! Hear what Scott Berger, General Manager of L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, has to say.
Creative Placemaking Principles to Differentiate Your Hotel
The hospitality industry has faced countless obstacles in recent years. After navigating the catastrophic impacts of COVID-19, both customer demand and hospitality revenues are finally projected to reach pre-pandemic levels. This trend toward new growth, coupled with changing customer expectations, presents new opportunities to transform the hotel experience.
By Martha McGee, CEO and Co-Founder, NINE dot ARTS
Orient Express Revelation Travels to Design Miami/
One month after its Parisian event, Orient Express Revelation: Once upon a time, there was the future Orient Express train, is heading to Miami from November 30 to December 4 for the 18th edition of the international Design Miami/ fair. Guests will discover the legendary train via an original immersive experience complete with virtual reality.
Introducing Six New Members of Design Hotels
Historic and heritage-laden sites in Berlin, Tbilisi, and Kota Kinabalu are enlivened with new creative spirits. A sense of serenity is evoked in South Tyrol, where a property offers bespoke “awake consciousness” sessions. Italian modernist masters are celebrated in the picturesque seaside village of Laigueglia, and the warmth of the Mediterranean is brought to a small German city. Here, we introduce six of the newest members of Design Hotels.
Hybrid Work Is Already Having Long Lasting Effects on Hotel Design
As well as working on a futuristic Atari Hotel, leading hotel architect Tom Ito is starting to see new design trends that are directly related to the pandemic.
Sleeper 105 Out Now: Enjoy Your Stay
The new issue of Sleeper, the leading magazine for hospitality and design, is now available online.In issue 105, the Chairman and CEO of RH tells of humble beginnings to scaling a global luxury brand, while the Creative Director and Vice President of Design at Virgin Hotels reveals how the group is retaining its playful identity whilst tapping into the locale.
The BLLA Awards Series 2022: Anton Moore
The BLLA Team sits down with Anton Moore, General Manager of Gansevoort Meatpacking & Winner of the Boutique Hotel General Manager of the Year Award! Hear what Anton has to say.
We’re calling it: hospitality design trends for 2023
Almost three years in and we’re still talking about it: the pandemic brought about a huge change in the hospitality industry, but nothing was more evident than its capacity to accelerate trends that had been gathering momentum for many years prior.
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Introduces The House of Celebration
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s® portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announced the debut of The House of Celebration, a range of celebratory offerings where timeless rituals become new traditions. Known for hosting notable luminaries and society’s elite throughout the turn of the century, the hotel’s founding family, the Astors, have become synonymous with the lavish parties thrown at The St. Regis New York during the holidays. These historic affairs defined St. Regis as the original house of celebration, and this tradition and spirit lives on today at the brand’s hotels and resorts across the globe.
Sleep inside DJ Khaled’s legendary sneaker closet, now on Airbnb
Major key alert! Following his latest ventures assembling the biggest names in music for his #1 album “God Did” and revealing his newest Jordan Brand collaboration, DJ Khaled is putting all his passion into another one: Airbnb Host.
The Awards Series 2022: Marram Montauk
The BLLA Team sits down with Marram Montauk, Winner of the Boutique Hotel of the Year – North America Award! Hear what Atit Jariwala, Founder of Marram Montauk, has to say.
Event Design and Leadership Trailblazers
BLLA (the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association) is known for hosting multiple annual conferences leading the future of boutique hospitality. These events invite top leaders in the industry to network, celebrate one another’s successes, and consider a wide range of topics, from hotel ownership and investment to ethical tourism. This October, the organization, run by Frances Kiradjian and her daughter, Ariela Kiradjian, coordinated an enthusiastic couple of days in Westlake Village at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, blanketed in an atmosphere of celebrated perseverance and collective wisdom for The Boutique Hotel Owners Conference. The event opened with the compelling intentions to challenge not only the status quo of hospitality as we know it today, as is typical for independent entrepreneurs but also the style in which professionals share ideas and build community.
Red Roof Celebrates Industry Leadership through Performance, Partnerships, Prototypes and Purpose at 2022 Brand Conference
Red Roof®, the leader in economy lodging, at its 2022 Brand Conference with more than 1,000 franchise owners, general managers, team members, and partners, celebrated record revenue and performance. The company is positioned for long-term growth through state-of-the-art technology, strategic partnerships, new prototypes, and its ESG program Purpose with Heart, ultimately enhancing the guest and owner experience. The brand announced a major collaboration with technology innovator HotelKey and introduced a new dual brand development prototype. Kicking off its 50th Anniversary, Red Roof underscored its vision, to provide the best experience and value in the lodging industry for guests, owners, team members, partners and communities.
Architectural Wonders from Around the World
Tadao Ando sparks inspiration with a minimalist masterwork in the Japanese countryside. Marcio Kogan redefines the essence of a contemporary Maldivian resort. Peter Pichler Architecture questions what traditional Alpine sensibilities mean today. And Saulius Mikštas reinvigorates a 15th-century palace. From modern masterpieces to the revival of treasured gems, these eight properties and their architects take guests on unrivaled architectural journeys.
The Awards Series 2022: The Madrona
The BLLA Team sits down with The Madrona, Runner-Up for the Boutique Hotel of the Year – North America Award! Hear what Cory Schisler, Partner at The Madrona, has to say.