The Artisans: Jon Weitz
The BLLA Team sits down with Jon Weitz, Owner & Founder of Avocet Hospitality, as he delves into his experience as a boutique hotelier.
Design & Architecture
BLINK Design Group Celebrates 2022 as a Year of Success at Prestigious Design Awards Around the Globe
2022 has been a banner year for BLINK Design Group and its founder, Clint Nagata, even by the design visionary and pioneer of placemaking’s own high standards.
The 18 Most Secluded Resorts in the World
In a world of global connectivity, getting away from it all can seem like an impossibility. But for some travelers, there is a class of five-star resorts working to provide peaceful solitude without asking you to sacrifice luxury and comfort. Legendary hotel designer Bill Bensley has been at the forefront of this movement, creating award-winning remote getaways in places like Vietnam, Thailand, and Bali (and soon, North Congo).
LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS Presents Wellness Spa Brand ‘Retreat SIGNIEL’
LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS newly launched spa brand ‘Retreat SIGNIEL’. Named after the SIGNIEL brand, the first spa opened in December 1st on the 86th floor of SIGNIEL SEOUL located in LOTTE WORLD TOWER.
Healing inside and out – A new high-end resort designed by Finnish Studio Puisto embraces the wellbeing of travellers and nature
Solea Valley Healing resort, located on the island of Cyprus, introduces a holistic healing experience, which includes for example apitherapy, education and dietitians, personal trainers and therapists available on site. With a design based on sustainable solutions and integration of the surrounding nature, the resort leads the way to the future of the hospitality industry.
The Traveler Trends Leading Hotel Design into 2023
From adventure and romance to business and family travel, the ever-changing habits, preferences, and expectations of vacationers continue to revolutionize the hospitality community. As a result, travelers are pushing well beyond their comfort zones – seeking out unique encounters that ignite the senses, promote adventure, and provide opportunities for families to create memories.
By Derek Gagne, Principal and Landscape Architect, EDSA
Hospitality Designers Say Pantone's Color of the Year Boasts Playful, Laid-Back Influence
Designers agree that Pantone’s Color of the Year 2023 was a good choice, however, they have differing opinions on whether its trendiness will be long-lived.
Concrete creates art-oriented space for CitizenM's first Miami hotel
Dutch hotel group CitizenM has opened a hotel in Downtown Miami in a high-rise building with multiple terraces that was designed to be a "3D art piece".
dezeen.com and concrete
The Kessler Collection Announces Art Contest Winners
Launched on November 7 with a prominent billboard in New York City’s Times Square, The Next Original contest asked up-and-coming artists to submit original artwork – including paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, fiber, printmaking and other media – to be reviewed by a panel of judges led by Kessler. The Kessler Collection received submissions from more than 1,500 artists across the United States.
St. Moritz: Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary and Unveils a New Lobby and Lobby Bar This Winter Season
This winter season sees a major milestone in the history of Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski as the hotel celebrates its 20th birthday in December 2022. To celebrate those two decades, the hotel invites its guests and locals of St Moritz to experience its freshly renovated lobby as well as a brand-new lobby bar redesigned in a contemporary style.
Accor shines a light on its luxury and lifestyle brands at ILTM Cannes
For more than 10 years, Accor has taken part in ILTM Cannes, the essential luxury hospitality event for travel specialists. Packed with more than 3,000 high-quality pre-scheduled appointments, lunches, dinners and networking cocktails, the four-day event reinforces Accor’s ambitious sales strategy in the luxury & lifestyle sector. 2022 was no exception, especially as it was an incredible year for Accor, reinforcing its leadership in the luxury sector with an unprecedented commitment to positive hospitality.
Condé Nast Traveller Announces Gold List 2023
Today, Condé Nast Traveller announced the winners of the Gold List 2023, an annual list of the world’s best hotels, resorts and cruises, expertly curated by Condé Nast Traveller’s global editorial team. The full list of winners can be found online at cntraveler.com, cntraveller.com, traveler.es and celebrated in the January/February issues of CNT U.S., U.K and Spain.
The Awards Series 2022: THIERRY LASRY
The BLLA Team sits down with THIERRY LASRY, Winner of the Boutique Business of the Year Award! Hear from the perspectives of the founder, Thierry Lasry, and the architect, Larry Cohn!
The Recipe of a Luxury Hotelier and Celebrity Chef, Appellation Brand Prepares for Debut
A new, luxury hotel brand that has been on the backburner for about two years due to the pandemic is back on the action plan and circling its first property, to open in 2024.
Hotel Indigo debuts a fresh visual identity and new brand website rooted in storytelling, complementing the brand’s global growth momentum
Hotel Indigo, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle Collection, today unveils a reimagined visual identity and brand website. Rooted in the art of storytelling, the boutique lifestyle brand’s new look celebrates creative expression through illustrations conveying the unique spirit of Hotel Indigo’s vibrant neighborhoods across the world.
Le Collectionist raises €60m to consolidate its global leadership position in the luxury holiday industry
Le Collectionist – the highest-rated luxury holiday brand in the world enabling discerning travellers to share the joy of exceptional, tailor-made rental properties, services and experiences – has raised €60m of growth funding from investors led by Highland Europe.
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.
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.