What do you prefer-Chain hotels or Boutique properties?

[bonniejoy03]

Any preferences? I personally like the smaller, boutique properties. I typically like to find properties that are locally owned. Typically I do not need the amenities offered by the larger, chain hotels. Just my choice.

[danielboldea]

I too prefer boutique hotels! I believe there is a great deal of the local experience lost when staying at a chain hotel. Chain hotels are limited in how they can diversify their approach to accommodating guests.

We have had the pleasure of stumbling across family owned boutique hotels where members of the family played an active roll in day to day service. That is when these properties shine and set themselves aside from their competition, offering personable service that is very difficult to obtain in chain hotels.

On the other hand, we believe that chain hotels like Mandarin Oriental offer top notch service second to none.

When staying in countries where star ratings are way overinflated, like Tunis, I prefer the reliable, chain hotel.

[kyshel]

For our purposes, we need both. I book boutiques for our "stays" and chain hotels with points for our connection hotels. Since we travel standby, I need the last-minute chain option to use points easily. I can cancel last-minute or layover someplace if we get "stuck". Starwood works very well for us. I agree with Daniel that some upscale chains like Mandarin, Kempinski, Langham, St. Regis, etc, offer boutique rooms and service out the wazoo! (My mom used that phrase--not sure I want to know what a wazoo is, tho!) Those are hard to pass up when found on LuxuryLink, too.

[bonniejoy03]

I am breaking down on one way of our trip to the Galapagos. I am staying at a "chain" hotel because it is only one night and a super low price.

[omegaet]

It depends. When we travel on business we generally use 'chain' (Marriott and Hyatt are our first choices) hotels....we're looking for distribution, consistency, business services and of course, perks/points [holding top tier status with these brands typically 'opens doors', and secures upgrades].

With leisure travel, we tend to investigate boutique and or otherwise unique properties, in hopes that the facilities will add to the experience.

We also like to cobble a 'bleisure' trip using a Luxury Link offering and a 'chain' property.

Just depends.

[[email protected]]

Depends on the location, etc. Normally prefer small boutique type properties - although sometimes the boutique places do not have jacuzzis and nice pools which I do like!

[copahc]

When travelling for pleasure I really enjoy staying in boutique hotels and resorts. I try to look for something unique and special, but usually do end up booking chain hotels when we are going to big cities. I try to take advantage of times when chains like Starwood are offering double or triple points for your stay When doing business travel I really prefer chains so that I can get points, but it's not always easy for me. Many times I travel to obscure places in Europe that only have small local hotels. If I do have business travel in an actual city usually the rates are too high on the chain hotels. Lately I've been using Hotels.com a lot because once you've booked ten nights through them you get one free. I did that for my upcoming trip to Rome because all the chain hotels were way over my budget for business travel.

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks C for the hotels.com tip. I typically use the hotels web site. I did find, for example, a better deal on Leading hotels of the world web site VS. the hotel directly or any other search site. Plus, I will have a "concierge" assigned to us to coordinate airport transfers, meals, etc.