How Big Hotel Brands Are Missing the Mark with the Boutique Hotel Experience
Adam Morrisey talks with Jaime Bravo, General Manager of Hotel Bardo in Tulum, a boutique hotel group consisting of three hospitality concepts in Mexico. The hotel’s stay was called ‘transformational’ in Forbes. Bravo claims, “there’s nothing like Tulum. Its soul cannot be replicated.”
Bravo explains that consumer preferences have changed with covid. Covid and 2020 shook the hospitality industry to its core. As we see travel pick up again, guests are not taking things for granted. Their focus has shifted to the simpler things in life, like companionship, benevolence, love, and exploration. The demand for reliable wifi has become an expectation, which Bravo credits to remote work. Travelers are also staying longer. “Average stays have increased by 1.2 nights,” claims Bravo. From 3.8 nights pre-covid to five nights on average today.
Bravo believes that covid accelerated the trend of boutique hotels and boutique hospitality. Travelers want to stay somewhere with hearts. Boutique hotels are built around a concept, and the audience of travelers looking to be present around things they love, a partner, friend, nature, or exploration, is growing too.
To remain successful, Bardo suggests keeping one eye on the basics of hospitality and the other on trends. Guests are looking for authentic encounters with nature, people, and new cultures. The standard used to be a French restaurant, no matter where the hotel was. Today, the desire is a restaurant that explores local, traditional cuisine.
Bravo says, in his opinion, “For you to truly be boutique, you can not be corporate. It’s my take on boutique hospitality… [corporate standards] it’s really good, it’s comfortable, but it kills the place [where you are at].” They miss the mark of capturing where the hotel is. Travelers want a high standard of service, but not the sterility of a corporate hotel.
More Stories Like This:
Will Manufacturing “Reshore” To Fix Supply Chain Bottlenecks?
How Do You Define the Entrepreneurial Mind Set?
Latest
Ericsson and the Convergence of 5G and Automation in Manufacturing
The Convergence of 5G and Automation in Manufacturing: A New Industrial Revolution The manufacturing industry stands at an inflection point. Advances in 5G technology and automation are coming together to transform the way products are made, and the role that humans and machines play in this process. Per Treven, Director of Business Development at Ericsson, […]
Drone Delivery Faces Cybersecurity Threats, But Advanced IoT Can Be its Resolution
Cybersecurity in beyond visual line-of-sight drone delivery is critical and this makes for a pressing need to shield Internet of Things (IoT) systems, particular advanced IoT. With the FAA granting UPS the green light to perform drone deliveries, there are some concerns. Some experts emphasize the importance of leveraging cybersecurity measures to protect […]
Personalizing the Dining Experience Through Music
When people go to a restaurant, personalizing the dining experience is a critical factor in making an impact that keeps customers returning. What better way to capitalize on that experience than through music? In recent years, the restaurant industry has seen a significant shift towards personalizing the dining experience for guests. As the industry […]