Temporary lodging for the passers-by and travelers has been there for centuries now. Romans offered thermal spas and accommodation to government travelers, the Turkey to China famous Silk Road had caravanserais that provided shelter for both beast and man, and so on and so forth. Anyway, while the boutique hotel lacks a strict definition, they all tend to have some similar features linked to them. One of them is that most of them are usually small and usually hold around ten to one hundred rooms.
There are a couple of substantial differences between resort hotels and boutique hotels. Most of the times these differences can be seen in the service offerings and benefits. Choosing between them will really depend on what you're looking for as an individual or as a group. To know which one makes more sense, one would have to first look at the pros and cons of both and then see what would suit them best.
Resort Style Hotels
Resort hotels are usually all about all-in-one stop features, which is what people want sometimes. You can catch some sun by the pool, or beach if any, as well as pamper yourself to death within the same location and much more
PROS
- You never really have to leave the resort. All you'll literally ever need is on site. Play, shop, sleep and eat is in one place Even exercise and work can be taken care of all under one roof. This is actually this type of accommodation is most noticeable benefit. In fact, it's largely what most use to market themselves
- Fuss and stress-free. If you're looking to get away from everything and intend on getting pampered while you're in it then the ideal option for you might just be a resort hotel. In this scenario, your job is simply to arrive and then leave. Everything is left in the capable hands of the staff.
CONS
- They are not for everyone. They generally happen to be considerably more expensive than most accommodation options on the market and both the food and drinks offered at the resorts are sold according to their prices. It's usually very convenient as well as easy to order drinks and food so you need to carefully keep an eye on your tab
- Since the guests don't have to leave the resort ever, the experience they get to the travel destination, they happen to be visiting is a rather sheltered one.
Boutique Hotels
This is for the real adventurer. The modern-day travel that intends on experiencing their travel destination in style and comfort without having to feel like they're on their Gap year or something. If you're in Europe and are looking for beautiful boutique hotels in Malta then you might want to continue with this article before making a final decision.
PROS
- They are usually more affordable than resort hotels in general.
- They are very private. The boutique hotel, most of the time, you'll find are a much smaller, intimate accommodation options. They are specifically designed to have fewer people, which, in turn, gives guests a more exclusive feel. This is actually what most people like about this type of accommodation. It manages to make every guest feel a little special.
- They have character. They have both a more homely and warmer feel to them. Sometimes, they can really succeed in pulling off that 'home-away from-home' feeling as well as atmosphere. Its style is very distinct
- Most have that personal touch. The services offered in this kind of hotel setup are a lot more personable and personalized. Especially in those owner-run establishments. This is in large part what helps them come off so charming.
Cons
- The most noticeable disadvantage of the boutique hotel is that you won't have all the facilities and services you might need all under one roof/place. This is where resort hotels beat them hands down. Yes, some do have restaurants, spas and gyms in the vicinity, however, a majority of them usually do not. They are mostly all about encouraging their guests to get out and explore their new surroundings as much as possible. The knowledgeable staff, they have on site are mostly used to help organize tours.
Which of the two makes the most sense really depends on you and what you're looking to get out of that particular trip. If you're into exploration and adventure then you might want to consider staying at a boutique hotel, however, if you want more of the pampering and all on your trip than the resort hotel option might just be the perfect one for you. The ball is in your court now.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader