Boutique hotels – key to community
By: J. David Chapman/February 10, 2022
I have been telling anyone who would listen that my hometown needs a boutique hotel. It seems to me that Edmond is the perfect setting for such a product. I bring in people from all around the world to work at the University of Central Oklahoma and lately there have been people from all over the country staying in Edmond to facilitate construction necessary for the redevelopment taking place in our downtown.
As thankful as I am for our national-chain hotels on I-35, I have not had one person excited about their stay on an interstate highway with absolutely no amenities within walking distance. Frankly, although these hotels do a good job, none have any of the character that is Edmond. The question I am most asked is, “Where can I stay and get a flavor of the local character of Edmond?” The answer would lie in a boutique hotel experience that currently does not exist.
Today’s brand of boutique hotel is largely characterized by its smaller size (10-100 rooms), personalized service, and local personality, which can vary dramatically depending on where the property is located. Created correctly, they blend into the community and reflect the neighborhoods and cultures around them. This celebrates the local flavor and creates a strong sense of place. Travelers today are more curious than ever and seek experiences that cure this sense of adventure. They are looking for hotels that complement their lifestyle and embrace their surroundings. That might be accomplished with an accommodation that has an eccentric personality and is fun, funky, trendy, and offbeat.
One of the characteristics I appreciate at boutique hotels is the encouragement of interaction between guests. Many accomplish this by designing communal amenities where guests can meet and develop relationships. You tend to meet the most interesting people at these types of accommodations.
There are no hard rules on architecture, design, and operation because they must, by definition, be different and allow the local community to influence those characteristics. They may be sleek and contemporary or quaint and homey. Normally, they convey a progressively forward style with fastidious décor. Most are located in the most hip, lively, up-and-coming areas. Many are themed, building the entire guest experience, from décor to services, around a particular subject such as art, fashion, sports, or lifestyle.
J. David Chapman is a professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).