Forget lashings of faceless glitz and glamour, boutique is the buzzword on every traveler's lips. The way we view luxury is changing, no longer do we crave those all-inclusive giants with their monochrome palates and cookie-cutter luxurious features, but instead, travelers are craving creativity, comfort, and homely happening environments that go beyond the usual marble bathrooms and sea views.
From Instagrammable backdrops to local artisan chocolates on the pillow, curated cocktails at a rooftop bar, and enviable designs – these are the world's boutique hotels we are itching to book…
The Best Boutique Hotels Outside the USA
Villa La Coste, Provence France
Address: 2750 Route de, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, France
Rates: $900
Telephone: +33 4 42 50 50 00
Average ratings: 5 stars on Tripadvisor
Book here: Villa Coste
Everyone’s favourite corner of France, Provence is a picture book of swaying lavender fields, hazy rose wines, and long afternoon luncheons. Villa La Coste is the perfect place to indulge in all of the above. A vision of gleaming glass, clean lines, and billowing shades of white; this boutique gem is brimming with works of art, bespoke furnishings, its own winery, an Onsen and spa, and flora strewn terraces serving up weep-worthy views. An organic kitchen, cosy library with fireplace, and vast marble bathtubs are just the icing on the cake.
Little Green Bay, Hvar Croatia
Address: 6 Uvala Lozna, 21450, Hvar, Croatia
Rates: From $480
Telephone: +385 99 603 4693
Average ratings: 4.5 on Tripadvisor
Book here: Little Green Bay
A rising star in the must-see places of the moment, Croatia is one of Europe’s trending destinations. Little Green Bay sits on the golden coastline of Hvar and celebrates raw grace in refined style. Less is more seems to be the ethos, meaning that every inch of the hotel has been designed with pure thought in mind. Tactile linens, natural colours, and a Zen-like atmosphere seep throughout. Floating beanbags to take into the gin-clear sea, pine fresh woods, a hotel speedboat, and slick bistro serving up French-inspired foods in artisan surroundings ensure nothing but tranquillity.
Arthaus Beirut, Beirut
Address: Gemmayze، Beirut, Lebanon
Rates: From $200
Telephone: +961 1 446 010
Average ratings: 4.2 from Google
Book here: Arthaus Beirut
Arty and evocative, Beirut's latest boutique gem is pure eye candy. Duck down a maze-like alleyway in Gemmayze to find it and fall head over heels for the golden stone walls and the Ottoman-style buildings that capture a dreamy bygone era of old Beirut. The Arthaus isn't about resting on the laurels of the past but is forever celebrating the buzz and beauty of modern-day Beirut with long lazy feasts and a house mixologist shaking up something special to end the day beside the glittering pool or in the cavernous underground lounge. Rooms are all vaulted ceilings, original tiles, and antiques. True to its name, the Arthaus also boasts a truly jaw-dropping personal collection.
SHOP SOZY
The Johri, Rajasthan, India
Address: 3950, MSB Ka Rasta, Johri Bazar, Ghat Darwaza, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302003, India
Rates: Contact Hotel
Telephone: +91 7665834022
Average ratings: 4.6 from Google
Book here: The Johri
Be sure to bookmark this Raj delight as soon as international travel is easy again. One of the best boutique hotels to make the hot list, The Johri only boasts five guest rooms but it certainly knows how to make a splash. This historic building was once a 19th-century merchant's house has been lovingly transformed into a den of wonder and whimsy. Pastel colors, tantalizing textures, tiger-shaped chairs, and jungle murals set the scene for a truly unique and stylish stay. Within walking distance to the jewelers market area and with high chai afternoons, cocktail laced eves, and its own evolving restaurant, there is so much intimate appeal at The Johri.
The Pig at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall UK
Address: Harlyn, Padstow PL28 8SQ
Rates: From $200
Telephone: 0345 225 9494
Average ratings: 4 stars from Tripadvisor
Book here: The Pig at Harlyn Bay
Sitting pretty in Padstow, this Cornish gem invites you to invoke your inner Rebecca. The 15th-century mansion has been lovingly brought back to life without compromising on that moody magic that accompanies England's rugged coastal charm. Velvet sofas and dark marine blues set an enticing mood and bedrooms are very much etched with glam boasting four-poster beds and roll-top tubs. For those who want to immerse themselves in the sheer drama of romantic nature, there are garden wagons for total seclusion that come complete with log burners and alfresco showers. The on-site restaurant is all about local cheeses, ciders, and stunning produce. There's easy access to Cornish saltwater waves and coastal yomps with spectacular views too.
Escondido Oaxaca, Oaxaca Mexico
Address: Av. José María Morelos # 401, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
Rates: $250
Telephone: +52 951 689 0330
Average ratings: 4.8 from Google
Book here: Escondido Oaxaca
Mexican minimalism leaves its mark on the dreamy destination of Oaxaca at the elegant Escondido. Behind a rather unassuming doorway in the downtown area, you will find an oasis of charming craftmanship just waiting to envelop you in a surefire sense of calm. There are just 12 rooms in this beautiful boutique hotel, each dressed in furnishings hand-carved from local wood and with beds adorned with locally made bedspreads. There's an Italian restaurant onsite serving Piedmont-inspired dishes and a glorious courtyard patio for sipping wines late into the warm evenings, not to mention night-caps in the library too.
Kruger Shalati, South Africa
Address: Kruger National Park, Selati Bridge Precint, Skukuza, 1350, South Africa
Rates: From $1000
Telephone: +27 13 591 6000
Average ratings: 5 stars from Tripadvisor
Book here: Kruger Shalati
Occupying a bridge arching over the Sabie River, the Kruger Shalati is an old train that has been redesigned in dazzling fashion to be 24 glass wall rooms that gaze right down onto the river and watch hippos and elephants. In-room spa treatments, silky bathrobes, and gorgeous game drives make this one of the top destinations for wildlife wonders. As the staff all come from neighboring communities, there's a much-lauded commitment to a positive economic impact too. With stunning views, imaginative accommodations, and a state-of-the-art wooden deck that could rival the best rooftop pool, the Kruger Shalati offers an experience like no other.
Halcyon House, New South Wales Australia
Address: 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach NSW 2488, Australia
Rates: From $670
Telephone: +61 2 6676 1444
Average ratings: 4.5 from Tripadvisor
Book here: Halycon House
Smartphones and surfboards at the ready, you are going to want to snap a lot of pictures when you see Halcyon House. Vintage bicycles, shades of deep-seated cream and blue, and one of the best restaurants to sit on these hip shores – Australia’s top boutique hotel is the gift that keeps on giving. When you can bear to tear yourself from the well-dressed pool, there’s brunch at Paper Daisy, a gourmet picnic on the sands, an afternoon escape in the award-winning spa, and wines out on the deck.
Kensho, Mykonos Greece
Address: Ornos Beach Mykonos, Greece, 846 00, Greece
Rates: From $470
Telephone: +30 2289 029001
Average ratings: 5 stars from Tripadvisor
Book here: Kensho
Not only are we in love with the term Cycladic chic but we are also head over heels for the Kensho Boutique Hotel. Overlooking Ornos Beach from a steep lookout point, this modern hideaway is simply heavenly. Whitewashed walls, blonde wood, burnished copper, and neutral nudes come together to create a space of sheer harmony. Hermes toiletries sit on the shelves of enormous open-plan bathrooms, and the darling restaurant invites ten-course gastro experiences allowing you to feast like Bacchus. The spa is a living dream with its rooftop whirlpool, fragrant steam room, and a menu of magic massages.
The Best Boutique Hotels Within the USA
Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Amelia Island Florida
Address: 98 S Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, United States
Rates: From $340
Telephone: +1 904-277-4851
Average ratings: 4.5 on Tripadvisor
Book here: Elizabeth Pointe
Named as one of America’s sweetheart hotels, the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge is all yawning porches, long swaying grasslands, and oceanfront breakfasts. Echoing the style of a 19th-century Victorian getaway, you can expect sun-drenched shuttered rooms adorned in period-style furnishings and hints of heavy brass. It’s the little things that bring the boutique touch and this little gem ensures that names are remembered, newspapers are at the door, and complimentary wine and canapes are waiting to help you toast that stunning view of a fiery Floridan sunset.
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Tofino Canada
Address: Bedwell River Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot C, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada
Rates: From $1600
Telephone: +1 888-333-5405
Average ratings: 5 stars on Tripadvisor
Book here: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
You may recognize this one from the playbook of celebs and royalty. Canada’s Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is one of the chicest tented camps we have ever clapped eyes on. Sitting pretty in the wilderness of Tofino, where whales breach the waters and bears roam the forests, this natural hideaway is completely private. Fifteen tents come bedecked in antique furnishings with cast iron stoves and five-star amenities. Outside of your regally appointed tent, you can find holistic healing with a long list of spa treatment styles, seasonal fine dining, and horseback riding through the rainforest.
White Water, California USA
Address:6736 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA 93428, United States
Rates: From $270
Telephone: +1 805-927-1066
Average ratings: 4.5 from Tripadvisor
Book here: White Water Cambria
With 25 suites and inspiring ocean views, White Water is a wonderful example of how you make one of the top boutique hotels into its own vacation destination. In the heart of one of California's wine country hot spots of Cambria, the White Water occupies prime real estate along Highway 1. The decor is California dreaming all the way. Think pebble mosaics, indigo pillows, and fireplaces for those breezy coastal evenings. With a succinct number of hotel staff, everyone remembers your name and days can be spent riding the house cruisers along the beach for a boozy picnic lunch, perfecting your downward dog at morning yoga, horseriding at the ranch, hiking the trails, and hitting those Californian farmers markets.
The Rockaway, New York USA
Address: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr, Queens, NY 11694, United States
Rates: From $380
Telephone: +1 718-474-1216
Average ratings: 5 stars on Tripadvisor
Book here: The Rockaway
New York isn't known for its glitzy beach getaways outside of the Hamptons, but for those seeking a new scene, The Rockaway may just tick all your boxes and more. This hip little boutique luxury hotel sits smack bang in the middle of a beach community in Queens and offers all the modern amenities you need. As soon as you step inside it's all plush beige and bright artwork and sweet sunny vibes that feel wholesomely welcoming. Rooms take on a studio appeal with separate areas for coffee makers and flat-screen TVs and ocean view bathrooms. The sleek swimming poolside bistro attracts locals and guests alike for its full raw bar and flagstone American classics.
The Chloe, New Orleans, USA
Address: 4125 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115, United States
Rates: From $380
Telephone: +1 504-541-5500
Average ratings: 4.5 on Tripadvisor
Book here: The Chloe
Far from the tossed beads and hedonistic world of Bourbon Street and the jazzy fun of the French Quarter, The Chloe sits in one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city - the Garden District. The 19th century home comes with 14 rooms all dressed in eclectic NOLA fashion. This is exactly how you do a design hotel right. Pieces by local artists adorn the walls, the minibar is lined with NOLA crafted beers, and then there's even a turntable with a set of records in each room - all celebrating music born or inspired by the city itself. Food and drink are top-notch, there's a backyard tropical oasis complete with a pool, and that classic New Orleans porch to rock on with a cocktail in hand.
White Elephant Palm Beach, Florida USA
Address: 280 Sunset Ave, Palm Beach, FL 33480, United States
Rates: From $1300
Telephone: +1 561-832-7050
Average ratings: 4.5 from Tripadvisor
Book here: White Elephant Palm Beach
Florida's Palm Beach is forever gorgeously groomed and laced with more than a little glitz and the White Elephant fits in perfectly (only without the stuffiness). Sitting just off Main Street, it's a vision of black and white timeless beauty with a seven-foot statue earning the place its name. Inside, the Palm Springs special is all art collector class and each guest room come in varying size and style and boasting bright accents, generous bathrooms, and some with their own private balcony for morning coffee. The restaurant is buzzy, the cocktails excellent, and the hospitality ever a charm.
The High Line Hotel, New York City USA
Address: 180 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States
Rates: From $420
Telephone: +1 212-929-3888
Average ratings: 4.5 from Tripadvisor
Book here: The High Line Hotel
Stylish rooms, a stone's throw from some of the best Chelsea attractions, and complete with its own cocktail garden, The High Line Hotel is one of the best boutique hotels in the city. Just a short walk from the High Line itself Soaked in the 19th-century gothic style you can find antiques, fireplaces, oversized chic rugs, exposed brick, and all the vibes you could wish for (including free wi-fi). With buzzy restaurants, museums, and everything you need well within reach, there's a lot to love here.
Which are your favorite luxury hotels out there and which of these luxury boutique hotel options will be making your list? Do you crave clawfoot tubs and a fire pit or are you more of a private terrace and indoor pool kind of gal? Share your thoughts and fave location tips with us in the comments.
TOP
