Is boutique dead?, After the country house craze came the Boutique accommodation market propelled by the Mr and Mrs Smith guide books, giving the Boutique Hotel Directory and more recently adding Luxury Hotels to the tag line. I guess its like most fashions or buzz words, its passed. So whats next? In fact I see it a bit like fashion. Lets think about it, the toff/ country fashion has hardly changed over the decades, checked stripe shirt, cords, shoes, tweed blazer and or a barber, hey why not throw in a rugby shirt for that casual look. Done! its like a gok make over. I see the hotel equivalent as the luxury hotel market, its always been there, always will be and says what it is on the can. Its safe but we know it wont offend like the boutique. I remember an article a few years ago giving the same commentary of the gastropub market now I think its just a standard that all pubs serve or try to good modern food, almost restaurant standard.
The word boutique refers to being small and individual, like those classy wine bars that we hope no one else will find out about. This definition has been stretch with big chains spanning hundreds of rooms having jumped aboard with the tag line boutique. I don't think the recession has help either, we don't want the risk. When I book a room I'm now looking for luxury for my Penny's not risky boutique, which could be any ones interpretation of applying damask to the walls, curtains, carpet, lamp shades and even bed linen.
This blog has made no steps to decide or evaluate whether the boutique market has finished only explored the questions in a 5 minute break. Enjoy. What I propose is a new buzz word "Lux"
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