Boutique hotels have been a hot topic of conversation at Jetstream HQ ever since Airbnb’s announcement that they will now be featuring them, along with resorts, on their platform. Off the back of our success working with the owners and managers of condo-style resorts to distribute their inventory onto vacation rental platforms, we’ve wasted no time in recruiting our first boutique hotel partners. As a result, my inbox has recently been flooded with emails from colleagues asking if their latest find is ‘boutique-y enough’.
Having previously managed a beautiful boutique hotel in the French Alps, I felt that I had a good grasp of what was considered boutique and what wasn’t. However, while it quickly became clear that many people prefer the idea of staying at a boutique hotel over a big brand name or chain counterpart, when I asked my team to define and describe a boutique hotel, each response varied. The one common denominator? The experience.
We unanimously agreed that boutique hotels should leave a lasting impression, one that we wouldn’t want to trade in for the chance of staying in a standardized, cookie-cutter chain hotel. When it comes to boutique hotels it’s the little things that count. Sure, every hotel room has a bed, but it’s through attention to detail in other, less obvious areas that a stay goes from average to awesome.
Having set these broad guidelines, we outlined several qualifying features in line with Airbnb’s specifications to help us identify those hotels that truly are ‘boutique-y enough’ to make the cut.
Design: No magnolia paint please, and do away with the grey carpets. When it comes to hotels, first impressions count. We partner with boutique hotels that boast unique design and feature one-of-a-kind decor and flair.
My favorite boutique hotel design currently in the Jetstream is the Moose Hotel and Suites in Banff. From the Moose-themed artwork, to the converted Corner House in the centre of the resort, plus the huge water feature in reception, the design of this hotel doesn’t disappoint.
Local: When I visit new places I also want to experience something new. That’s why we at Jetstream love hotels that offer local experiences. From knowledge on local hikes and activities, to serving up local beer and wine, local touches make guests feel they are being given a truly authentic experience, which really takes a hotel into the coveted realm of being considered boutique..
At The Meritage Resort and Spa in the Napa Valley, embracing local is at the forefront of the experience from the moment a guest books - with the help of the hotel’ virtual concierge, guests can arrange wine tours, tastings and any excursion they desire prior to their arrival.
Guest delight: It’s vital for us that hotel staff go above and beyond to ensure guest delight. Some of our most successful hotels are owner-operated, and the majority of successful hotels have knowledgeable staff available on-property 24/7 ready to make sure that each guests gets the most out of their stay. What do they all have in common? They really do care about their guests, and want to make sure that they have the best experience possible!
It’s often the little extras that really make the difference. At the stunning Austria Haus in Vail, each room is equipped with a Bose Sound System and glass bottles of drinking water are replenished everyday free of charge (that’s right, they’re looking after the environment too!)
So why use Jetstream to distribute your boutique hotel on Airbnb? Well, think of us as the boutique channel marketing solution. Whilst there may be other solutions offering services that seem similar on the surface, it’s those extra finishing touches that make us stand out.
From the moment you start working with Jetstream, your Account Manager will be there to guide you through the on-boarding process and beyond. Each and every partnership is different, and we work with you to make sure you get what you need.
Our technology really is the best, designed to make your life easier and reduce time spent on manual booking procedures so that we all have more time to spend with those who count the most – the guests! We create unique content and do all of the heavy set-up work so you don’t have to. Our team of content marketing experts are continuously looking for ways to improve the success of each and every listing we feature on Airbnb, and our team of Destination Experts work round-the-clock to offer pre, during and post stay support as well as awesome local knowledge. We even answer reviews on your behalf!
Above all else, everything we do is designed to ensure that our mutual guests have an experience that is memorable for all the right reasons.
All we need from you is a set of beautiful images. It helps if your boutique hotel is already connected to a supply channel we are integrated with (Synxis, yieldPlanet, Travelclick, Availpro) but if not, no worries - we’ll always look into ways to make our impeccable technology work for you.
Sounds too good to be true? Book an appointment to speak with one of my team of amazing Market Managers to find out more!
