When I travel, while where I stay is not necessarily the most important thing... (I travel to SEE... to understand... to experience! and you do all that outside of the hotel) ... but, I do have a certain type of criteria I use in choosing an accommodation, and I tend to be drawn to small, non-chain, unique hotels. Somewhat recently this class of hotel has emerged and has become known as boutique hotels. Boutique hotels are usually privately run, small hotels that are stylishly, luxuriously, or uniquely decorated. No boutique hotel is the same! and that is part of the fun. I'm also a sucker for aesthetically pleasing accommodations, so boutique hotels are right up my alley. Additionally, I have found that the service at boutique hotels is one of a kind - its personalized, you feel special... catered to.
Originally our friends in China had us booked at the Hilton for our first week in Beijing, but, me being me, I had to be different and hunt down the most modern, hip, unique hotel that I could find in China's capital city. And I found a hotel that seems to more than fit my requirements!
So, for the same nightly rate as we would pay at the Hilton, for our first week in Beijing we will be staying at one of Beijing's newest boutique hotels, Hotel G.
Why would I want to stay at a Hilton, when I can stay at a small boutique hotel that can't be found in any other city except Beijing?!
Hotel G is also rated #1 out of 3000+ hotels on Tripadvisor Beijing!
During our travels in China, we definitely won't be staying in places as nice as this everywhere we go. My husband has some pretty rugged things planned for me, trust me! It should be an adventure.... but, for my first week in the city, I'm entitled to some pampering, if I do say so myself. :)
When you guys travel, what sort of hotels do you like to stay in?
To me, the hotel isn't always so important because I'd rather spend my money on seeing the sights, but sometimes, I like to splurge on my accommodations as well. For Europe, we love small bed and breakfasts.
Steph
I love planning too! but I love even more when everything goes perfectly like it was planned :)
ReplyDeletehttp://saladofmylife.blogspot.com
I'm the same way when we travel, I'm the one booking everything but I really enjoy it! We always stay at boutique hotels when traveling too. That hotel looks fabulous, will definitely have to check that out for our trip to Beijing.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if you'll be traveling to Hong Kong while you are in China but we recently got back from a trip and we stayed at a lovely boutique hotel in Causeway Bay. You can see my pictures here. http://www.iamstyle-ish.com/2010/02/lanson-place-hong-kong.html
I highly recommend it!
Wow, that hotel looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteWow, great pick Steph! This hotel looks FAB! Can't wait to see real life pics of it :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to like boutique hotels as well, especially in larger cities like NYC and LA
I love planning vacations. I spend hours selecting activities, and even make scedules on a spreadsheet.
ReplyDeleteBoutique hotels are great, but I don't always stay at them. I've been using Priceline a lot for our US travel, since we can get nice chain hotels at cheap rates.
LOVE the hotel choice! I completely agree- I'd much rather stay at a place that is unique to the place we are visiting, than some run-of-the-mill chain. You are so close to being in China- exciting!
ReplyDeleteI'm not so picky about the hotel either, my list is pretty short. Clean, safe neighborhood, interior entrance (I don't like hotels where the door to your room is outside)and king bed.
ReplyDeleteIf you've got those 4 things I'm good to go!
That is a beautiful hotel! I'm with you, small boutique hotels are the way to go! They are always so nice and so thoughtfully decorated! That being said, when my husband and I travel, we usually are pretty adventurous and don't always stay in a nice hotel. We like to sprinkle them in our trip kind of like a vacation from our vacation.
ReplyDeletewow, how cool! when i travel i usually stay at b&b's (ireland!) or hostels if i'm traveling somewhere for just a day or two- however, i'm like you too! stayed at a gorgeous hotel in florida after months of being picky where to stay! <3
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That hotel looks amazing... Hope it delivers in person as well! Being rated 1 out of 3000 is pretty darn awesome! I agree about spending more on sightseeing and food instea of lodging, but the food in china is so affordable ( I love street food) that a lil extra for a nice hotel won't hurt!
ReplyDeleteThat hotel looks awesome. I am right there with you. I love staying at hotels that are unique to the area--I also agree with you about the Hilton. We usually apply this same theory to food--why eat at a McD's in Paris when there are TONS here in the US.
ReplyDeleteThat hotel looks amazing! I am so jealous!
ReplyDeleteMy friend who has lived in China for a year so far has eaten out like every single meal practically. She says the food is just so cheap! Its cool because China is one of the few places where the dollar goes really far!
ReplyDeleteI love boutique hotels too, so stylish and definitely more personalised than the major hotel chains.
ReplyDeleteMy family plans on staying in one of those chic boutique hotels in China when we visit this summer. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteTc, Nia B
Dubai's It Girl
That hotel looks awesome! You have good taste. :) I am a totally obsessive trip planner too! Down to making illustrated maps, itineraries, and travel packets designed just for our trip.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that hotel looks! Even if just for the different colored window lights alone, lol. I'm the same way...I like to do research (and I constantly use yelp where I can) to find hotels that will put me near the best local spots in town.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sweet comment on my blog too! I may have to just get brave enough to wear that hat running around town.
xox,
Bre @ http://theredbungalow.blogspot.com
I love planning and traveling too! (obviously :):) I think we have a bit in common, Love! This hotel looks cozy and filled with character....great post as always.
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Rachel
planning is definitely one of the most fun parts of travel and it looks like you found a great value! thank you so much for commenting on my blog :) have a lovely thursday!
ReplyDeletei like the curtains in the rooms. i would want to stay in a nice boutique hotel too.
ReplyDeletehttp://cherylclarke.blogspot.com
That hotel looks very cool! I know what you mean about Boutique Hotels and staying in chains. My inlaws are stuck in chain mode and I am trying to get them to broaden their horizons as they are big travelers. Your trip sounds like its going to be really cool. I can't wait to read all about it!
ReplyDeleteI am totally opposite. I usually like to stay in a 3.5 star and basically just sleep there. Because I want to see the sights more than my hotel. But it is a great idea for you guys, especially for your first week. Help you adjust slowly to life there. That hotel looks awesome!!!! hope it is great for you guys!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I travel to experience culture not for the hotel. I love small privately run places. As long as they are clean I am happy! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://glamlatte.blogspot.com
I love unique places but I'm also a sucker for the Omni (could be their fabulous frequent guest program or the room service, OR the amazing massage lady at the one in DC...).
ReplyDeleteI tend to worry less about the hotel and more about the food on trips (as long as the place has a comfy bed and hot water in the showers, I can deal with it). I can't stand eating in chain restaurants!
you know what though? The one place where hotel REALLY matters are beach places!
ReplyDeleteI'm exactly the same way. Love to plan and I definitely prefer boutique hotels. Sounds like you're going to have a fabulous time. That hotel is amazing looking :)
ReplyDeleteYour comment about cancelling your South Africa trip, made me realize that you are the nestie, that gave me the travel agent info, that we used to plan our S. Africa trip last year. We had an amazing time and I hope you get to go sometime.
ReplyDeleteGina - yep thats me!! I was so happy to see your pictures! They were wonderful. We will definitely get another chance to see South Africa, its definitely a must see place and next time maybe we can add in Mozambique too. :) Thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteSteph
Wow that's a gorgeous hotel! Now you make me want to go back to visit Beijing again! :)
ReplyDeleteThat hotel looks amazing! I'm a big advocate for boutique hotels too...though I surprised myself when I went to Asia and stayed in hostels! It was hard to resist every urge in my body to plan, but very liberating not to!
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing! We don't travel very often, but when we do I love finding great hotels! xx
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