McIntosh and Siggs (2005) investigate the reasons of the boutique hotel customers in
New Zeland for choosing to stay in these hotels rather than in more traditional
accommodation. This study concludes that there are five key dimensions setting the
boutique sector apart from the traditional offerings. These are the “unique character”,
the “personalized or personal touch”, the “homely feel of the accommodation”, the
“high quality standards offered” and the “value-added” nature of the physical
location, knowledge and culture of the hosts.
Keeps ( 2006) explains that the boutique hotel is trying to grow up, and historical
referents - architectural and decorative - serve as a convenient shorthand for maturity,
and a mark of glamour.
Table 3 illustrates Top 10 Boutique Hotels Worldwide published by Gayot.com