A formal definition of the boutique or lifestyle hotel concept remains elusive. However, pundits agree
on the following criteria: a thematic, architecturally notable design offering warmth and intimacy, a
smaller size than the typical business hotel (many in the industry believe hotels larger than 150 rooms
cannot be called true ‘boutiques’) and a target market of up market 20-55 year olds.viii Most boutique
hotels can be found in trendy neighborhoods of sophisticated urban destinations, and many offer
customers high-tech amenities such as high-speed Internet access, cordless phones and CD players
with a library of music (available for purchase, of course). However, a subset of boutique hotels
located in resort destinations try to achieve the opposite effect: often located in secluded areas, these
hotels focus on a higher level of service than their urban counterparts and offer low -tech amenities
such as spa facilities, privacy, and even the absence of communications facilities as proof guests
staying at the hotel will truly be able to ‘get away from it all.’ ix