The third annual Boutique Lifestyle Leadership Symposium brought together the hospitality industry’s top boutique, lifestyle, and luxury brand executives at the SLS Las Vegas last week. The conference, powered by the Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA), offered Las Vegas-style entertainment and thought-provoking educational sessions over the three day event.
Highlights of the conference included a gala dinner and awards ceremony where two finalists and one boutique hotel property were recognized. Doyle Graham Jr., founder, president and CEO of the Valencia Group, received the award for BLLA Hotelier of the Year, while the Castle Hotel Orlando – a Kessler Collection property, was recognized as BLLA Boutique Hotel of the Year. Tara Lazar, owner of the Alcazar Hotel Palm Springs and three affiliated restaurants, was honored as the BLLA Person of the Year.
A few of the biggest trends highlighted included the rise of the alternative hospitality space with the boom in experiential travel and mindfulness in travel. The concept of adaptive reuse prevailed as well, as the SLS Hotel retained 70 percent of the historic former Sahara. In addition, CEOs and COOs from Crystal Cruises, Luxury Frontiers, Generator Hostels, and Uniworld Boutique Riverboat Collection revealed some of the ways they are catering to the growing need of adventurous travelers.
