This month, the Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) hosted its third annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference at the SVA Theatre in New York.
The one-day event drew more than 275 attendees, with influential industry professionals and panelists focusing on the factors currently influencing boutique hotels and their capital investment and financing. Panels during the event focused on topics such as capital investment in digital efforts, the importance of a strong F&B program, and hotel design in the lifestyle space.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of this conference,” says Frances Kiradjian, BLLA founder and CEO. “We stand for what is different and what guests want from their boutique experience, and this event held onto that by delivering something different and unexpected throughout the day.”
“Loyalty is about the experience and who’s talking about you via social media,” said Niki Leondakis, CEO of Commune Hotels, during the Boutique Hotel Financial Performance panel. “Lifestyle hotels shouldn’t be about rewards programs; they should be about rewards while on the property.”
An F&B panel featured John Meadow founder and principal of LDV Hospitality. “Fundamentally this is a human and relationship business,” he said. “Local community plays an important role in an F&B outlet within a hotel. Hotel restaurants need their own identity to succeed.” Added fellow panelist Jimmy Haber, managing partner of ESquared Hospitality: “We believe a restaurant operator is the best option behind the hotel management.”
David Gutstadt, managing director of hospitality for Related Companies and the Equinox brand, announced during the event that Equinox hotels will be placed in every city that currently has an Equinox Fitness Club.
Ian Schrager, CEO of the Ian Schrager Company, gave a spotlight interview during which he discussed his years in the business and thoughts on hospitality design. “Rich material doesn’t equate to luxury,” he said. “It’s about simplicity, craftsmanship, execution, and how things are put together.”
