Boutique hotels in the Maltese context

Abstract

This dissertation explores the Maltese conception of ‘Boutique Hotels’. This is relevant because the people who came up with the term do not hold a consensus about the defining characteristics of such hotels. By understanding the defining characteristics in the local context this research aims to separate the ‘Boutique Hotel’ concept from the mainstream understanding of hotels. The researcher reviewed relevant literature, field-work research and carried out indepth interviews with managers and directors of hotels which defined themselves as ‘Boutique’. A comparative analysis was then carried out in order to understand the characteristics of ‘Boutique Hotels’ in Malta. The researcher found that ‘Boutique Hotels’ could be distinguished by three main characteristics, namely; the size of the hotel, personalization of service and style of décor and architecture. This study further delineates the point that on cannot define the ‘Boutique Hotel’ concept in a straightforward manner. However, key players in the local context agreed that some form of consensus should be reached in order to allow for the MTA to define this kind of hotel. This would allow for these establishments to bring a differentiated product to the market and as a result, added-value to the economy.