Founded in 2009, the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) is the voice of the world’s independent boutique and lifestyle hotels, small brands and boutique businesses.
The association was founded in response to a demand for a collective voice for this fragmented industry. Today the association has members around the world. As the lifestyle industry sees an ever-increasing demand from discerning boutique-seeking clients, BLLA is primarily dedicated to creating greater economic success for independent business owners by helping them level the playing field against larger brands and chains.
We have verified over 10,000 authentic boutique hotels around the world (following guidelines and categories listed here) and we are working with nearly 200 hotels closely with the BLLA-intensive program.+
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11 May 23
Partner News
Speaker Roster Highlights for TIEWN Women in Travel & Hospitality March ConferenceWith global tourism predicted to reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, ...Read moreSpeaker Roster Highlights for TIEWN Women in Travel & Hospitality March Conference - News & announcementsWith global tourism predicted to reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, registrations and the speaker roster for March 2 & 3, Women in Travel & Hospitality (TIEWN) Conference at the Westlake Village Inn in Los Angeles County both reflect that vibrancy. The agenda of the two-day, interactive event will address the reality that women represent 54% of the workforce in the tourism sector and yet only 4% of the C-Suite positions in tourism are held by women. With a theme of “Finding Your Circle of Influence,” agenda topics will cover technology, business and personal financial wellbeing, mentorship, raising capital, self-growth and tools for mentoring one another along the career path. “The breadth and depth of wisdom reflected in our roster of speakers this year embodies the sharing mentality that our members embrace, explains Frances Kiradjian, CEO and Founder of both TIEWN and the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association. Today Frances runs the organizations’ five divisions with her daughter, Ariela Kiradjian, who is especially interested in the recent dynamic growth in wellness offerings in the tourism and hospitality industries. “Wellness goes a lot deeper than yoga mats,” said Ariela. “Mental health is a big part of wellness and so is how you’re treating your staff and yourself so we will be covering those topics as well.” Speaker highlights from the two-day conference include the ones below. Please visit BLLAEvents.com for a full list of our facilitators (we call our speakers “facilitators” because they engage with all attendees).- Marissa Hermer – Former star of Bravo’s Ladies of London, Hermer will be sharing her insights from a career as restauranteur, entrepreneur and author. Hermer’s experience working alongside Ian Schrager to open the Grammercy Park Hotel as well as partnering with her husband to open the popular Draycott restaurant in Caruso’s Palisades Village and two celebrity haunts in West Hollywood, Olivetta and Issima, should be of particular interest to the group.
- Aradhana Khowala – London based travel, diversity & equality expert who is CEO of Aptamind Partners, offers strategic consultancy in sustainable tourism development. She is recognized as a leader in the industry, named as one of the 100 most powerful in hospitality and 25 most influential women. Aradhana is a speaker on diversity, gender equality, and femtech, highlighting the lack of representation in executive tourism and health research.
- Chef Oliver English – Having grown up in his family’s restaurant business, Oliver is the Co-Founder & CEO of Common Table Creative (CTC), an impact-driven production & hospitality company specializing in advancing global food, sustainability and social justice issues. CTC creates films and experiences that bring people together and tell stories about the power of food. He created and is currently producing CTC’s signature documentary, Feeding Tomorrow (FT).
- Tammy Pahel – VP of Spa & Wellness at Carillion Miami Wellness Resort and co-founder of Alchemy Wellness Resorts. Pahel has opened 15 different spa properties and exceeds at reading trends, creating strategic alliances with other wellness brands and making hotel spa wellness offerings not just popular but profitable. She will be sharing her story of creating the country’s first Touchless Spa Therapy Circuit during the pandemic, while exceeding revenue expectations.
- Jersey Banks – Founder of boutique hotel and lifestyle brand, Urban Cowboy Hotels shares her dynamic and unlikely origin story about how she and her partner evolved their brand – with 4 + hotels under their umbrella in Brooklyn, Nashville, the Catskills and soon Denver – into a community of travelers and artists.
- Diana Stobo – Celebrity chef, best-selling author, health and wellness life coach and founder and owner of The Retreat Costa Rica and a soon-to-open Ayurvedic Healing Center and Spa in Costa Rica. She is also the creator of Truth Bar, an innovative prebiotic and probiotic gut health bar. Stobo speaks on a host of subjects, including digestive health, food as a modality for change, hormone balancing, sex, aging well, weight management & wellness travel.
- Dr. Marcus Coplin – Medical director for The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, CO and Murrieta Hot Springs Resort in Murrieta, California where he advises on science-based usage of thermal mineral hot spring water for health. Dr. Coplin writes and teaches extensively on the re-emergence of Health Resort culture and programming in the 21st century health care field and wellness tourism sector.
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26 Apr 23
Partner News
The BLLA Team sits down with Chris Cline, General Manager of The Hotel Santa Barbara, as he delves into his experience as a boutique hotelierBLLA: What is your company’s mission statement? CC: We Make an Impact on Communities by ...Read moreThe BLLA Team sits down with Chris Cline, General Manager of The Hotel Santa Barbara, as he delves into his experience as a boutique hotelier - News & announcementsBLLA: What is your company’s mission statement? CC: We Make an Impact on Communities by Stimulating Growth, Creating Jobs and Honoring History. BLLA: How did you enter the hospitality industry? CC: I began at age 13 washing pots and dishes for a family friend’s catering company. From there I learned to cook and was catering for parties of up to 200+ guests by age 17. This led to my choice to attend UNLV for “Hotel School”.BLLA: What does “boutique” mean to you? CC: Boutique sets an expectation that a guest is going have an experience that is more personal, intimate, curated and thoughtful than an experience in a larger hotel. I love having the opportunity to provide that level of service to guests each and every day. BLLA: How are you an artisan? CC: For me, being an artisan means creating experiences that are inspiring and memorable. We do this through our high-level of personalized service and by collaborating with local craftsmen, tastemakers, and artisans to give our guests interactive experiences they can only find at Hotel Santa Barbara. It could be wine education and tastings, chef-driven dinners or gatherings where guests can spend time with the artisan and their creations personally. BLLA: Why do you celebrate the path of independence? CC: For me its just an organic choice and a place where I’m more comfortable. An independent and boutique environment allows me to be authentic which eliminates barriers to creating real connection with team members and guests.BLLA: What advice would you give to first-time hoteliers? CC: Hospitality is about serving others. Find or create an environment where this is most important. Challenge yourself to invest in creating opportunities to serve team members, guests, and the community. BLLA: What would you say to hotel lenders & investors reading this? CC: An understandable focus of lenders and investors is financial performance. Boutique hotels are a good investment! I’d hope success is defined both in terms of financial performance and the success of supporting the good, hardworking people delivering those performance results. So often success is reliant on a dedicated and caring person, selflessly serving another. BLLA: What’s next for you? CC: Our focus is the re-imagining and renovation of Hotel Santa Barbara in a way that celebrates its rich history and appeals to the modern traveler.
Charlotte Gomez de Orozco, Founder, HOY Hotel Paris
Episode Summary:
In this enlightening first episode of season two, Charlotte Gomez de Orozco, the visionary founder of HOY Hotel Paris, delves into the intricate blend of sustainable luxury and wellness that defines her hotel's ethos. She also unpacks the unique yoga-centric hotel concept thriving in the heart of Paris. With a special focus on holistic wellness and self-care, this episode explores the transformative journey of buying and renovating a Parisian hotel, the challenges of opening a wellness-oriented establishment, and the incorporation of Mexican cultural elements into the boutique hotel experience.
Episode Timestamps:
[0:00] Introduction to Sustainable Luxury Hotel Design and Wellness
[2:44] The Unique Yoga Hotel Concept in Paris
[7:01] Holistic Wellness and Self-Care Features at Oil Hotel
[12:14] The Journey of Acquiring and Revamping a Paris Hotel
[17:15] Overcoming Obstacles in Establishing a Unique Yoga Hotel
[21:56] Navigating the Difficulties of a Parisian Wellness Hotel Launch
[26:48] Infusing Mexican Culture into a Boutique Hotel Brand
[31:08] Gentrification and the Independent Hotel Scene in Paris
[36:05] Sustainable Tourism, Feminine Leadership, and Mental Health in Hospitality
[43:25] Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in the Hospitality Industry
Key Discussion Points:
Sustainable Design: Charlotte Gomez de Orozco's innovative approach that marries Fung Shui, eco-consciousness, and her Franco-Mexican heritage.
Yoga Focus: The pivotal role of yoga practices in the hotel's daily routine, featuring extensive yoga sessions and spaces dedicated to meditation and Reiki classes.
Holistic Approach: The commitment to wellness with on-site holistic therapies, a unique plant-based menu, and the integration of flowers into the guest experience.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Ariela Kiradjian's hotel business journey, emphasizing teamwork and the personal touch in the hotel acquisition process.
Renovation Challenges: The trials and tribulations faced during the renovation, including delays, communication issues with architects, and staffing hurdles.
Cultural Identity: Strategies for maintaining the authenticity of the boutique hotel brand while embracing Mexican culture and design.
Neighborhood Transformation: The evolution of Paris' 18th arrondissement from its historical roots to a hub for new hospitality ventures.
Future of Travel: Insights into the shift toward more authentic travel experiences and the role of independent businesses in shaping tourism.
Leadership and Inclusivity: The importance of feminine leadership and creating a culture of inclusivity in the hospitality industry.
Empowerment: A conversation on the need for gender equality in the workplace and the empowerment of women in leadership roles.
Season 2 is sponsored by Solonis, the property management system designed for hotels. Solonis is also a premier partner member of BLLA.
Closing Thoughts:
Ariela and Charlotte conclude the episode by emphasizing the importance of identity and authenticity for women in leadership. Their passionate dialogue invites listeners to consider how the hospitality industry can be a platform for positive change, advocating for a future where sustainable luxury, personal well-being, and cultural integrity are not just trends, but foundations of the travel experience.
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Embracing Sustainable Luxury and Wellness in Hospitality
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BLLA Events Manifesto Video
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Some guests may be miserable, Virgin Hotels CEO, James Bermingham
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Explore the Epic Experiences of Virgin Limited
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BLLA Events Intention Video
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BLLA's Boutique Hotel Investment Conference
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BLLA Sizzle Reel of the Independent Spirit of Boutique Hoteliers