What Makes a Hotel Boutique in 2026? Industry Standards Explained

Boutique hotels once promised unique, small-scale luxury, but the term is now widely misused with no official definition. In 2026, over 40% of hotels in Europe market themselves as boutique despite lacking key traits like personalized service or local design. Travelers should look for 50 rooms or fewer, independent ownership, and curated guest experiences to identify true boutique hotels.