2025’s Top 10 Actionable Trends Shaping Boutique Hospitality

Boutique hotels are known for pushing boundaries, setting trends, and creating memorable experiences that larger brands struggle to replicate. In 2025, this spirit of innovation is driving major shifts in guest experience, technology, and operations. BLLA’s (Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association) board members, some of the most respected voices in the industry, weigh in on what’s next.

Don’t be afraid to start from scratch

In this week’s episode of the Hotel Moment podcast, Hans Meyer, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Zoku, joins Karen Stephens, with an enlightening perspective that counters the traditional setup for hotel accommodations — a hybrid model — combining office spaces and hotel rooms for a multi-functional guest experience. Hans also shares why hotels can go beyond a “heads in beds” approach to solve the loneliness that guests feel when they’re disconnected from their community. The solution involves elevating the food and beverage element of the guest experience to not only bring guests together, but drive ancillary revenue.

LGBTQ+ Tourism at ITB Berlin 2025: A growing presence and new impetus

From 4 to 6 March 2025, ITB Berlin is presenting an even larger and more diverse LGBTQ+ Tourism Pavilion in Hall 4.1, underlining the growing interest in and importance of the LGBTQ+ tourism market. Numerous new exhibitors and prestigious events such as the Gender Equality Award, as well as a new A3M survey and fascinating panel discussions at the Educational Hub and ITB Berlin Convention round off the show.

African Winners of the GuestRevu GREAT Awards 2024 Announced

We celebrated the African winners of the 2024 GuestRevu GREAT Awards in style at the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town. The event, hosted with the support of sponsors Hotel Time, FEDHASA, and Stenden University South Africa, brought together some of the region’s most talented hoteliers and industry professionals for a night of recognition and celebration.

Don’t Wait to Get Feedback Until After the Experience Is Over

I love talking to other CX experts, especially when they are “in the trenches,” working for companies and organizations that practice what they preach. I recently talked with one of those experts, Gabriel Masili of Granicus, a company that provides government agencies worldwide with technology and support that creates a better citizen experience.

Iconic Old Town Charm: Ruby Announces First Hotel Project in Malta

Under the leadership of CEO and founder Michael Struck, Ruby Hotels is introducing its Lean Luxury concept to Valletta. This project, a conversion of several historic buildings on Strait Street, offers guests a harmonious blend of inspiring design and relaxed elegance in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is truly remarkable to implement a project of this scale in such a granularly and densely built city like Valletta.