While premium turism offers plenty of options, sometimes is hard to tell which accomodation has the facilities travellers are looking for. For instance, many people wonder what makes a Lodge, and the differences with a Boutique Hotel.
Some other accomodations are well know. Turists can easily tell the difference between a hotel, a hostel and a bed and breakfast. But when it comes to luxury hotels, like Lodges and All Inclusive Hotels, different services, room features, and other perks to take into account.
So, exactly what is a Lodge? Well, a Lodge house hotel means offering personalized premium services. In our case, this means we offer those premium services in one of the most important natural environments of Argentina.
We at Hotel Puerto Valle are a good example of this type of hotel. We are located between the Esteros del Iberá and the Paraná River, in the north of Corrientes Province. When our guests arrive, they find a luxury Lodge House equipped with all it takes to make their stay a comfortable one, including the full range of services: accommodation, meals, transfers and experiences.
Our guests often wonder why we place so much emphasis on saying that we are a Lodge, and ask how we differ from a Boutique Hotel. For that reason, we’d like to share with you the requirements we meet to belong to this class of hotels and why the distinction is important.
What does Lodge hotel mean?
Let’s explain what is a lodge exactly. A Lodge is an accommodation facilities located in the outskirts of big cities that are surrounded by nature and environmentally friendly. They are usually hotels that offer privacy and personalized service.
Lodge means a small house in the countryside, or a a specific type of hotel. These guest houses are a top choice for people on holiday or taking part in sports and other recreational activities. In Spanish, lodge means “Cabaña” or “Refugio”.
For their unique style, they are increasingly sought after by tourists willing to be immersed in a natural environment, e.g., surrounded by forests, savannas or mountains, without giving up comfort.
The location in a natural setting implies the lodge’s commitment to the environment, as well as the involvement of guests in the policies implemented by the lodge, so as to minimize the environmental impact associated with tourist activities. In addition, there are lodges that offer a range of activities depending on the possibilities of the place.
Characteristics: What makes a lodge
To help you find a lodge house, below is a list of the main characteristics:
- focus on history, nature and comfort.
- surrounded by a natural, eco-friendly and sustainable environment.
- provides exclusive experiences designed by and for each guest.
- offers a full-service restaurant and bar.
- offers complementary services with a focus on wellbeing, e.g.:
- Yoga classes
- Spa services
- offers an exclusive transfer service for guests.
- has personalized excursions and tours already included in the rate.
What is a boutique hotel?
A boutique hotel is a concept that emerged in the hospitality sector in the 1980s in search of a different high-end luxury service. Above all, it is characterized by its location, service and design.
Boutique hotels have few rooms, they usually have exclusive features that differentiate them from each other, and are located in the main areas of a city. Their designs are particularly attractive since their architecture often takes as a starting point the redesign of an old house or building.
The main objective of a boutique hotel is to create a cozy and comfortable space for guests to feel at home. Compared to regular hotels, boutique hotels are generally smaller, more intimate, more artistic, and more focused on design.
Characteristics: What makes a boutique hotel
To help you recognize a this type of premium hotel, here you can find what makes a a boutique hotel:
- has an urban location, usually in the main cities and in dynamic and shopping districts.
- has elegant, sometimes thematic architecture and design, as its ambience and decoration are aimed at providing an intimate atmosphere.
- provides personalized service, anticipating the wishes of clients.
- usually has few rooms, creating a feeling of importance for guests.
- has dining facilities, bars and rooms open to the general public.
Lodge vs. Boutique Hotels: Which one is better?
So, now that we went through the main differences between a lodge and a boutique hotel, which one is better? Really, it is all up to each travellers preference.
While both, a lodge and a a boutioque hotel offer premium services, the differences are:
- Location: A lodge gest house is located in a natural area, while a boutique hotel is located in an urban area.
- Hotel Size: A lodge usually has fewer rooms, as it is a smaller type of accomodation than a boutique hotel.
- Experience: While the lodge house is usually centered around wellness vacations, boutique hotels focus on elegancy and style.
We are a luxury lodge. This means that even though we share some characteristics with boutique hotels, our key differentiators are the exclusive services we provide, the activities we offer, and the sustainable commitment we have and we encourage our guests to assimilate into their lives after their experience in the Esteros del Iberá.
