BLLA Presented the 2017 Stay Boutique Awards to Industry Executives & Innovators

Los Angeles, October 19, 2017 - The Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) presented the 8th annual Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Awards at a ceremony and celebration on October 5th during the organization's annual Stay Boutique Leadership Conference. The Awards, now branded as the Stay Boutique Awards, recognize leaders, innovators and icons in every corner of the boutique, lifestyle and luxury worlds.

Founded in 2010, the Stay Boutique Awards originally served to recognize leaders of independent hotels globally and the properties themselves. However, with the advent of new technologies, the boutique sector is now open and accessible to everyone. Frances Kiradjian, CEO of BLLA stated, "We have become an inclusive community. Gone are the days when boutique simply meant intimate. Candy shops, coffee houses and even fitness studios have tapped into the potential of boutique, and BLLA is here to distinguish the outliers. We are grateful to the Judges for this year's Awards as well as to all who nominated or submitted an entry." The reality is that new technologies and an increasingly connected community allow business owners to facilitate wholesome experiences to any demographic, no matter the establishment or product being vended.

The winners of the 2017 Stay Boutique Awards are reinvigorating their respective spaces with novel approaches to marketing, innovative collaborations and by embracing change. We at BLLA are honored to present them with this recognition and thoroughly look forward to what they have in store next!

A special thank you to the Judges: Paula Argento of Argento Hospitality Ventures, Marjorie Feltus Hawkins of FH Design, Stina Funch of Atwater Inc. Studio and Annika Sandberg of Hospitality Turnkey.

Winning an award is very valuable in the marketing of an independent boutique property, restaurant, bar, spa or anything considered boutique these days. The importance of such international awards and recognition is at the top of the list when it comes to establishing yourself as a force in your niche. Being selected is a high honor for recognizable achievements and influence in the industry. All awards come with global recognition through BLLA's PR reach into the marketplace.

BLLA is pleased to present the Winners for the 2017 Stay Boutique Awards!

BOUTIQUE HOTEL AWARD

The Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa, Kirkland, Washington
"On behalf of The Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa, we are honored and thankful to be recognized with both the 2015 and 2017 Boutique Hotel of the Year Award. We are thrilled to be considered among such a variety of first class luxury hotels and true innovators in the industry associated with BLLA. We want to thank our ownership for the dedicated commitment to The Woodmark experience, our team members for delivering incredible service with a story, and our Two Roads Hospitality family as a whole for the support to truly serve from our heart."
Max Roth, Director of Sales and Marketing

LIFESTYLE HOTEL AWARD

the ART, a hotel, Denver, Colorado
"The ART, a hotel, is very honored and proud to be the recipient of the BLLA's Lifestyle Hotel of the year. Being in the downtown Denver Cultural district, the hotel's programming efforts strive to offer a "distinct sense of place". Guests enjoy guided ART runs that highlight public art in the neighborhood and finish with drinks on the roof top FIRE Terrace bar. The social interaction and hotel vibe this creates is awesome!"
Aaron Coburn, General Manager

SOFT-BRANDED BOUTIQUE HOTEL AWARD

Hotel Beaux Arts Miami, Autograph Collection, Miami, Florida
"Hotel Beaux Arts Miami An Autograph Collection Hotel, is thrilled to be recognized by BLLA for Branded Boutique Hotel of the Year". The value of inclusion of our boutique hotel in the branded Autograph Collection is immeasurable and this award demonstrates the opportunity independent hotels have in this soft brand strategy. Our guests benefit from an authentic independent hotel experience as we maintain our unique standard of service, and we benefit from the global exposure.
Florencia Rotemberg, General Manager

SOFT-BRANDED LIFESTYLE HOTEL AWARD

Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection, Columbus, Ohio
"Hotel LeVeque is a truly unique property and we are proud to provide memorable experiences to our guests every day. We're honored to receive such a prestigious award," said Robert Habeeb, president and CEO of First Hospitality Group. "It is no easy task to take such an iconic and historic landmark and reinvent it into a modern hotel, while ensuring the integrity of the space remains, but Hotel LeVeque shines as a world-class hotel that is uniquely Columbus—and our guests appreciate that."
Robert Habeeb, president and CEO, First Hospitality Group (Hotel LeVeque)

"It is an honor to receive this recognition for Hotel LeVeque in partnership with Autograph Collection and First Hospitality Group. The project allowed The Gettys Group to showcase a harmonious integration of our branding and interior design capabilities and tell a compelling story that distinguishes the property and delights its guests, said Andrew Fay, president of The Gettys Group. "I'm very proud of our team. They truly brought the history of the iconic LeVeque Tower to life, reinvigorating the star of the Columbus, Ohio skyline as a true beacon of hospitality."
Andrew Fay, President, Gettys Group

BOUTIQUE HOTELIER AWARD

Brendan Gresham, Charlestowne Hotels
"It has been the highlight of my career to be named "Hotelier of the Year" by the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association. I can only compare it to winning a big championship in sports, as it takes love for what you do, having perseverance to overcome failures and challenges, and working together as a team to be the very best. I am truly humbled to receive such a high honor from this prestigious association."
Brendan Gresham, Area Manager, Charlestowne Hotels

BOUTIQUE RETAILER

Tuft & Needle, Phoenix, Arizona
"We're constantly striving to provide the best possible customer experience with our brand, both in-store and online. We're honored to be recognized for this award."
Nick Arambula, COO, Tuft & Needle

BOUTIQUE RESTAURANT

RUKA Restobar, Boston, Massachusetts
"The hospitality design team at Bergmeyer is thrilled to have RUKA recognized. This project is one in which the client's creative vision was a labor of love and our team rose to the occasion to bring their vision to life. RUKA being chosen to receive a Stay Boutique Best Boutique Restaurant Award is such an honor, and an honor to be among other great restauranteurs and project teams."
S. Rhiannon Hayes, Director, Bergmeyer

BOUTIQUE COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

Casea Collins-Wright, Honolulu, Hawaii
Director of Experience at The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
"Engaging and supporting our local communities is of the upmost importance when running a lifestyle business, and it is wonderful to see an organization like BLLA recognizing that connection to community is what brings authenticity to hospitality. I am honored to have received the 2017 Boutique Community Connector Award."
Casea Collins-Wright

BOUTIQUE SOCIAL CLUB

The Hospital Club, London, U.K.
"We are delighted to have received the 2017 Best Boutique Social Club Award at the prestigious BLLA Stay Boutique Awards in LA. It is testament to the team at The Hospital Club who are so passionate about providing the best possible guest experience each and every time. The Los Angeles community has been overwhelming positive about our club concept and we are really excited and looking forward to opening our second Club, h.Club LA, in Hollywood in 2018."
Sue Walter, CEO, The Hospital Club

OTHER AWARDS:

BOUTIQUE LOUNGE

Poppy, West Hollywood, California

BOUTIQUE WELLNESS FACILITY

Basecamp at the Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno, Nevada

BOUTIQUE THINKER

John Terzian, H.Wood Group, Nightlife Entrepreneur

BOUTIQUE COLLABORATOR

The High Line Hotel, New York

BOUTIQUE BRANDING STRATEGY

Absolut Elyx, New York

BOUTIQUE DESIGNER

Patrick Sutton, Baltimore, Maryland (for the Sagamor Pendry Hotel)

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER AWARD

Roza Sinaysky, Tel Aviv, Israel

BOUTIQUE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT AWARD

Jamie Beck for Ann Street Studios

BOUTIQUE HOTEL RESTAURANT

Casa Amate at Andaz Mayakoba Riviera Maya, Mexico

ABOUT

BLLA is the world's most innovative and progressive organization dedicated to the luxury independent boutique lodging and lifestyle industries. The association connects the world's most dynamic executives with cutting edge business and operational insight. BLLA's membership benefits allow access to the world's leading minds in the space through events, research and education. Our mission is to provide leadership and opportunities for global recognition and connections to the world's best hotels, vendors and manufacturers. All resulting in strategic interactions and access to information that helps people and organizations thrive. Join the movement that BLLA gave birth to in 2009 and become a part of something that is truly unique, exciting and inspirational. www.blla.org

Ariana Squillacciotti
J Public Relations
212 924 3600
BLLA