The Globe and Mail
Canada's National Newspaper
Saturday, March 23, 2002 | www.globeandmail.com

Sleepover Élan Hotel
By Tralee Pearce

For those who long for the days before the term "boutique hotel" became so overused that it lost all meaning, this tidy little gem in Los Angeles has carved out a quiet, welcoming niche.

Fashioned out of a former retirement home, the sleepy two-story hotel has only 50 rooms and none of the flash and pomp of the city's bigger, more bustling brand-name design hotels. [ more ]

Travelers used to have a simple choice for selecting a hotel. They could opt for a budget or mid-market hotel, or choose to stay in a more upscale property. Lately, a new trend has emerged. These are "boutique" hotels. While there is no single definition, boutiques tend to denote smaller, innovative hotels that offer personalized service, superior locations, [ more ]