What Is a Lifestyle Hotel? When the Hotel Becomes Part of the Journey
At a lifestyle hotel, choosing where to stay is not only about the room, location or services available. Design, food, shared spaces and the connection with the city all help shape the stay. But what does the concept actually mean, and what makes a lifestyle hotel different from other types of hotel?
For a long time, one of the main qualities travellers looked for in a hotel was predictability. Guests knew roughly what to expect: a comfortable room, a certain level of service and spaces designed to meet the essential needs of a stay. That approach still has its place, but it is no longer the only way to think about a hotel.
Lifestyle hotels start from a different idea. The hotel has a recognisable identity, and that identity extends across different parts of the experience, from architecture and design to food, music, art and the relationship with the surrounding neighbourhood.
What is a lifestyle hotel?
It is a hotel built around an identity and a particular way of experiencing a destination, rather than simply a collection of services.
There is no single feature that turns a hotel into a lifestyle hotel. Contemporary architecture, a distinctive restaurant or unusual interiors may all be part of the concept, but it is the coherence between different elements that shapes the experience.
The design may draw on local architecture. The restaurant may develop its own relationship with the food and flavours of the destination. Shared spaces can be used throughout the day rather than simply serving as areas to pass through. Cultural programming, artwork and even the hotel's location can offer different ways to engage with the place.
LIFESTYLE HOTEL IN 30 SECONDS Design → The space has an identity Architecture, interiors and details all contribute to the hotel's personality. Destination → The place enters the hotel The city, neighbourhood and local culture can influence both the spaces and the experience. Food → The restaurant has an identity of its own Eating and drinking can become part of the stay while also attracting people who live in the city. Shared spaces → Places designed for staying, not just passing through The lobby, bar, restaurant, terrace or garden can become part of the day even when there is nothing planned. Culture → Identity is also shaped by what happens there Art, exhibitions, music and cultural programming can bring the hotel closer to the life of its destination. |
What makes a lifestyle hotel different from a traditional hotel?
The difference is not necessarily in the services available, but in how those elements are brought together.
Two hotels can both offer comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a central location while creating very different stays. In a more standardised hotel model, consistency and predictability tend to play a central role. A lifestyle hotel usually has greater freedom to develop its own personality and connect it with the setting around it.
This also means that two lifestyle hotels do not need to look alike. A hotel in Porto's historic centre might draw on architecture, art or the surrounding streets. A hotel beside the Atlantic might shape its experience around the landscape, natural light and its connection with the outdoors.
THE ESSENTIAL IDEA A lifestyle hotel does not have to follow a particular aesthetic. |
Are lifestyle hotels and boutique hotels the same thing?
The two concepts can overlap, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.
A boutique hotel is usually associated with a smaller scale, an intimate atmosphere, carefully considered design and personalised service. A lifestyle hotel may share several of these characteristics, but the concept is particularly connected to the identity of the experience and the way different parts of the hotel work together.
A lifestyle hotel therefore does not necessarily have to be small. It can include several restaurants, wellness areas, event spaces or other facilities while still maintaining a distinct personality.
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Gastronomia B'artist GALERIA (7)
How can you recognise a lifestyle hotel?
It may not always be written on the door. There are clues in the way the hotel relates to its surroundings.
5 SIGNS TO LOOK FOR 01 → The hotel could not be in just any city The building, neighbourhood or destination influences its identity. 02 → The shared spaces make you want to stay The lobby, bar, garden or terrace are part of the experience rather than simply places to pass through. 03 → The restaurant has an identity of its own The food can appeal to hotel guests and to people who live in the city. 04 → Culture enters the space Art, architecture, music or cultural programming contribute to the hotel's personality. 05 → There is a visible connection with the destination The experience changes according to the city, neighbourhood and surrounding context. |
What role do you want the hotel to play in your trip?
The answer can help you decide whether a lifestyle hotel is right for your stay.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE Do I mainly need a good base for sleeping? Location, comfort and practical services may be your main priorities. Do I also want to spend time at the hotel? Look at the shared spaces, restaurants, bars and experiences available. Do I want the hotel to feel connected to the destination? Consider the neighbourhood, building, food and the way the hotel interprets the place around it. |
When the hotel becomes part of the destination
A lifestyle hotel can take many forms because every place offers a different starting point.
In Porto, for example, staying in Ribeira, Downtown Porto or Boavista creates a different relationship with the same city. In other destinations, that identity may begin with the sea, the history of the building, the food or the surrounding landscape.
This idea lies behind “We Are Where We Are”: at The Editory Collection Hotels, each hotel seeks to build its identity around the context and character of its location.
WE ARE WHERE WE ARE From the heart of the city to the Atlantic, every place creates a different experience. Discover the hotels and destinations of The Editory Collection Hotels. |
