Slow Travel Advice From Ondine Cohane
Article from Allure Magazine interview with Ondine Cohane, a travel writer and co-owner of La Bandita and La Bandita Townhouse, boutique hotels in Pienza Italy. Interview by Danielle Pergament
At a boutique hotel- one with no more than 20 rooms that isn't part of a conglomerate- you'll have a more intimate experience than that at a big chain and find a staff primed to connect you with local food, art, and culture. Call before you book and ask where to eat and what to do. You're in good hands if the staff can reel off recommendations of non-touristy spots that aren't in all the guidebooks.
Know your source. Certain travel sites specialize in boutique hotels. Start by checking out i-escape.com(great for European destinations), tablethotels.com, smithhotels.com, fathomeaway.com, and triptease.com.
Be a follower. Look to travel photographers on instagram for ideas. Douglas Friedman (@thefacinator) and David Loftus(@davidloftus) are always inspiring. Or follow anyone with great taste who travels a lot - a fashion editor, a clothing designer, a surfer, a foodie, someone whose interests mirror yours or inspire you. They'll introduce you to some cool little hotels.
Embrace the neighborhood. If the website mentions that the owners live near the hotel, that's always a plus. When I'm doing my research, I try to make sure the furnishings and artwork are local or the building itself is historic.
Find hidden gems. The best hotels give you access to things you wouldn't otherwise know about, like a secluded beach or family-run restaurant. The Fellah Hotel in Marrakech, the Imanta in Mexico, and Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli in Italy are all great at this.
Don't forget to eat. If the hotel doesn't have room service or its own restaurant, make sure it's in a prime location. If you're in Paris or Tulum, you can easily find a delicious meal, but if you're on a hilltop in rural Ireland, it's going to be harder to find good food.
Do your due diligence. Once you have a short list of places, cross-reference them on trip advisor.com or fabsearch.com. Don't trust one review, though, -there can always be one angry guest. Look for patterns that suggest the service isn't good or the pool is dirty. Once you find a place that meets all of your criteria, book it. Small hotels fill up quickly.
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