The Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA), the original boutique hotel association established in 2009, has announced the 2024 BLLA Awards winners. Now in its 14th year, the BLLA Awards continue to honor some of the most daring and innovative achievements in the global boutique hospitality industry, recognizing hotels, visionaries, and partners.
In the Best Boutique Hotel Under 50 Rooms category, Hotel 1928 in Waco, Texas, claimed the top prize, celebrated for its charming atmosphere and dedication to the guest experience. When Waco-based home designers Chip and Joanna Gaines partnered with AJ Capital Partners of Nashville, Tennessee, to transform a historic early 20th-century Moorish Revival lodge into a boutique hotel, they meticulously preserved original details like the square rooftop penthouse, unique brickwork, and intricate trim, ensuring that the hotel not only honored its past but also provided a warm, homelike experience for future guests, with special touches—like original textured glass and arched doors—that invite exploration and celebration within its storied walls. The runner-up, The Culver Hotel in Culver City, California, also received recognition for its timeless elegance and cultural significance.
The Best Boutique Hotel Over 50 Rooms award was secured by The Ranch at Laguna Beach in Laguna Beach, California. Kurt Bjorkman, chief operating officer of The Ranch at Laguna Beach, shares his excitement in a prepared statement. “I am beyond thrilled that The Ranch at Laguna Beach has been selected as the Best Boutique Hotel for 2024. Being recognized by BLLA and the awards committee, comprised of our peers—peers I greatly look up to—is rewarding beyond words.” The runner-up in this category, Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk, New York, was commended for its stunning coastal setting and impeccable service.
In the highly competitive Best Boutique Hotel Design Project category, Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, California, took the top honor. Designed by Bridgeton Studio in collaboration with Brian Smith and Whitney Clark, the project was praised for thoughtfully integrating the resort’s rich history with contemporary design. “The design of Dawn Ranch is intentional to its location and pays homage to the many lives the resort has lived in its storied history,” says Atit Jariwala, founder and CEO of Bridgeton Studio. “Thank you to BLLA for continuing to give lifestyle boutiques a platform to promote their authenticity and adventure. We are honored to have been selected as the best Boutique Hotel Design Project and inspired to continue our passion for creating meaningfully designed hospitality spaces.” The runner-up, Otis Harbor Springs in Harbor Springs, Michigan, also impressed with its innovative design approach.
The Best Boutique Hotel Owner award was presented to Jon Kully, founder of Left Lane in New York City. “I am honored to receive this recognition alongside other exceptional category leaders,” says Kully. “Together with our teams, we have the rare opportunity to impact hospitality in a meaningful way. I’m looking forward to what’s to come for our Bardo and Recess brands and am grateful to BLLA for embracing us early on in the journey.”
In the Best Boutique Hotel General Manager category, McClinton Heil, general manager at Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, in Denver, Colorado, was honored for his exceptional leadership. “I am honored to receive this remarkable recognition on behalf of the entire team at Halcyon,” says Heil. “I feel lucky to work in this incredible industry and lead the team at Halcyon—I am blown away by their daily commitment to creating unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences for our guests, and it is not without them that this achievement is possible.”
The Best Boutique Hospitality Vendor award was presented to Hyperion Essentials of Sarasota, Florida, a company dedicated to providing sustainable hotel amenities. Hyperion Essentials was recognized for its outstanding contributions to enhancing the guest experience through innovative, eco-friendly solutions tailored specifically to the needs of boutique hotels.
The BLLA Awards were established in 2010 to provide a platform to celebrate exceptional efforts in boutique hospitality. Each year, the awards identify and honor the industry’s top performers in hotel design and management, ownership, and operation. The judging process ensures that only the most outstanding entries receive recognition.
This year’s judges included:
- Anita Chan, CEO of Compass Edge based in Hong Kong
- Brenda Collin, executive vice president, Europe, of Preferred Travel Group in Newport Beach, California
- Doug Olson, president of C2C Designs of Davidson, North Carolina
- Frank Roller, founder and CEO of Places of Healing in Los Angeles, California
- Heleri Rande, partner of Think Hospitality Group based in London, England
- Maria Pajares, managing director of Mason Rose in London, England
- Yasmine Mahmoudieh, principal of Yasmine Mahmoudieh Design in London, England
All winners and runners-up will be celebrated in person during the BLLA Awards Dinner on Sept. 16 at the Westlake Village Inn in Westlake Village, California. This event will also mark the midway point of the Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, which will run Sept.16-17 at the same venue.
 honored boutique hotels and services with the 2024 BLLA Awards.){kind=link}