Originally Posted by pinniped
There is just a "feel" about the 2* and 3* boutiques that the big 4- and 5-star hotels don't have. Little creaky elevators, a small breakfast area served by the same lady every day, odd-shaped rooms, sometimes located in the middle of a street full of little shops, etc. They look, smell, and feel so...European. I'm kind of a geek about those places, even though I'm a big Priceline fan (for leisure stays) and hotel-points fan (business stays) everywhere in the USA.
They are nice, but- not so good if you have dust or mold allergies! So sad, but I always wake up wheezing & by morning l'm a sniffling mess. The big chain hotels are better, possibly because the buildings are newer. If anyone knows any of these cute hotels that are totally dustless, please post!