We live and breathe boutique hotels, so it only made sense to focus on the smallest, most unique stays. Here are our faves with 12 rooms or fewer.
Ignacia Guest House (Mexico City, MX) – 9 suites
Tucked away in the lively Colonia Roma area of CDMX Ignacia Guest House is an intimate bed and breakfast with just nine suites, blending Mexican craftsmanship, rich history, and modern flair. Housed in a 1913 mansion, the restoration pays homage to Ignacia, the beloved housekeeper who spent over 40 years making the place feel like home. Finished in February 2017 by Factor Eficiencia in collaboration with the design gurus at A – G, the guest house boasts tranquil terraces and a soothing color palette that ties every room into the space’s harmonious vibe.
Starting Rate: $287/night
Vico Milan (Milan, Italy) – 9 rooms
Tucked in Milan’s heart, just a few steps from the Duomo and Via Tortona, Vico Milano is a seven-room gem with a fascinating past—once a Legnano bike factory and Bungai fashion studio. Designed by Neri Baccheschi Berti and architect Giuseppe Alito, it’s a cool mix of art, culture, and craftsmanship, with bespoke furniture, Moroccan tiles, and antique treasures like Persian carpets and Greek green marble. With a cozy library, a speakeasy-style bar, and family-owned wines on hand, Vico Milano is where Milan’s history meets its most stylish, intimate side.
Starting Rate: $298/night
Blind Tiger Carleton (Portland, ME) – 6 rooms
Blind Tiger on Carleton is a cozy escape designed to match the vibrancy of one of the country’s most charming cities, Portland, Maine. Nestled in the West End, it’s just a stroll away from all the action, with Congress Street’s best spots practically at your doorstep. Inside, you’ll find a curated mix of one-of-a-kind art, vintage furniture, and treasures collected over time to make you feel right at home. With only six bedrooms, there’s no shortage of quiet corners for your own slice of peace and privacy.
Starting Rate: $139/night
Calala Island (Calala Island, Nicaragua) – 4 suites
Calala Island comprises just four beachfront suites, styled after a traditional Caribbean palapa. With open ocean views in front and palm forest behind, each suite on Calala Island is completely private—not that privacy is in short supply on this castaway Caribbean Island, where you’re truly in a world of your own.
Starting Rate: $4,165 p/n, with a minimum 3-night stay
Farncombe Estate (Worcestershire, United Kingdom) – 8 Rooms
Nestled in the 400-acre Farncombe Estate, this Cotswolds countryside retreat is a leisurely stroll from the picture-perfect village of Broadway. Foxhill Manor’s rooms ooze personality, whether it’s a vintage roll-top tub (or two) or a window seat stuffed with enough pillows to make a nap irresistible.
Starting Rate: From US $900
ESPACIO, the Jewel of Waikiki (Honolulu, HI) – 9 rooms
ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki is Hawaii’s ultra-luxury haven, offering nine private suites, each occupying an entire floor. Expect personalized service, a chef’s kitchen, an ocean-view balcony with a hot spa, sauna, and discreet elevator access. Perks include a rooftop infinity pool, luxury spa, premium car rentals, and curated experiences—all topped off with world-class dining at Mugen.
Palacio de Marquesa (Taos, NM) – 8 rooms
Palacio de Marquesa in Taos, New Mexico, offers just eight rooms, each a tribute to the powerhouse women who helped shape the town’s cultural soul. This cozy gem marries Southwestern charm with modern luxury, featuring hand-crafted touches like private garden patios, Pueblo-style fireplaces, and marble-lined showers. Only minutes from Taos Plaza, you can dive into the town’s lively arts scene, explore local eats, and wander through historic landmarks—then retreat to your own tranquil oasis right in the heart of New Mexico.
Starting Rate: $212/night
Pa.te.os (Melides, Portugal) – 4 rooms
Pa.te.os is a witty nod to the Portuguese word for “patios,” crafted to seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor living. Located in Alentejo, just inland from Melides, it’s not your average hotel—rather, it’s a collection of four minimalist concrete houses by architect Manuel Aires Mateus, each built around a private courtyard and featuring retractable glass walls that dissolve the divide between the rooms and nature.
Green Gables Inn (Pacific Grove, CA) – 11 rooms
The Green Gables Inn, a charming 1888 treasure, has been lovingly restored to capture the essence of its vintage beauty—now with stunning panoramic views of Monterey Bay. Guests rave about its unforgettable design and unbeatable location right next to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail—perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop. After a stylish makeover in Spring 2023, each guestroom now boasts a distinctive, artfully designed vibe—no two are alike, but all are equally fabulous.
Starting Rate: $255/night
