#BoHoLover: Meet Carrie Mitchell @carrieamitchell

Carrie Mitchell of Carrie A. Mitchell shares her thoughts with us about hotels and Amberlair. And just like us, she’s a #BohoLover, a Boutique Hotel Lover!

How do you choose a hotel when you travel?

It’s a mix of word-of-mouth from travel-savvy friends, flagged magazine articles, as well as my own research online on places like TripAdvisor. There are a few influencers I share travel styles with, so if I know it is an authentic recommendation, I will certainly look into it.

If you had to choose 3, which were the most special hotels you have ever stayed at?

So many choices! I suppose for both luxury and sentimental reasons: Como Shambhala in Bali, George V in Paris, and Adare Manor in Ireland. But I could discuss this subject, and my other favorites, all day long….I love a great hotel, and there are many out there I have experienced, and are yet to be discovered.

Carrie at Adare Manor, Ireland.

What made them so special?

Aside from the luxurious yet comfortable rooms, attention to (personalized) detail, genuine-kind- knowledgeable concierge & staff…I think it’s a feeling as soon as you step foot into these places. I think they each offer a truly unique experience and personality that you can only get in those locations. In each circumstance, it was everything I wanted them to be and more. They went above and beyond, it felt effortless and I was immediately at ease.

Como Shambhala Estate in Bali. Photo by hotel.

If you had your own boutique hotel, what 3 things would you make sure existed?

Friendly & knowledgeable staff ; modern yet comfortable design (fantastic bedding, chairs you actually want to sit in, good light, strong wifi); and a great breakfast option that doesn’t break the bank (everyone needs to start off their day right!). Closely behind would be workout options beyond a gym (yoga class, running club, partnership with local studio classes).

Name 3 things you loved in hotels you stayed in before…

It all starts with the people…dedicated staff, heavenly beds, personalized welcome notes, and/or amenities. It’s so important to feel acknowledged and comfortable upon arrival.

George V Hotel in Paris. Photo by hotel.

Name 3 things you wouldn’t want to experience in a hotel ever again.

Pretentious or indifferent service (nothing makes you feel less appreciated as a person, let alone a customer), dirty rooms (it’s happened more than once) and bad beds (isn’t this kind of key to the stay experience?). Having pride in ones work place should eradicate these problems, you are opening the doors to another version of home (in theory).

Carrie Mitchell at the Four Seasons Hotel in London at Canary Wharf.

How do you feel about the Amberlair concept?

I think it’s interesting, I really like the idea of a collaborative effort to create an original travel experience built of best practices. There is something really exciting about that, it captures the essence of travel: discovering something new, together.

Where are you off to next?

This fall includes New Orleans, London, Barcelona and Vancouver!

A Canadian-American New Yorker, Carrie Mitchell is the founder of Sonder Communications, a creative marketing communications company specializing in travel & lifestyle brands. She also continues to contribute as a writer for a number of publications on topics of travel and style, and runs a blog.

A serial wanderluster, she has lived in New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris and Los Angeles – the latter of which she was the former public relations director for the legendary Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
You can follow Carrie Mitchell on Instagram or on Twitter, and her company Carrie A. Mitchell #thestylishtraveller.