#BoHoLover: Meet Jasmin Swansen of Hospitality Jas

We have asked Jasmin Swansen, an aspiring hotelier of Hospitality Jas, to share her thoughts with us about her love for hotels, and Amberlair, of course. And before you ask, a #BohoLover is a Boutique Hotel lover… just like us!

How do you choose a hotel when you travel?

I love design hotels, so I will look a lot at modern hotels with an inspiring and cutting edge interior. If I find a good deal, I will book it to not miss out on the rate, as long as it’s not a non-refundable rate and will check a few days later if I still like the choice of my hotel. Additionally I look at reviews, not just at good reviews but also how did the hotel react to the bad reviews in their replies. I like hotels that are inspired by their surroundings and nature, therefore it is also very important to me that the hotel is run as sustainable as possible.

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

I love how much community spirit is in Fogo Island Inn. It’s such a luxurious little gem at what feels like most peaceful place in the whole entire world. It’s interior is modern, sleek and very clean cut, however also really inspired by the Island and everything is crafted by the locals. You get epic views on the ocean and the rooms don’t come with TVs! You can request one, but I’d rather have an adventure outside and a good story to tell when I come back from my travels.

Fogo Island Inn. Photo by hotel.

Fogo Island Inn. Photo by hotel.

Alda Hotel in Reykjavik is a 4 star hotel that opened in 2014. When I arrived on check in I was given a mobile phone with free local phone calls, as well as unlimited data and all tourist friendly apps like google maps and tripadvisor. I’m a huge fan of Scandinavian design and interior and Alda really fits the bill. Beautiful wooden floors, minimalistic furniture but high in quality. The service was also amazing, the team organised all my tours and were very knowledgable of the area and recommended me some awesome places in Reykjavik.

Alda Hotel in Reykjavik. Photo by hotel.

Well, you know how they say be proud of where you work? Well I am, that’s why I put as the 3^rd hotel my work place, the G&V Royal Mile Hotel in Edinburgh. When I travel I can never help to compare the hotels with my work. So I set my standard that’s the one I expect when I travel. We go above and beyond for our guests! The hotel is going through a very exciting redesign and we are very inspired by our location in the middle of the old town of Edinburgh. Luxury design meets history at the G&V.

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

• Not a “thing” as such but I’d try to make my hotel as sustainable as possible
• Big variety of toiletries
• Electric plugs next to mirrors

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

• Breakfast! Breakfast is the part I most look forward to in a hotel stay and a neatly set-up breakfast buffet makes me very happy. Especially if they have options like salmon and a big cheese variety and fresh artisan bread. Also fresh orange juice is a must!
• Alda Hotel had cotton bathrobes, which I loved. I was first a bit surprised but I really prefer them to the usual
•  When I stayed in Copenhagen all the hotels had bicycles available to hire, which is to be honest the one and only way to experience the city.

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

• I always dislike it when there is no electricity plug close to a mirror – I can’t see what I’m doing to my hair!
• A room without a coffee machine. I don’t always want to phone reception to order a proper brew, just provide it in the room please.
• Bad service. Don’t make me feel like such a burden! Be happy, be proactive and go the extra mile for your guests. Help them make the utter best out of their experience!

How do you feel about the Amberlair concept?

I absolutely love it and find it very inspiring as I would also like to open my own hotel one day. It’s such a great way to promote your concept, as well as get people involved and really connected to this future hotel. “I helped opening this” – That would mean so much to me!

Where are you off to next?

Canada, Toronto! Very excited to see this city for the first time and I already have booked myself in for a stay at the Drake Hotel.

Jasmin is an aspiring hotelier, currently working in a 5 star hotel and studying hospitality management. Originally from Germany, calling Edinburgh home, a city with such a vibrant hospitality scene. Jasmin loves to travel North. That’s pretty much what she writes about – the service given in the hospitality industry of Scotland, as well as her journeys (mostly) to Scandinavia and beyond!

You can follow Jasmin on Twitter and Instagram.