Amber Lea
You may remember back in 2015 when I introduced you to a super cool boutique hotel concept called Amberlea?
At that point, Amberlea was just an idea, but it was a very exciting idea, as the founders were planning the first ever crowdfunded boutique hotel, and the first of its kind did.
Yes, this is a crowdfunded hotel!
Everything related to the hotel will be crowdfunded. In my first post, I mentioned that the name was crowdfunded. Because 100 minds work more effectively than one of hers!
As of 2015, they had tapped the global travel community and its supporters to select the location for the first Amberlea Hotel. And with the help of this community, they chose a historic villa in Puglia, Italy!
It’s going to be a 60-bedroom boutique hotel, and it looks incredible. The villa will also include a unique farmhouse set amongst olive groves and vineyards, as well as a grotto, spa room and luxury tents. Although this is a complete renovation project, it will allow the team to create something completely original and unique, and will also give all backers the chance to put their own stamp on it. Check out some photos…
Why crowd fund a hotel?
Amberlea was founded by Marcus and Christine, who came up with the creative concept while traveling around the world.
While traveling, the couple realized that staying in small, independent hotels offered the most special and unique experiences, so they made the life-changing decision to start their own hotel.
But their version of a luxury boutique hotel is different. Because they wanted to leverage the knowledge of other travelers to create their dream boutique hotel.
Patrons are involved in important hotel decisions every step of the way. This community has a say even before the hotel is built and is involved in every step of the development process.
Backers can participate in brainstorming exercises, submit ideas and vote on everything from the perfect bathroom to the type of room service available to hotel amenities and activities.
I’ve often thought that the best people to design things are the ones who will actually use them, and Amberlair does just that.
At Amberlea, we’re not just looking for people’s ideas; we want to create lifelong guests and projects that people can be passionate about. I imagine a couple might support this project, spend their honeymoon there, and revisit this hotel every year on their wedding anniversary. It’s a place that feels special to people because it’s so much better than your average hotel. People will literally invest in Amberlea, both financially and emotionally, so Amberlea will hold a special place in their hearts.
We live in a world where most people use price comparison sites to find the cheapest or most convenient hotel possible. We spend a few nights at the same place and then move on and never go back there. And yes, part of me loves this, but another part of me wants to travel at a slower pace and make real connections at the destination. I think this is exactly what Amberlea is doing…forming a meaningful connection between the hotel and the guest, and I’m really excited to see that.
About Puglia
Puglia is a region in southern Italy known for its beauty and authenticity. Puglia is secluded between her two seas, the Ionian and Adriatic, with easy access to beaches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and international airports (Bari and Brindisi). This place looks like a dream destination. Look how beautiful it is!
If you would like to support Amberlair, please visit her IndieGoGo page for more information.
What do you think about crowdfunded hotel ideas?
This post was created in collaboration with Amberlair.