Boutique Hotel in Colmar
An oasis of calm
A stay at the James Boutique Hôtel in the centre of Colmar is to immerse yourself in an inviting, cocoon-like haven, underpinned by an avant-garde and innovative concept. Attention to service is second to none to ensure all our guests’ needs and expectations are met to the letter.
Somewhere between a bed and breakfast and a traditional hotel, the originality and unique feel of the James Boutique Hôtel make it the perfect choice for an unforgettable stay in Colmar. The harmonious colours and luxurious materials, combined with soft tones and extreme comfort, contribute to its soothing and intimate atmosphere.
An innovative concept
The concept of boutique hotels emerged in New York in the 1980s, with a real upswing at the end of the 1990s. For the Americans, the French term "boutique" is the antithesis of their large shopping centres or malls, and embodies a small, stylish venue that provides a highly personalised service, in which customers are known and welcomed each time they visit.
The boutique provides a real social hub, a guarantee of quality and trust. This spirit is at the essence of what it means to be a boutique hotel, and has been applied to the hotel industry in a way that runs counter to the standardisation and uniformity present in the major hotel chains, with each boutique hotel boasting its own specific identity and style.
In 1984, Andrée Puttman paved the way for boutique hotels by opening the smallest hotel in New York: the 20-room Hôtel Morgans. In the early 2000s, the concept spread to France and Europe under the impetus of Starck and Jacques Garcia with the Mama Shelter for Starck and the Hôtels Athénée, Odéon, Costes and Fouquet for Jacques Garcia, and more recently the magnificent Hôtel de Nell - Paris by Jean-Michel Wilemotte. It is from this innovative concept in the hotel industry, that the James Boutique Hôtel has drawn inspiration to create a unique, vibrant and fully accessible venue in the heart of Colmar.
A real social hub, a guarantee of quality
and trust.
A family affair
Walking through the doors of the James Boutique Hôtel, is to discover an art de vivre symbolised by the swallow, the Portuguese good luck charm for hospitality and fidelity. The colourful feel of Portugal can also be felt in the breakfast room that is decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles known as “azulejos”.
This vibrant venue in the centre of Colmar tells the story of Jaime Armindo, who arrived from Portugal as a child and began his career in football, before forging a reputation in the building trade over the next 35 years.
Nicknamed James by his family and friends, and passionate about Colmar and Alsace, this avid entrepreneur set himself a new challenge. Working with his family, in particular with his daughter, Julie, Jaime set about creating a delightfully stylish hotel that would serve as a meeting point and a home from home for all its visitors. And so began the James Boutique Hôtel adventure in Colmar. Drawing on their many travels, the Armindo family has cultivated a real knack for hospitality and is there for its guests throughout their stay, driven by an eye for detail, a passion for offering advice and small kindnesses, and a firm commitment to ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of all who cross their doors.
