Denise B.
Yelp
The simplest definition of 'boutique hotel' is small, sophisticated and fashionable, offering unique décor and services.
Yes, the Oswego Hotel falls into the small category if that means about 100 rooms, give or take.
Sophisticated - no. The stove in my room was broken, and crammed next to the refrigerator so tight that the oven door hit the handle on the fridge when opening the oven. The desk leg was broken, the couch and side chair were stiff and uncomfortable, and the bed was a lumpy hard wreck with a sheet and a thin comforter. The weather was too cold for just the sheet and not cold enough for a comforter. There was no comfortable seating in the room.
Fashionable - no. The furnishings in my room were old, worn and some on the verge of falling apart. I have seen better furniture at Walmart. The wall décor was boring and cliché. Not the décor I expected from the term "boutique hotel".
Services - not even. My room was only 'refreshed' one time during my 7 night stay. I had used one of the provided robes, and dropped a bit of food on it, so I put it with the soiled towels to be removed with the used laundry. Upon returning to the room, I found the soiled robe had been re-hung and not removed. Apparently the 'refresher' decided I didn't need a clean robe. I also found that I was not provided toilet paper, or coffee and creamer as was in the room when I had arrived. I suppose I have a different definition of 'refreshed'.
During my 7 night stay, the restaurant was open 3 of those nights. One of the most annoying experiences during my stay was the fact that they closed the restaurant on Saturday night to accommodate some sort of private party, denying the hotel guests any admittance to either the lounge area, bar area, or restaurant. The private party had live entertainment that could be heard up to the third floor from its' ground floor location. This total 'money-grab' and denial of expected services to hotel guests, as well as the annoying volume of music, was appalling.
Oh, and by the way - make sure you read the fine print on all of the little 'signs' posted around the room. If you fail to wash your dishes before checking out, you may well be charged a $150 cleaning fee. And for heaven's sake, make sure you tell the front desk you want to pay $29 for a small bottle of their bathroom personal care products.
I almost forgot - bring your earplugs, because the walls, floors and ceilings are not soundproof and you will hear everyone walking or talking in any of the adjoining accommodations.