The Artisans: Charlotte Gomez de Orozco

The BLLA Team sits down with Charlotte Gomez de Orozco, Founder of HOY Hotel Paris, as she delves into her experience as a boutique hotelier.

BLLA: What is your company’s mission statement?

Charlotte: To change the way people travel.

BLLA: How did you enter the hospitality industry?

Charlotte: I am the fourth hotelier generation. My grand grandparents started their hotel in Évian les Bains, France. My grandparents in Paris, my mom, and I now work together to expand our small boutique hotel group.

BLLA: What does “boutique” mean to you?

Charlotte: Boutique has always meant to me: Small family hotel. Those hotels where you feel at home. Small in size but very, very much into service and experience.

BLLA: How are you an artisan?

Charlotte: I always build from what I need. Creating HOY was the most fun and challenging experience because I had to create and translate everything I wished for in a hotel into reality. You create what you have in your heart. And for me, that was more slow, handmade, tailor-made experiences around holistic therapies and well-being.

BLLA: Why do you celebrate the path of independence?

Charlotte: We have always been small independent boutique hotels because we care about making our own decisions and care about being able to choose what and how we sell to our clients. It is the freedom of a small family business.

BLLA: What advice would you give to first-time hoteliers?

Charlotte: The first advice I would give to people starting their first hôtel is to create from their heart. What do you want to sell, but mostly, why? Always connect to your big reason: Why. Then, I would recommend quality over quantity. Get started with small but really good service, food, and activities. Get to know your market, and then growth will come with it. And third, spend time recruiting; your employees are your best ambassadors. 

BLLA: What would you say to hotel lenders & investors reading this?

Charlotte: Small boutique hotels are the kind of business that require passionate and ambitious people. Investing in them is the best type of investment you can make because they will always work from passion and their heart.

BLLA: What’s next for you?

Charlotte: I am currently looking for new locations in France and abroad… maybe Spain or Holland. The dream would be to be able to open a yoga hotel in every city and continue to share my passion for well-being and yoga.