Expat Living

B&B focuses on spirit – or spirits – of hospitality

“We have 500-thread-count sheets, but nobody comes here because of that. They come for the experience.”

The quip seems to sum up the thinking of Lars Bolthouse, co-owner of La Perla Boutique Hotel in a central but relatively quiet part of Guadalajara. The Michigan-born Bolthouse and his Mexican-American business partner Cristobal Anders are in their eighth year of running the three-guestroom hotel. And they say that their hard work and experience in restoration are just the underpinnings of what makes their B&B unique and what has won them the top position among Guadalajara’s 45 similar hotels on the user-written website Trip Advisor.

“A lot of our guests are world travelers. They come, or return, for the experience of being here at this bed and breakfast.” says Bolthouse. “Our business is based on making sure they have a wonderful time. We know the learning curve in a new city is three to five days, so we try to eliminate that curve,” whether it means picking them up at the airport, or going with them to a restaurant or bar, instead of just telling them where it is.

“With three rooms it’s almost like being semi-retired,” adds Bolthouse, explaining how he and Anders find the time for so much personal service, which is done at no extra charge.

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