An Interview with Maya Mallick

The BLLA Events Team sits down with Maya Mallick, Owner & Creative Director of The Culver Hotel, as she prepares to speak at the 2022 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference on October 25-26.

BLLA: Why are you excited to be a facilitator?

MM: “I am looking forward to connecting with other like-minded entrepreneurs and hoteliers to share what I have learned over the years and exchange creative ideas. This is a wonderful platform for us to come together, collaborate and find solutions to new challenges in an exciting and growing industry.”

BLLA: Why is it important for boutique hotel owners to gather in person annually?

MM: “Boutique hotels are typically islands, existing in their own wonderful, bespoke world and thriving within their local community. This is what makes us so special and intimate. It also means that often we miss the opportunity to interact with peers, exchange ideas and gain knowledge from a global perspective. The last couple of years have shown us that we can communicate easily through technology, however bringing people together into the same space creates a certain energy, personal connection and synergy that is unique and can’t be captured in any other way. Coming together also allows us to combine forces and use that strength to our advantage.”

BLLA: What is the mission statement of your company?

MM: “Our mission is to create memorable experiences for our guests, our team members and our community through warm hospitality, authentic storytelling and beautiful design.”

BLLA: What is your philosophy of hospitality in the new age?

MM: “I have always believed that one does not need to be a five-star luxury property to make people feel luxurious. Travelers are increasingly searching for soulful properties where owners, designers and operators are thoughtful about attention to detail, curated experiences and an authentic and personal connection with the guest. Clever ideas focused on sustainability and wellness have also come to be expected from upscale boutique properties, and I am sure this will continue to grow and evolve as this is part of the natural progression of where we are in our evolution. In the end, hospitality is an art of knowing how to take care of guests to make them feel like they belong. That is luxury.”

BLLA: Name two boutique hotel owners that inspire you and two new boutique owners you see as emerging voices in the industry.

MM: “I get my inspiration from so many places. I love to travel and discover what other hoteliers are doing, whether it’s a small luxury agriturismo in Sicily to a larger property such as the Six Senses in Oman. I always look to the past and try to learn from brands that have stood the test of time, like the Orient Express for example, one hundred and forty years of artisanal hospitality and travel, they must be doing something right, and are able to keep classic elegance relevant and fresh. As an emerging concept, I am excited about Beyond Green which is a collection of hotels in unique locations around the world that highlights sustainability, nature and culture. On a local level, I love what Proper Hospitality has created which is why we teamed up with them to manage The Culver Hotel as part of their Collective brand.”

BLLA: How are you keeping the spirit of boutique alive in your hotel or business?

MM: “We are lucky to have a rich history and a soulful property and seek to give our guests a luxury-minded experience that is unique to our hotel, where one can enjoy beauty in design and multi-sensory experiences - through dining, artful events and creative programming. Most importantly, we pride ourselves on creating a personal connection with each guest so we can anticipate their needs while they are away from home. After check-in and as the evening sets in, our Grand Lobby bar and restaurant transform into a jazzy supper club, featuring up-and-coming artists. We also have an in-house rotating art gallery as well as creative workshops that draw in the community. The Culver Hotel is not only geared towards hotel guests, but has become a natural gathering place for the local community as well, and has been integral to the revival of Culver City as a whole. That, to us, is the magic of a boutique hotel - its ability to reflect and support its neighborhood, as well as providing a unique and inviting place to stay and enjoy for people visiting from elsewhere.”