Guides
2017: Best Boutique Hotels in the World
Hotel chains bank on being similar no matter where you are geographically, that’s their business. Uniformity sells and that’s fine for most, but some travelers want a unique experience when they venture. Boutique hotels are fast becoming the rage in all of your favorite vacation spots. We recently attended the World Boutique Hotel Awards in […]
2017: Best Boutique Hotels
Hotel chains bank on being similar no matter where you are geographically, that’s their business. Uniformity sells and that’s fine for most, but some travelers want a unique experience when they venture. Boutique hotels are fast becoming the rage in all of your favorite vacation spots. We recently attended the World Boutique Hotel Awards in London and spoke with some of the hotel world’s leading innovationists. Who knows hotels better than hoteliers?
Here is our list of the best boutique hotels in the world, compiled from the best hoteliers in the business.
A celebrated panel of voters who are experts in luxury, boutique hotels and first class accommodations decides the World Boutique Hotel Awards.

El Nido, Philippines
Being as it is winter in the States and huge arctic storms are wreaking havoc on the nation, we may as well start with their award for best Beach or Coastal Hotel: El Nido, Pangulasian Island, Philippines.
El Nido describes itself as “A glittering Island resort with serious eco credentials.” This is a nice summary but this island resort is unlike any other, and uniquely remote. Known as the “Last Frontier,” Palawan Island is a Mecca for nature lovers and eco travelers in general. A little off the beaten path is saying it lightly, just getting to this resort is a whole ordeal. For the adventurous, this eco resort is worth the trouble. El Nido is perfect for the soul-searching vagabond who wants to lie around on deserted beaches and explore undiscovered islands.
El Nido is located on an island with 42 villas, breathtaking views and first class service. A ferry brings you to the resort and you dread the day it comes to take you away. Visitors revel in the fact that there just isn’t enough hours in the day top take it all in.
Highlights include native wildlife, vast reefs to explore and exclusive, candle-lit dinners on the beach. Villas on stilts over turquoise water and an attentive staff make this boutique villa a must visit in 2017.

Over Yonder Cay, Bahamas
Continuing the trend of best beach hotels, the next award is for World’s Best Private Villa. This award goes to Over Yonder Cay, Bahamas. A sustainable resort located on a private island in the Bahamas, which was developed for the rich and famous.
Over Yonder Cay welcomes guest to choose between four uniquely designed villas for up to 28 of your closest friends and family. Each villa is designed specifically to capture the natural beauties of the island. Villas range from 3 to 4 suites and each sleep up to 8 guests. Of course the entire island can be reserved for the solitude seeking guests.
Formerly a remote fishing outpost, the island has been transformed into a sustainable vacation destination for those seeking true privacy and luxury. Boasting 97% sustainability, the island has three wind turbines and a 1.5 acre solar field; producing enough reusable energy for an ultra reliable, generator free island.
A deep water marina for all your ocean going vessel needs, a beach club for your gathering needs and a water sports cabana encompassing all your aquatic adventures. A private island resort for the upper crust and the elite 1%, Over Yonder Cay is the world’s best private villa winner and rightfully deserved
Vigilius Mountain Resort, Italy
Once we talk about sustainability it’s hard to not mention this next hotel, voted world’s most sustainable hotel, Vigilius Mountain Resort, in South Tyrol, Italy. Touted as an island in the mountains, Vigilius Mountain Resort has no roads leading up to it; visitors instead take a private cable car up the 1,500 meter accent to the mountaintop.
Vigilius Mountain Resort offers an eco friendly getaway with astonishing views of the Dolomite Mountains and delivering superb alpine and northern-Italian fare. A truly remote setting allows guests to remove themselves from today’s technological pressures and annoyances. Zero cars, traffic or noise pollution of any kind can reach this mountaintop resort.
Built and designed with nature in mind, Vigilius resembles a fallen tree and has 360-degree views of the entire mountain range. From sunsets to sunrises every room has a view and is the perfect place to find serenity.
With a goal to leave no carbon footprint, Vigilius sets the bar by using locally sourced products, sustainable resources and eco friendly building materials. Even the kitchen only uses locally supplied produce and meats.
Aenaon VIllas, Greece
From eco to romance, we shift to this year’s most romantic hotel: Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece. Located on an island in the Southern Aegean Sea, this beauty is the quintessential romantic vacation spot on most people’s bucket list.
Adorned by steep cliffs and endless views, the Aenaon Villas sits upon an ancient volcanic caldera. Multi-colored cliffs dot the coastline and volcanic sand beaches await the seasoned traveler.
The resort is located on the narrowest part of the island, giving it the most spectacular views. There are seven private villas, each with their own unique veranda and infinity pool. The villas were built with traditional Cycladic architecture to encompass the local history and natural harmony.
Santorini is a lovers’ getaway and Aenaon Villas represents the perfect romantic vacation. Greece is the cradle of civilization and Santorini acts as a bridge between history and luxury.
Award Winning Hotels:
For more amazing boutique hotels, check out this list of other winners from the World Boutique Hotel Awards:
Voted Best Honeymoon Hideaway: Punta Tragara, Capri, Italy
Voted Best New Hotel: Hotel Gotham, Manchester, UK
Voted Best Culinary Hotel, Vila Joya, Algrave, Portugal
Voted Best Wellness Spa: Borgo Egnazia, Puglia, Italy
Voted Best Boutique Hotel: Secret Bay, Dominica, West Indies
Guides
What Changes When You Buy Cannabis Away From the Strip Corridor
Las Vegas cannabis retail is heavily concentrated around the resort corridor, where dispensaries serve a largely visiting clientele. That concentration shapes inventory, pricing, and staffing in ways that are easy to miss.
Dispensaries in surrounding communities operate under different conditions. The differences are practical rather than regulatory, since the same state rules apply throughout.
How Does Customer Mix Shape Inventory?
Locations serving primarily visitors tend to stock toward immediate consumption and recognizable products. Pre-rolls, edibles, and well-known brands occupy more shelf space.
Locations serving residents generally carry deeper selection in categories that reward repeat purchase. Bulk flower and a wider concentrate range are more common.
What Does That Mean for Selection Depth?
Depth differs more than breadth. A corridor dispensary may carry many products across categories while a community location carries more options within the categories regulars actually buy.
Shoppers visiting a Henderson cannabis dispensary outside the main tourist corridor often find inventory weighted toward repeat customers rather than first-time visitors, which changes what is available in flower and concentrate categories. The customer base shapes the shelf.
Neither approach is better in the abstract. They serve different purchasing patterns.
How Does Staffing Differ?
Staff at high-traffic corridor locations handle large volumes of first-time customers, which favors efficient, standardized guidance. Conversations are necessarily shorter.
Community locations more often build ongoing familiarity with regular customers. That continuity supports more specific recommendations over time.
Does Pricing Actually Vary?
Pricing varies between locations for ordinary retail reasons including rent, traffic, and competition. Corridor locations generally carry higher overhead.
State taxes apply uniformly, so differences reflect operating costs rather than regulation. Comparing menus across locations is straightforward since most publish current pricing.
What Stays the Same Everywhere?
Nevada’s regulatory framework applies identically across licensed dispensaries. Testing requirements, packaging standards, purchase limits, and the twenty-one and over age requirement do not vary by location.
Every product on a licensed shelf has passed the same required testing. Location affects selection and service rather than compliance.
What Practical Differences Are Worth Knowing?
Several distinctions matter when deciding where to shop:
- Depth of selection within frequently purchased categories
- Wait times, which are generally shorter away from the corridor
- Parking availability and ease of access
- Opportunity for longer conversations with staff
- Pricing differences reflecting local operating costs
For a visitor consuming during a short stay, convenience usually dominates. For a resident buying regularly, selection and service tend to matter more.
How Do Consumption Rules Affect the Decision?
Nevada prohibits cannabis consumption in public places, including streets, casinos, and hotel common areas. Purchase location does not change where consumption is permitted.
Licensed consumption lounges exist in limited numbers and provide a legal alternative for those without private space. Checking current availability before a visit is worthwhile.
What Should Visitors Understand About Travel?
Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, which governs air travel regardless of state legality at either end. Carrying product through airport security is not advisable.
Planning purchases around what will realistically be consumed during a stay avoids that situation entirely. This is among the most commonly misunderstood points for visitors.
How Should Someone Choose a Location?
Checking current menus online before traveling to a dispensary is the simplest approach, since most publish live inventory. That check answers the selection question directly.
For residents establishing a regular dispensary, staff familiarity and consistent stocking of preferred products generally matter more than a single visit’s pricing.
How Do Delivery Options Change the Picture?
Nevada permits licensed cannabis delivery, which reduces the practical importance of physical location for residents. Delivery availability and timing vary by operator and service area.
For someone weighing convenience against selection, delivery from a location with deeper inventory can resolve the tradeoff entirely. Checking service areas is a straightforward first step.
What Should Residents Consider When Choosing a Regular Dispensary?
Consistency of stocking matters more for regular buyers than any single visit’s pricing, since a preferred product that is frequently unavailable has limited value. Asking staff how often specific producers restock is a reasonable question.
Loyalty programs and regular promotions also affect long-term cost more than headline pricing does. These vary considerably between retailers and are worth comparing directly before settling on a regular dispensary.
How Do Purchase Limits Apply?
Nevada sets purchase limits that apply per transaction and are tracked across licensed retailers. These limits are identical regardless of which dispensary a customer visits.
Understanding the limits before shopping avoids surprises at checkout, particularly for customers buying across multiple product categories. Staff can clarify how different products count toward the total, since concentrates and edibles are weighted differently than flower under the state formula.
How Does First-Time Visitor Guidance Differ?
Dispensaries serving many first-time customers generally build their intake process around education, with staff prepared to explain formats, onset timing, and consumption rules from scratch. That structure suits visitors well.
Locations serving primarily regulars often move faster and assume more baseline familiarity. A first-time buyer is usually better served where the process is built around explanation.
Location within the Las Vegas market affects selection, service, and convenience rather than product safety or legality. The regulatory floor is identical across licensed retailers.
For shoppers, the practical step is to match the location to the purchase pattern. Visitors optimize for convenience, and regular buyers generally do better on depth and staff familiarity.
Guides
Pre-Construction Planning with BHI General Contracting
Every successful construction project starts long before the first piece of equipment arrives on-site. Careful pre-construction planning helps businesses avoid delays, control costs, improve communication, and ensure the project stays aligned with long-term goals.
That’s why many businesses rely on BHI General Contracting for professional pre-construction planning services. By addressing potential challenges early and creating a clear roadmap, projects can move forward more efficiently and with greater confidence.
Let’s explore why pre-construction planning is such an important part of commercial construction success.
What Is Pre-Construction Planning?
Pre-construction planning is the process of organizing and preparing every aspect of a project before construction begins.
This phase often includes:
- Budget development
- Site evaluations
- Scheduling and logistics planning
- Design coordination
With BHI General Contracting, businesses gain a structured approach that helps reduce uncertainty and improve project outcomes.
Establishing Clear Project Goals
Every project should begin with clearly defined objectives.
Pre-construction planning helps identify:
- Operational needs and priorities
- Space requirements and functionality
- Long-term business goals
Clear planning ensures the finished project aligns with the client’s expectations.
Accurate Budgeting and Cost Control
One of the biggest benefits of pre-construction planning is financial clarity.
This process helps businesses:
- Develop realistic project budgets
- Identify potential cost-saving opportunities
- Reduce unexpected expenses during construction
Early budgeting support creates better financial control throughout the project.
Evaluating Site Conditions
Site analysis is a critical part of pre-construction planning.
This may involve:
- Reviewing land conditions and accessibility
- Identifying drainage or utility concerns
- Assessing environmental or zoning factors
A thorough site evaluation helps prevent delays and construction complications later.
Improving Project Scheduling
Construction timelines can quickly become complicated without proper planning.
Pre-construction scheduling helps:
- Coordinate contractors and suppliers
- Establish realistic timelines
- Identify potential scheduling conflicts early
With BHI General Contracting, projects are organized for greater efficiency from the start.
Coordinating Design and Construction Teams
Strong collaboration between architects, engineers, and contractors is essential.
Pre-construction planning improves:
- Communication between project teams
- Design accuracy and feasibility
- Faster problem-solving before construction begins
This teamwork helps minimize costly revisions during the build process.
Identifying Potential Risks Early
Every construction project comes with risks and challenges.
Pre-construction planning helps identify:
- Budget risks
- Site limitations
- Permit or compliance concerns
Addressing these issues early helps prevent larger problems later in the project.
Ensuring Code and Permit Compliance
Commercial construction projects must meet local regulations and safety standards.
Planning includes:
- Reviewing zoning requirements
- Preparing permit documentation
- Ensuring code compliance before construction begins
This helps projects move through approvals more smoothly.
Supporting Better Material and Resource Planning
Construction efficiency depends heavily on organization and resource management.
Pre-construction planning helps:
- Estimate material needs accurately
- Coordinate labor and equipment
- Reduce waste and inefficiencies
Proper preparation keeps projects running more smoothly.
Creating a Strong Foundation for Success
Ultimately, pre-construction planning sets the tone for the entire project.
A well-planned project often leads to:
- Fewer delays and change orders
- Better communication and organization
- Improved project quality and performance
Businesses working with BHI General Contracting benefit from a more strategic and controlled construction process.
FAQs
What is pre-construction planning?
It’s the preparation phase before construction begins, involving budgeting, scheduling, site analysis, and coordination.
Why is pre-construction planning important?
It helps reduce risks, control costs, improve scheduling, and increase project efficiency.
What does BHI General Contracting help with during pre-construction?
They assist with budgeting, scheduling, site evaluations, design coordination, and project planning.
Can pre-construction planning reduce delays?
Yes. Early planning helps identify issues before they affect the construction timeline.
Does pre-construction planning help with permits and compliance?
Absolutely. Proper planning ensures projects meet local regulations and approval requirements.
Final Thoughts
Successful commercial construction projects are built on strong preparation and strategic planning. Pre-construction planning helps businesses avoid costly surprises, improve communication, and create a more efficient building process from start to finish.
By partnering with BHI General Contracting, businesses can approach construction projects with greater confidence, organization, and long-term vision.
From budgeting and scheduling to site analysis and compliance, pre-construction planning creates the foundation for smoother, more successful project outcomes.
Guides
How Often Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
A water heater is one of the hardest-working appliances in any home, yet many homeowners forget about maintenance until problems begin to appear. One of the most important maintenance tasks is flushing the water heater to remove sediment buildup and keep the system operating efficiently.
Homeowners considering water heater installation Miami services should also understand how proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of their system and improve performance. Regular flushing helps prevent damage, improves efficiency, and reduces the risk of costly repairs.
Let’s explore how often water heaters should be flushed and why it matters.
Why Flushing a Water Heater Is Important
Over time, minerals and sediment naturally collect inside the tank.
This buildup can cause:
- Reduced heating efficiency
- Strange noises from the tank
- Lower hot water quality
- Increased wear on internal components
Routine flushing helps keep the system clean and functioning properly.
How Often Should You Flush It?
Most professionals recommend flushing a water heater at least once per year.
However, some homes may require more frequent flushing if they have:
- Hard water with high mineral content
- Heavy household hot water usage
- Older water heater systems
Homeowners working with water heater installation Miami professionals can determine the ideal maintenance schedule for their specific system.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Flushing
Even if you’re unsure when it was last serviced, there are warning signs that indicate sediment buildup.
Common signs include:
- Rumbling or popping noises
- Inconsistent hot water
- Reduced hot water pressure
- Cloudy or rusty water
These issues often suggest it’s time for maintenance.
Hard Water Can Increase Sediment Buildup
Miami homes may experience mineral-rich water that accelerates buildup inside water heaters.
Hard water can lead to:
- Faster sediment accumulation
- Reduced heating performance
- Increased corrosion risk
In homes with hard water, flushing may be recommended more than once per year.
Improves Energy Efficiency
Sediment buildup forces water heaters to work harder to heat water.
Flushing the tank helps:
- Improve heating efficiency
- Reduce energy consumption
- Lower monthly utility bills
A clean system performs more efficiently and consistently.
Extends the Lifespan of the Water Heater
Regular maintenance can help water heaters last longer.
Flushing helps prevent:
- Excessive wear on heating elements
- Internal corrosion and damage
- Premature system failure
Many homeowners combine routine maintenance with inspections from water heater installation Miami experts to maximize system lifespan.
Helps Maintain Water Quality
Sediment and corrosion inside the tank can affect water quality over time.
Flushing may help reduce:
- Rust-colored water
- Metallic odors or tastes
- Debris in hot water supply lines
Cleaner water improves comfort and overall system performance.
Tankless Water Heaters Also Need Maintenance
Tankless systems don’t store water, but they still require flushing and descaling.
Maintenance helps remove:
- Mineral buildup inside heat exchangers
- Scale that affects efficiency
- Blockages that reduce water flow
Professional servicing helps keep tankless systems operating properly.
Professional Maintenance vs. DIY Flushing
Some homeowners choose to flush their water heaters themselves, while others prefer professional service.
Professional maintenance offers benefits such as:
- Full system inspections
- Leak and corrosion detection
- Safe and proper flushing procedures
Working with experienced technicians helps ensure the job is done correctly.
When Replacement May Be Necessary
If a water heater continues having problems even after flushing, replacement may be the better option.
Signs replacement may be needed include:
- Frequent repairs
- Major corrosion or leaks
- Aging systems over 10 years old
In these cases, water heater installation Miami professionals can recommend modern and more efficient replacement systems.
FAQs
How often should I flush my water heater?
Most water heaters should be flushed at least once a year.
Why does sediment build up in water heaters?
Minerals from water naturally settle inside the tank over time.
Can flushing improve water heater efficiency?
Yes. Removing sediment helps the system heat water more effectively.
Do tankless water heaters need flushing?
Yes. Tankless systems require descaling and maintenance to prevent mineral buildup.
Should I hire a professional for water heater maintenance?
Professional service helps ensure proper flushing, inspections, and safe operation.
Final Thoughts
Regular water heater maintenance is essential for keeping your system efficient, reliable, and long-lasting. Flushing the tank helps remove damaging sediment buildup, improve water quality, and reduce energy costs.
By staying proactive and working with trusted water heater installation Miami professionals, homeowners can extend the lifespan of their water heater and avoid unnecessary repairs or breakdowns.
A little maintenance today can help ensure dependable hot water and better system performance for years to come.
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