The new LEGO® modular building is always a highlight of the year. I really look forward to the reveal, as well as the build. Rumors have circulated for some time concerning the upcoming 2022 edition. However, the LEGO® Group graciously sent True North Bricks a pre-release copy. We can now reveal that the set is the Boutique Hotel (10297). The build boasts three floors with an art gallery, outdoor terrace, lobby, two standard rooms, and one penthouse suite. What LEGO® city does not need a hotel? I am quite eager to delve into this one.
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. True North Bricks’ usual rating system applies (click here for more information).
BOUTIQUE HOTEL (10297) SUMMARY
- NAME: Boutique Hotel
- SET #: 10297
- THEME: Creator Expert (18+)
- COST: $269.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 3066
- MINIFIGURES: 7
- RELEASE DATE: January 1, 2022
BOUTIQUE HOTEL (10297) QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 86% (Excellent cost-per-brick, but I usually get more build time from a modular.)
- BUILD: 90% (Beautiful build using interesting techniques.)
- MINIFIGURES: 84% (Nice characters and accessories but could use more minifigs as a set.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 100% (Amazing display piece.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 90% (Excellent set)
BOUTIQUE HOTEL (10297) REVIEW
VALUE: 86%
The Boutique Hotel costs $269.99 in Canada and consists of 3066 pieces. Consequently, the cost-per-brick works out to $0.088. Compared to other modular buildings, that is right on average. Compared to 18+ sets in general as well as all other LEGO® themes, the value is excellent. As with many large sets, you are essentially buying LEGO® bricks in bulk, resulting in a great cost-per-brick. In this case, I rate the cost-per-brick at 97%.
The Boutique Hotel took me six hours to build (360 minutes total). As a result, each minute of build time costs $0.75 at full price. For a modular and 18+ set, that is not a lot of build time for the price. I usually get more out of a modular. However, when compared to LEGO® sets in general, it is a good amount of construction time. Comparatively, my average cost-per-minute for 18+ sets is $0.66, while across all LEGO® themes it sits at $0.85. Taking both comparisons into consideration, I rate the build time value at 75%. Averaging this with the cost-per-brick score gives an overall value rating of 86%.
BUILD: 90%
As with all modulars, the Boutique Hotel features a beautiful exterior. The design has some great NPU (nice-parts-usage). For example, the set employs handcuffs and snake-head bricks as fencing and ironwork. Additionally, the palm tree on the terrace uses the “Crown No.1” brick to create a realistic trunk. Additionally, the angular building technique used to achieve the slanted wall between the hotel and the art gallery is interesting and something MOC builders might like.
The street level of the build has the lobby of the hotel and the art gallery. The gallery has fun displays which are mostly brick built. However, the space is tiny, and large hands may have trouble placing minifigs inside. The lobby of the hotel is fairly sparse. I like the reception desk and the keys on the wall behind it. Additionally, there is a nice sitting area and beautiful staircase. However, the rear of the room and the area under the stairs have nothing in them. I suppose you can fill the area under the stairs with the buildable baggage cart included in the set though.
The angles in this set are produced using interesting techniques.
The second level of the build has a rooftop terrace and bar above the art gallery. Exterior stairs next to a fountain and bulletin board lead up. This structure is separate from the second floor of the hotel. The hotel reserves a tiny back corner for the stairs. Otherwise, it has two rooms. Both rooms feature nice little furniture builds that will give MOC builders nice ideas. However, neither room has a bathroom. I don’t know about you, but I would not stay in a hotel room without my own bathroom. I think I would have preferred one larger room with all the amenities on this floor.
The top floor houses a penthouse suite. This room does have its own bathroom. Additionally, it has a bit more furniture, a TV, and a larger bed than the more economic rooms below. The chocolate bar on the bed is a nice touch. This is certainly the nicest room in the hotel and features nice space use. There is enough in the room to keep it interesting, but not so much that you will have trouble placing your Minifigures inside.
I recommend staying in the penthouse at this hotel.
Overall, I like the design very much. However, there are some downsides. The aforementioned lack of bathrooms in some rooms being one. Additionally, this hotel is not equipped for the disabled as there is no elevator, and the lobby is a little bare. These are all minor issues though. Otherwise, the building is wonderfully detailed and features a number of great build techniques. I rate this build at 90%.
MINIFIGURES: 84%
The Boutique Hotel includes seven Minifigures. Most of them are not new designs, however the two hotel employees are. I am happy to report that all of the characters come with the standard parts, and none are stumpy children with unmoving legs. Additionally, the minifigs all have front and back torso printing. With that said, only two have double-sided faces, while one has leg printing.
These minifigs also come with 26 accessories. I will not list them all, but you get a lot of common fare like mugs, bottles, glasses, etc. The more interesting accessories include a number of printed tiles. There is an abstract painting, a mirror, a bulletin board, a guestbook, and a typewriter. The set also includes a white croissant like those from the Parisian Restaurant. There is a funny story to go with it in the instruction manual, but I’ll let you find out the details on your own. I rate these character designs and accessories at 96%. I would have liked more novelty in the character prints.
Seven Minifigures in a 3066-brick kit is what you would expect from a modular building set. It works out to 438 bricks/fig. Compared to LEGO® sets in general, that is a terrible ratio. However, the modular collection never offers a staggering number of Minifigures. If the LEGO® Group had included one more minifig, this set would be more on par with its predecessors. As it stands, it offers a satisfactory number of characters for a modular. I rate that at 71%. Averaging this with the design score gives an overall Minifigure rating of 84%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 100%
I am a little biased towards the modular collection. I love it. Additionally, it is the most anticipated reveal of the year for me. Many AFOLs feel the same because these are amazingly detailed builds that add to custom city layouts. The Boutique Hotel does not disappoint in its detail and design. In fact, I like it more than the last modular that I built, which was the Bookshop. Yes, I know, the Bookshop was not the last addition to the collection. I have last year’s Police Station… still sealed in the box. I have not had the chance to build it. In any case, I rate the entertainment value of this set at 100%.
OVERALL SCORE: 90%
The Boutique Hotel (10297) comes at a good value, and the build is excellent. You learn some interesting techniques on both a large and small scale. The Minifigures are okay, but you get a lot of accessories. However, I do wish there was at least one more character included in the set. Overall, my complaints about the set are all small. The Boutique Hotel is beautiful and well worth the purchase. What do you think of the 2022 edition of the modular collection? Feel free to comment below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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