Ori Kafri introduces J.K. Place as a family-founded boutique hotel brand that defines “boutique” not by design trends, but by personal, tailor-made hospitality. With three intimate properties in Capri, Rome, Paris, and soon Milan, each averaging around 30 rooms, Kafri describes the brand”s essence as creating “homes” rather than hotels – spaces where guests feel personally known and individually cared for. He contrasts J.K.”s approach to larger hotel chains, which he likens to luxury fashion houses, while J.K. Place aspires to be the “tailor-made suit” – a bespoke experience built through genuine human connection.
Kafri recounts the story of how the brand’s philosophy of personal warmth was inspired by an eight-room guesthouse in Amsterdam, where the host’s generosity – offering tea and conversation without expectation – became a lasting model for hospitality. He explains how J.K. Place strives to bring that same sense of generosity and intimacy into every interaction, such as offering guests a coffee upon arrival. This simple act, he says, captures the brand’s belief that luxury lies in authentic human gestures rather than in grand amenities. The conversation also touches on how J.K. Place maintains its small scale intentionally, ensuring each property remains deeply personal and human-centered.
Reflecting on the brand’s evolution, Kafri shares that J.K. Place grew slowly and organically, beginning with a 20-room townhouse hotel in Florence in 2003. Despite having no prior hotel experience, the family”s creativity and intuition led to early recognition from the fashion and media worlds, helping the brand grow by word of mouth – a principle Kafri still sees as their strongest marketing tool. He emphasizes that J.K. aims to become its own category, much like Aman Resorts, recognized not as a “boutique brand” but as “J.K.” itself. For Kafri, the brand’s soul lies in sincerity, personal touch, and the courage to remain small in a world chasing scale.
Timeline:
Ori Kafri introduces J.K. Place and its current locations.
Bespoke philosophy: hotels as tailor-made homes, not design concepts.
Family roots and non-corporate, human-centered hospitality.
Inspiration from an Amsterdam guesthouse and the “coffee story.”
How small gestures define real luxury.
The reasoning behind keeping hotels intimate (~30 rooms).
Organic brand growth and creating “J.K.” as a standalone identity.
Founding story of J.K. Florence and early word-of-mouth success.
Maintaining balance between personal life and hospitality passion.
