Luxury behemoth Intercontinental Hotels Group went out and got itself a sexy Millennial hotel brand, dishing out $430 million in cash for Kimpton Hotels on Tuesday. As IHG remains mum on its future plans, fear that our favorite little boutique collection’s soul will be corrupted is washing over us at T+L. Here, six things we hope won't change at Kimpton.
The Leopard-Print Bathrobe
What would a shower be without a ferocious sheath to dry off with? Plus robes are trendy ready-to-wear staples now, just ask Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and John Mayer.
The Cool New Openings
From the Brice in Savannah, Georgia, to Santa Barbara’s Goodland, Kimpton has been on a roll turning out stylish and affordable crash pads. 2015 will bring San Antonio’s Hotel Emma, a historic beer factory being refashioned by heritage specialists Roman & Williams, in what will surely be the city’s most unique opening in years.
Free Happy Hour
Bill Kimpton knew a thing or two about hospitality, declaring in 1981 at his first hotel in San Francisco that 5 o’clock would forever be complimentary wine hour. Which speaks to a universal truth: a copiously sozzled guest is a happy guest.
Free Wi-Fi
The day will come when Wi-Fi is free in every hotel, mankind rejoices, and happiness reigns across earth. Until then it’s still an added, and much appreciated, luxury.
An Open (Doggy) Door Pet Policy
Long heralded for its pet-friendly rules, Kimpton even has welcome ambassadors at select hotels to greet your VIP (very important pet)—like Timmy, the designer-sunglass collecting yellow lab at Portland’s Hotel Monaco or Posh Parker, a diva Jack Russell Terrier often found at the dog spa in San Diego’s Hotel Palomar. One proposition: if you bring back the goldfish-loaning program, we will pledge to be more responsible.
Kimpton Karma
We’ve made no secret of our adoration for the loyalty program, Kimpton Karma. The progressive algorithm awards points for sharing pool selfies on Twitter, eating at Kimpton-based restaurants, even showing up to wine hour.
Cheers to that.
