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Media Contacts: Aimee
Grove, (415) 277-4902
Stacey Ellis, (415) 955-5492
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Announces
Latest Addition to Collection and First Twin Cities Property – The Grand
Hotel Minneapolis
New Owner Taps Kimpton to Manage Renowned Minneapolis Institution
SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 12, 2010) – Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today it has added
one of MinneapolisÕ most iconic and renowned properties, The Grand Hotel
Minneapolis, to its portfolio of boutique hotels.
Recently acquired by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (ÒPebblebrookÓ), the four
diamond-rated hotel is located in the cityÕs downtown business district in a
14-story building originally constructed in 1912 to house the famed Minneapolis
Athletic Club. Linked to the Minneapolis Skyway System, the property is
connected to key entertainment, retail and convention venues. and sits in close
proximity to the Walker Art Center, the Guthrie Theater, Target Stadium and the
Riverfront District.
Featuring extensive meeting space and one of the largest ballrooms in
the downtown area, The Grand Hotel Minneapolis is already extremely popular
with travelers doing business in the Twin Cities. With its transition into a
Kimpton hotel, which will take place over the next 30 to 40 days, The Grand
Hotel Minneapolis will now also feature the personalized services, programs and
amenities for which the Kimpton brand is known. Such programs include the
hosted evening wine hour, Guppy Love (companion goldfish upon request for
lonesome travelers), signature leopard print robes, luxurious custom Frette
linens, Forgot It, WeÕve Got It list of travel essentials, more than 100
eco-friendly EarthCare operating practices, pet-friendly services and more. In
addition, the hotel will undergo some refurbishments to refresh the interior
design and make it reflective of KimptonÕs personality and style. At the same
time, a dozen or more guest rooms will be converted into Tall Rooms, KimptonÕs
custom room design for very tall guests. The refurbishments are expected to be
completed by early 2011.
This is the third Pebblebrook owned hotel to be managed by Kimpton. Pebblebrook
also owns the Kimpton-managed Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco and
Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C.
ÒWe are thrilled with the opportunity to take over the reins of such a
revered Minneapolis institution and are confident that locals and visitors will
enjoy the unique Kimpton offering we will bring to this beloved hotel,Ó said
Kimpton CEO Michael Depatie. ÒWeÕre also thrilled to be partnering again with
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, with whom we have worked so successfully in
Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.Ó
ABOUT KIMPTON
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of
boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged
industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to
America. Founded in 1981 by Bill Kimpton, the company is well-known for
making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through
intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain
playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Each hotel provides a
range of exciting culinary experiences through locally-loved, top-rated,
destination, chef-driven restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality
industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that
spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and
leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel
companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately
held Kimpton operates 51 hotels and 54 restaurants in 16 states. For more
information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call
1-800-KIMPTON.
ABOUT PEBBLEBROOK
HOTEL TRUST
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust is a publicly traded real estate investment
trust (ÒREITÓ) organized to opportunistically acquire and invest primarily in
upper-upscale, full-service hotels located in large urban and resort markets
with an emphasis on the major coastal cities. The company owns five hotels,
with a total of 1,430 guest rooms.
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