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Media Contacts:

Baltz & Company for Kimpton

Chloe Mata Crane / 212-982-8300 x104 / cmata@baltzco.com

Marliese Engel Traver / 212-982-8300 x112 / mtraver@baltzco.com

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Stacey Ellis / 415-955-5492 / stacey.ellis@kimptongroup.com

Stephanie Luttringhaus / 415-955-5487 / stephanie.luttringhaus@kimptongroup.com

U.S. News & World Report

Joel Fineman / 202-955-2163 / JFineman@usnews.com

KIMPTON GARNERS “BEST HOTEL” AWARDS

Esteemed Analysts at U.S. News & World Report Name Fifteen Kimpton Hotels in Ranking of Best Luxury Accommodations Nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO, September 7, 2011 – Fifteen Kimpton hotels from coast-to-coast were recognized with “Best Hotel” awards from the inaugural 2011 U.S. News & World Report. More than 850 luxury accommodations across 49 major travel destinations were carefully evaluated before honoring 299 properties as the “Best Hotels.” U.S. News used an unbiased rubric to rank these superior properties. Distinctions were awarded to the highest-ranking hotels based on recommendations and accolades from travel publications, industry sources and online traveler reviews.

“For 30 years, we have focused on providing guests with personalized care and creating memorable experiences for travelers centered on luxury and comfort,” said Niki Leondakis, president and chief operating officer at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. “We are proud that so many Kimpton hotels have earned this honor.”

The 15 Kimpton hotels honored included:

· The Morrison House (Alexandria, VA)

· Nine Zero Hotel (Boston, MA)

· Hotel Burnham (Chicago, IL)

· Hotel Monaco (Chicago, IL)

· Hotel Palomar (Dallas, TX)

· EPIC Hotel (Miami, FL)

· The Muse Hotel (New York, NY)

· Hotel Monaco (Portland, OR)

· Hotel Solamar (San Diego, CA)

· Argonaut Hotel (San Francisco, CA)

· Hotel Monaco (San Francisco, CA)

· Hotel Palomar (San Francisco, CA)

· Alexis Hotel (Seattle, WA)

· Hotel Monaco (Seattle, WA)

· Hotel George (Washington, DC)

“The U.S. News hotel rankings take a different approach from many," said Chad Smolinski, vice president of rankings and reviews at U.S. News & World Report. “By combining a consensus of opinions from hotel guests with a consensus of published travel experts, our rankings identify the best hotels in an unbiased way. The 15 award-winning Kimpton properties have been identified as best hotels for good reason – they get high marks from experts and guests alike.”

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has consistently garnered top customer satisfaction scores from the consumer-based Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) in its Upper Upscale segment, often surpassing several luxury hotel companies including Loews Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels and Mandarin Oriental and airlines including JetBlue and Southwest Airlines. Individual Kimpton hotels have been recognized in Travel + Leisure’s “T+L Top 500” ranking and Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List.” These esteemed distinctions demonstrate Kimpton’s unique commitment to superior guest care.

To learn more about Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, please visit www.KimptonHotels.com, www.Twitter.com/Kimpton, www.Facebook.com/Kimpton or www.LifeisSuite.com.

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ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

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. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, Bill Kimpton founded the company in 1981 and today it 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. Adjacent to the hotels are locally-loved, top-rated, destination Kimpton 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 53 hotels and 53 restaurants in 23 cities. For more information visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.