KIMPTON 2011 MEDIA PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

"Gigi Stone interviews President and COO Niki Leondakis and CEO Mike Depatie of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in their San Francisco headquarters about the pioneering boutique hotel group's expansion and takes us on a tour of one of their popular hotel properties." Read more > Bloomberg Enterprise TV, August 2011

"Some hotels are catering to business travelers who don't have the suitcase space for workout gear. Boutique hotel chain Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants offers free in-room yoga, Pilates and workout videos on its hotel room televisions. Guests can also request a workout basket with a yoga mat, resistance straps and other gear for use in their rooms." Read more > Wall Street Journal, August 2011

"Kimpton, a chain of 54 domestic hotels, is also making a big wellness push that includes free on-demand exercise and nutrition videos, seven light choices at each meal, free bikes rentals at many properties and employee-led group jogs." Read more > New York Times, August 2011

"At Kimpton, beauty products vary by property, but some use Aveda. Aveda partners only with hotels with high environmental standards, says a spokesman for Hotel Amenities. The Estee Lauder-owned brand investigates hotel waste water recycling programs, for instance, before agreeing to a partnership." Read more > Wall Street Journal, August 2011

"Housed in a former hat factory on the Chicago River, the Hotel Monaco is steps from Millennium Park and North Michigan Avenue shops...The 70 park avenue hotel is capitalizing on its proximity to Bryant Park by sending guests off to the film series held there on Monday nights with a basket of treats." National Geographic, July/August 2011

"Kimpton's Hotel Solamar offers 'Mind Your Ps: Pilates, Power Walks, and Pedal Pushers," which lets you explore the city on foot or two wheels (bike rentals start at $25) or enjoy a local Pilates class ($10 for guests). Refuel in-room with meals (available at most locations) created by nutritionist Joy Bauer and Kimpton chefs." Shape Magazine, June 2011

"Several New York City hotels that belong to the Kimpton boutique chain are adding locally made goods, too. Kimpton's 70 park avenue hotel is adding FRED natural spring water, which comes from Livingston Manor, N.Y. and comes in a retro-style flask made of recycled plastic. And Kimpton's Muse hotel is adding a Brooklyn-based chocolate." USA Today, May 2011

"'As far as mountain towns go, Aspen is one of the few that holds up in summer and winter,' Cockrell says. 'Of course it has the usual ski-bum haunts, but it also has places like 39 Degrees Lounge, an urban-style oasis with a pool frequented by a chic crowd. In Aspen, you can have any type of night out you want within its few main streets." Read more > USA Today, May 2011

"Niki Leondakis, Kimpton's President and COO, says that what differentiates her company from competitors is the fact that its employees are always striving to create meaningful customer experiences, or 'Kimpton moments,' by going the extra mile to take care of guests and show them random acts of kindness." Smart Business Magazine, May 2011

"Eager to woo customers, hotels have seized on the wellness trend with new rooms for allergy sufferers...At Hotel Monaco Portland, Ore., part of the Kimpton Hotel chain, guests can request one of 25 rooms that are cleaned with procedures being tested by Kimpton. For the rooms, housekeepers use vacuum cleaners with filters that trap pollen and dust mites, and fragrance- and chemical-free cleaning products certified by Green Seal." Read more > USA Today, May 2011

"America's Best New Bars: Sable Kitchen & Bar, Chicago. The 16-page drink menu at Hotel Palomar's bar quotes Jean-Jacques Rousseau, lists cocktails like the Chuck Yeager (rum with cinnamon bark syrup) and boasts one of the city's largest amber spirits collections." Read more > Food & Wine, April 2011

"Food Arts presents the April 2011 Silver Spoon Award for sterling performance to Niki Leondakis, president and chief operating officer of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the San Francisco-based chain that helped pioneer the concept of boutique hotels...Since Bill Kimpton founded the company in 1981, it has been named twice in Fortune magazine's list of best places to work. Kimpton's restaurants break the mould with their chef-driven menus focused on local ingredients, and its rooms delight with wild zebra-print robes, Etch-A-Sketches stocked in honor bars, and even pet goldfish available upon request." Food Arts, April 2011

"Best large company to work for: Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC. Besides retreats and training, Kimpton leaders such as Leondakis affect the culture by example. She'll let others know when she's taking personal time off, encouraging others to find their own balance of personal and professional duties. She also shows that the sabbatical program for upper management isn't some pie-in-the-sky offering—she went to Burma and Bhutan herself for a month." Read more > SF Business Times, April 2011

"Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is a hotel group built on unconventional ways. Kimpton took the initiative in its early days to create amenities such as fully stocked honor bars, wine tasting, and boutique hotel themes. And the founder's sense of social responsibility has led Kimpton to becoming one of the pioneers in sustainable hotel practices." Read more > Lodging Magazine, April 2011

"When traveling for business, jogging becomes even more valuable: You see the city, and you stay mentally nimble. That's what Daryn White has found. Since last fall, the marketing manager for Hotel Monaco in Portland, Ore., has been leading three-mile group runs for hotel guests along the Willamette River at 6 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Accompanied by Timmy, a Labrador retriever that is the hotel's "Director of Pet Relations," the runs have been a surprise hit, especially among business travelers." Read more > Chicago Tribune, April 2011

"In January, Kimpton Hotels introduced diet-conscious breakfast, lunch and dinner selections designed by the nutritionist Joy Bauer, each available under 500 calories and available only via roomservice." Read more > New York Times, March 2011

"'There is a fairly large group of consumers out there who want this type of [boutique] experience, and there's very little product available,' said Michael Depatie, Chief Executive of Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group." Read more > Wall Street Journal, February 2011

"[Niki Leondakis] believes that giving back to the community is a vital responsibility for every business, and through her hard work, Kimpton is succeeding in doing so. As for guests and social media followers, her hotels have been engaging them via Facebook and Twitter for years." Read more > Huffington Post, February 2011

KIMPTON 2010 MEDIA PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

"Whether it's using nontoxic cleaning products or designing a LEED-certified hotel, Leondakis and Kimpton are leaders in the movement to make the lodging industry more sustainable and organic travel a widely understood concept." Organic Gardening, December 2010 - January 2011

"Craig Thompson, the general manager of the 221-room property [Hotel Monaco Portland], is rarely in his office enjoying the perks that come with being a big shot...[he] has a simple philosophy: 'Being a good boss isn't about writing great reports...it's about people. If you understand people, you'll be a good boss. If you don't, you may have power, but you'll never be a great boss.'" The Oregonian, December 2010

"At Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, employees never feel like they're merely a number. New hires fill out detailed questionnaires to help the company personalize their on-the-job experience, from how they wish to be rewarded (with a paid day off or a gas card) to how their birthdays should be marked (with or without a cake)." Read more > Crain's New York Business, December 2010

"Using the restroom in NYC is elevated to an art form when you pay a visit to the whimsical lobby restrooms of the Muse Hotel. Located smack dab in the center of Times Square, these tempting toilets truly steal the show! The Muse's bathrooms allow guests to choose their favorite vice after a pass through a unisex entrance, otherwise known as 'purgatory.'" Instinct Magazine, October 2010

"'If I'm at a wedding where the wine options are rough, I take a light, high-acid white like Sauvignon Blanc and add seltzer and lime,' says Emily Wines of Kimpton Hotels." Read more > Food & Wine, October 2010

"Trend-setting California can be credited with birthing the concept [of the boutique hotel], when San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels was founded in 1981 as an all-boutique venture. (Since then, Kimpton has given birth to two more boutique brands: Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco.)" Read more > TIME Online, September 2010

"The American cuisine by chef E. Michael Reidt at B&O American Brasserie is seasonal and adventuresome—just what you'd expect from a Culinary Institute of America grad and one of Food & Wine magazine's Best New Chefs." Read more > Baltimore Magazine, August 2010

"Last fall, Kimpton opened Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia and installed Guillermo Tellez, once Charlie Trotter's chef de cuisine, as executive chef of its Square 1682 restaurant...Tellez's cuisine is bold, flavorful, and international, with a strong nod to his Latin roots in dishes such as yellowfin tuna tostadas, lobster paella, duck cassoulet and black cod porchetta." Read more > Wine Spectator, July 2010

"In celebration of the sweetest (and what feels like the hottest) month of the year, Kimpton Hotels, co-winner of last year's World Savers Award in the Preservation category, is hosting a 'Scoop for Success' Ice Cream Social on July 15 at more than 40 hotels across the country." Read more > Condé Nast Traveler, July 2010

"Kimpton is fortunate to have influential female leaders like Niki and Ave," says Michael Depatie, CEO of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. "Niki has an extraordinary ability to connect with people, from guests she meets on the road to each and every one of our employees." Read more > Hospitality Design, July 2010

"About six months ago, every hotelier in New York was very worried about all of the new supply coming," said Michael Depatie, president and chief executive of Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, which owns four hotels in New York, including a boutique it opened in Chelsea in May. "But there has been such a resurgence of business travel that, even with all of the supply coming, we haven't had any troubles absorbing it." Read more > Wall Street Journal, July 2010

"Founded in 1981, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is America's first (and largest) boutique hotel group. With its hosted evening wine hour (where you might play Wii or have your tarot cards read), whimsical style, pet-friendly policy, and chef-driven restaurants, Kimpton was ranked number one in guest satisfaction for 2009 by the Market Metrix Hospitality Index." Read more > Harvard Business School Alumni Bulletin, June 2010

"With the opening of its milestone 50th property this month, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants' information technology VP and Chief Information Officer, Kris Singleton is the first to admit the boutique brand's increased size impacts her take on technology." Hotel Business, June 2010

"The 2010 list of Oregon's Best Green Companies to Work For is all about diversity and commitment." Read more > Oregon Business, June 2010

"Independent hotels and resorts and smaller chains are also doing more targeted offers, such as Kimpton's 'Ride the Rails' deal. Guests who book in advance with the RAILS code and present a train ticket at check-in can get 15 percent off the best available rate at more than 30 Kimpton hotels, and yes, tickets on trains from the airport into the city count." Read more > The New York Times, June 2010

"The Kimpton hotel group is based on a similar concept: it is a collection of 50 hotels, all managed but not necessarily owned by Kimpton, each with a distinct design and name. 'We're what we call an endorser brand,' said Michael Depatie, Kimpton's chief executive." Read more > The New York Times, June 2010

"Lorenzo was raised in Manila, the Philippines, but she understands the San Francisco psyche. 'People here prefer artisanal foods,' she says. 'If I do something strange, it won't be a top seller.' To stay creative, she morphs the classics, like this riff on the French gâteau basque, a dense cake of almond custard and cherries." Read more > Food & Wine, June 2010

"Favorite morale booster over the past year: Camaraderie between the general managers at the seven D.C. hotels. Healthy competition, creative ideas, support and humor make up a unique dynamic which pushes us forward to achieve better results." Read more > Washington Business Journal, June 2010

"The Kimpton hotels have always offered their guests a complimentary evening social and wine event, from the time the hotel chain opened in 1981. The company's philosophy, said its chief operating officer, Niki Leondakis, is that the traveler on the road would like to come to a comfortable living room at the end of the day and meet other travelers, for an experience closer to that at a friend's guest house than a hotel." Read more > The New York Times, May 2010

"Ms. Leondakis rediscovered the childhood activity while at work. At Kimpton's annual general-managers meeting, new employees must stand in front of a room of colleagues and compete in a 'hoop off' as the song 'Wipe Out' plays in the background. One year, Kimpton hired a hula-hoop expert to teach the staff. Ms. Leondakis was so inspired after an hour-long lesson that she went home and continued practicing." Wall Street Journal, May 2010

"10 Thoughts from Niki Leondakis: One thing you don't know about me is that my first paying job was working the fry station at Hardee's when I was 15." Read more > Restaurant Hospitality, May 2010

"Hotels are releasing new promotions in time to entice vacationers and families with kids. Kimpton Hotels' Summer Playground promotion, which lasts until Sept. 10, gives away free cocktail classes, sangria and access to Wii video games in the lobby. For the year, Kimpton is extending Sunday check-out time for weekend guests to 2 p.m." Read more > USA Today, May 2010

"Recently voted one of the top 10 eco-friendly hotels in the world by TripAdvisor, the Hotel Monaco Seattle is a luxe example of how being good to yourself can go hand in hand with being good to Mother Earth." Instinct Magazine, April 2010

"'If we help people become better people, they become better employees. That's a Bill Kimpton idea,' said Alan Baer. It pays off. Kimpton has led its category in customer satisfaction since 2006, according to Market Metrics." Read more > San Francisco Business Times, April 2010

"New desert-friendly landscape, a focus on saving water and an emphasis on recycling everything from wine bottles to food waste already have paid dividends for Kimpton's FireSky Resort and Spa." Read more > Arizona Republic, April 2010

"Even the name, Eventi, evokes a hip gathering place of sorts, even though its location near the Garment District in what hotel management and publicity reps are calling North Chelsea—Sixth Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets—is just beginning to show signs of desirability and redevelopment." Read more > Incentive Magazine, April 2010

"Best restaurant and best chef: Nathan Powers, Bambara Salt Lake City. Bambara, one of Utah's best dining rooms, has brought on Nathan Powers and his mastery of flavor and confidence of restraint to the kitchen—making the food the best it's ever been." Salt Lake Magazine, April 2010

"Chefs we love: John Critchley. From the 16-th floor terrace of the Epic Hotel's Area 31 restaurant, named for the eco-friendly fishing area bordering Florida's entire peninsula, the spectacular skyscraper view suggests that relatively young downtown Miami has grown up into a true 21st-century urban center." Where Miami, April 2010

"Ed Levine, the food writer and founder of the Web site Serious Eats, for years has been discovering ways to keep his food finds fresh. 'I have availed myself of windowsills, fire escapes and a food tourist's best friend, the minibar,' he said. But the game is becoming easier. During a recent business trip to San Francisco, he had no trouble finding extra space in the coolers at the Harbor Court Hotel, where the general manager, Jason Stone, kept Mr. Levine's pastrami and other specialty food under lock and key." Read more > The New York Times, March 2010

"Getting drunk midday isn't exactly productive. Unless, that is, you're sitting at Sable Kitchen & Bar's (505 N. State St.) marble bartop, sipping impeccably prepared cocktails designed specifically for your meal. In this case, it's absolutely necessary to indulge. So we did." Read more > NBC Chicago, March 2010

"'Since early 2009, when Kimpton first joined Twitter and Facebook on a brand level, we have increasingly integrated social-media initiatives into nearly every aspect of our company,' said Niki Leondakis, COO of San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants." Read more > Hotel News Now, March 2010

"50 best restaurants: B&O American Brasserie. With its name-brand chef (E. Michael Reedit, who has a bunch of cooking creds) and smartly refurbishes digs once housing B&O railroad headquarters, the restaurant opened with much fanfare last year." Read more > Baltimore Magazine, March 2010

"Part of its staying power may have to do with its low overhead. 'I'd say there's a demand for yoga,' said Niki Leondakis, chief operating officer at Kimpton Hotels. 'It's also something that's operationally easy to offer, relatively speaking. 'It doesn't require expensive gear or lots of space. The beauty is in its simplicity.'" Read more > New York Times, February 2010

"Nearly two dozen Kimpton hotels are throwing Fido a bone. They're giving pooches and other pets a free photo op with Santa (owners snap)." Read more > USA Today, December 2009

KIMPTON 2009 MEDIA PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

"Boutique hotel chain Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC also uses Twitter to promote exclusive deals, including a recent offer of a 15% discount on KimptonStyle.com, its retail store (twitter.com/kimpton)." Read more > Wall Street Journal, December 2009

"For Kimpton Hotels, it is a small price to pay for the loyalty of someone like Mr. McHale, a Web entrepreneur who spends 50 or 60 nights a year on the road. And for Mr. McHale, the personal touches—part of the hotel chain's loyalty program—make it worth his while to seek out Kimpton's hotels." Read more > The New York Times, November 2009

"Ms. Wines—the master sommelier and wine director at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, a company in San Francisco, with nearly 50 restaurants in 15 states—has been garnering notice since winning the Remi Krug Cup in 2008. Taking a break from completing plans for Square 1682...Ms. Wines went shopping recently for stylish, functional wine storage..." Read more > The New York Times, October 2009

"Kimpton's Earthcare program probably makes their properties more environmentally friendly than your home. They even recycle wire hangers...so you can feel green and good about staying there." Read more > AOL's Green Daily, October 2009

"Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the largest boutique hotel company in the United States, announced a national partnership with The Nature Conservancy to support its ambitious Plant a Billion Trees campaign." Read more > Green Lodging News, October 2009

"A cause well suited for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants was the environment. With almost 50 boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the United States, officials recognized the chain's environmental impact, and [Kimpton] was the first hotel company to make sustainability a companywide focus." Success Magazine, October 2009

"Realizing that people are more sensitive than ever about outrageous costs in general, the boutique hotel chain Kimpton Hotels this summer launched a "Raid the Mini Bar" promo for Kimpton loyalty club members." Read more > USA Today's "Hotel Check-In" blog, September 2009

"Kimpton Hotels are always teen-friendly. And, if Fido or Fluffy can't go on vacation with you, you can ask to have a pet goldfish keep you company in your room! Kimpton has nearly 50 hotels around the country, so you will for-sure find your dream destination!" Read more > Seventeen magazine online, September 2009

"By creating a corporate culture of listening, Kimpton has been able to create a truly guest-centric hotel experience, something that frequently lands the company atop the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, which measures customer satisfaction." Hotels magazine, September 2009

"Preservation: 2009 World Savers Awards, Co-winner, Kimpton. Kimpton is not only a leading 'green' hotel chain-its properties are intimate, imaginative, and atmospheric. Nothing cookie-cutter here." Read more > Conde Nast Traveler, September 2009

"If you're into wine and also into taking care of our planet, consider Kimpton Hotels and restaurants for your next jaunt out of town." Read more > AOL's "Gadling" travel blog, August 2009

"Kimpton properties...are well known for their high level of customer service, as well as for being great places to work." Executive Travel, August 2009

"Guests at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada can add cocktails or breakfast to their stay for just a dollar." Read more > Wall Street Journal, May 2009

"Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants prizes personality, which is one reason why people who like to express themselves find it such a fine place to work." Read more > San Francisco Business Times, May 2009

"Hula-hooping for 20 seconds or playing Rock, Paper, Scissors for a chance at a room upgrade may be among the more innovative examples of this trend...Another Kimpton promotion, valid through December, offers guests either a cocktail or continental breakfast for $1." Read more > The New York Times, May 2009

"An innovative, urban boutique chain, Kimpton Hotels 'thinks outside the box' when it comes to healthy lifestyles...Kimpton's in-room Mind.Body.Spa. makes relaxation private and convenient..." Read more > Health magazine, May 2009

"This nationwide chain of boutique hotels has one of the cleverest promotions..." Read more > Gourmet.com, May 2009

"The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant group is one of the leading organizations that has consistently provided personal customer care throughout this economic downturn...everyone you meet welcomes you as though you are the most important guest." Read more > FastCompany.com, May 2009

"Long a favorite with LGBT travelers and the first hospitality company to score a 100% on HRC's equality index, Kimpton is spreading their Pride far and wide this summer with special 'pride' rates across the country." Read more > EDGEUnitedStates.com, May 2009

"As part of its Summer Playground promotion, Kimpton is doling out complimentary room upgrades if you hula-hoop for 20 seconds or play Rock, Paper, Scissors (and win)." Read more > Budget Travel's "This Just In" Blog, May 2009

"Kimpton Hotels have had an open-door pet policy for decades. That means no weight or breed restrictions. If you're traveling with more than one, no worries there either. Monkeys, birds and other friends of the family are honored guests, too. Chances are they even have a special organic treat for them on hand. And if not, they'll get it for you." Instinct Magazine, April 2009

"Through April 30, ask for the 'Sweet Tax Relief Package' and the hotel will pay the tax on your room... Dine at a property's restaurant, and they'll pay the sales tax there, too." Read more > SmartMoney.com, April 2009

"Book the 'Sweet Tax Relief Package' at a participating Kimpton hotel and you'll get a break on room tax—the hotel will pay it for you." Read more > Los Angeles Times' "Daily Travel and Deal" Blog, April 2009

"[Kimpton] the pioneer of boutique hotels continues to grow through stellar customer care and eco-friendly practices." Read more > Inc.com, April 2009

"...in the month of April, during its 'Sweet Tax Relief' promotion, many Kimpton Hotels will be covering all hotel taxes and sending guests home with PAYDAY, 100 Grand and Sugar Daddy candy." Read more > MSNBC.com, February 2009

"100 Best Companies to Work For...Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants...Operator of luxury boutique hotels navigated through travel climate by motivating employees with new training and reward programs." Read more > FORTUNE, February 2009

"[Kimpton] has launched a promotion that sends the right message. If you travel to one of its hotels on the train and can prove it with your ticket stub, it will knock 20% off your bill." Read more > Frommers.com, January 2009

"Now that...you've made those New Year's resolutions to shed some pounds, how will you maintain your goals when traveling? By availing yourself of Kimpton Hotels' 'January Jumpstart package,' of course." Read more > Delta Sky, January 2009

"Kimpton is offering a seriously good getaway package at 29 of their hotels in the United States and Canada. The Rub the One You're With package..." Read more > AOL's "Gadling" Blog, January 2009

KIMPTON 2008 MEDIA PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

"Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants wants to kick off the New Year by helping guests stick to healthy lifestyle resolutions." Read more > Wall Street Journal, December 2008

"'An Inconvenient Truth' made people want to go green. But those newbies were only catching up to the eco-friendly operations of San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants." Read more > Special Events, November 2008

"If you don't know Kimpton Hotels, you want to meet them...each Kimpton truly is distinctive and unique." Read more > Miami Herald's "Travels with Jane" Blog, November 2008

"Add-ons are big news: Today, Kimpton Hotels starts a promotion with continental breakfasts for two for $1." Read more > USA Today, October 2008

"Kimpton cares about the planet, and it's finding creative ways to lessen its impact on the environment as proof." Read more > Buildings magazine, September 2008

"Kimpton is anything but cookie-cutter...Kimpton's perpetual ever-evolving cool is the reason Lodging Hospitality is recognizing it as the industry's top chain." Read more > Lodging Hospitality, August 2008

"The company [Kimpton] wins extra points for advertising in LGBT media, donating to gay charitable causes and offering pride discounts..." Read more > Gay.com, June 2008

"The only hotel chain that seems to have staked out the tall traveler niche is Kimpton Hotels..." Read more > The New York Times, May 2008

"The consistent do-gooder of the hotel world, Kimpton Hotels started offering guests cash back for their checked baggage fees..." Read more > HotelChatter.com, May 2008

"If hotel chains had personalities, Kimpton's would be the effortlessly hip older sibling, the one who is trendsetting without being silly, confident but still approachable...each property has a distinctive look and feel that's intimately connected to its surroundings..." Read more > Entrepreneur magazine, May 2008

"With all their hotels employing earth-friendly practices tailored to location, Kimpton's campaign is one worth backing." Read more > Plenty magazine, April/May 2008

"Kimpton has hopped to..." Read more > Joe Sharkey at Large, April 2008

"An environmentally conscious revolution is underway at boutique hotelier Kimpton." Read more > HotelInteractive.com, March 2008

"Kimpton Hotels has much more on hand than the typical toothbrush, such as Static Guard or heating pads." Read more > Travel + Leisure, January 2008