Kimpton Goes Global With First Property in Europe
Kimpton Hotels and their loyalty program, Kimpton Karma Rewards, have a small footprint but strong and loyal following. Even though IHG acquired Kimpton in early 2015, they are taking things one step at a time and not rushing the integration.
Earlier this week, IHG announced the signing of the first Kimpton hotel outside of the Americas. I heard the news and immediately started pondering where it could be. Kimpton has boutique hotels in great locations around the United States, and each one is unique just like their Karma Rewards program.
Kimpton’s website revealed that the location would be Amsterdam, and made me think of bicycles, canals, and all of the wonderful restaurants.
What delightfully unique hotel was chosen as Kimpton’s first property outside of the US?
The Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre, which is already under the IHG umbrella of properties and has a rate that hovers around $300 a night.
The hotel already gets rave reviews, in part because of the stellar location which is just a 5 minute walk from the central train station and less than 2 minute walk to the tram.
To transform the hotel into a proper Kimpton property, the hotel will see a complete renovation of the 270 guest rooms, restaurants, lobby and facilities and is set to be finished in 2017.
The location for Kimpton’s global debut makes perfect sense to me, since Kimpton properties are always in great locations. I guess I’m a little surprised that IHG chose to pick a property already in their portfolio though rather than an independent hotel in Amsterdam to keep the spirit of the boutique concept.
It is absolutely wonderful to see Kimpton expand their footprint globally though, and I keep my fingers crossed that somehow IHG will preserve the unique distinction of Kimpton and Kimpton Karma Rewards’ personalized service somehow even after the integration is complete.
What do you think of Kimpton’s first global property?
