I don’t know if it’s a phase or what, but “big box” hotels and mega chains have begun to grate on my nerves. For sure, the big chain hotels sometimes make sense depending on where you are, but more often than not lately, I’m finding myself in a Kimpton Hotel when one is available. My travel patterns have evolved over time, and I find myself traveling to bigger cities much more often where Kimpton has a property (or 9) as opposed to pondunkville where a Hampton Inn is the equivalent to a 5-star hotel. Granted, nothing wrong with Hampton Inns in a lot of cases. 🙂
I have a handful of reviews in the pipeline, but after a few Kimpton stays this year, I’ve come to appreciate the little things they do that set them apart from the other chains. Social media interaction is fun, but where it really matters is at the hotels themselves and the interaction with people. Further, while I love consistency of service, I like a little variety and uniqueness when it comes to hotel properties. Kimpton wins at all of these. Of course, there’s a merger to be done with IHG, and I can’t help but wonder how that will impact the Kimpton experience, but for now, I couldn’t be happier.
2015 is a year of transition for a lot of us in loyalty. While airlines tend to get all the attention lately, I’m playing the field with hotels too, and so far, Kimpton is winning with me. Have your hotel loyalties evolved along with your airline loyalty habits?
-MJ, June 1, 2015
Nice comment about Podunkville where a Hampton passes as a five star. Been thar. Now that I’ve got lifetime SPG platinum status, I’m looking for new hotels particularly for foreign travel. Does Kimpton have a good program? I’ll have to try ’em when I get a chance.
John, they have a good program but it is more perk based than points based. You earn free nights based on your number of nights spent. The downside is that they have a rather small and exclusively domestic footprint. I don’t have to spend as much time in smaller towns as I used to so they work pretty well for me. The big question is what will happen now that they’ve been purchased by IHG? But do give them a try sometime if it aligns with your travel patterns.
Ok. Thanks for the info.
Outside the US rarely stay at US based chains. Why be in a place full of Americans and surrounded by tourist and shopping traps. Instead stay in up and coming areas with better restaurants.
And in the US unless it’s an airport hotel or need to be in a city center for work, pretty much avoid them as well. Priceline, Tablet, and yes even Air BnB fit the bill much better.
I totally agree! Especially when, after yours truly tweeted a whine about you posting yet another photo of a glass of wine, Kimpton’s crack social media team tweets me last minute specials! Will likely do a weekend in DC this summer and collect a couple new ones!
I’m a fan of any hotel that has a resident cat or dog. I miss my cats when I travel. Seeing a cat at the hotel makes me feel at home.
Originality and character are important to me when it comes to a hotel. Although not possible everywhere, staying at a hotel should be a bit of adventure in itself. I prefer boutique or independent hotels.