Last Updated on September 10, 2024 by Katrina

Photo credit: Kimpton Hotels

Category: Upscale

Rewards Program: IHG Rewards Club

Personality: Charming, Local, Artsy

What is it like to stay at a Kimpton Hotel?

In a nutshell: Kimpton Hotels was a pioneer in the boutique hotel realm. When Bill Kimpton launched the brand in San Francisco in 1981, he envisioned the smaller hotels he loved in Europe. Now with more than 75 properties in 48 cities—mostly in North America—Kimptons appeal to both business travelers who want a hotel with personality and weekenders who want to explore the heart of a city.

What to expect: A small, friendly hotel, but one with an urbane sensibility. Kimptons are known for friendly customer service and perks like evening wine tastings and loaner bicycles. They are often located in older, rehabbed downtown buildings. They pride themselves on reflecting their neighborhoods—typically the kinds of areas that have a buzzing culinary or arts scene. Because they are smaller, Kimptons often have streamlined versions of big-city-hotel amenities like a pool, on-site dining or fitness center.

Design: The Kimpton’s overriding aesthetic is colorful and contemporary, leaning into minimalist and modern and accented with bold colors. The design often nods to their settings. That may be French detailing in New Orleans or grey, tailored accents in a former bank building in Chicago.

Room categories: Standard rooms come with either one king or two queen beds, and range from about 250 to 350 square feet. Not all Kimptons offer suites, but those that do feature the same king-or-two-queen-bed arrangement, plus a separate living area. Rooms typically come with Frette linens and Atelier Bloem bath amenities.

Club Floor Upgrade: Only a few Kimptons offer Club Level rooms, with access to a special lounge with snacks and drinks.

Fun Fact: Kimpton offers up a longer-than-you’d-expect list of toothbrush-type things that you can borrow or even just have from the front desk—from cell phone chargers to lip balm, humidifiers, and TSA-approved bags for liquids.

Kimpton Amenities

Breakfast: Paid breakfast is available at onsite restaurants, and some hotel packages bundle breakfast into your rate.

 On-Site Dining: Kimptons typically have at least one on-site restaurant, in the spirit of a neighborhood café or bistro. There is typically free coffee and tea in the lobby, while evenings feature a social hour with drinks and snacks.

Room Service: Yes

Wi-Fi: Kimptons typically offer paid Wi-Fi in guestrooms, and free Wi-Fi in public areas. IHG Rewards members get free Wi-Fi in guestrooms.

Fitness Room: Most Kimpton properties have a fitness center with cardio and weight equipment, sometimes with specialty equipment like Pelotons. Rooms also come with their own yoga mats. You can head out for a class or practice in your room. Or borrow a bike at the front desk, using a map of nearby routes.

Spa: Some Kimpton properties have spas, though perhaps smaller than bigger hotels. Some Kimptons don’t have spas, but do offer in-room spa services.

Pet Friendly: Kimpton is very pet-friendly, offering a check-in amenity for your animal friend plus loaner beds and dishes. Kimptons do not charge fees or have restrictions on pets. Its site says, “if your pet fits through the door, we’ll welcome them in.”

Kids: The Kimpton Kids program offers a lot of perks for an otherwise small hotel, from welcome amenities to kids’ menus, a kids happy hour and loaner hula hoops.