I am sweltering in Scottsdale, Arizona today.  I here to  facilitate a strategic planning session tomorrow for the Arizona Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism and their National Service partners.  I am staying at the lovely Kimpton Hotels’, FireSky Resort and Spa…gorgeous place!  I am a big Kimpton fan ever since interviewing their COO, Niki Leondakis, for my forthcoming book on strategic business philanthropy.  Kimpton has a very well thought out community involvement program with national partners.

In the room, near the phone where the other literature on Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants is located, there is as always a brochure on Kimpton Cares, describing their approach to philanthropy.  In other Kimptons, I have seen posters in their elevators highlighting their partnerships.  Even the coffee sleeves for their free morning coffee feature information about their nonprofit partnerships.  I so appreciate that Kimpton takes every opportunity to present a consistent message in a variety of forms about how they support the community.  Makes it feel even better to me to stay at one of their lovely properties.

To read the article, “Kimpton Hotels — National Partnerships with Local Activities” written based on my interview with Niki Leondakis, COO, click here.

Industry: Hospitality

Headquarters: San Francisco, CA

Founder: Bill Kimpton

Founded: 1981

Markets: 41 hotels in 19 U.S. cities

Interviewed: Niki Leondakis, Chief Operating Officer

Kimpton Hotel is a national chain of individually branded and uniquely designed boutique hotels. The company specializes in stylish, eco-friendly accommodations with a focus on personalized, first-rate service. Perhaps the most well-known brand of Kimpton hotels is the Hotel Monaco, with locations in Chicago, Illinois, Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, San Francisco, California. Seattle, Washington, Washington, DC, Portland, OR and Alexandria, Virginia (slated to open in 2007). Other Kimpton sponsored and owned hotel chains are located in Los Angeles, California, Aspen, Colorado, Boston, Massachusetts, and a variety of other cities. Each hotel is individually designed to reflect the energy and personality of its location, history, and architectural style, and many are located in converted historical buildings. The hotels feature highly personalized services and in-room amenities, and one of a kind specialty rooms and suites. The signature elements of a Kimpton experience are care, comfort, style, flavor, and fun.

Kimpton’s community involvement philosophy is based on the concept that it is the corporation’s responsibility to be conscious of its impact on the environment and community and to make a difference where possible. Bill Kimpton’s philosophy of balance drives the company’s community efforts in that, through giving back, the company can mitigate any impact on the community and environment.

 Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC
222 Kearny St., Ste. 200
San Francisco, CA 94108
http://www.kimptonhotels.com
Kimpton Cares: http://www.kimptonhotels.com/kimpton_cares.aspx