"These award winners are just a few of the people whose contribution is the reason Kimpton continues to be a leader in the hospitality industry," said Niki Leondakis, Kimpton's Chief Operating Officer.  "They have consistently provided leadership that reinforces one or more aspects of Kimpton's signature elements of care, comfort, style, flavor, and fun, for our guests."

Following is a list of the award winners:

Hotel Awards

• Bill Kimpton: The General Manager that inspires by living the Kimpton Culture Statement - Ron Vlasic, Hotel Allegro Chicago 

• Creativity: The General Manager that demonstrates the most creative approach to operating their hotel, utilizing a creative partnership with the community - Sandy Burkett, Hotel Vintage Park Seattle 

• Gracious Host: The General Manager that provides the most quality time with their guest and consistent performance with guest satisfaction - Joseph Schwingler, Hotel Monaco New Orleans 

• Leadership: The General Manager that has demonstrated a commitment to their own personal growth as well as the development of others - Barry Pollard, Argonaut Hotel San Francisco 

• Best Balance (Investor/Guest/Employee): The General Manager with the best financial performance, guest feedback and employee survey results - John Curnow, Sky Hotel Aspen 

• Positive Attitude: The General Manager that has demonstrated the most positive attitude and commitment to the overall sales effort of the team under tough conditions - Peter Koehler, Hotel Palomar San Francisco 

• Diversity: The General Manager that embraces and celebrates diversity, principles, spirit, marketing and employee programs - Lisa Kershner, Cypress Hotel Cupertino 

• Bravo: The hotel that has the most unique and consistent recognition program - Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, Mass.

• Survival: The General Manager that demonstrates the ability to successfully handle extraordinary and unexpected business challenges with balance and a sense of humor - Jorge Trevino, Hotel Monaco Washington D.C.

• Focus: A sense of integrity for the restaurant's concept in all aspects of the restaurant - Tricia Cominsky, General Manager/John Wabeck, Executive Chef, Firefly in Washington D.C.

• Passion: An intense enthusiasm for what the individual does that is evident in his/her work - Jon Rader, General Manager/Staffan Terje, Executive Chef, Scala's Bistro in San Francisco

• Personality: The spark that sets them apart from the crowd - Belinda Chang, Sommelier, Fifth Floor in San Francisco

• Individuality: Each Kimpton Restaurant is a unique concept and this award recognizes this person for their individual and diverse contribution - Ricky Moore, Executive Chef, South Water Kitchen in Chicago

• Creativity: In the kitchen and in the dining room, a use of inventiveness and imagination at work - Jason McClure, Executive Chef, Sazerac in Seattle

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to making small incremental improvements in our businesses and ourselves each and every day - Heather Blume, General Manager/Robert Barker, Executive Chef, Bambara Salt Lake City

• Culture: Consistent commitment to the Kimpton culture that inspires those around them - Amy Svendberg, General Manager/Heather Terhune, Executive Chef, Atwood Café in Chicago

• Mentor: Demonstrates above and beyond dedication to the coaching, development and training of others - Suzanne Halperin-McIntosh, Regional Director of Catering, 312 Chicago, South Water Kitchen, Hotel Allegro, Encore in Chicago

• Can-Do Will-Do: Willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done, while maintaining a positive attitude - Lance Shorr, General Manager/Sharyl Seim, Executive Chef, Kuleto's Italian Restaurant in San Francisco

• Bravo: Restaurant team that consistently recognizes their employees with a focus on the morale of the restaurant - Tulio in Seattle

Winners were selected by the Kimpton Leadership team and by their peers through a year-long evaluation and nomination process. Awards were presented at the Annual Gala earlier this spring.

Kimpton is a San Francisco-based company known for its collection of stylish boutique hotels that are coupled with bustling chef-driven restaurants.  Founded in 1981, the company currently operates 39 hotels and restaurants across the United States and Canada. Kimpton's combination of boutique-style, four-star service and an adjacent destination restaurant has proven a great success.  Kimpton's signature elements are care, comfort, style, flavor and fun. The company recently opened the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, Mass. and the Argonaut Hotel located in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park at Fisherman's Wharf.  Upcoming openings include: Onyx Hotel in Boston in May of 2004, 70 Park Avenue Hotel in New York City in July of 2004 and the Hotel Solamar in San Diego in April of 2005.