| July 19, 2006 - San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels has achieved success
in an unusual way � with �a brand that is not a brand.� Founded in
1981, Kimpton was not widely known for many years because none of its properties
carried the company name. But the chain is credited with creating
the boutique hotel concept long before the W, Indigo and Ian Schrager capitalized
on its idea. Kimpton has doubled in size since 1999 and now operates
46 unique properties in the US and Canada that carry a cachet often compared
with Four Seasons Hotels. Every property is different with a distinct
personality and atmosphere. And that has sometimes presented challenges.
�Since each of our hotels is unique, brand standards were not our focus
before now,� said Edgar Elliott, Kimpton�s director of pre-opening and
FF&E. �With our growth to over 40 properties, however, we have
had to develop standards for most areas of operations; it would be too
complex otherwise. When it comes to specifying suppliers we only
work with companies that we can trust to deliver value.� Guest
room hotel safes are one example of how Kimpton sets standards for
suppliers. �Safes are an amenity we don�t charge for, but they have
to work every time for every guest,� Elliott explained. �What separates
one company from another is dependability and service. Kimpton has
been installing Challenger safes from Hospitality
Safe Corporation for four years.�
.
Kimpton�s properties are located in cities from San Francisco to Boston,
New York, Washington, DC and other areas. With so many locations,
all of them elegant hotels without flags, it is surprising that Kimpton
operates like a chain offering its own guest loyalty program and standardized
promotions, like its Girlfriend's Getaway Packages, uniformly across its
entire portfolio. �What makes Kimpton special is that each property
is like no other,� Edgar Elliott said. �Our hotels are unique, but
we operate as a collective whole to take advantage of our purchasing power
as a group whether in reservations, or other purchases. We direct
our properties to purchase from only one or two vendors, whether it is
electronic
hotel safes or linens. We use Challenger safes in our properties
because Hospitality Safe Corporation understands our business and keeps
its promises.�
Kimpton offers unusual settings and decor and provides guests with many
free amenities. Some amenities included are HSIA, in-room yoga kits and
wine tasting. Most Kimpton properties are also attached to trendy
restaurants known for style and great food; this is another departure from
typical chain thinking.
. |
70 Park Avenue Hotel
New York, New York |
The Hospitality Safe Corporation Challenger series used by Kimpton provides
a seven-year guarantee with every installation. Each safe comes with
an ADA-approved large-button keypad, and guests can lock and unlock the
door with either a customized PIN or credit card. For added security
each unit records the 200 most recent safe openings and closings for viewing
to verify guest use or unauthorized entry. The newest M17 model Challenger
safe accommodates all laptop computers, including the popular new 17-inch
laptops.
About Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, LLC
 Founded
by Bill Kimpton in 1981, San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
is a unique collection of boutique hotels coupled with chef-driven destination
restaurants. While all Kimpton Hotels are thoughtfully appointed and managed
to help guests maintain and enrich their lifestyles on the road, each is
individually designed to reflect the energy, personality, and pulse of
its distinct location, history, and architectural style. Featuring highly
personalized guest services, comforting in-room amenities, and one-of-a-kind
specialty rooms and suites, Kimpton Hotels provide travelers with welcoming
atmospheres that embrace its signature elements of care, comfort, style,
flavor, and fun. Kimpton takes pride in its social responsibility, supporting
select like-minded partners and is a leader in ecological practices. Kimpton
currently operates boutique hotels with restaurants throughout the United
States and Canada. For more information, please visit www.kimptonhotels.com
or call 1-800-KIMPTON.
About Hospitality Safe Corporation
 Hospitality
Safe Corporation, based near Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is the market leader
in protecting guest valuables and peace of mind for the hospitality industry.
Founded in 1995, Hospitality Safe Corporation manufactures, sells and services
the Challenger� series of high-quality and versatile electronic in-room
safes. Challenger is widely known for its well-engineered design
that includes three interchangeable parts, which are stocked at the hotel,
to ensure the safes are always operational. Over 150,000 Challenger
series electronic safes are installed in the finest full-service super-casinos,
luxury and midscale hotels and resorts worldwide. Hospitality Safe
Corporation also specializes in supplying safes for management and ownership
operations in the pre-construction phase. Clients include Pacific
Monarch Resorts, Inc., Hyatt, Hilton, Best Western, Ritz-Carlton, Westin,
Four Seasons, Holiday Inn, Hawthorne Suites, Wingate, Super 8, Sheraton
and many more. |