Douponce will direct operations at the Hotel Palomar Los Angeles to fully realize the new upscale boutique hotel�s potential. An industry veteran, Douponce has held executive positions at Outrigger Lodging Services, Carlson Companies, Radisson Hotel Corp. and Aston Hotels and Resorts. 

�John is an excellent addition to the Hotel Palomar team. His diverse background and proven leadership skills will help Hotel Palomar Los Angeles get off to a stellar start,� said Mike DeFrino, senior vice president of hotel operations for Kimpton. 

The Hotel Palomar Los Angeles, with its unique approach to the sophisticated boutique hotel market represents a welcome challenge, Douponce said. �I am thrilled to be in a position to offer something truly novel and exciting to an exacting clientele. With its launch this spring, the Hotel Palomar Los Angeles will be recognized as one of the city�s finest boutique hotels and it will stand alone as a destination that truly captures the vibrant Los Angeles landscape,� Douponce said.

The Hotel Palomar Los Angeles is situated adjacent to Beverly Hills in the heart of Los Angeles� thriving Westwood neighborhood, at 10740 Wilshire Blvd. For more information visit www.kimptonhotels.com.

ABOUT HOTEL PALOMAR
Hotel Palomar is a sophisticated boutique hotel that draws inspiration from the world of art to make each guest�s stay relaxing and indulgent. Music, visual art, film, architecture, fashion, dance and literature are the basis for Hotel Palomar�s uniquely elegant and stimulating style. 

ABOUT KIMPTON 
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is the first and leading collection of boutique hotels throughout the United States and Canada.  Founded by Bill Kimpton in 1981, privately held Kimpton offers services and design elements focused on care, comfort, style, flavor and fun.  Every Kimpton hotel reflects the energy, personality and pulse of its location, history and architectural style.  Each property features personalized guest services, comforting in-room amenities, specialty rooms and suites, and provides a range of exciting culinary experiences through affiliated top-rated destination chef-driven restaurants.  Kimpton takes pride in its commitment to social responsibility and leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare programs. In addition, Kimpton demonstrates a unique dedication to its female guests with the Women InTouch program, offering comfortable and safe environments, in-room fitness and wellness options as well as the company's unique "Forgot It, We've Got It" honor bar, providing essentials that women travelers may have forgotten at home.  Among the company's newest properties are the Hotel Palomar in Washington D.C., which opened in July 2006, and the Hotel Palomar Dallas, which opened in August, 2006. Additional projects are underway in Southern California, Texas, Florida and Virginia.  For more information, please visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON. 

Kimpton Hotels
Stacey Ellis
415-955-5492
[email protected]