SAN FRANCISCO (May 14, 2013) – Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today it will expand its footprint in the Southern California market with the management of a new four-star hotel in Palm Springs.

Slated for a 2015 opening, the new construction, luxury hotel will feature 190 rooms and a lively rooftop bar and pool – the first of its kind for Palm Springs. Located in the epicenter of the city’s newly revitalized downtown on North Palm Canyon Drive, the hotel will also offer a chef-driven, destination restaurant and more than 24,000 square feet total event and meeting space, as well as picturesque views of the Mount San Jacinto State Park.

For Kimpton, the new Palm Springs property represents an important expansion of the brand’s presence in Southern California, joining existing hotels in Los Angeles (Hotel Palomar Westwood and the Hotel Wilshire), Santa Barbara (Canary Hotel) and San Diego (Hotel Solamar, Hotel La Jolla and the Hotel Palomar San Diego). The hotel also signifies continued momentum for Kimpton’s real estate and development team, with this being the fourth addition to the portfolio announced this year, following announcements for new properties in Savannah, San Antonio and Milwaukee. Overall, the San Francisco-based hotel and restaurant company now operates 58 hotels and 67 restaurants, bars and lounges in 24 cities.

“Kimpton has established a strong following in the Southern California market with the success of our properties in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego, which makes Palm Springs a natural choice for extending our brand,” said Kimpton CEO Mike Depatie. “It’s exciting for us to be a part of the city’s downtown revitalization as the first new construction property in the area since the late 1980s.  We’re confident that we’ll bring something unique to the city as it continues to evolve as a tourist and group travel destination.”

Kimpton was selected for the management contract by hotel developer and owner, Wessman Development Company, one of Coachella Valley’s leading specialists in developing first-class commercial, residential and mixed-use projects.

“With its reputation for combining upscale design and creative amenities with warm and welcoming customer service and chef-driven restaurants, Kimpton was a natural choice for us with this hotel,” explained Wessman Development Company President and Owner John Wessman. “They are also a familiar and well-loved brand in the Southern California market, and we believe a Kimpton hotel will be especially well-received here in Palm Springs.”

ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. In 1981 Bill Kimpton founded the company that today is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through authentic and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and embodying a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Adjacent to the hotels are locally-loved, top-rated, Kimpton restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately held Kimpton has been recognized by Fortune Magazine four times as a Best Company to Work, most recently in 2012.  The company operates 58 hotels and 67 restaurants, bars and lounges in 24 cities. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.

ABOUT WESSMAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
Founded in 1968, Wessman Development has grown to become one of Coachella Valley’s leading development companies specializing in first-class commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects. Headquartered in the heart of downtown Palm Springs and spearheaded by President and Owner, John Wessman and Senior Vice President Michael Braun, the company is engaged in the development and management of shopping centers, restaurants, offices, medical centers, industrial buildings and apartment complexes. Wessman Development currently owns and administers 24 commercial properties with more than 300 tenants throughout Southern California, along with 120 residential apartments. Partnering with some of the region’s most recognized names, Wessman Development has also helped create several new villages of custom and semi-custom homes in Coachella Valley. In addition, the company is currently involved in extensive mixed-use redevelopment project in downtown Palm Springs and several housing projects throughout the Coachella Valley. For more information, please visit www.wessmandevelopment.com.