Miami, FL - November 2004 � Claudia Passamonti has been named Director of Sales & Marketing at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove, Kimpton Hotels� first Florida property. Passamonti will supervise all marketing initiatives, help generate revenue for the hotel and be a key constituent in business development plans. �Claudia has extensive knowledge of the South Florida market which will prove to be a vital asset in building business for the Mayfair Hotel & Spa,� commented Hans Bratt, general manager of The Mayfair Hotel & Spa. �She has proven herself as a great leader and has a successful record

Claudia Passamonti

Passamonti has 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry in South Florida. She most recently spent seven years at Wyndham International in Miami, Florida in multiple management positions where she earned the �Manager of the Year� award in 2000, 2002 and 2003.

�I am honored to be working under the Kimpton umbrella at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa. They are a landmark hotel in Coconut Grove with a reputation of superior quality and service,� commented Passamonti.  �My goal is to utilize my expertise in the industry and the market to help establish the Mayfair Hotel & Spa as part of this leading lifestyle hotel group.�

Passamonti has an A.S. from Broward Community College in Broward, Florida and is currently pursuing a B.A. from Florida International University in Miami, Florida where she currently resides.  Throughout her career, Passamonti has held sales and marketing positions at leading hotel chains, including Hilton and Marriott, in both the United States and Venezuela.  She is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian and has a working knowledge French and Portuguese.

With chic style and eclectic elegance, the Mayfair Hotel & Spa is a AAA Four-Diamond hotel, rich with unique architectural design, finely appointed rooms, luxury amenities and service.  Located within walking distance to Biscayne Bay, just 10 minutes from downtown Miami and 15 minutes from the Miami International Airport and South Beach, the Mayfair Hotel is a perfect place for business travelers and tourists alike. Guests enjoy the benefit of shopping, dining, exploring museums and art galleries, listening to live music, and partaking in the radiant nightlife all within walking distance of the hotel. 

Kimpton is a San Francisco-based company known for its collection of stylish independent lifestyle hotels that are coupled with fine chef-driven restaurants. Founded in 1981, the company currently operates 38 hotels and restaurants across the United States and Canada. Kimpton's combination of unique design, outstanding 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 Onyx Hotel in Boston, and 70 Park Avenue Hotel in New York City.  Kimpton will re-launch the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove, Florida in early 2005 and the Hotel Solamar will open in San Diego in April of 2005.  Kimpton will also be expanding to South Beach, Florida in 2005 and additional projects are also underway in Chicago and the Washington D.C. area.