IHG eyes UK expansion for Kimpton Hotels
IHG bought the boutique chain for $430m in 2015 and has since announced plans to launch the first Kimpton outside the United States in Amsterdam in 2017, followed by Paris in 2020.
Now the group could be set to add a UK opening to its pipeline.
An IHG spokesperson told BigHospitality: “Kimpton is the kind of brand we can see in London, Paris, Milan and Berlin, as well as other global cities around the world.”
The group fuelled speculation about its expansion following the appointment of Jacque Riley, former communications director for Kimpton East USA, as brand director of Kimpton in Europe last week.
Tom Rowntree, VP brand management, luxury and boutique brands, Europe, said: “Jacque’s appointment is key to delivering the launch of the brand across the region and supporting our wider business strategy.
“Our focus is to maintain all that makes the Kimpton brand special and loved, whilst bringing the brand to life in new markets, languages and cultures.”
Kimpton claims it was one of the first boutique hotel and restaurant companies to launch in the USA in 1981.
The brand is known for offering guests yoga mats in each bedroom, a hosted evening Wine Hour, and complimentary bikes to explore the area.
It currently operates more than 65 hotels and 70 bars and restaurants in over 30 cities in the USA.
