Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Free-flowing evening wine, a genuine love of pets, and chef-driven restaurants that locals line up for: Kimpton reinvented the American hotel by making it feel like a stylish friend's home. Here is the story behind the brand, the experiences that set it apart, and how to unlock exclusive perks on your next stay.

The History of Kimpton

Kimpton was founded in 1981 by Bill Kimpton, a former investment banker who had fallen for the charming, character-filled boutique hotels of Europe and was dismayed to find nothing comparable in the United States. At a time when American hospitality was dominated by large, cookie-cutter chains, he converted a historic San Francisco building into a boutique hotel and effectively invented the category in America. His vision was radical for its day: unique, design-forward hotels with real personality, hosted evening wine receptions, pet-friendly policies, and service that felt like visiting a friend's stylishly decorated home rather than a corporate hotel. Kimpton grew into America's largest boutique hotel company and was acquired by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in January 2015 for roughly $430 million, gaining global reach while keeping its independent spirit. Today it operates more than 80 hotels and over 90 restaurants, bars, and lounges worldwide.

What Makes Kimpton Unique

Kimpton invented the American boutique hotel and still leads with signature touches no other brand quite replicates. Chief among them is the complimentary Evening Wine Hour (5 to 6 PM daily), when guests gather in the lobby for hosted wine, a tradition Bill Kimpton started to create a communal living-room feel. The brand is also the industry's most pet-friendly, welcoming animals of all sizes and breeds with no fees, no deposits, and no weight limits, from Great Danes to goldfish. Add yoga mats and fitness gear available in every room on request, bold and eclectic design where no two properties look alike, genuinely chef-driven restaurants rather than generic hotel dining, a famously friendly culture where staff are encouraged to be themselves, and the "Forgot It? We've Got It!" lending program. The guiding idea is simple: a hotel should feel like a friend's home, warm, stylish, and full of personality.

Your Exclusive Perks Through WhataHotel

Booking Kimpton through WhataHotel grants you access to IHG Destined benefits at no additional cost, with rates matching the best flexible rates available on ihg.com. You'll receive complimentary daily breakfast for two, a $100 USD property credit per stay (typical amount, applicable toward dining, spa, or other eligible services), a priority room upgrade confirmed 24 hours before arrival (subject to availability), early check-in and late checkout based on availability, a personalized VIP welcome amenity, and full IHG One Rewards points and elite-night credit. These perks come on top of Kimpton's complimentary offerings for all guests, including the Evening Wine Hour, pet-friendly policies, and in-room yoga mats. Everything is applied automatically when you book through WhataHotel with our $10.95 booking fee.

The Kimpton Evening Wine Hour

The Evening Wine Hour is Kimpton's beloved daily ritual, held every evening from 5 to 6 PM in the hotel lobby. Complimentary for all guests, this hosted reception turns the lobby into a communal living room where travelers and locals mingle over curated wines and light bites. Bill Kimpton introduced it because he believed hotels should foster human connection rather than isolate guests in their rooms, and it has become so iconic that it's frequently cited as a top reason guests choose Kimpton. Each property adds its own spin, from local winemakers to chef-paired bites and rotating seasonal themes, making it the perfect way to unwind, meet fellow travelers, and gather insider tips from staff who genuinely know their neighborhoods.

How Pet-Friendly Is Kimpton, Really?

Kimpton takes pet-friendliness to a level unmatched in hospitality: no pet fees, no deposits, no weight limits, and no breed restrictions, with every property welcoming every pet. Bill Kimpton was a passionate animal lover who believed that if you welcome pets, you should do it wholeheartedly rather than nickel-and-dime guests. Dogs receive beds, bowls, treats, and waste bags on arrival, and many properties have a designated Director of Pet Relations, often an adorable resident dog who greets guests in the lobby. Some locations add pet-sitting, dog-walking routes, nearby dog-park information, and partnerships with local pet businesses. The brand has hosted everything from cats and rabbits to ferrets and the occasional potbellied pig, making it the obvious choice for travelers who consider their pets family.

Chef-Driven Dining

Kimpton pioneered the idea of chef-driven, independently branded hotel restaurants, a revolutionary concept when Bill Kimpton introduced it in the 1980s. Rather than generic hotel dining rooms, each property houses a full destination restaurant with its own name, identity, chef, and local following. These aren't restaurants that happen to be in hotels; they're acclaimed establishments that happen to have a hotel attached, and many have earned James Beard nominations and local "best of" awards. With more than 90 restaurants, bars, and lounges worldwide, Kimpton dining is a genuine draw, and your complimentary breakfast and $100 property credit can be put toward some of the most creative culinary experiences in each city.

Booking Terms and Loyalty Points

Kimpton bookings through WhataHotel are made at the best available flexible rate and include a $10.95 booking fee. Most properties have no minimum stay, though some may require two nights during peak seasons. You'll earn full IHG One Rewards points and elite qualifying-night credits, and all IHG One Rewards elite benefits apply according to your tier (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, or Spire Elite), with the superior benefit honored wherever two overlap. Room upgrades are confirmed 24 hours before arrival (subject to availability), giving you advance certainty. The $100 property credit is issued once per stay and can be applied toward dining, spa, minibar, or other eligible amenities. Cancellation and modification policies follow each hotel's standard flexible-rate terms.