The Kimptons
I was a Kimpton devotee for a number of years. Until I wrote this post, however, I didn’t realize at how many I had stayed.
Anyway, that love dwindled as I became more committed to finding unique, boutique hotels and completely dissipated when IHG took over the Kimpton brand and I no longer received the personalized treats that had come from being a Kimpton “Inner Circle” member.
Nevertheless, there are a few Kimpton properties that are worthwhile and in which I’ll stay from time to time. Here is my list of the Kimpton hotels in which I have stayed (and which are still open — quite a few have closed in San Francisco, for example), ranked in order from best to worst. (According to their website, they have 67 properties in 37 cities.)
Goodland in Santa Barbara — It’s a stretch to say the hotel is in Santa Barbara (Kimpton has another property downtown), but I still liked this spot. It’s good for a staycation. (I mean, if you’re inclined to use stupid, made up words like “staycation,” which it seems I am.) It has a swanky, roadside motel feel, sort of the like the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, but with decidedly less douche bags. Also, the knobs on the bedside tables are bottle cap removers and there’s a turntable in the room. Nice.
Views from the Hollywood Hills rooms look like they were painted by Ed Ruscha.
Everly in Los Angeles — If you’re forced to stay in Hollywood, this is a perfect oasis from the dirty sidewalks and tourists. (Views from the “Hollywood Hills” rooms look like they were painted by Ed Ruscha.) I love the breakfast shrimp and grits at Jane Q (the downstairs cafe where they provide free newspapers!) and the common space on the first floor is excellent for getting work done. The staff is friendly, particularly for Los Angeles.
Epic Hotel in Miami — Get a super high floor and take lots of pictures of the skyline at night. (I did.) I stayed here after a two week trip to Cuba to celebrate the indulgence of capitalism. I don’t think I ever left the room. Why would I? It was hot outside and my bed was cozy.
Hotel Eventi in New York — I stayed here all of the time when I had a client in New Jersey and I wanted to stay in the city. It is super convenient to Penn Station and often has better rates than some of the other hotels close by. Don’t let being Penn Station-adjacent make you think the neighborhood isn’t good, because it is — both for bars and restaurants (I particularly like Hanjan on 26th.)
Hotel Palomar in Phoenix — This was a more recent Kimpton stay. They’re located across the street from the Talking Stick Resort Arena, which is where the local WNBA team — the Phoenix Mercury — plays. Since it was 110+ degrees, I appreciated being able to simply traipse across the street to watch the Mercury play my beloved Seattle Storm in this year’s championship semi-finals. Plus, the hotel has a deal with the gym across the plaza and it is a REALLY GOOD gym.
Ink 48 in New York — I stayed here when the rates at the other New York Kimptons (there were once more than there are now) were high or back when I worked for a company with an office nearby. It was the first place I took a bed photo and they once upgraded me to the Hudson River Suite, which was spectacular. Then there was the time that they stocked my room with a collection of John Hughes DVDs, which pretty much blew my mind. (Ah, life as a member of the Inner Circle…)
Mason & Rook in DC — This is definitely the most beautiful of the many Kimpton hotels in DC and its proximity to the restaurants on 14th Street make it a good spot for a stay. The common space — while not enormous, is decent for getting work done.
I have judged all hotel showers by this metric since.
Carlyle Hotel in DC — The rooms are bland but they have a decent restaurant (The Riggsby) that’s worth checking out and the location — near Dupont Circle — is great. I remember being thrilled by the fact that they had designed their showers so you didn’t need to be splashed with water while you waited for it to reach a comfortable temperature; it was the first time I had encountered this simple brilliance. I have judged all hotel showers by this metric since.
Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia — I had a crazy big room overlooking Independence National Historic Park. The decor was a little too “patriotic harlequin,” but it was fun, except for a slightly drunk and belligerent hotel bar patron, but all is forgiven.
Hotel Allegro in Chicago — The one and only time I ever showed up at a hotel thinking I had made a reservation and had not. They got me a room. I was relieved. It’s decor is not my taste, but did I mention they got me a room when I didn’t have a reservation?
The little desk in the room in that first hotel whispered, “This is where you will draft your suicide note.”
Onyx Hotel in Boston — Similarly, I checked in to the Onyx after checking out of a hotel that I had booked for a work trip that was potentially the most depressing place I’ve ever booked. The little desk in the room in that first hotel whispered, “This is where you will draft your suicide note.” The Onyx had a room for me and all is well.
George Hotel in DC — If you need to stay closer to Capitol Hill, the George is an option. I stayed here during a particularly hot spell in DC and they had installed a refrigerator by the front door filled with water bottles and cold wet washcloths with which to greet guests. I was impressed — and grateful.
Alexis Hotel in Seattle — Shit, it’s that word again: “staycation.” I stayed here one night because I gave my house to a friend for the night. I slept well. It’s downtown, kinda smack dab between Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market, so it’s convenient for tourists.
Hotel Monaco in DC — The Monaco is a good choice if you want to be near Penn Quarter, which I did for AFI Docs a couple years ago. The hotel is in the former General Post Office building and, perhaps as a result, the rooms are pretty large and stately. It’s worth noting that Jose Andres’ Oyamel is close by. (I love that place.)
Hotel Palomar in Chicago — I was in town for a conference, saw a couple of friends I don’t see very often and I had good conversation with the bartender at the hotel bar who was from Seattle. They have an indoor pool, which seems like a good idea in Chicago.
Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City — I had to go to a Sundance screening in Salt Lake City. I stayed here. The gym was decent. I had a good dinner at a Greek place called Manoli’s — a ten minute ride from the hotel — and met the owner, who is named Manoli. I remember little more, although the pillow on the bed had the image of salt shaker on it. Salt. Lake.
Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia — It is close to Rittenhouse Square and a 20 minute walk from the 30th Street train station if your luggage isn’t too heavy. I’m pretty confident I recall enjoying the restaurant.
Hotel Madera in DC — The Hotel Madera is also close to Dupont Circle, this time south of the Circle on New Hampshire. So, if you need to head to Georgetown, it’s an alternative to the Carlyle. I was stuck here during a snowstorm — DC is a city of weather extremes — and I appreciated my meals at Firefly downstairs.
Hotel Monaco in Denver — It has been YEARS since I stayed at this hotel because it has also been years since I stayed in Denver. I recall it primarily as the place where I was staying when I met my friend Kevin and I think it might be the first Kimpton in which I ever stayed. I’m sure it’s great. They’ve recently renovated. I’ll consider it if I ever do get back to Denver.
Nine Zero in Boston — There was an event I was attending in the hotel and they booked us rooms. I don’t remember much about the place although I have a mug from the hotel that my colleague convinced me to steal. I have too many mugs; I don’t steal. Maybe some day I will bring it back. The hotel probably deserves to be ranked higher in this list, but I also deserve to have a better long-term memory.
Hotel Palomar in DC — This is yet another Dupont Circle-adjacent Kimpton and one of my least favorite of the group. I was once on the too small elevator with a couple that decided to dry hump (complete with loud groaning noises) so it may just be the resulting trauma that has colored my perspective on this place.
It’s not cool and will not make you think of Portlandia.
Riverplace Hotel in Portland OR — Things I remember: it’s by the river, you can easily walk downtown, and I don’t think I spent much time there. It’s not cool and will not make you think of Portlandia.
Hotel Palomar in Beverly Hills — The hotel is in Westwood; it’s not Beverly Hills. But it’s fine and close to UCLA if you need to be in that part of town. I did.
Muse Hotel in New York — This place is too close to Times Square. I hate Times Square. I don’t hate this hotel, but I hate Times Square. Sorry, Muse.
Rouge Hotel in DC — Kimpton hotel decor can be gaudy; and some dip their toes in Euro-trashy chic. Rouge is one of those hotels. It is also Dupont Circle-adjacent, but since I have demonstrated to you that there are 15,000 Dupont Circle-adjacent Kimpton hotels in DC, you can find something better.
Topaz Hotel in DC - See Rouge Hotel in DC. Same story.
Donovan Hotel in DC — The first time I checked in to the Donovan I turned on the TV to the local news and saw a report about someone having been murdered recently in the same hotel. This is not the hotel’s fault, but it definitely made me feel less inclined to stay there again. The location is not that appealing either; there are better options in DC.
Hotel Wilshire in Los Angeles — This place depresses me. Its front desk is chintzy, making you feel uneasy about what lies ahead, even though the rooms aren’t half bad. The real problem is location. I admittedly lived relatively close by at one point, but it’s the kind of location that is going to leave a vacationing family feeling like LA is a depressing let down (which it can easily be).
Hotel Monaco in Seattle — The wi-fi didn’t work and they told me to turn my laptop on and off. Screw you.