Skift Take
Kimpton has a very loyal group of customers, all of whom hope the new big-box owner IHG doesn't mess with their beloved brand or, more importantly, its loyalty program. But little chance that stays untouched in the medium to long term.
The big news to break this evening, that big-box hotel brand InterContinental Hotels Group is buying the boutique darling Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Group, is eliciting some strong reactions by Kimpton-loyalists and rewards members on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/maxwell317/status/544704608502050816
https://twitter.com/adamrenz/status/544696046413045761
https://twitter.com/joesentme/status/544700094181019649
Should I b surprised? No, but I am. This hotel has abandoned the founding principles of #BillKimpton #kimpton @Kimpton #Greed #travel #hotel
— J. (@BodyworkByJon) December 16, 2014
https://twitter.com/NikiTaz/status/544697929697480704
@Kimpton Sad to hear about today's news. This is not good news for the loyal customers or employees. It's the slow death of your brand.
— Jerry Diaz (@jerryinphx) December 16, 2014
@jerryinphx @Kimpton @IHG Jerry- I was just thinking that. Now it will be all about cutting corners, paying less, and less customer focus.
— Jan Stevens (@soldiablo) December 16, 2014
Could allow expansion, but fear loss of culture: @Kimpton has agreed to be acquired by @IHG. http://t.co/7F8KDEAUU5. #tourism
— Jon Stephens (@RockhillStrat) December 16, 2014
Hope @IHG doesn't destroy @Kimpton brand, said this Inner Circle member.
— Mike Huckman (@MikeHuckman) December 16, 2014
Well I hope @Kimpton employees don't lose their jobs- they are what makes the Kimpton brand so unique and wonderful! @ihg @IHGCare
— Kathy – Will Run For Miles 🏃♀️✈️ (@katruns26point2) December 16, 2014
And the reaction on Kimpton’s announcement post on Facebook is even more detailed and pointed, see the screenshot below and click through to check the comments:
Some are optimistic and hope IHG leaves the brand alone:
https://twitter.com/alexabboud/status/544690422585753601
https://twitter.com/brendono/status/544698157561810945
@Kimpton I'm game :) Just hope you don't lose your awesome boutique heritage. Definitely a loyal fan – 65 nights this year alone!
— Andrea Carrothers (@acarrothersRD) December 16, 2014
I've been a @Kimpton fan for years now. Their handling of the @IHG announcement makes me respect them professionally. Strong Twitter work.
— LinzerB (@LinzerB) December 16, 2014
Speaking of which, a surprisingly sprightly social media tea at Kimpton is hard at work this evening, responding to these tweets, however negative they are. Usually a variation of these two tweets:
Our loyal guests & our employees make us who we are. And who we are is here to stay. Hope you believe that, because we do, @jerryinphx.
— Kimpton (@Kimpton) December 16, 2014
We'll continue to operate as our own quirky, distinctive, irreverent, wine-guzzling (who said that?) brand, @SterlingTravelr.
— Kimpton (@Kimpton) December 16, 2014
And at least IHG-loyalist is happy. That counts for something:
IHG buys Kimpton? Hmm…that IHG platinum elite status just got a lot more appealing.
— Corey Bennett (@coreybbennett) December 16, 2014
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