Kimpton Loyalists on Social Media Not Loving the IHG News

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

https://twitter.com/BodyworkByJon/status/544708379218694144

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

https://twitter.com/LinzerB/status/544694221081681920

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