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.
Disappointed by @Kimpton news. I have traveled a lot of places & stayed at many hotels. Kimpton was always above the rest.
— Todd Maxwell (@maxwell317) December 16, 2014
Please don't be evil @IHG. I swapped to @Kimpton because I needed the love and personality they offered when no one else was.
— Adam Renz (@adamrenz) December 16, 2014
Kimpton already dropped announcement on Karma members. It might be remembered as the last time Kimpton acted like Kimpton. IHC not good fit
— JoeSentMe.com (@joesentme) December 16, 2014
Should I b surprised? No, but I am. This hotel has abandoned the founding principles of #BillKimpton #kimpton @Kimpton #Greed #travel #hotel
— Jon (@BodyworkByJon) December 16, 2014
@Kimpton I cried when I heard this news. I've never cried for the demise of a hotel chain before, but this is very sad news indeed.
— NikiTaz (@NikiTaz) December 16, 2014
@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 (@myredmondonline) 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
— 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:
If @IHG buying @Kimpton means more growth and more places where I can stay at Kimpton Hotels, I'm all for it.
— Alex Abboud (@alexabboud) December 16, 2014
I’m a huge fan of @Kimpton hotels. They are being acquired by IHG. I hope they know what a killer brand they’ve got—and allows it to thrive.
— Brendon Cull (@brendono) December 16, 2014
@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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Tags: intercontinental hotel group, kimpton