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