One thing that hasn’t changed about travel is the joy of dreaming about where you’ll go next. From perusing destinations to salivating over menus, the fun of planning is in the anticipation of future experiences—especially when you’ll stay at a Kimpton hotel. With more than 60 boutique hotels across the United States, (plus nine more globally and growing) the brand has a property in basically every top destination, plus chef-driven restaurants and bars on site and a range of new safety and cleanliness protocols to make your stay even more appealing.
Guests can look forward to everything from socially distanced pop-up restaurants to dining under the stars, as well as new programming to enhance their experience. Kimpton’s signature Morning Kick-Start now features complimentary coffee, a “Kimpton Get Up + Go” playlist, and free access to Press Reader content that guests can access on their personal devices. Evening Social Hour means seasonal hosted drinks to kick back and enjoy in the comfort of your room. Instead of minibars, there are pop-up bodegas at the front desk for cold drinks and snacks, and the “Forgot It? We Got It” amenity now includes single-use gloves and masks for added protection.
Fun activities and the way Kimpton has adapted to the new norm make the brand the obvious choice when planning a vacation this spring or summer. Read on for our favorite hotels, from beach resorts to city stays, to help you plan the ultimate trip.
If you’re seeking some fun in the sun…
Nothing but blue skies at the rooftop pool of one of Miami’s newest hotels, the Kimpton Palomar South Beach.
Newly opened, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach sits on the edge of Miami’s hot new neighborhood, Sunset Harbour, where you’ll find tons of trendy cafes, restaurants, and wellness studios—all walkable and with a more laid-back vibe than the touristy areas. At the property itself, there’s a two-tiered rooftop with a pool and ocean views, plus socially distanced oversized lounge chairs. Guests can also expect rooftop yoga classes with the same high safety standards that all Kimpton properties have, as well as access to the private Kimpton Beach Club and activities like yacht rentals and stand-up paddle boarding in Biscayne Bay.
Poolside at Ella’s Cottages means a multitude of ways to relax.
Other beachy options include any one of Kimpton’s five boutique hotels (all newly renovated) throughout Historic Key West. Ideal for groups, Ella’s Cottages< are spaced out across a former beauty salon, butcher shop, and gambling house and feature access to a dreamy front porch, secluded outdoor pool, and enchanting hidden gardens, while Fitch Lodge offers an outdoor pool with a cascading waterfall and bricked patio as well as a location near top-notch reef diving and deep-sea fishing. Close to Hemingway’s home and the Key West Lighthouse, the Lighthouse Hotel boasts the poolside Isabel’s Bar and its famous mojitos, but if you’d rather something more low-key, opt for the romantic Ridley House, which hides behind a classic picket fence and low-hanging trees and has complimentary breakfast by the pool.
One of three pools at Winslow’s Bungalows that channel the easygoing charm of the Keys.
Last but not least, there’s the family-friendly where kids can play in three private pools while adults indulge in famous Rum Runner cocktails at the outdoor Bungalow Bar. At each property, guests can look forward to snorkel kits with a bag, mask, snorkel, and walking map to local beach attractions.
If you’re after California sunshine and the elegant beauty of desert scenery, the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs boasts the only rooftop pool downtown. Here, you can dine under the stars, noshing on seasonable small plates inspired by Mediterranean cooking, or simply grab a glass of California pinot from the bar and a chair to relax and take in stunning vistas of the San Jacinto Mountains. Those same postcard-worthy views are available from most guest rooms, but if you’d rather see the peaks up close, hit one of the several canyon hikes within driving distance of the hotel.
If you’re after outdoor adventure…
The Van Zandt’s rooftop overlooks Ladybird Lake and Downtown Austin.
Austin’s Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt is an opportunity to combine an active outdoor vacation with culture in an urban setting. Located in the trendy Rainey Street District, the Van Zandt is best known for its signature events around live music. And you can grab a fresh juice made from local produce at the rooftop pool and take in the views of Ladybird Lake before biking around it or renting a kayak. Other alfresco attractions nearby include botanical gardens or swimming in Barton Springs. Come evening, guests can look forward to live music and locally inspired drinks and snacks at Geraldine’s and every morning brings complimentary drip coffee at Café 605.
Bozeman vistas from the seating area of the Armory’s Presidential Suite.
Housed in the former National Guard Armory, the brand-new Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman is where “rugged nature meets refined style.” Near Yellowstone National Park, fly fishing, rafting, and tons of other outdoor recreation, the only four-star hotel in the area is ideally situated for mountain adventures, and offers plenty of onsite activities if you’d rather stay closer to home. There’s the Rooftop Sky Shed, a glass-enclosed gathering place with views of four mountain ranges, as well as Armory Music Hall, which will host a roster of touring acts when it’s safe to do so, and Tune Up, a basement whisky bar with live music. And if you’re musically inclined yourself, you can even borrow a Gibson for private serenades.
All of the spacious suites at the Born Hotel feature free-standing soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows.
If you want some art with your adventure, try the Kimpton Born Hotel in Denver, where one-of-a-kind pieces by 32 of the city’s top artists are on display throughout the property. Anchoring Denver’s revitalized LoDo neighborhood, the hotel also includes free access to the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art as part of its amenities. When it’s time to get active, hit the state-of-the-art fitness center, which comes equipped with Peloton bikes, grab one of the hotel’s complimentary PUBLIC bikes and take to the urban trail system, or hop on the light rail at Union Station next door for easy access to the area (and airport). The Born is also near Cherry Creek Trail, Riverfront Park, the Mile High Trail in City Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park, where you can walk, run, or hike to your heart’s content.
For something on the East Coast, there’s the Kimpton Taconic Hotel, surrounded by mountains in historic Manchester, Vermont, known for farm-to-table cuisine and a vibrant arts and theater scene in addition to its many opportunities for outdoor adventures. With traditional clapboard architecture and grand front porch, the property brings to mind the leisure inns of days past, while featuring all the modern amenities you’d expect. The Taconic is also within driving distance of two golf courses and Lye Brook Falls, where a moderate hike will bring you to a 125-foot waterfall. Or stick around the property for the pool, onsite boutique featuring seasonal handcrafted goods, and kid-friendly programming like build-your-own birdhouses.
If you want to hit the town…
Dine alfresco in the middle of it all at Boleo, The Kimpton Gray Hotel’s restaurant.
David Szymanski
The Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago—set in a historic building featuring gray marble, a coffered ceiling, and elegant archways in the heart of The Loop—makes another great base for urban exploration. For starters, it’s home to the open-air rooftop restaurant and lounge Boleo and its delicious Peruvian street food-inspired cuisine. The Four Diamond hotel also features unique amenities like local boutique Tie Bar, which sells stylish ties and pocket squares from the front desk, where you can also borrow hand-selected children’s books from the special check-out program.
The Journeyman’s Outsider restaurant and bar features multiple seating areas for endless city views.
One of Milwaukee’s newest hotels, the Kimpton Journeyman is located amid the top-notch restaurants, breweries, and boutiques of the historic Third Ward district. Here, guests head straight for the rooftop restaurant and bar, where they can hit a Sunday BBQ while taking in the sky-high views afforded by glass walls. The hotel also pours local craft microbrews during its nightly wine hour. Come morning, you can grab a smoked salmon bagel with caper-dill cream cheese, among other to-go brunch items from the hotel’s restaurant Tre Rivali, and walk four minutes to Catalano Square, a green space where you can learn a little local history too. Insider tip: book a room with a spa tub for a little extra indulgence.
Those seeking to explore a New England city will want to book one of the newly renovated rooms or suites at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. Located in East Cambridge, it offers easy access to downtown Boston, museums, shopping, and more. Or even more local, Kendall Square is a former industrial area near MIT billed as “the most innovative square mile on the planet,” thanks to the many labs and incubators there. It’s also home to an abundance of delicious dining options like Lily P’s where you can savor fresh oysters or shrimp paired with a cocktail on their patio. At the hotel, guests can catch an outdoor movie in the courtyard or take virtual in-room classes from personal trainer Candace Moore. You can also go for a jog on the Charles River running path across the street and borrow one of the complimentary kayaks or a Gym-to-Go sports bag from the front desk to take your workout routine outdoors.
