Kimpton Adds Grand Hotel Minneapolis to Portfolio
New Owner Taps Kimpton to Manage Renowned Minneapolis Institution
October 18, 2010 - Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today it has added one of Minneapolis' most iconic and renowned properties, The Grand Hotel Minneapolis, to its portfolio of boutique hotels.
Recently acquired by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (“Pebblebrook”), the four diamond-rated hotel is located in the city's downtown business district in a 14-story building originally constructed in 1912 to house the famed Minneapolis Athletic Club. Linked to the Minneapolis Skyway System, the property is connected to key entertainment, retail and convention venues and sits in close proximity to the Walker Art Center, the Guthrie Theater, Target Stadium and the Riverfront District.
Featuring extensive meeting space and one of the largest ballrooms in the downtown area, The Grand Hotel Minneapolis is already extremely popular with travelers doing business in the Twin Cities. With its transition into a Kimpton hotel, which will take place over the next 30 to 40 days, The Grand Hotel Minneapolis will now also feature the personalized services, programs and amenities for which the Kimpton brand is known.
Such programs include the hosted evening wine hour, Guppy Love (companion goldfish upon request for lonesome travelers), signature leopard print robes, luxurious custom Frette linens, “Forgot It, We've Got It” list of travel essentials, more than 100 eco-friendly EarthCare operating practices, pet-friendly services and more. In addition, the hotel will undergo some refurbishments to refresh the interior design and make it reflective of Kimpton's personality and style. At the same time, a dozen or more guest rooms will be converted into Tall Rooms, Kimpton's custom room design for very tall guests. The refurbishments are expected to be completed by early 2011.
This is the third Pebblebrook owned hotel to be managed by Kimpton. Pebblebrook also owns the Kimpton-managed Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco and Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to take over the reins of such a revered Minneapolis institution and are confident that locals and visitors will enjoy the unique Kimpton offering we will bring to this beloved hotel,” said Kimpton CEO Michael Depatie. “We're also thrilled to be partnering again with Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, with whom we have worked so successfully in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.”
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
