Kimpton Appoints Barbara Piagari as Palomar DOSM
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, January 9, 2008. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the country's leading boutique hotel company, today announced the appointment of veteran hospitality executive Barbara Piagari as the director of sales and marketing for Kimpton's new Hotel Palomar Los Angeles, located in Westwood. Piagari, who most recently held the post of director of sales and marketing at the Viceroy Santa Monica and Viceroy Palm Springs hotels, joined Hotel Palomar in September. The Hotel Palomar, located at 10740 Wilshire Blvd., is scheduled to open in April 2008.
Piagari is responsible for building and directing the Hotel Palomar's sales team and realizing the hotel's unique branding concept. With more than 20 years of experience, Piagari has held executive positions at Le Meridian Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Destination Hotels & Resorts, Millennium Hotels and Resorts and The Warwick.
Hotel Palomar pays homage to art, architecture, fashion, dance and literature. Seeking to make each guest's stay a masterpiece, Hotel Palomar focuses on sensual d'ecor, thoughtful amenities and exemplary service. Los Angeles' sparkling film and art landscape will play a leading role in Hotel Palomar Los Angeles' "Art in Motion" focus.
"We are excited to have Barbara on board. Her proven skills and extensive background in the hospitality industry, as well as her enthusiasm for Hotel Palomar's creative approach to the luxury hotel concept, make her a key member of the team," said Christine Lawson, vice president of sales for Kimpton.
John McKay is Piagari's first hire at Hotel Palomar. McKay, formerly the regional sales manager of Regus - The Global Meeting Place, has joined the Hotel Palomar Los Angeles team as a sales manager focusing on corporate business travelers. "I am jumping into this new challenge and excited to provide a luxurious option for business and leisure travelers in Los Angeles," McKay said.
Piagari, whose experience is largely focused on helping to launch luxury hotels, said she is particularly pleased with Hotel Palomar's dedication to the environment. "It brings another level of service previously unavailable in Los Angeles," she said.
In keeping with Kimpton's more than 40 EarthCare practices at all of its hotels across the country, all rooms and public spaces are cleaned with non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products. In-room and back-of-house recycling programs and conservation programs are used to cut down on waste energy and water usage, and organic mini bar snack options round out Hotel Palomar's eco-chic amenities. "It is part of the Hotel Palomar culture and I think it is a key point of difference for us that I am proud to be a part of," Piagari said.
The Hotel Palomar Los Angeles is situated in the heart of Los Angeles's thriving Westwood neighborhood, at 10740 Wilshire Blvd. For more information or reservations, call 1-800-KIMPTON or visit www.kimptonhotels.com.
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 
