Kimpton Hotels & Resorts Officially Names its First North Carolina Hotel, Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

General Manager John Esainko and Director of Sales & Marketing Tina Fullard to Lead Kimpton's First North Carolina Hotel in Iconic R.J. Reynolds Building

. November 09, 2015

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. November 9, 2015 - Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants today officially announced the name of its first North Carolina hotel - Kimpton Cardinal Hotel - and the appointment of senior leadership for the property located in the historic R.J. Reynolds Building, a beloved landmark of downtown Winston-Salem. General Manager John Esainko and Director of Sales & Marketing Tina Fullard will lead The Cardinal, the city's first upscale boutique hotel, which is set to open in early 2016. The two hospitality veterans bring nearly four decades of experience to the 174-room property, which will occupy the first six floors of the former R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company headquarters. Reviving the iconic property as the destination's newest luxury hotel, The Cardinal will greatly expand the city's offerings in the local community for business and leisure travelers alike.

"As we prepare to introduce the Kimpton brand to North Carolina, we're delighted to have John Esainko and Tina Fullard in place to bring The Cardinal to life in Winston-Salem," said Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President Ben Timashenka. "John's broad hospitality experience and Tina's familiarity with the local market will make them a great team to lead the transformation of this extraordinary building into a community gathering place."

Esainko comes to The Cardinal from Kimpton's Hotel Madera in Washington, D.C., where he served as general manager since 2014. Prior to joining the Kimpton team, Esainko spent more than 12 years with the Hyatt Corporation, where he started as a front office agent in 2001. During his career with Hyatt, Esainko served many roles, including executive housekeeper at Hyatt Regency New Brunswick and Grand Hyatt New York, assistant rooms executive at Grand Hyatt Washington and Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, and as director of rooms at Hyatt Regency Bethesda.

"My family and I are excited to call Winston-Salem our new home and to discover what makes this community so special," said Esainko. "As The Cardinal has taken shape, we've been mindful of what the R.J. Reynolds Building means to this community, giving thoughtful consideration to preserving its unique history and character as we prepare to share the Kimpton experience with our new neighbors and guests."

Fullard joins the management team at The Cardinal after 12 years at Graylyn Estate & Conference Center at Wake Forest University, where she served as Director of Marketing & Revenue since 2010. During her tenure at Graylyn Estate, Fullard also served as Associate General Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing. Prior to joining Graylyn, she was Senior Special Events Manager at Walt Disney World's House of Blues in Orlando, Florida. Fullard is actively involved in the National Association of Professional Women.

To learn more about The Cardinal Hotel, please visit www.thecardinalhotel.com. For more information about Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, please visit www.kimptonhotels.com.

About Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is the leading collection of boutique hotels and restaurants in the United States and the acknowledged industry pioneer that first introduced the boutique hotel concept to America. In 1981, Bill Kimpton founded the company that today is renowned for making travelers feel genuinely cared for while away from home through thoughtful perks and amenities, distinctive design that tells a story and inspires a sense of fun at each hotel and a sincerely personal style of guest service. Out to help people live full, balanced lives, Kimpton aims to inspire with touches like yoga mats in every room, complimentary coffee and tea to start the day, hosted evening Wine Hour, in-room fitness programming and complimentary bike rentals. The award-winning restaurants and bars are led by talented chefs and bartenders that offer guests a chance to dine like a local. Kimpton also leads the hospitality industry in eco-friendly practices that span all hotels and restaurants, and is consistently ranked as one of the top companies in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, Upper Upscale Segment, for Customer Satisfaction. The company is highly-regarded for its innovative employee culture and benefits and has been named a Fortune magazine "Best Place to Work" five times since 2009. Kimpton is continuously growing and currently operates 60 hotels and nearly 70 restaurants, bars and lounges in 26 cities. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com and www.KimptonRestaurants.com.

About The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel will open in early 2016 in the majestic R.J. Reynolds building, a beloved Winston-Salem landmark and famed Art Deco prototype of the Empire State building. Named for North Carolina's official state bird, The Cardinal will be Winston-Salem's first upscale boutique hotel, welcoming guests to revel in Kimpton's version of warm and wily, sophisticated Southern charms. Restored beyond its original splendor, the hotel is an architectural showcase of gold leaf, rich marble and burnished brass, its delightfully outlandish interior creating a magical contrast of the classic and the wild, in a whimsical and imaginative interpretation of the building's decadent legacy and storied past. Soaring along the city's skyline at the heart of a vibrant and historic downtown, The Cardinal will serve as Kimpton's first foray into the Carolinas, featuring 174 guest rooms, including 36 suites, an expansive fitness center, a distinctive neighborhood restaurant and bar, and more than 6,300 square feet of space to meet, greet and celebrate the spirit of the South. For more information, visit www.TheCardinalHotel.com.

Contact:
Maria Hayworth/Hope Sarzier
[email protected] or [email protected]
386.677.7000

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