All Ten Bay Area Kimpton Hotels Earn Prestigious Green Seal Certification

Hotels Celebrate Milestone with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom at “Glow Green with Kimpton” on August 26 at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

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. August 30, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - August 26, 2010 - On Thursday, August 26, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants CEO Mike Depatie, President and COO Niki Leondakis and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that all of Kimpton's 10 Bay Area hotels have been awarded the prestigious GS-33 Green Seal™ Silver certification in their pursuit for environmental responsibility. With 41 of its 50 hotels in 22 major metropolitan cities having already received certification, Kimpton is on the verge of becoming the first lifestyle boutique hotel company in the U.S. to attain 100 percent Green Seal certification at the Silver level or higher.

On August 26, Kimpton will invite San Francisco locals to “Glow Green” by trading in a standard light bulb for a new Philips Marathon Energy Saving bulb at any of its 10 certified hotels. Those exchanging bulbs will also be rewarded with organic sweet treats from Kara's Cupcakes, which will be driving its “Karavan” around town throughout the day. The first 1,000 people who can track down the “Karavan” via Twitter and Facebook will receive complimentary cupcakes.

“We are so proud of our San Francisco hotels for achieving such an important and ambitious goal,” said Mike Depatie, chief executive officer for Kimpton. “This certification reaffirms for our guests and each hotel in our collection the impact our shared contribution makes on individual communities and the planet overall.”

“Tourism and hospitality is the number one industry in San Francisco, and companies like Kimpton are creating vital jobs and revitalizing our local economy,” said Mayor Newsom. “Going green provides a competitive marketing advantage in the age of the green economy, and Kimpton is taking a bold step forward with attaining 100 percent Green Seal certification.”

The San Francisco properties that have achieved the Green Seal certification include: Argonaut Hotel, Cypress, Harbor Court, Monaco San Francisco, Triton, Palomar San Francisco, Prescott, Serrano, Sir Francis Drake and Tuscan Inn. This accolade is an important achievement for Kimpton since the company is headquartered in San Francisco, a city that has long been at the forefront in the promotion of environmental stewardship.

Green Seal certification is a significant third-party validation of Kimpton's more than 100 environmentally responsible operational practices under the company's EarthCare program, and allows Kimpton to more effectively measure its nationwide reductions in waste, energy and water consumption. To qualify for GS-33 Green Seal certification, a hotel must demonstrate sustainable practices in the following areas:

• Waste minimization, reuse and recycling
• Energy efficiency, conservation and management
• Management of fresh water resources
• Waste water management
• Hazardous substances
• Environmentally sensitive purchasing

Kimpton's innovative EarthCare initiatives date back to the company's inception in 1981 and include several industry firsts such as in-room recycling bins and the use of non-toxic cleaners nation-wide. Diners at Kimpton Restaurants have access to increased sustainably produced wine selections on menus, can take advantage of in-house purified water through a national partnership with Natura® and enjoy sustainable seafood dishes in accordance with Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program. Kimpton is a partner of Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy to support its “Plant a Billion Trees” campaign.

For more information on Green seal's Lodging Standard, visit:
http://www.greenseal.orgcertificationstandardsgs33_lodgingproperties.cfm.

To learn more about EarthCare and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, visit
www.KimptonHotels.com,
www.Twitter.com/Kimpton, or
www.Facebook.com/Kimpton.

About Kimpton
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. Founded in 1981 by Bill Kimpton, the company is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Each hotel provides a range of exciting culinary experiences through locally-loved, top-rated, destination, chef-driven restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately held Kimpton operates 50 hotels and 51 restaurants in 16 states. For more information visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.

About Green Seal
Green Seal, a non-profit based in Washington D.C., has been identifying products and services that protect the environment and human health since 1989. The Green Seal mark appears on over 3600 environmentally sustainable products and services, and Green Seal is accredited by the American National Standards Institute. The independent organization focuses on certification to its leadership standards, avoiding any conflict of interest that may arise from recommending products or consulting with applicants. For more information and a list of all Green Seal certified products and services, visit www.GreenSeal.org.