Interview: Kimpton CEO Sees IHG Helping to Propel Its International Expansion
Photo Caption: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants CEO Mike DeFrino sees plenty of growth for Kimpton under IHG. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Skift Take
The hotel company that started the boutique hotels movement in the U.S. wants to set a precedent for scaling up — without losing its soul in the process. But can it succeed?
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants CEO Mike DeFrino first started working for Kimpton in 1992, when company founder Bill Kimpton hired him to the be the general manager of The Alexis in Seattle.
And ever since, DeFrino has been with the company that played a pioneering role in the modern boutique hotels movement in the U.S. and has since been acquired by one of the world's largest hotel companies — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in 2014.
DeFrino recently sat down with Skift to discuss the progress Kimpton has been making since the deal, as well as the future of boutique hotels, loyalty, and hospitality overall.
Since IHG’s acquisition of Kimpton, the brand has now begun to expand internationally while still maintaining its sense of independence from the larger corporation. This extends to the hotel company’s loyalty program, although next year it will be combined with IHG’s program.
As DeFrino continues to lead Kimpton, he said he’s committed to ensuring tha
