Nestled in the heart of Phoenix, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar stands tall as a beacon of luxury and comfort. Situated in the vibrant downtown area, this hotel offers an experience that seamlessly blends modern elegance with the spirit of Arizona. From its chic design to its top-notch amenities, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix exudes sophistication at every turn. Whether you’re here for business or leisure, this urban oasis caters to your every need. With its prime location and a plethora of attractions nearby. Guests can easily explore the bustling cityscape before returning to the tranquility of this remarkable retreat.
Brief Overview
Nestled within downtown Phoenix’s dynamic CityScape neighborhood, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix seamlessly embodies the energetic vibe of its surroundings.
Since its establishment in 2012, this venue has epitomized relaxation within a chic ambiance. The stylish midcentury modern decor pervades every corner. Evident in the mahogany lamps and plush brown leather sofas adorning the lobby. Here, guests enjoy daily morning coffee service and evening happy hours. The guest rooms echo this sleek aesthetic, featuring leather accents and warm, inviting brown tones.
Notably, the hotel’s stunning rooftop pool stands out as a highlight. Offering ample seating and a bar serving poolside refreshments, it’s the perfect spot to bask in the Arizona sun.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix: Arriving at the Destination
To reach the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), situated in the CityScape neighborhood. The most convenient mode of transport is by car. Covering approximately 4 miles, the drive typically takes around 15 minutes, subject to traffic conditions. With an estimated cost of approximately $25 when using ride-hailing services like Lyft or Uber.
Alternatively, for travelers with ample time and energy, the PHX Sky Train offers a complimentary electric people mover service into the city. However, it doesn’t directly access the hotel. To complete the journey, you’ll need to transfer to the Valley Metro light rail network at 44th Street/Washington. This transit to Washington/Central Ave, the closest stop to the hotel, requires about 30 minutes of travel time and a fare of $2.
Reservation Information
The Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix boasts a collection of 242 accommodations, ranging from standard rooms furnished with queen- or king-size beds to luxurious specialty suites. These suites offer additional space and unique amenities such as Japanese soaking tubs and scenic views of nearby sports venues.
During my three-night weekday stay, I reserved a 1 King Essential City View room. Amounting to approximately $946 for the entire stay, averaging around $315 per night before taxes. Alongside the room charge, there was an extra guest amenities fee of $30 per day plus tax. This fee provided access to various on- and off-site perks, including a daily $10 food and beverage credit for use at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails. Admission to the Phoenix Art Museum, and access to the adjacent EOS Fitness Club.
If I had opted to book using points, it would have required around 53,000 points per night during my travel dates. According to TPG’s monthly valuations, this choice could have saved me approximately $20 per night. However, as I aimed to fulfill the minimum spending requirement for my new IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card’s sign-up offer, I opted to settle the bill using cash.
This hotel can be booked through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, accessible with cards like The Platinum Card from American Express. Additionally, it is featured in the Lifestyle Collection within the Capital One travel portal. This portal is accessible to holders of cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, among other qualifying options.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix: Distinctive Attributes
The rooftop pool, a coveted amenity in warm climates, stands out as a highlight at this Kimpton. Its serene ambiance, complete with comfortable lounge chairs, offers a tranquil escape with minimal guest disturbances.
The EOS Fitness Club adjoining the property surpasses standard on-site gyms. Its diverse array of well-maintained equipment is complemented by unique features like a cinema space, providing an unconventional workout experience.
From the welcoming front desk staff to the friendly rooftop pool bartenders. The hotel’s personnel exude warmth and hospitality, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Both on-site restaurants boast impressive menus spanning breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Catering to diverse palates and offering an array of delightful options.
The lobby’s morning coffee cart caters to all preferences. Whether you prefer a classic cup of joe or a refreshing iced coffee with plant-based milk, ensuring a seamless start to your day.
Areas for Improvement:
The rooms require refurbishment as evident from noticeable wear and tear, including peeling leather on office chairs, absent wall art. Noticeable dents in bedside tables, suggesting the need for updates.
The accommodation rates tend to be relatively high, even during the off-peak summer season when I visited. Comparable properties like the Hyatt Regency offer rates around the $200 range, making the pricing at this location comparatively steep.
While the pool and dining options stand out positively, the hotel lacks certain amenities like a spa or an on-site fitness center. Which might be considered limiting for guests seeking these additional facilities.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix: The vibe
Upon entering the hotel’s main doors, I noticed a slight sense of underwhelm compared to other Kimpton properties I’ve visited. The lobby lacked the bustling activity typical of Kimpton venues, possibly due to its smaller size or the sleek, minimalist midcentury modern design. Which seemed to miss the usual local touches synonymous with Kimpton’s character.
However, this subdued lobby atmosphere didn’t extend throughout the entire property. Instead, guests gravitated towards the living room area located one floor below the main entrance. This inviting space became a hub for visitors, offering morning coffees, evening happy hours. Hosting special events like the ArtLab pop-up art show during my stay.
This relaxed ambiance persisted at the rooftop pool, where an eclectic mix of individuals, including solo travelers, families, and even WNBA players during my visit. Enjoyed soaking up the sun and leisurely moments by the poolside.
The room
While the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix shines brightly in the Valley of the Sun, the rooms present a contrast, lacking the vibrancy found elsewhere on the property.
During my three-night stay, the hotel was fully booked, preventing me, as a Diamond Elite member in the IHG One Rewards program, from securing an upgrade upon check-in. Consequently, I found myself somewhat unimpressed with the standard 1 King Essential City View room I was allocated.
Spanning 410 square feet, the room felt cozy but didn’t align with my personal taste. The presence of faux fur pillows on the couch, mismatched bedside tables, and an odd stuffed bird on a shelf near the TV added to the room’s somewhat eclectic feel.
Upon closer examination, I noticed an empty hook on the wall, indicating that artwork might have been missing. Additionally, signs of wear on various furniture pieces, such as the bedside tables and the worn leather cover on the desk chair, indicated a need for a refurbishment.
Nevertheless, the bathroom served its purpose adequately, featuring a spacious vanity mirror and ample counter space for my skincare essentials. However, a drawback was the shower’s design; lacking a proper door, the glass divider failed to contain water effectively, resulting in recurrent floor flooding after each shower.
Drink and food
To expand your dining experience beyond the hotel’s complimentary morning coffee and evening wine reception. There are two enticing on-site dining venues: Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails and Eden Rooftop Bar.
Situated adjacent to the hotel’s living room on the ground level, the primary restaurant, Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails. Offers a diverse menu spanning breakfast, lunch (or brunch), and dinner. The cuisine showcases delectable American flavors.
The breakfast menu offers various choices, from chilaquiles ($18) to bananas Foster french toast ($16). However, the standout dish worth trying is the blueberry pancakes ($15). They strike the perfect balance of fluffiness, complemented by fresh blueberries, creating a delightful morning indulgence.
During one evening, I ventured to Blue Hound for dinner and discovered that the dinner options equaled the impressive breakfast menu. Opting for a lighter meal, I settled at the bar and selected a couple of smaller dishes to accompany a cocktail.
The array of items I sampled, such as the golden tomato and crab chowder ($7), a side portion of charred Brussels sprouts ($12), and the Clover Club cocktail composed of gin. Lemon, and raspberry syrup ($16), exceeded expectations. Each dish and drink provided a satisfying and fulfilling dining experience.
Excited to relish the pool bar on a particularly delightful day, I decided to explore Eden Rooftop Bar for an alfresco lunch. The space’s design immediately caught my eye. Offering ample shaded seating equipped with misters, ensuring a comfortable dining experience under the hot Arizona sun.
However, my order of yellowfin tuna crudo ($21) arrived with an unexpected hair. To the bar’s credit, upon notifying them, they promptly replaced the dish with a fresh serving and generously omitted it from the final bill without any request. Nonetheless, this incident slightly dampened an otherwise satisfactory meal experience.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix: Facilities and Customer Service
While the room design and comforts at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix may have fallen short, the exceptional service and property amenities compensated for these shortcomings.
Throughout my three-night stay, the staff displayed a genuine interest in ensuring a memorable experience. They consistently inquired about ways to enhance my stay and provided excellent recommendations for local activities. Notably, the attentive waitstaff at Blue Hound even remembered my preferred iced coffee order, ensuring it accompanied my breakfast without the need for reminders. As a solo traveler, this personalized attention significantly contributed to my comfort and overall enjoyment during my stay.
Regarding on-site facilities, the hotel’s standout feature undoubtedly lies in its rooftop pool. Beyond serving as a perfect spot for relaxation while sipping cocktails from the adjacent bar, the pool offers a unique vantage point for plane spotting. The hotel’s location offers views perpendicular to the flight path of landing aircraft at the nearby airport.
Although the hotel does not have an on-site gym, guests receive complimentary access to the EOS Fitness Club located directly across from the hotel’s rear entrance. Despite not being internally connected. This fitness center offers a remarkable selection of cardio machines and weight areas. Surpassing the typical offerings found in hotel gyms. I particularly enjoyed the unique dark workout room where a movie played on a large-screen TV, enhancing the exercise experience.
Additionally, guests can enjoy various signature Kimpton amenities, including complimentary access to loaner bicycles, in-room yoga mats, and the mentioned nightly happy hour. Moreover, guests can participate in the Plant Pals Program, borrowing a plant to enhance their room ambiance.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix: Exploring the Area
Situated in central Phoenix’s CityScape neighborhood, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix offers convenience for patrons keen on exploring various dining spots, retail outlets, and entertainment options.
Just a few blocks away lie prominent sports venues hosting professional baseball, basketball, and indoor football teams. These include Chase Field (the home ground of the Arizona Diamondbacks) and Footprint Center (hosting the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers). Making the hotel a bustling hub for sports enthusiasts, occasionally welcoming professional athletes during seasons.
Moreover, the neighborhood boasts several acclaimed restaurants and a selection of popular stores such as Urban Outfitters and CVS. For off-site dining, I highly recommend Chico Malo, a Mexican-inspired restaurant celebrated for its use of local ingredients in crafting flavorful dishes.
Ease of Access
The hotel provides an accessible main entrance suitable for guests with mobility challenges, designed to accommodate wheelchairs. For those with difficulty navigating stairs, it’s advisable to use this street-level entrance. The lower-level entrance at the back of the property necessitates stair access to reach the check-in desk.
There are four variations of accessible rooms available for reservation, including standard rooms with queen or king beds, as well as one-bedroom suites. Except for the smallest queen-bed rooms, all accessible rooms feature bathrooms equipped with a roll-in shower. The bathrooms in rooms with queen beds offer shower-tub combinations fitted with grab bars and hand-held showerheads. Communication features in accessible rooms encompass telephone ring signalers, bed shakers, door knock alerts, and visual fire alarms.
Moreover, the rooftop area includes accessible features. This includes a small wheelchair elevator at the rooftop entry and a lift for facilitating entry and exit from the pool.
Checking out
Although my three-night stay in Phoenix exceeded my budget, my experience at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix was enjoyable overall. While certain areas could benefit from refurbishment. The exceptional service, superb downtown location, and breathtaking rooftop pool left a lasting impression. Enticing me to consider a return visit—ideally after the rooms undergo renovation.
Conclusion
In summary, staying at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix offered a luxurious experience in the heart of Phoenix. Throughout my visit, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix, with its remarkable rooftop pool and exceptional service, truly stood out. However, some areas would benefit from updates. Despite this, the hotel’s fantastic downtown location made exploring the city incredibly convenient. For those seeking a blend of sophistication and convenience, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix remains a compelling choice. Looking forward, a return visit to the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix promises an even more delightful stay once the rooms receive their anticipated upgrades.
FAQ’s
What amenities does Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix offer?
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix offers various amenities like a rooftop pool, complimentary morning coffee, evening wine receptions, and access to the adjacent EOS Fitness Club.
Are there dining options at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix?
Yes, the hotel features on-site dining venues like Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails and Eden Rooftop Bar, offering delicious meals and refreshing drinks.
Does Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix have accessible rooms?
Yes, the hotel provides accessible rooms with features like roll-in showers, grab bars, and communication aids for guests with mobility needs.
What can guests explore around Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix?
Guests can easily access nearby attractions such as sports venues like Chase Field and Footprint Center. Renowned restaurants, and popular retail stores within walking distance from the hotel.
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