What defines a ‘good’ hotel stay? A clean room and HBO? Maybe. What about a truly amazing hotel stay? A free happy hour in the lobby? Bikes and yoga mats for all? Seems right. But what makes a hotel stay really stand out? What makes your experience uniquely magical and highly personal? That, my friends, is the Kimpton experience. 

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants are built around the concept of going above and beyond what you’d typically expect from a hotel experience. Instead of lobbies, they have living rooms where guests are always welcome. Every hotel is individually designed and locally inspired with unexpected elements that make you smile. All are highly fashionable and no two are the same from the robes in the closet to the artwork behind the front desk. Kimpton employees will pick up on an opportunity to make someone’s day, and go out of their “regular” duties to make it happen, completely unscripted and always authentic. Whether you’re traveling for work or vacation, attending a wedding or checking out a new city, your hotel experience should be as personal and unique as your trip is – and as you are.

And herein lies our question for you, the Tongal community: we’re looking for Ideas for Videos up to 60 seconds in length that are as unique and memorable as the Kimpton hotel stay experiences they’re portraying. Think beyond the amenities.

Without filming literal reenactments, how would you bring these experiences to life – how did a hotel go from being a place to crash to a second home? When did a concierge or bartender become your friend? What inspired you to sit down and write a thank-you email to a hotel manager or chef? Large or small, real or imagined, what would your most memorable hotel stay experience be?

Read on to the Project Objectives for more info.

The goal of this project is to find three awesome Ideas on how to bring unique, magical, and memorable hotel stay experiences to life in Videos – without filming literal reenactments. 

Your Ideas should be informed by Kimpton experiences, although we’re open to where your creativity takes you; what would your ideal hotel experience be? And how would a Video bring it to life?

IDEATORS, consider how your Ideas tie into key Kimpton settings and personnel: Restaurants, Rooms, Decor, Bars, Service, etc. 

--Key Marketing Messages: 

• A Different Way to Stay

 At Kimpton, we’ve thrown away the rulebook. We know that when it comes to your hotel experience, there’s no checklist that can make it heartfelt or inspiring. We celebrate our guests’ individuality and our spaces and people reflect our unique point-of-view. What binds us together are the intangibles and we love that it results in ridiculously personal experiences for our guests and one another.

• Kimpton has a unique perspective on the good life – it involves great people, good food, delicious wine, beautiful spaces, and the feeling that you can relax and just be yourself.
  
  

We’re fiercely committed to celebrating diversity and inclusion. No matter what color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, you are welcome at Kimpton. We believe that diversity of thought and background create a more compassionate world and offer a more interesting lens for which to look at life. Just as there is no archetype for our hotels, restaurants or employees –one style, one menu or one personality is not going to work for each of the rare and wonderful people that walk through our doors. Come as you are and you’ll find your place at Kimpton.

--Target Audience:

Kimpton has three key personas:

• Female, 25-44, married, employed. She is a planner, likes to stay fit, and is driven by her career – always giving back to great causes. She’s about discovery, fashion, food, new places, she wants to experience it all.
• Female, 44+, married, suburban. She is a consummate multi-tasker, an elegant hotel and luxury amenities give her the “me time” she craves. She’s into health and fitness, dining out, luxury travel and pets.
• Male, 25-44, LGBT. He is stylish and trendy and wants a hotel to match. He cares about social issues, and enjoys the good life. He’s into LGBT issues, pets, music & the arts, design/architecture.

--Executional Mandatories: 

• No literal reenactments.
• Kimpton hotels, restaurants, and bars can and should be featured in the final Videos – so don’t shy away from calling out specific locations if they fit your Ideas!
• The final videos will mainly be distributed on social media, so the first couple of seconds must engage and draw in the viewer; keep that in mind where it’s relevant to your Ideas.

--Tone:   Lighthearted, warm, genuine, conversational with a wink, welcoming, witty/clever, lively, engaging, fashionable. Not slow-paced or overly emotional. Nothing silly or kitschy.

This Project will be worth a total of $750 and consists of an Idea Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

 

PHASE 1: IDEA – Tell us your Idea for Your Best Stay Ever in 140 characters or less. Remember, an Idea (What is an Idea Phase?) is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Video. As always, Ideas should be clever and engaging. The winning Idea creators will receive $250 each.

1. The Idea MUST not exceed 140 characters.

2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

3. BY SUBMITTING AN IDEA ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

5. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

8. Ideas must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. In the event that fewer than 100 Ideas are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

12. Be sure to read the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES..

13. Winners must fill out the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment to claim their prizes.

14. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.