Picture this: You walk into your hotel room after a long day of travel. The lights are cozy, the bed looks dreamy…and sitting by the window is a tiny potted plant with a name tag that reads: “Morgan Treeman – I photosynthesize, therefore I am.” Welcome to the PLANT PALS PROGRAM by Kimpton Hotels, where your new best friend has leaves, doesn’t judge your room service order, and may or may not be a Snake Plat named “Snake Gyllenhaal.”
WHAT IT IS?
Kimpton Hotels’ Plant Pals, a hospitality touch point designed to add softness, surprise, and sustainability to the hotel room experience, first caught my attention in a Forbes article. Guests can request a small, locally potted plant to join them during their stay – free of charge. Each plant comes with a playful name and simple care instructions. The plants vary by region and climate, and are chosen for minimal care and local relevance. Launched in April 2023 in collaboration with Christopher Griffin aka Plant Kween, a Brooklyn-based plant influencer, the program has now expanded to over 70 Kimpton hotels globally, from Bangkok to Barcelona to San Francisco. A small gesture, but one that adds symbolic weight to the guest experience.
WHY IT´S COOL?
- It’s Unexpected: Most hotels perks are predictable: A small piece of chocolate on the pillow, maybe a rope. A plant named Leonardo DiPlantCio, Tree Diddy, or Snake Gyllenhaal stands out and adds warmth, personality, and a living presence to an otherwise neutral hotel room.
- It’s Soft Wellness: No hot-stone message, just the calm of mother nature. Simply having a plant in your room taps into biophilia and proven benefits of green exposure: lower stress, improved mood, and a sense of connection.
- It Embodies Localism: Unlike typical “greenwashed” amenities, Plant Pals are sourced locally and reflect the regional ecosystem. The plant becomes a silent ambassador of the region.
WHY IT HAS FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
Emotional Connection: In a crowded market, repeat guests increasingly choose brands that deliver emotional memories, not just places. Plant Pals creates a small, yet sticky emotional touch point that can drive long-term memory and thereby loyalty.
Scalability: Because the program relies on locally sourced plants tailored to each region, it can easily expand worldwide without losing its sense of place. This balance of standardization and localization is key for global hospitality brands.
Foundation For Expansion: The format invites expansions: imagine plant-themed rooms, take home versions, or even digital “Plant Pals passports” for loyal guests.
Alignment With Rising Consumer Values: Travelers’ growing focus on sustainability, wellness, and authentic local experiences means programs like this will increasingly resonate – tuning a simple plant into a symbol of brand values.
RESOURCED LINKS:
https://www.kimptonblythswoodsquare.com/plant-pals/
https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4115435.html?utm.com
Alexa Alarcón Arratia
Science of the Time
Paola Nicole Galdámez Quezada
Lucia Trelis Samper
Paula Gerona Lopez
Technically speaking, I think you made a great job and it is very well written.
In conclusion I’d like to say that I would be really softened if I received a Leonardo DiPlantCio and I therefore think that other guests would be too. This can have great growth potential!
Andreu Martí López
José Bonich Castaño