What Is It?
Imagine checking into a hotel and finding a small potted plant waiting for you, complete with its own name tag; something like Snake Gyllenhaal or Leaf Order. That’s the heart of Kimpton Hotels’ Plant Pals Program. This initiative lets guests request a plant to occupy their room during their stay, at no extra charge. The program launched globally in April 2023 in honor of Earth Day and is now available at more than 70 Kimpton properties across continents.
Each plant comes from a regionally-sourced menu curated with care. The brand partnered with plant curator Plant Kween, based in Brooklyn, to ensure the selections are sustainable, local and playful. Guests simply contact reception and a “pal” is delivered, sometimes accompanied by a card with care instructions and a mood-boosting message.
Locally sourced plants have names inspired by regional culture or music moments depending on the property, adding personality and place-based relevance. For example, at the UK’s Kimpton Clocktower, options include “Leaf Order” (after New Order) and “Pot Division” (after Joy Division).
The plants serve multiple purposes: they brighten rooms visually, they support local suppliers, and they connect guests to the idea of nature and calm amid travel. It is a gesture of hospitality focused on wellness, personality, and sustainability.
Why Is It Cool?
- Unexpected and Playful
Most hotel amenities are predictable: a welcome drink, bath salts, a coupon for the spa. A potted plant with a punny name sticks out and adds warmth and personality to a space that might otherwise feel anonymous.
- Soft Wellness Without the Flash
There are no intense fitness classes or high-tech gadgets involved—just the quiet presence of living greenery. Studies show that houseplants reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance focus.
- Reflected Localism
The choice of native plants and local sourcing means the Plant Pals become subtle ambassadors of the destination. They don’t feel like generic freebies; they feel grounded in place, which aligns with modern travelers seeking authenticity.
- Shareable Moments
The novelty of a named plant in your room invites sharing. A photo of Snake Gyllenhaal by a hotel window sends a simple but rich message: you stayed somewhere where details matter, and you participated in a light-hearted ritual that connects you to place and nature.
Why Does It Have Future Growth Potential?
- Emotional Touch Points Drive Loyalty
In a crowded hospitality market, brands that deliver emotionally sticky moments build deeper connections. Plant Pals is small, inexpensive to scale, but memorable. Guests recall it, and that recall fosters repeat stays and word-of-mouth.
- Scalable & Regionally Adaptable
Because each property sources its plant menu locally, the program is inherently scalable. It maintains its global branding while feeling intimate in each location. The model works equally well in Bangkok, Barcelona, or San Francisco.
- Alignment with Consumer Values
Wellness, sustainability, and authentic local experience matter more than ever. Plant Pals touches all three: it emphasizes nature, supports local agriculture, and provides a gentle wellness benefit without overhyped gimmicks.
- Foundation for Expansion
The program also opens up creative extensions: pet-plant take-home kits, loyalty-program “plant passport” check-ins, or themed “plant room” stays. These can deepen guest engagement and give the brand additional digital or physical touchpoints.
Resourced Links:
https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4115435.html?utm.com
Carl Rohde