SAN FRANCISCO? Kimpton Group, which has 24 boutique properties, has added browser technology and encryption software to its website (www.kimptongroup.com) that lets consumers book online in ?real time.? The technology, available through BookAbility.net, a division of Topaz Hotel Services in San Francisco, lets a consumer browse through up-to-the-minute room and rate availability, according to Kimpton. After the hotel selection is made and the proper information needed to secure the reservation has been given, the consumer receives an instantaneous confirmation via e-mail. If a desired hotel is fully booked, the web page then displays hyperlinks to all other Kimpton properties in that city. Kimpton sees this facilitating booking rooms in San Francisco in particular, where it has 16 properties. ?It?s a great way for us to offer easy access to our hotels without adding personnel,? said Steve Pinetti, vp/sales and marketing. The site also contains information for each hotel on nearby events, tie-ins, special offers and maps. The Kimpton Group this year opened the Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City, Hotel Palomar in San Francisco and the Burnham Hotel in Chicago. The properties are European in style.
