Calling All 'Tattourists': Kimpton Teams Up with Tiny Zaps for Exclusive Tattoo Pop-Up Series

Rhea-AI Summary

Kimpton Hotels, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHGNY), has announced a unique partnership with Tiny Zaps tattoo studio to launch exclusive tattoo pop-up events at five select properties across the U.S. from April through June 2025.

The initiative capitalizes on the growing 'tattourism' trend, where travelers commemorate their journeys with tattoos. Guests aged 18 and older can receive complimentary, city-specific tattoo designs at participating locations in New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Nashville.

Each location will feature specially curated Kimpton x Tiny Zaps collections reflecting local culture, such as Theater District-inspired designs in New York and Bourbon Street motifs in New Orleans. The program targets Gen-Z and Millennial travelers who prefer meaningful ink over traditional souvenirs.

Positive

• Strategic partnership targeting growing Gen-Z and Millennial travel market
• Innovative marketing initiative differentiating Kimpton brand in luxury hospitality
• Cost-effective promotion through complimentary offering driving hotel bookings

Negative

• scope with only five participating locations
• Temporary initiative running for just three months
• Age restriction limits potential participant pool to 18+ guests

Guests Are Invited to Memorialize Their Travels with Tiny Zaps Tattoos Starting Next Month

ATLANTA, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, announces a new partnership with Tiny Zaps, an emerging and innovative tattoo studio specializing in tiny tattoos, to bring the rising trend of "tattourism" – celebrating and commemorating travel with meaningful tattoos – directly to guests at select Kimpton hotels.

Starting in April, this unique offering will be available at pop-up events at five Kimpton properties across the U.S., where Tiny Zaps will provide complimentary, exclusive inked designs as a personal, artistic way for guests aged 18 and older to remember their trips. The monthly pop-up events will each feature a specially curated Kimpton x Tiny Zaps tattoo collection that reflects the unique culture of each city. For example, guests in New York can choose from an assortment of motifs inspired by the Theater District (see here) while those in New Orleans can select from designs with a nod to the iconic Bourbon Street (see here). Events will take place at each participating hotel monthly from April through June.

While the concept of tattourism dates back centuries when sailors marked their journeys around the world with tattoos, it has evolved into a modern movement that blends travel, self-expression, and storytelling. Currently, many Gen-Z and Millennial travelers are driving this cultural trend, favoring meaningful ink as the preferred souvenir over traditional keepsakes.

"At Kimpton, we're all about creating thoughtful, unexpected guest experiences that leave lasting impressions," said Vicki Poulos, Head of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands Americas and Global Kimpton, IHG Hotels & Resorts. "Through our partnership with Tiny Zaps, we're combining travel, art, and self-expression to offer a one-of-a-kind way for people to connect with the cities they visit and have a deep connection with. Our Kimpton x Tiny Zaps collection represents the ultimate travel souvenir: meaningful, personal, and a lasting celebration of exploration."

Tiny Zaps' vast network of talented local tattooers – renowned for their creativity and strong local followings – will provide complimentary Tiny Zaps tattoos on a limited basis at the following hotels:

• Kimpton Theta New York - Times Square in New York, NY
  • April 18, May 23, June 20
    
    
• Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C.
  • April 5, May 17, June 7
    
    
• Kimpton Everly Hotel in Los Angeles, CA
  • April 23, May 29, June 26
    
    
• Kimpton Hotel Fontenot in New Orleans, LA
  • April 10, May 15, June 12
    
    
• Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville, TN
  • April 12, May 2, June 28

"People get tattoos for the same reasons they travel – to create and commemorate life experiences," said Sam Kelly, Co-Founder, Tiny Zaps. "We're thrilled to partner with Kimpton to create these innovative travel experiences catered to traveling tattoo collectors. Having unique design collections centered around each city adds a fun, passport stamp-like feature providing travelers with a lifetime of memories."

For more details on the Kimpton x Tiny Zaps partnership and pop-up schedule, visit here. To book a room and redeem points, guests are encouraged to use the IHG One Rewards app. Follow along on social @Kimpton and #KimptonxTinyZaps for the latest updates.

Notes to Editors:

About Kimpton 

Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, is the original boutique hotel brand, which pioneered the concept of unique, distinctive, design-forward hotels in the United States in 1981. Anchored in one-of-a-kind experiences, the San Francisco-born brand now operates more than 75 hotels and over 100 restaurants, bars and lounges across urban locations, resort destinations and up-and-coming markets globally. From inspiring design to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul, Kimpton spaces and experiences center on its guests. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered so that guest experiences remain meaningful, unscripted and inspired. For more information, visit www.kimptonhotels.com.   

About IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 19 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes with over 145m members, IHG has more than 6,600 open hotels in over 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,200 properties.

• Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo
• Premium: voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels
• Essentials: Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Garner hotels, avid hotels
• Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites
• Exclusive Partners: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 385,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. To download the new IHG One Rewards app, visit the Apple App or Google Play stores.

For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Tiny Zaps

TINY ZAPS is reimagining the tattoo experience- fun, easy, small tattoos delivered in modern stores, pop-ups, and events. Thousands of tiny designs from artists all over the world, all-digital browsing & booking, warm & welcoming vibes. With partners and clients like Columbia Records, Kimpton, Urban Outfitters, and On Running, Tiny Zaps is creating big memories through small tattoos that last forever. For more information visit https://www.tinyzaps.com/ or follow along on Instagram or TikTok.

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SOURCE IHG Hotels & Resorts

FAQ

When and where will the Kimpton x Tiny Zaps tattoo pop-up events take place in 2025?

The events will run from April through June 2025 at Kimpton hotels in New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Nashville, with specific monthly dates for each location.

What is included in the IHGNY Kimpton x Tiny Zaps tattoo offering?

Guests aged 18+ receive complimentary, exclusive tattoo designs that reflect each city's culture, provided by Tiny Zaps' network of local tattoo artists.

How can travelers participate in Kimpton's tattoo tourism initiative?

Travelers can book rooms through the IHG One Rewards app and visit participating Kimpton hotels during scheduled pop-up dates to receive complimentary tattoos.

What types of designs are available at the Kimpton x Tiny Zaps events?

Each location offers specially curated designs reflecting local culture, such as Theater District-inspired motifs in New York and Bourbon Street themes in New Orleans.