A Luxury Boutique Hotel Experience in Downtown Lincoln
Downtown Lincoln recently upped its hospitality game with the addition of The Kindler Hotel (thekindlerhotel.com), a luxury boutique hotel unlike anything else in the area. Our team decided to book a stay for a night and experience The Kindler ourselves.
The first thing to note is that The Kindler is not a large hotel. It’s grand in its essence, but it doesn’t have 100+ plus rooms to cater to. This is why it’s referred to as a “boutique” hotel—there is novelty in its size, design, and character. The best part about staying at a boutique hotel is the personal service the staff is able to provide. As a guest at The Kindler, you don’t feel like just another room key, and you don’t have to compete for the attention of the guest service representatives who are taking care of you throughout your stay.
We felt like The Kindler staff was able to predict our needs before we even thought to ask. For example, prior to our stay, they inquired about our itinerary for the night. Since they knew when we wanted to get drinks and appetizers before hitting the town, they made sure there was an open spot for us in their Boitano’s Lounge. Then, they were more than happy to organize drop-off and pick-up times for our group in their luxury limo shuttle, making sure we got to and from our destination safely and in style. In the morning, the valet had already brought our vehicles down so we didn’t have to stand around and wait. The thoughtful management staff at The Kindler even put champagne, chocolates, and a handwritten welcome note in our suite! These personal touches made us feel like royalty, and they really make a lasting impression.
If you stay at The Kindler Hotel, make sure you chat with their staff ahead of time to let them know what your plans are for the evening. They proved to us that they are willing and able to create a customized experience for each of their guests, pulling out all the stops to be as accommodating as possible.
Located one block south of UNL and the Lied Center, The Kindler Hotel features a modern design that is elegant and cozy. There is quite a contrast between the design elements in the guest suites versus those in the rest of the hotel. The front lobby, lounge area, and even hallways embrace a romantic ambiance with darker tones, warm lighting, and rich accent pieces. The rooms, on the other hand, are bright and open—kind of like a blank canvas that you get to make your own for a night or two! We liked how the rooms felt so spacious and clean, and we were impressed with the amenities. There were robes and slippers, a huge bathtub and shower, heated bathroom floors, personal coffee maker, refrigerator, stocked bar, and the beds were amazing, complete with soft, breathable Egyptian cotton sheets.
In the morning, if you feel like treating yourself to some room service, The Kindler has delicious French press coffee and a few good breakfast items. The oatmeal was tasty and the breakfast sandwiches were made with fresh, yummy croissants.
The Kindler Hotel’s on-site bar, Boitano’s Lounge, can be enjoyed by guests and locals alike who are looking for classic craft cocktails and a few substantial appetizers to nibble on while they are in downtown Lincoln. It’s a great place for a nice dinner date, to grab a drink before seeing a play at the Lied Center, or even to end the evening with a little nightcap!
We were very pleased with the variety of specialty cocktail options on the menu. The Kindler released their seasonal winter drink menu in November. It features delicious hot cocktails such as the Buena Vista Irish Coffee and Cho-Cocoa-Nut. Both of these are perfect for this time of year, and they’ll definitely warm you up, if you know what we mean. Some of the other signature house-crafted cocktails that our group really liked were the Frisky Husk’R and the Honey Bourbon Cooler. These are both must-try beverages.
The dinner menu has something for everyone, including flatbreads that can all be made gluten-free and a generous charcuterie platter that would pair well with anything from The Kindler’s extensive wine list. They have charred brussel sprouts, hummus with pickled vegetables, an Italian chicken sandwich, beef sliders, and much more. Our favorite item by far was the Beef Short Rib Flatbread…highly recommend!
If you’re looking for well-made drinks and food that is light but filling, all to enjoy in an elegant setting, The Kindler Hotel’s Boitano’s Lounge is your place.
