Hotel Kinsley joins Design Hotels collection • Hotel Designs
Hotel Kinsley, Kingston’s first destination hotel, has officially joined the Design Hotels collection – as a member of this portfolio, Hotel Kinsley joins a global community of design-forward, culturally rooted stays that emphasise originality over uniformity.
Guests can expect a boutique experience with thoughtful design, local immersion, and one-of-a-kind character – far from the standard hotel template. The partnership also opens access to Marriott Bonvoy benefits for guests while staying at Hotel Kinsley.
Image credit: Harrison Lubin / Hotel Kinsley
Located in Kingston’s historic Stockade District, the hotel is made up of four restored 19th-century buildings that blend original architectural charm with modern comforts. The flagship location – formerly the State Bank of New York– was designed in collaboration with Studio Robert McKinley and welcomes guests with a distinctive check-in experience inside the original bank vault. Vanessa Guilford of TOCCI and Aviva Blaichman led the design of the remaining buildings within the Hotel Kinsely collection, thoughtfully building on and evolving Studio Robert McKinley’s original design concepts.
Image credit: Harrison Lubin / Hotel Kinsley
The hotel, operated by Ironwave Hospitality Management, features 42 guestrooms layered with vintage furnishings, curated artwork, and luxe amenities. Several rooms include fireplaces and soaking tubs, creating an intimate retreat for guests. The property also includes Restaurant Kinsley, a seasonal New American restaurant with a cosy cocktail bar popular with locals and travellers alike.
Image credit: Harrison Lubin / Hotel Kinsley
Expanding the hotel’s footprint and creative mission is Assembly, a newly opened cultural and event venue located on the top floor of a historic former schoolhouse at 236 Wall Street. The space honours the building’s original character – soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and arched windows – while offering modern functionality with a built-in stage, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, and flexible layout options. With a 450-person capacity, Assembly is ideally suited for concerts, film screenings, weddings, corporate gatherings, and art exhibitions. A separate Assembly Conference Room provides a more intimate space for meetings, offsites, and retreats, with seating for up to 40 guests and full A/V capabilities.
Image credit: Harrison Lubin / Hotel Kinsley
“From the beginning, our vision for Hotel Kinsley was to create something rooted in Kingston’s history and energy while also offering a modern, design-forward experience,” said Charles Blaichman, who co-owns Hotel Kinsley with Michael Barry. “Becoming part of the Design Hotels community affirms that vision—and with the opening of Assembly, we’re excited to further provide a cultural and creative hub for both locals and visitors.”
Who is Design Hotels?
For 30 years, Design Hotels has been at the forefront of a movement in trave,l by crafting a handpicked portfolio of 300+ independently owned and operated hotels in over 50 countries. From cultural hubs in fast-paced cities to tiny off-the-beaten-path escapes, each hotel reflects the vision of its pioneering owner –or ‘Original’ – who possesses a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design, and architecture. Design Hotels is headquartered in Berlin, with branches in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Singapore. In 2019, the company partnered with Marriott Bonvoy, expanding the reach of its member hotels.
Image credit: Harrison Lubin / Hotel Kinsley