Kimpton Hotels Offering 'Queen’s Gambit'-inspired Cocktail and Chessboard Delivery During Your Stay

There are many reasons “The Queen’s Gambit” became one of the most-watched Netflix shows of all time. From its lavish set design to the unforgettable characters, the show has made the world obsessed with chess. In fact, sales of chess books are up more than 600 percent from last year just three weeks after the show premiered. And now, Kimpton Hotels is catching on.

For those who can’t get Beth Harmon off their minds, Kimpton is launching a “chessboard lending program” at select hotels across the country inspired by the show. Participating locations will deliver a chessboard directly to your room so you can practice moves or play a match. (It’s the perfect activity for those who need to stay in their rooms during the pandemic.)

Kimpton locations participating in the program include Armory in Bozeman, Mont., Cardinal in Winston-Salem, N.C., Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, Journeyman in Milwaukee, Muse in New York, Palomar in Philadelphia, Shorebreak in Huntington Beach, California, and Monaco hotels in Denver, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City.

The Shorebreak even has an added bonus for travelers who don’t want their obsession with the show to interfere with their dose of California sunshine. The hotel has a gigantic outdoor chess board where you can practice closing strategy or battle an opponent.

Select hotels are developing their own cocktails and mocktails inspired by the show, for those who wish to sip on a themed drink while puzzling over a chessboard. Several hotels are offering Beth’s preferred White Lady cocktail. Others have chess-inspired drinks including the “Check Mate,” the “Sicilian Defense” and, of course, “The Queen’s Gambit.”

If you can’t make it to a Kimpton Hotel just yet, you can satisfy your love for the show at home with this online costume experience from the Brooklyn Museum.

Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or at caileyrizzo.com.