— HOTELS IN KANSAS CITY — From glamping to art museum hotels, Kansas City has had a recent hotel boom that will leave you spoiled for choice when you find yourself in the heartland.
You can be across town from downtown to the Country Club Plaza or Kansas City, Kansas, in 30-minutes or less. You will find that Kansas City is a driving city, but you can take the free streetcar from River Market to Union Station in the downtown core.
Downtown Kansas City has some beautiful art deco buildings, so it creates a lovely environment for a weekend getaway. You can choose boutiques with a hint of luxury or the quirkier art museum feel.
Do not forget glamping as an option if you are up for an outdoor adventure. Perhaps you are more concerned about the location and being in the midst of the sites? You will find plenty of options to meet those criteria.
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Many hotels are new or have recently been refurbished, so it is a great time to discover the friendliness of Kansas City and its beautiful lodgings.
~Erin Jones
1. Hotel Kansas City
Hotel Kansas City is in a beautiful art deco building built in 1922. The building held a Kansas City social club with members who would transform the Kansas City economic outlook, such as President Harry Truman. Tucked between the Power and Light District and the convention center, you can easily walk to restaurants and the streetcar to continue exploring. Parking is valet only, but there are several parking garages or street parking if you want to take the time to find a different spot.
The moment you walk into the Hotel Kansas City, it takes your breath away with a chandelier covering the ceiling and blush velvet couches set up throughout. Unique sculptures and art are displayed throughout the lobby.
The rooms are full of charm and as beautiful as you would see in Paris. In fact, this hotel could help with the Kansas City nickname, ‘Paris of the plains.’ White walls are accented with wide black baseboards. The black curtains are accented with lace edging and somehow are not overly feminine but full of class. Portrait paintings feel more like a chic apartment than the standard stock photography fare you might expect.
2. 21C Museum Hotel
The 21C Museum Hotel concept is part of the Accor brand, and they are generally found in smaller towns. They are boutique hotels specializing in art, and in each hotel, you will find art galleries and one-of-a-kind art in each room.
The 21C did a complete renovation of the historic Savoy Hotel in downtown Kansas City, only two blocks from a Streetcar stop on Main Street. Take some time to examine the art in the lobby as the exhibits change every few months. Once in your room, you will find a comfortably sized room with beige walls to highlight the art. The bathrooms are tastefully done to match the period of the building with the use of gold fixtures and black and white tile floors.
Finally, check out the restaurant and locate the booth where President Harry S Truman spent plenty of time. They have marked the spot with a plaque, and it is fun to think about all the political conversations that happened there.
You will be close enough to walk to some downtown sites, but if you have a car, there is a parking lot directly next to the hotel, or you can find street parking around the block. Parking on the street is metered, but on the weekends, it is free.
3. Hotel Phillips
I believe the golden age of Kansas City was in the 1920s as the city has so many beautiful art deco buildings downtown and through the Country Club Plaza. The Hotel Phillips is in such a building, and the lobby feels as if you have time traveled. Dark wood paneling graces the walls, while opulent gold lighting provides a dim but luxurious view. Long velvet couches add to the dreamy feel, and the 1920s glamour continues when you reach your room.
You will find cozy bedding and an espresso machine if you need a caffeine fix. The hotel offers an Italian restaurant and a speakeasy if you are up for an adventure. Called PS Speakeasy, it references the building’s past purpose as a post office. These days you can make a reservation online, so definitely less intriguing than in prohibition times but still a fun way to represent the history of the 1920s. Situated downtown, you have options to self-park in the garage next door or use valet service.
4. Suite Tea
Ready for an outdoor adventure but want some luxury instead of sleeping on the ground? Visit Suite Tea on Watkins C Ranch in Kansas City, Kansas. The location is only 15-minutes from downtown Kansas City, and the setting is stunning.
Surrounded by green space and tall trees, the glamping sites are set in meadows where you will have plenty of outdoor space for yourself. The tents range from the largest holding six twin beds to the smallest holding one queen bed. Each tent is named after a type of tea, and the furnishings are unique to each. In addition, each tent has a sitting area and nightstand, and plenty of room for your belongings.
Beside each tent, an outdoor seating area with a fire pit is available. So, bring supplies for s’mores and watch the stars in the sky after the sunsets as you will not have a streetlight or building to block your view.
Bring the dry shampoo, there is no running water. You will have access to a toilet tent nearby your suite. Bring food to prepare yourself or delivery services will stop by if you are not up for the total camping experience.
You can book extra amenities for your stay, including horseback riding and yoga classes. Staff is always available if you have questions. You will find them to be most kind when assisting you with your needs.
5. The Fontaine
Just a block from the Country Club Plaza, The Fontaine provides a neighborhood feel while walking distance to shopping and dining. The lobby has many windows, so the overall effect is light and airy.
A large portrait will catch your eye on one wall while the check-in desk sits on the other. With a rooftop pool, you will be among the Plaza treetops and have a fabulous view of the neighborhood. The rooms themselves are refined without being stuffy. Most rooms have a sitting area, and the gray and white tones are comforting to offer relaxation. You will want a car while at the Fontaine if you decide to leave the Country Club Plaza.
The hotel has access to a covered parking garage where you can use valet or self-park. It cost $30 per day, but you will have in and out privileges and never worry about finding a spot to park.
The Country Club Plaza is modeled after Seville, Spain. You will discover tiled buildings and shops and restaurants in a pedestrian-friendly area. Take a walk around the plaza, and you will find several fountains and sculptures that add interest to the city. The Country Club Plaza is a classic Kansas City location that should definitely be considered for your visit.
6. Westin Crown Center
With many fun family activities at Crown Center, such as Lego Land and the Sea Life Aquarium, staying at the Westin is a great option. Although not the prettiest hotel to look at with its brutalist architecture, it makes up for location and room size.
The Westin Crown Center is connected to Crown Center Mall and directly to Union Station via a walkway. The streetcar stop ends and begins at Union Station, so you will have easy transportation links to downtown and the River Market close to the hotel.
The lobby is an open space from floor to ceiling and has a lovely water feature to bring nature to the inside. Ask for a room with a view of the skating rink if the time is right. You will see the mayor’s Christmas tree at Christmas time, and it is fun to watch the ice skaters from the hotel’s warmth.
Conclusion
There are so many options when you find yourself in Kansas City for a visit. If your preference is art, history, or camping, you can find the place that suits your every need while being close to all the nearby attractions and restaurants.
Enjoy the friendliness of locals and the numerous lodging options you will find. With a car or using public transportation, the hotels will provide you a wonderful place to come back to after days of exploring the Kansas City area. Choosing the right place to stay always adds an extra layer of enjoyment to a trip, so have fun discovering the many places to stay in Kansas City.
*Opening photo ©Erin Jones
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