Hotels to Book for a Trip to Kansas City

Editor’s Pick: 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City

Why We Chose It

With a prime location in Kansas City’s Library District, 21c Museum Hotel offers luxe accommodations alongside art installations and curated galleries.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Original artwork, Malin + Goetz bath products, 24-hour fitness center

Hotel Description

Located in Kansas City’s Library District — a relatively quiet downtown neighborhood between Power & Light and the River Market — 21c Museum Hotel is easily one of the city’s best places to stay. The lobby and adjacent gallery spaces showcase rotating art exhibits that are open 24/7 to both guests and non-guests, making it feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret museum. The 120 guest rooms are very much those of a classic luxury hotel but with contemporary furnishings in deep purples and golds, huge windows, and even more original artwork. The 21c Suite comes with its own 545-square-foot rooftop terrace.

Aside from being surrounded by art, guests are just steps away from one of Kansas City’s best restaurants, The Savoy at 21c. It offers both room service and in-person dining, with a menu serving up modern, local dishes like elevated smash burgers and farm-to-table roast chicken. The Savoy is not open for breakfast, but the hotel offers a morning buffet for an additional charge.

Hotel Kansas City

Why We Chose It

Hotel Kansas City only opened in late 2020, but it has already established itself as one of the most service-forward, impeccably designed hotels in downtown Kansas City.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Four unique dining options, pet-friendly rooms, 24-hour fitness center

Hotel Description

Many of the Power & Light District’s prominent hotels are located within a couple blocks of each other, but Hotel Kansas City already stands out among the pack after opening in October 2020. Part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, the hotel feels much more like a boutique experience than a big-chain stay, thanks in large part to its setting in the iconic Kansas City Club Building, built in 1922 to house the eponymous social club, which was frequented by Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. The sprawling lobby is almost Gothic in style, with wrought iron chandeliers offset by ultra-feminine couches and fringed light fixtures. There’s more than 20,000 square feet of event space, including a ballroom with stained glass and a rooftop patio with incredible skyline views.

The 144 guest rooms (including 15 suites, most of which are housed in the building’s former racquetball courts) are simple but chic, with rose gold sofas, artsy light fixtures, and minibars stocked with a bourbon blend made exclusively for the hotel by local distillers Jacob Rieger & Company. 

The hotel offers several dining options, including a rotating menu of small plates and farm-to-table entrees at The Town Company, located just off the lobby. For breakfast, guests can either visit the buffet (not included in the nightly rate) or stop by the lobby cafe selling Missouri staples like Messenger Coffee and gooey butter coffee cake. A basement bar, Nighthawk, is great for late-night snacks, signature drinks, and either live music or ambient tunes from the vinyl DJ.

Crossroads Hotel

Why We Chose It

Crossroads Hotel highlights the artistic, ultra-cool nature of the Crossroads district with locally made decor and a buzzing rooftop bar.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Rooftop bar and restaurant, Grown Alchemist bath products, turn-down service of cookies and milk during the holidays

Hotel Description

The Crossroads Arts District is the creative heart of Kansas City, filled with independent galleries and lined with colorful street murals. Perhaps no other hotel defines the neighborhood better than Crossroads Hotel, a boutique property that opened in an old Pabst brewing depot in 2018. As soon as you step foot inside the hotel, you’re greeted by a four-story atrium with exposed brick and walls made with reclaimed wood, plus a luxe lobby bar where locals work from their laptops during the day and sip craft cocktails at night.

The industrial-chic aesthetic continues in the 131 guest rooms, with wallpaper designed by a local tattoo artist and exposed brick in most rooms. The minibars are stocked with Kansas City-specific snacks and whiskey, and even the leather “do not disturb” signs were made right in town.

While the Crossroads district has no shortage of incredible places to eat, the in-house Lazia Restaurant has excellent Italian dishes and an impressive wine list worth checking out at least once. The Percheron rooftop bar serves up Mediterranean-style shared plates and seasonal cocktails, and its view of the skyline during sunset is downright magical.

The Truitt

Why We Chose It

Located about a block from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Truitt’s location and impossibly stylish interiors are second to none.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Free off-street parking, contactless check-in

Hotel Description

The Truitt opened near the Kansas City Art Institute in 2021, quickly cementing itself as one of the best boutique hotels in the city. The eight-room property is housed in a colonial mansion built in 1916, and the home’s original crown molding and tin ceilings are still on full display. The historic structure is juxtaposed with modern and eclectic decor, which the owners have curated from their frequent travels to Palm Springs and Chicago. (A semi-nude portrait of a model holding a Fleetwood Mac album above the living room fireplace is a particular standout.) 

The first-floor common areas are stocked with coffee-table books showcasing Andy Warhol Polaroids and Alexander McQueen runway looks, while a quiet backyard garden has striped umbrellas and woven chairs for enjoying a morning cup of coffee.

Staying at the Truitt feels like you’re visiting the home of a longtime Kansas City resident, albeit one with impeccable taste and considerable means. (The contactless check-in and invisible staff only emphasize that effect.) The owners are quick to direct you to their favorite neighborhood restaurants, and local touches — including free Christopher Elbow chocolates on the pillows — abound. Each room and suite is slightly different, but you can expect Matouk linens, smart TVs, and minibars with wellness shots and facial masks. But the Truitt’s best feature is definitely its location, a six-minute walk from Kansas City’s cultural highlight, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

The Fontaine

Why We Chose It

The Fontaine is one of the coolest hotels in the Plaza area, boasting European-style interiors and an outstanding rooftop pool.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Rooftop swimming pool, pet-friendly rooms, 24-hour fitness center

Hotel Description

Just steps away from the best shops and restaurants in the Country Club Plaza shopping area, the Fontaine is packed with upscale touches and amenities you won’t find at many other Kansas City hotels. The towering lobby is just a taste of the luxury to come, adorned with hand-blown Venetian glass chandeliers and Renaissance-style paintings. The 132 luxurious guest rooms (including nine suites plus one presidential suite) have natural wood floors and dramatic headboards, as well as oversized rainfall showers and Lather bath products.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a swimming pool at any boutique hotel in Kansas City, so the Fontaine’s rooftop pool is a serious draw. The adjacent rooftop bar, Nine Zero One, hosts weeknight happy hours with specials on drinks and bar bites. Guests can rent a private poolside cabana during the summer months or reserve one of the heated igloos between November and March. For breakfast, head to the lower-level Solarium for coffee, fresh fruit, and French pastries.

Southmoreland on the Plaza

Why We Chose It

Housed in a charming Colonial Revival mansion from 1913, Southmoreland on the Plaza is just a quick walk from the Plaza’s best restaurants and shopping.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $

Notable Amenities

Wood-burning fireplaces in some rooms, free off-street parking, contactless check-in

Hotel Description

Tucked away on a residential street less than two blocks off the Plaza, Southmoreland is one of the most unique accommodation options in Kansas City. The hotel is housed in a Colonial Revival mansion from 1913, with charming decor and nods to the city’s past at every turn. Each of the 12 rooms and two suites is named after a famous Kansas City resident, and the proprietors partner with local vendors and artists to further localize the experience. There’s even a heated “cat condo” in the backyard to make sure the neighborhood cats always have a place to sleep.

The hotel utilizes contactless check-in and only has a staff of five people (including housekeepers), so you truly get a taste of what it’s like to live in the Plaza area, rather than feeling like an outsider plopped in a box hotel. The rooms all offer different amenities and features, which you can explore and choose from the hotel’s website — some have decks with porch swings, others have wood-burning fireplaces, and all have cute touches like vintage books and white noise machines. Guests have access to common spaces as well, including a sunroom and backyard with water features and white Adirondack chairs.

Loews Kansas City Hotel

Why We Chose It

Loews Kansas City Hotel is an 800-room stunner, sure to impress business and leisure travelers alike with sizable guest rooms and an indoor saltwater pool.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Five excellent dining options, indoor saltwater pool, gourmet room service menus for cats and dogs

Hotel Description

Loews Kansas City opened its doors in June 2020, adding 800 hotel rooms to Kansas City’s roster. The property is attached to the Kansas City Convention Center via a pedestrian bridge and was touted as the city’s newest hub for business travelers upon opening, but its many thoughtful touches make it a great option for leisure travelers as well. Many of the hallways and public spaces are adorned with local artwork, while the guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with incredible views and carpets printed with designs mimicking flight patterns.

Given its huge size, Loews Kansas City is able to offer some unique perks — namely an indoor saltwater lap pool and hot tub — and is currently working on opening a luxury spa with five treatment rooms. There are also several in-house dining options, including a towering lobby bar and outdoor terrace with craft cocktails and firepits. The main culinary draw is The Stilwell, which offers a weekday breakfast buffet plus dinner from Wednesday through Saturday. Even if you stay somewhere else, it’s worth grabbing dinner here to try the Stillwell’s farm-to-table fried chicken, shrimp and grits topped with pulled pork, and other delicious spins on Midwest classics. 

Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton

Why We Chose It

With art deco touches and a framework dating back to the 1930s, Hotel Phillips is a mainstay in the city’s lively Power & Light District.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Basement speakeasy, table shuffleboard in the lobby, free shuttle covering a 3-mile radius

Hotel Description

Established in 1931 and renovated in 2017, Hotel Phillips is an art deco gem on the National Register of Historic Places. One look at the opulent lobby, and you’ll understand why it’s such a popular backdrop for engagement and prom photos — think walnut paneling, glittering chandeliers, rich velvet furniture, and a towering gold statue of the goddess Dawn. The building’s original elevators lead to 216 guest rooms. Given the historic nature of the building, no two rooms are exactly alike, but all feature pillow-top mattresses, upholstered headboards, and Keurig coffee machines. The corner king rooms come with dreamy clawfoot tubs.

Hotel Phillips is located in Kansas City’s Power & Light District, and a free shuttle can quickly transport guests to its cocktail bars, steakhouses, and the T-Mobile Center for basketball games and concerts. But guests can also stay put and enjoy the in-house Italian restaurant, Tavernonna, or P.S. speakeasy, a basement bar whose swanky, dark space is filled with candlelit tables and couches overstuffed with pillows. It stays open past midnight and features live music on Thursdays. In true Prohibition fashion, you have to get a hotel employee to open the hidden door for you.

Ambassador Hotel Kansas City

Why We Chose It

In a building that dates back to 1920, the Ambassador Hotel offers contemporary guest rooms and one of the city’s best jazz clubs.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Pet-friendly rooms, Alexa devices on nightstands, jazz club

Hotel Description

Located just north of the Power & Light District, the Ambassador Hotel offers a slice of Kansas City history draped in modern amenities. The building appears on the National Register of Historic Places and traces its heritage back to its 1920s life as a national bank. Much of the original structure remains, including towering marble pillars and dark paneled walls in the moody lobby. The 113 guest rooms are fully in the present, however, with contemporary furnishings, spacious marble bathrooms, and Alexa devices on every nightstand.

One of the Ambassador Hotel’s most enviable features is its on-site jazz bar, Lonnie’s Reno Club, which offers live music and prix fixe dinner menus. Modeled after a supper club, the space is filled with candlelit tables and red velvet curtains. Kansas City magazine named it one of the best places to hear live jazz music in Kansas City, no easy feat in a town known for jazz. Guests can also enjoy breakfast and dinner at The American Reserve restaurant.

The Raphael Hotel

Why We Chose It

The Raphael Hotel is one of the finest properties in the Plaza area, perfect for couples and fans of live jazz music.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

In-room spa treatments, restaurant with live jazz music, EV charging ports

Hotel Description

Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the Raphael Hotel is a European-style stunner overlooking the Country Club Plaza. The building housed a high-end apartment complex when it opened in 1928 but has served as one of the city’s premier hotels since the ‘70s. (The most recent renovation was completed in 2010.) The 126 guest rooms are clean and modern, with plush bedding and headboards resembling floral watercolor paintings.

The Raphael is a particularly good option for couples seeking a few nights of romance. The on-site restaurant, Chaz, serves up steak and seafood amid mood lighting, intimate booths, and live jazz music several nights a week. The hotel also offers special packages for even more romantic perks. Book the “Romance Package” for in-room desserts and turn-down service that includes rose petals scattered on the bed or the “Relaxation Package” for a bottle of champagne and in-room massages.

Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown

Why We Chose It

Hotel Indigo is a boutique property in the heart of downtown Kansas City with pet-friendly rooms and one of the best breakfast spots in the neighborhood.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Pet-friendly rooms, excellent breakfast restaurant

Hotel Description

Conveniently located in downtown Kansas City, Hotel Indigo is a stylish property housed in a former train ticketing station from the 1930s. The hotel’s interior design playfully nods to its history, including a ceiling mural depicting a map of the city’s train lines. The 118 guest rooms have even more travel-themed decor, like throw pillows with wanderlusty quotes and wallpaper featuring blown-up postcards.

The in-house restaurant, Dott Boss, is one of the best spots in the neighborhood for breakfast, with an extensive menu and reasonable prices. Guests can also check out the dinner menu for shared plates and cocktails and enjoy live music on Thursdays. The lobby is a fine place to hang out, thanks to the friendly front desk staff and Made in KC souvenirs for sale. There are even fully stocked bookshelves toward the back of the lobby, in case you need a Winston Churchill biography to help lull you to sleep.