Condé Nast Traveler named Kansas City to its list of Best Places to Visit in 2023. It says, “Kansas City has long been a major hub of the Midwest, but coastal dwellers really should start taking note. While the city is already garnering the attention of sports fans around the world – it hosted the NFL Draft in April 2023, and was chosen as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – there are plenty more cool openings on the near horizon.” There is also a food scene that expands beyond the famous steaks and barbecue. To help you settle in, this week we feature Kansas City’s top hotels and best suites.
1. The Raphael Hotel
2. 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City
3. The Fontaine
4. Hotel Phillips Kansas City
5. The Westin Kansas City
6. Ambassador Hotel Kansas City
7. InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza
8. Loews Hotel Kansas City
1. The Raphael Hotel
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “The Raphael Hotel takes inspiration from Europe’s boutique luxury hotels and delivers a unique experience in Kansas City. Located among the stucco walls and scattered fountains of the bustling Country Club Plaza district, The Raphael Hotel sits near the city’s most lively nightlife, shopping, and dining. The original building was erected in 1927 and is now listed on the National Register for Historic Places. It’s been updated and renovated since, but you’ll still feel the grand 1920s ambiance in preserved original features and the décor.”
The Telegraph continues, “The nine-story brick building is one of the best examples of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture in Kansas City. Originally constructed as a block of luxury flats in 1928, the intimate lobby’s ornate metallic gold-leaf ceiling and travertine marble flooring have been carefully restored. The lobby also features romantic French canopy chairs, glittering chandeliers, and comfy sofas. French doors open onto a courtyard terrace with fire pits. Live music (jazz, classical, blue,s and rock) is performed nightly in Chaz Lounge, and the Weekend Jazz Brunch is popular with guests and locals alike.”
Premier Suite
The 1,275-sq.ft. Premier Suite features a stately living area and master bedroom with chaise lounge and elegantly designed, tufted king bed frame. The master bath includes an oversized water-jetted tub with flat panel HDTV. The dressing area features generous lighting, large, beveled mirror, and a carved granite vanity.
More suites at The Raphael Hotel.
2. 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City
The Telegraph reports, “Art hotel’ may be an overused term, but it is the only way to describe this Kansas City landmark. As well as art in bedrooms, lobb,y and restaurant, there is a gallery open to the public. With a central location, up-to-date luxury, and a humming food scene, the 21c offers something completely different. What was the Savoy Hotel, a sensible brick 1888 structure, is now the 21c, part of a group of museum-based hotels. The sympathetic 2018 remodeling retained art glass, staircases, and even doors. These provide a foil for the edgy art in galleries that are free, open to the public, and host rotating exhibitions of the founders’ collection of international works. As for the life-sized ‘statues’ of blue penguins, these are moved about, turning up in corridors or the restaurant.”
U.S. News adds, “For boutique digs with an artsy flair, stay at the 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City. As its name implies, this property features an in-house art museum with rotating exhibits, as well as 120 eclectic guest rooms and suites with purple and beige decor and original artwork.”
21c Suite
Credit: 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City
The 921-sq.ft. 21c Suite features one bedroom with a king bed, an ensuite bathroom with double vanity sinks, and a separate dining and work area. However, the 545-sq.ft. terrace gives this small suite a big punch and is perfect for entertaining.
More suites at 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City.
3. The Fontaine
The Telegraph says, “The Fontaine is a modern and super-comfy hotel located in the posh part of the city. Most of the action is at the top, where the restaurant, bar, terrace, and small pool have fine views over Brush Creek and Ward Parkway. Country Club Plaza, the city’s upmarket, century-old shopping mall, is just steps away.”
U.S. News reports, “The Fontaine sits just a stone’s throw away from Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza, which boasts several stores and dining spots. Plus, the property is conveniently located about five miles south of the Power & Light District and about a mile west of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In addition to plenty of shopping options nearby, guests can easily access two parks, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Sprint Center, and the Legoland Discovery Center (all within a 5-mile radius of the hotel). If you’re looking for on-site entertainment, The Fontaine features a rooftop pool and restaurant, Parker, which serves American fare and also has an on-site bar.”
Presidential Suite
Offering 1,500-sq.ft. of space, the Presidential Suite is perfect for entertaining with a kitchenette, dining room with a table for eight, connecting lounge with in-house sound throughout, guest bath, and oversized bathroom with deep soaking tub and separate rainfall shower. Take the celebration outside to the 750-sq.ft. connecting terrace with a panoramic view, an outdoor dining table for eight, and a plush lounge seating area.
More suites at The Fontaine.
4. Hotel Phillips Kansas City
USA Today’s 10Best says, “This grand hotel with equally grand twin staircases was created inside a 1931 building whose lobby is full of Art Deco details. The property has hosted countless celebrities, including actors from old Hollywood and contemporary musical performers. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, The Hotel Phillips received a 2001 AAA Four Diamond Award following a $28 million renovation and is currently undergoing another renovation designed to evoke Gatsby glamour. Décor inside the exceptionally spacious rooms and suites takes design cues from the past combined with sleek contemporary furnishings. Scratch-made breakfast, lunch, dinner, or happy hour fare is a hallmark of the hotel’s full-service 12 Baltimore Bar and Café. Hotel Phillips offers guests a seamless blend of antique craftsmanship and modern comfort.”
U.S. News says, “If you’re looking for a boutique hotel with a central downtown location, the Hotel Phillips in the Power & Light District might be just the choice for you. Guests enjoy the art deco decor and praise the staff members, describing them as both friendly and helpful. Spacious rooms include European-style beds, flat-screen televisions, and complimentary WiFi access. The on-site restaurant Tavernonna Italian Kitchen serves classic Italian cuisine daily. The hotel is also home to a coffee shop and a contemporary speakeasy.”
Truman Suite
The 750-sq.ft. Truman Suite offers separate living area and half bath with spectacular city views, plus a private bedroom with a spa-inspired bathroom including a separate shower and claw-footed bathtub.
More suites at Hotel Phillips Kansas City.
5. The Westin Kansas City
U.S. News reports, “This Westin offers all the signature amenities the brand is known for, including Heavenly Beds, Heavenly Baths, and the WestinWorkout fitness center. Beyond trademark amenities, this Westin outpost also boasts an ideal Crown Center location. Guests have near-immediate access to three floors of shops, restaurants, and theaters.”
USA Today adds, “Built into a limestone hill, the lobby houses a spectacular and much photographed 60-foot waterfall and garden. Inside each room, large windows, soothing colors, rich upholstery and sumptuous linens create a welcome sanctuary.”
Presidential Suite
The 2,650-sq.ft. Presidential Suite features two bedrooms with separate living and dining areas making it ideal for business meetings and cocktail parties.
More suites at The Westin Kansas City.
6. Ambassador Hotel Kansas City
U.S. News writes of its top-ranked hotel for the metropolis, “Set inside the former Gate City National Bank building, the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection balances iconic 1920s neoclassic architecture with modern amenities and stylish decor. Guests are greeted by expansive rooms appointed with contemporary accents like 37-inch flat-screen T.V.s, coffee makers, minifridges, and minibars. What’s more, the hotel sits within walking distance of cherished downtown attractions, including the Kansas City Power and Light District and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Apart from the elegant setting and close proximity to downtown shops and restaurants, previous visitors especially praised the cuisine at The American Reserve restaurant.”
Travel + Leisure adds, “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.”
Two-Bedroom Suite
This 1,227-sq.ft. suite—the hotel’s largest—perches atop the 14th floor, offering city views, one king bed and two queen beds, vintage-inspired custom furnishings, and a Carrara marble bathroom.
More suites at Ambassador Hotel Kansas City.
7. InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza
U.S. News writes, “For shopaholics, the location of this InterContinental is one of its best features: It overlooks the Country Club Plaza from its perch on Ward Parkway. Guests also appreciated the hotel’s style: Marble baths, crystal fixtures, and extravagant textiles make it the ideal spot for a weary shopper to get some rest. The Oak Room is a good place to refuel for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it has a wide selection of vintages on its comprehensive beverage list. But then again, the outdoor pool and sundeck might trump all when it comes to relaxation.”
Presidential Suite
The 2,000-sq.ft. Presidential Suite offers views of Country Club Plaza from its 11th floor full length windows. There is a baby grand piano, dining table with seating for 12, and a media room.
More suites at InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza.
8. Loews Hotel Kansas City
Travel + Leisure writes, “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.”
Presidential Suite
The 1,856-sq.ft. top floor Presidential Suite offers space for entertaining and spectacular views of downtown Kansas City, the Power and Light District, and the T-Mobile Center.
More suites at Loews Hotel Kansas City.
