If These Walls Could Talk
The stories behind six historic Kansas City hotels:
HILTON PRESIDENT KANSAS CITY
A year after opening, this grand palace served as the headquarters for the Republican National Convention. (The year was 1928 and Herbert Hoover was the nominee.) After sitting empty for 25 years, the hotel returned to its classic charm in 2005—complete with its legendary Drum Room restaurant, where greats like Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline and the Marx Brothers once performed. The AAA Four-Diamond property still boasts a prime location, nestled at the door of the new downtown entertainment district.
THE ELDRIDGE
History and hospitality converge at The Eldridge. The hotel’s corner spot was originally home to the Free State, which was torched in 1855 by pro-slavery forces. A second incarnation, the Eldridge House, was also destroyed—this time by Quantrill’s Raid in 1863, the infamous attack by border ruffians that left most of the city in ruins. Like Lawrence itself, the hotel rose from the ashes, thriving on the site for more than 100 years. Revamped in 2005, the fourth-generation Eldridge is once again doing business on Lawrence’s “most historic corner.”
ALADDIN HOLIDAY INN
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this boutique hotel has been a fixture of downtown KC since 1926. Easy to spot for its blue terra-cotta roof, the Aladdin was once the tallest building in Kansas City. During its heyday, the hotel played host to mob bosses and celebrities alike; heavy-hitters like Mickey Mantle and Greta Garbo were among the famous guests to bed down. The vintage hip Aladdin made its big comeback in 2007 as part of downtown’s revitalization. Characterized by its swanky décor and bold color scheme, the Aladdin is a prime example of KC’s love for everything Art Deco.
SOUTHMORELAND ON THE PLAZA
Less than two blocks from the famed Country Club Plaza, this New England-style B&B operates out of a gorgeous 1913 Colonial Revival home. From Russell Stover to Thomas Hart Benton, each of the 12 stately guest rooms is named after a prominent Kansas Citian, bearing room décor that reflects the namesake’s personal history or the era in which he or she lived. And the accommodations aren’t the only thing getting attention at this Mobil Four Star property (a six-time winner); the inn’s gourmet barbecue breakfast has twice been featured on The Food Network.
THE RAPHAEL HOTEL
Originally constructed as the Villa Serena Apartments in 1927, this Spanish Renaissance Revival building was transformed into the elegant Raphael in 1975. Voted one of the world’s best places to stay by Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast, the upscale boutique just completed a multi-million-dollar revamp in 2009, strutting a new look while holding tight to its 20s authenticity at the same time. In addition to a fresh décor that you can almost hear pop, the Raphael’s house eatery (Chaz on the Plaza) is quickly redefining what it means to be a hotel restaurant.
HOTEL PHILLIPS
This historic hotel was once billed as the home of a “Room and a Bath for Two and a Half” (or $2.50). Although its signature rate didn’t stand the test of time, the hotel’s extravagance is still intact. Reopened in 2001 after a $20 million renovation, the opulence is captivating as ever. The Phillips is a frequent feature in national travel magazines, including Southern Living, which praised the Phillips for its alluring, “Gatsby-esque" appeal.
Hotels in KC
Best Western Plus
Region: South KC, East
Phone: (816) 795-6400
Visit WebsiteComfort Suites - Speedway
Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 299-4466
Visit WebsiteCourtyard by Marriott Country Club Plaza
Region: Country Club Plaza, Midtown
Phone: (816) 285-9755
Visit WebsiteCourtyard by Marriott Convention Center-Overland Park
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 317-8500
Visit WebsiteCourtyard by Marriott Kansas City Downtown Convention Center
Region: Crossroads, Downtown
Phone: (816) 221-7400
Visit WebsiteCourtyard by Marriott Kansas City/Shawnee
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 631-8800
Visit WebsiteCourtyard by Marriott Overland Park/Metcalf
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 339-9900
Visit WebsiteCrowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown
Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 474-6664
Visit WebsiteDoubleTree by Hilton Kansas City - Overland Park
Region: Overland Park, Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 451-6100
Visit WebsiteDrury Inn & Suites - Independence
Region: East
Phone: (816) 795-9393
Visit WebsiteDrury Inn & Suites Overland Park
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 345-1500
Visit WebsiteEmbassy Suites Country Club Plaza
Region: Westport, Midtown
Phone: (816) 756-1720
Visit WebsiteEmbassy Suites Overland Park
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 649-7060
Visit WebsiteComfort Inn & Suites Kansas City Olathe
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 768-7000
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Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 464-2424
Visit WebsiteFairfield Inn Kansas City Downtown/Union Hill
Region: Crown Center, Downtown
Phone: (816) 931-5700
Visit WebsiteFairfield Inn & Suites Kansas City Overland Park
Region: Overland Park, Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 338-3600
Visit WebsiteFour Points by Sheraton Kansas City Airport
Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 464-2345
Visit WebsiteGreat Wolf Lodge
Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 907-2954
Visit WebsiteHampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Country Club Plaza
Region: Country Club Plaza, Midtown
Phone: (816) 448-4600
Visit WebsiteHampton Inn Kansas City/Overland Park
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 341-1551
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Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 248-1900
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Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 342-7900
Visit WebsiteHilton Garden Inn Overland Park
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 345-2661
Visit WebsiteHilton Kansas City Airport
Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 891-8900
Visit WebsiteHoliday Inn Express & Suites Lenexa-Overland Park
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 492-4516
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Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 236-8700
Visit WebsiteHome2 Suites by Hilton Kansas City KU Medical Center
Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 335-9950
Visit WebsiteHotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton
Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 221-7000
Visit WebsiteHyatt Place Kansas City/Lenexa City Center
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 742-7777
Visit WebsiteResidence Inn by Marriott Country Club Plaza
Region: Country Club Plaza, Midtown
Phone: (816) 753-0033
Visit WebsiteResidence Inn by Marriott Overland Park
Region: Overland Park, Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 491-4444
Visit WebsiteResidence Inn Kansas City at the Legends
Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 788-5650
Visit WebsiteResidence Inn Kansas City Downtown/Convention Center
Region: Crossroads, Downtown
Phone: (816) 221-1400
Visit WebsiteSheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 234-2100
Visit WebsiteHilton Kansas City Country Club Plaza
Region: Country Club Plaza, Midtown
Phone: (816) 931-4400
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Region: Overland Park, Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 491-0010
Visit WebsiteStoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
Region: East
Phone: (816) 908-9600
Visit WebsiteThe Fontaine, a Kansas City Hotel
Region: Country Club Plaza, Midtown
Phone: (816) 753-8800
Visit WebsiteThe Inn at Meadowbrook
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 329-9000
Visit WebsiteMarriott Overland Park
Region: Overland Park, Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 451-8000
Visit WebsiteInterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza, The
Region: Midtown
Phone: (816) 756-1500
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Region: Crown Center, Downtown
Phone: (816) 841-1000
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Region: Crown Center, Downtown
Phone: (816) 474-4400
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Region: Airport Area
Phone: 816-321-1900
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Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 421-6800
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Region: Crossroads, Downtown
Phone: (816) 255-3915
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Region: Power & Light, Downtown
Phone: (816) 221-9490
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Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 443-4200
Visit WebsiteCrossroads Hotel
Region: Crossroads, Downtown
Phone: (816) 897-8100
Visit WebsiteChateau Avalon Hotel
Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 596-6000
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Region: Crown Center, Downtown
Phone: (816) 285-1100
Visit WebsiteHome2 Suites-Downtown
Region: Crown Center, Downtown
Phone: (816) 987-7300
Visit WebsiteHoliday Inn Express Kansas City Downtown
Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 474-1000
Visit WebsiteHoliday Inn KCI Airport and Expo Center
Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 801-8400
Homewood Suites by Hilton Kansas City Speedway
Region: Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas
Phone: (913) 288-9999
Visit WebsiteHotel Indigo - Downtown
Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 283-8000
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Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 386-3100
Visit WebsiteAmbassador Hotel Kansas City
Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 298-7700
Visit WebsiteDays Inn KCI
Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 746-1666
Visit WebsiteKansas City Airport Marriott
Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 464-2200
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Region: Midtown
Phone: (816) 285-4900
Visit WebsiteLoews Kansas City Hotel
Region: Crossroads, Downtown
Phone: (816) 897-7070
Visit WebsiteTownePlace Suites Kansas City Airport
Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 464-0525
Visit WebsiteRaphael Hotel
Region: Country Club Plaza, Midtown
Phone: (816) 756-3800
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Region: Westport, Midtown
Phone: (816) 931-0001
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Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 685-1228
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Region: South KC, East
Phone: (816) 524-3550
Visit WebsiteKansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza
Region: Midtown
Phone: (816) 531-3000
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Region: East
Phone: (816) 350-3000
Visit WebsiteHoliday Inn Kansas City - Downtown
Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 492-7565
Visit WebsiteAloft Kansas City Country Club Plaza
Region: Country Club Plaza, Midtown
Phone: (816) 702-1780
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Region: Northland
Phone: (816) 533-4479
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Region: Midtown
Phone: (816) 381-2100
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Region: Midtown
Phone: (816) 654-6040
Visit WebsiteHampton Inn Olathe
Region: Johnson County/South, Kansas
Phone: (913) 393-1111
Visit WebsiteHotel Westport, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Region: Westport, Midtown
Phone: (816) 469-5800
Visit WebsiteAloft North Kansas City
Region: North KC
Phone: 816 321 1700
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Region: North KC
Phone: 816 321 1800
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Region: South KC
Phone: (816) 941-8333
Visit WebsiteHampton Inn Kansas City/Downtown Financial District
Region: Downtown
Phone: (816) 652-3160
Visit WebsiteOrigin Hotel Kansas City
Region: North East
Phone: (816) 310-1770
Visit WebsiteBest Western Plus Kansas City Airport - KCI East
Region: Airport Area
Phone: (816) 891-9111
Visit Website