Where to stay in Kansas City

What a night costs

Budget

$165

Mid-range

$180

Luxury

$240

The cheapest of the 3 areas, about $140 a night less than Crossroads & Crown Center.

Where we'd book

• Hotel Indigo - Kansas City Downtown by IHG ↗BoutiqueTop-rated hotel in an old office building on 11th Street.
• Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection By Hilton ↗Mid-rangeHistoric Art Deco hotel near Power & Light.
• Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City Downtown/Convention Center ↗BudgetWell-rated hotel with an indoor pool by the convention centre.

The verdict

The centre of Kansas City, with the Power & Light District's bars and live music, T-Mobile Center, the convention centre and the River Market, linked by the free KC Streetcar.

Minutes to the sights

• Power & Light District3 minwalk
• T-Mobile Center5 minwalk
• City Market8 min
• Crown Center11 min
• 18th & Vine Jazz District14 min
• Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts15 minwalk

Stations and airports

0 min to Power & Light District. The free KC Streetcar runs along Main Street from the River Market through downtown and the Crossroads to Union Station. RideKC buses cover the rest of the city.

What a night costs

Budget

$190

Mid-range

$320

Luxury

$450

The dearest of the 3 areas, about $140 a night more than Downtown & Power & Light.

Where we'd book

• Crossroads Hotel ↗BoutiqueTop-rated hotel in a converted warehouse with a rooftop bar.
• Hotel Indigo Kansas City - The Crossroads by IHG ↗Mid-rangeWell-rated hotel on Grand Boulevard.
• The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center ↗LuxuryBig hotel connected to Crown Center and Union Station.
• Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center ↗Mid-rangeLarge hotel with a rooftop saltwater pool.

The verdict

The arts district south of downtown, with galleries, breweries and barbecue in old warehouses, plus Union Station, the National WWI Museum and the Crown Center shops and attractions.

Minutes to the sights

• Crown Center10 minwalk
• T-Mobile Center11 min
• Union Station Kansas City11 minwalk
• National WWI Museum and Memorial16 minwalk
• Power & Light District18 minwalk
• Westport19 min

Stations and airports

5 min to Power & Light District. The free KC Streetcar runs up Main Street from Union Station through the Crossroads to downtown and the River Market. Crown Center and Union Station are linked by an indoor walkway.

What a night costs

Budget

$185

Mid-range

$225

Luxury

$340

2nd cheapest of 3 areas, about $95 a night less than Crossroads & Crown Center.

Where we'd book

• The Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection ↗LuxuryTop-rated 1920s hotel overlooking the Plaza.
• The Fontaine ↗BoutiqueStylish hotel with a rooftop pool on the Plaza.
• InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza by IHG ↗Mid-rangeBig hotel with Plaza views by Brush Creek.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Country Club Plaza ↗Mid-rangeTop-rated hotel with an indoor pool.
• AC Hotel Kansas City Plaza ↗BudgetGood-value hotel on Westport Road.

The verdict

Kansas City's Spanish-style shopping district, with fountains, upscale hotels and restaurants, next to the free Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the bars of Westport.

Minutes to the sights

• Country Club Plaza8 minwalk
• Westport16 minwalk
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art22 minwalk
• Union Station Kansas City24 min
• Crown Center25 min
• National WWI Museum and Memorial28 min

Stations and airports

15 min to Power & Light District. RideKC buses run along Main Street and Broadway to the Crossroads and downtown. Most visitors use taxis or rideshare, about 15 minutes to downtown.