Eylul Tunc 
Welcome to the city of fountains, Kansas City, Missouri! This eclectic city is the perfect getaway for those looking for cultural attractions, shopping centers, a great jazz music scene, and nightlife!
Knowing its nickname, it is no surprise that you will find so many impressive foundations in each corner with sculptures that make Kansas City look like an open art museum! The most famous ones can be seen at the shopping mall, Country Club Plaza but they are all over the city so it will be so much fun to discover Kansas City, especially if you are a person who likes cities with a bit of everything from entertainment to historical sites.
In this blog post on where to stay in Kansas City, MO, I will talk about the 4 best areas to stay in Kansas City and give you the best of the best hotels for all budgets. Before we start, I just want to remind you that in order to get better deals on hotels and secure your place, do not forget to make a reservation in advance. Many of the hotels in Kansas City have a free cancelation, so don’t worry if you change your mind!
Let’s start our Kansas City tour!
Contents
If you are in a hurry
Here are the best places where to stay in Kansas City, Missouri, with hotels from luxury to budget. They all have great reviews and central locations!
Here is a map of Kansas City neighborhoods, with the best 4 areas I will be talking about in this blog post so you can easily visualize their locations:
- Downtown Kansas City: for first-timers
- Village West: on a budget
- Westport & Country Club: the coolest area
- Overland Park: for relaxation
1. Downtown – where to stay in Kansas City, MO for the first time
Downtown Kansas City is the heart of the city where you will find many great museums, fun attractions, shops, restaurants, and bars. That’s why there is no better place to stay than Downtown if you are visiting Kansas City for the first time.
Start your day with a morning walk to explore the streets of downtown Kansas City, checking out the historic museums, fun attractions, and art galleries. After visiting all the cultural and historic sites, it is time to go shopping. Here you will find tons of nice shops, great cafes, and restaurants too.
I can also say that Downtown Kansas City is also the city’s entertainment center! The place you should go to enjoy the nightlife is the Power and Light District, in the northern part of the downtown area. Here you will see that locals are already having fun, so why not join them?
Downtown Kansas city offers many nice accommodations for all budgets. Thanks to its close proximity to the city’s main attractions, it’s the most popular area to stay in Kansas City. That’s why before jumping to the best hotels I found for you, I would like to remind you to make your reservations in advance. If you are looking for another lively city for your next trip check out the best places to stay in Chicago.
Here are the best places to stay in Kansas City, Downtown:
Loews Kansas City is located at the heart of the city and is within walking distance of the main attractions. This elegant hotel features modern rooms and suites with unique city views, a business center, a swimming pool, a nice restaurant that offers delicious food, and a chic rooftop bar. I really liked the fancy restaurant in this hotel where you can have gourmet foods and watch the city lights. From comfortable rooms to great breakfast, you will find everything in this hotel for a comfortable stay!
Other accommodation in Downtown Kansas City
This hotel has a central location in downtown and offers a business center, modern rooms, and a nice bar and restaurant
La Quinta Inn offers modern-style rooms with great amenities and has a perfect location to access shops and the entertainment center of the city
This Airbnb has a very central location, sophisticated style, rooms, a kitchen with great amenities, and is within walking distance to shops
Things to do in Downtown Kansas City
- Visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum
- Go to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City
- Check out lively restaurants and bars and mingle with locals in the Power and Light entertainment District
- See Union Station Kansas City in downtown
- Explore the underwater world at SEA LIFE Kansas City
- See the National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Learn about jazz music history at American Jazz Museum
- Go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
2. Village West – the best Kansas City, MO, place to stay on a budget
Village West area is located in the city’s western part and 15 miles (25 km) away from the downtown. If you are traveling on a budget, Village West is the best place to stay in Kansas as here you will be able to find more affordable accommodations as well as cheaper restaurants and cafes. Yet, you will still have a lot of things to discover in Village West!
Start your day with a morning stroll in Shawnee Mission Park or Wyandotte County Lake. Then visit the National Airline History Museum and Thomas Hart Benton Home Historic Site.
If you are a wine lover you should taste delicious local wines at Amigoni Urban Winery. In the Village West area, you will also find nice local restaurants, shopping centers as well as relatively cheaper hotels. But in order to get better deals on hotels and secure your place, make sure to make your booking in advance. For those looking for inspiration for their next trip check out the best Airbnbs in Nashville.
Here are the best places to stay in Kansas for budget travelers.
This family-friendly hotel has a fun aqua park which is perfect for families with kids. Great Wolf Lodge offers one outdoor and 2 indoor swimming pools, free parking, a fitness center, a barbecue, a great breakfast, and a nice bar. Guests can have fun with 12 different water attractions and have delicious food in the on-site restaurant.
Other accommodation in Village West, Kansas City
This hotel has a convenient location in the area and offers family-friendly rooms and an indoor swimming pool
This hotel has comfortable rooms with a king-size bed, a business center, free wifi, and private parking
This Airbnb has modern-style rooms with great amenities, a fully furnished kitchen, and a great location in the area
Things to do in Village West, Kansas City
- Visit the National Airline History Museum
- Go for a stroll at the beautiful Wyandotte County Lake
- Taste local wines at the Amigoni Urban Winery
- Go for a walk at Shawnee Mission Park
3. Westport & Country Club – the coolest area to stay in Kansas City
The Westport and Country Club Districts are located 6 miles (8 km) south of downtown and with their art galleries, beautiful shops, and trendy cafes, this is the coolest area to stay in Kansas City.
In the Country Club district, you will find the biggest shopping mall in the city, Country Club Plaza. You can check out tons of shops, have a coffee break in cool cafes and take photos of iconic fountains.
FUN FACT: There are more than 200 fountains in Kansas City and the most famous ones can be found in Country Club Plaza. In the late 1800s, these fountains were put up for dogs, horses, and birds to drink water when they were passing through the city.
For art lovers, you should not miss visiting the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Nelson Atkins Museum of Art but if you are into nightlife, you have to check out the entertainment scene in the Westport area just north of the Country Club Plaza! Here you will find awesome jazz clubs and tons of lively bars scattered amongst the historic buildings and chic boulevards. Doesn’t it sound like a cool area with a bit of everything?
Westport and The Country Club district offers a great selection of accommodations for all tastes. Here are the best of the best hotels in this eclectic area from luxury to budget:
This elegant hotel has a great location near Country Club Plaza and is one of the best places to stay in Kansas City. The Truitt hotel offers a room with a king-size bed, free private parking, and a garden terrace where you can have great food and drinks in a friendly atmosphere. Guests can easily access shopping centers and major city attractions with a short drive and Kansas City International Airport is 15 miles (20 km) away.
Other accommodation options in Country Club District & Westport, Kansas City
This hotel has a great location near Country Club Plaza and offers a business center, a swimming pool, private parking, and free wifi
Enjoy a unique terrace bar with a fireplace where you can have drinks in a friendly atmosphere, a comfortable guest room, and Country Club Plaza is a short walk
This Airbnb has a convenient location near the main attractions such as Country Club Plaza and offers beautifully decorated rooms, a kitchen, and free parking
Things to do in Country Club District & Westport, Kansas City
- Marvel at artworks at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
- Visit the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
- See the JC Nichols Memorial Fountain
- Go for a walk at Kauffman Memorial Garden
- Visit the Kansas City Zoo
- Go shopping at Country Club Plaza and check out the beautiful fountains
- Check out the lively nightlife in the Westport area
- Learn about history Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
4. Overland Park – the safest place to stay in Kansas City
Overland Park is located in the southwestern part of the city and is 10 miles (15 km) away from Downtown Kansas City. This area is a bit far from downtown but it is the best place to stay in Kansas City for relaxation.
Overland Park is a quiet area with beautiful lush green parks, cultural museums, and art galleries. There are also nice shops and great vineyards where you can taste delicious local wines and enjoy the art galleries.
For those who want to be away from the noise of the city center, Overland Park is the best place to stay in Kansas City and I have already picked the safest hotels this area of Kansas City for you.
This hotel is one of the best hotels in the Overland Park area with its great facilities and convenient location to access shopping centers and city attractions. DoubleTree Hotel features an on-site restaurant with great food, comfortable rooms with modern amenities, and free wifi. Guests can enjoy the fully-equipped fitness center and relax in the garden lounge area.
Other options in Overland Park, Kansas City
This hotel has beautiful architecture and offers a swimming pool, comfortable rooms, and a great location
Hilton Garden Inn features a swimming pool, spacious rooms, a nice dining area with beautiful architecture, and free parking
This Airbnb has a great location, beautifully decorated rooms, a kitchen with great amenities, and free parking
Things to do in Overland Park, Kansas City
- Go to the beautiful Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
- Visit the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
- Go to the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
- Try local vines at Aubrey Vineyards
- Visit the Johnson County Arts And Heritage Center
- Learn about car history at the Kansas City Automotive Museum
| 👑 Luxury price: | $230 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | $170 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $120 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | $120 |
| 💰Accommodation prices: | Medium |
| 📍Best Area: | Downtown Kansas City |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Loews Kansas City |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | La Quinta Inn |
FAQs about accommodations in Kansas City, MO
🗺️ What is the best area to stay in Kansas City, Missouri?
Thanks to its close proximity to historic sites and cultural attractions, Downtown Kansas City is the best area to stay if you are visiting Kansas for the first time. Some of the best hotels I can recommend here are Loews Kansas City and Hotel Indigo.
❌ Where are the bad parts of Kansas City, Missouri?
Washington Wheatley is an area known for its high crime rate in Kansas City, so you should avoid visiting this area.
👫 Best places to stay in Kansas City, Missouri for couples?
Residence Inn Kansas in Overland Park and The Truitt in the Country Club District are the best places to stay in Kansas City for couples.
🛎️ Which are the best boutique hotels in Kansas City, Missouri?
Located in Village West Great Wolf Lodge is the best boutique hotel in Kansas City.
👨👩👦👦 Where to stay in Kansas City, Missouri for families?
Thanks to their family-friendly rooms and facilities, Great Wolf Lodge in West Village and DoubleTree by Hilton in Overland are the best places to stay in Kansas City for families.
⛲ Where are the most fountains in Kansas City?
You will see the most famous fountains at Country Club Plaza but you can also see fountains in urban parks and streets of Kansas City.
✅ Which side of Kansas City is better, the Kansas side or the Missouri side?
The better side of Kansas City depends on individual preferences as both the Kansas and Missouri sides offer unique attractions and neighborhoods.
🤩 Where do celebrities stay in Kansas City?
Celebrities often stay in upscale neighborhoods and luxury hotels such as the Country Club Plaza area or the Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this Kansas City tour and have already decided on your ideal hotel. In this blog post, I talked about the best places to stay in Kansas City and gave information about the vibes of each area with the activities you can do there to try and help you find the one most suited to you.
As I’ve said earlier, I recommend you to stay in Downtown Kansas City if you are visiting for the first time but each area has its own vibe, so pick your favorite one according to your taste!
I would like to remind you again that in order not to miss your favorite place and get better deals on hotels in Kansas City, Missouri do not forget to make a reservation in advance!
I know I’ve already given you so many options but to sum up, here are the 2 best hotels. Each has central locations and reviews and I can definitely recommend them for a pleasant stay in KC!
- Loews Kansas City – The best place to stay in Kansas City near the main city attractions
- Comfort Suites Speedway – A great place to stay in the Village West area with high-class facilities
If you have any other suggestions or questions about Kansas City or Missouri, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be glad to leave a reply to them!
Enjoy your trip to Kansas City,
Eylul
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Thank you, very helpful. Where would you suggest to stay for 5 women on a girls trip in early November??
Thank you!
Hello Melody!
Thank you, I am glad the article was helpful:)
I wasn’t sure regarding your price range or location, so I have given you 2 separate options below. I advise you to stay in downtown Kansas as this is where most of the action takes place. The below options are both located near Downtown Kansas;
Option 1
The Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection – This hotel is historic and has spa and wellness packages to enjoy with your friends, and is in walking distance to the plaza.
Option 2
The Fontaine – This option has a roof top pool and bar with a fully equipped gym. This may be a great idea in terms of lounging by the pool and having a few sundowners after a full day exploring Kansas.
You will be going to Kansas during their fall season, so be sure to take something warm.
I hope this helps! Have a great vacation, I am sure you ladies will have a blast!