Where to Stay in Kansas City: Our Top Neighborhoods & Hotels
Not many have ventured to Kansas City as a travel destination, but we think it is worth a stop. The city has experienced a steady stream investment in its core since the early 2000s and is the perfect destination for a long weekend getaway.
One of the first things you may be wondering is where to stay. Kansas City is known for its urban sprawl, so it may be difficult to figure out what area to stay in. The Crossroads is always the first place we would recommend for first time visitors, but there are some very cool neighborhoods to stay in as well.
This guide will help you narrow down your search for neighborhoods and hotels whether you are looking for easy access to the main attractions, unique neighborhood vibes or need to stay further outside the city to visit family.
Heads up: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book at no cost to you. We only link to stays and experiences we'd actually choose for ourselves.
Hotels by Neighborhood
Crossroads Arts District & Westside
The Crossroads is the perfect place to stay if you are visiting the city for the first time or plan on spending most of your time in this area. It is bursting with character and includes many restaurants, bars, art galleries and shops to keep you busy.
This is also a great area if you are traveling without kids to experience the night life the city has to offer. Another perk is its access to the city’s only free public transit, the streetcar. The streetcar is the spine of the Crossroads and can take you to the River Market, Crown Center, Downtown and the Plaza.
Westside is not a part of Crossroads proper, but is just west of the main area. This area has some truly great restaurants, bars and shops to check out. We love Zero Zero, Westside Local and XO Hifi. For some local flair shop around Westside Storey, Fetch and Roots Plant Shop.
Hotels
Crossroads Hotel
The Crossroads Hotel is our top pick. It is the perfect location, it’s got history and we love the ambiance as soon as you step foot through the door.
Built in 1911, this hotel originally was Pabst Brewing Depot. It has a cool modern vibe and rooms that are bursting with character and charm. You could spend an entire evening soaking up the amenities this hotel has to offer right in its lobby and on the rooftop.
The lobby has a really cool bar area that also serves wood fired pizzas plus one of our favorite restaurants, Lazia. Lazia is an upscale Italian restaurant with a luxurious dining space for a nice date night. Go for a nightcap on the rooftop bar for epic views of the city.
Other amenities include pet friendly rooms, a complimentary coffee bar featuring local Messenger Coffee, valet parking and access to a 24/7 fitness room.
Loews Kansas City Hotel
This hotel has a great location if you happen to be seeing a show at the T-Mobile Center or Kaufman Center of the Performing Arts. It also is connected to the Kansas City Convention Center.
Pick this hotel if you are a sucker for good views and modern luxurious accommodations. Most of the rooms have fantastic views of the iconic Kaufman Center, downtown skyline or Power & Light District. The rooms, styled in a contemporary fashion, are well appointed and spacious.
Other amenities include an indoor saltwater lap pool, fitness center, pet friendly rooms, valet parking and electric vehicle charging stations.
Crown Center
Just a short hop away from the Crossroads is Crown Center. This area is a great launching point for families due to it’s proximity to some of the best attractions for children including LegoLand, Sea Life Aquarium, Science City and Union Station.
However, even those traveling without children would enjoy this area. Union Station is a must visit for all and next door is the World War I Memorial and Museum. The top of the memorial is the best view of the city skyline and the museum is one of the city’s best.
Hotels
The Westin
We only have one pick for the Crown Center area since it is a smaller area of the city. The Westin is the perfect place to stay though. You’ve got direct access to Union Station and the streetcar via a short 5 minute walk, which truly can’t be beat. If you are looking for a hotel with great amenities in the pool/fitness arena, this is a great choice.
You’re welcomed into the hotel with a large waterfall carved into Limestone and have access to Kansas City’s largest outdoor heated pool. Rooms are your typical appointed mid range hotel rooms, but with that you have some great skyline views from your window. You will also have access to their fitness studio and sauna.
Power & Light/Downtown
We aren’t super huge fans of the Power & Light district as it is not quite our vibe, but we can’t deny that it is one of the best areas of the city to stay secondary to the Crossroads. There are numerous hotels in this area and it is the best location if you are seeing a concert, game or show at the T-Mobile Center.
If you are in the mood for some debauchery, the Power & Light district offers numerous bars and entertainment for a night out. Similar to the Crossroads, it has prime access to the Kansas City streetcar to take you to different areas across the city, so even if the Power & Light district isn’t your cup of tea, it is still a great area to set up home base.
Hotels
Hilton President Kansas City
Looking for a hotel that gives you a glance into Kansas City’s historic past? Try out the Hilton President Hotel, which has been around since 1926. The rooms are updated to a more traditional style, but you’ll enjoy the older vibe of the lobby, restaurant and bar to match their 1920’s history.
Other amenities include a fitness center, valet parking and electric vehicle charging stations.
Check Here for Rates & Availability
The Ambassador Hotel
Not to be outdone, The Ambassador Hotel is also housed in a 1920’s era building that was formerly the Gates City National Bank. The hotel is styled in a Neoclassical architecture with grand marble pillars and staircases and you’ll feel the boutique style of the hotel with their contemporary, comfortable rooms.
With a variety of room options including suites, you are sure to find an accommodation that meets your needs. The hotel also features Lonnie’s Reno Club right in the basement where you can enjoy live Jazz music every Friday and Saturday evening. The hotel also includes a 24/7 fitness center.
The Plaza & Westport
Just south of downtown you will find Westport and the Plaza. Two totally different vibes, but we are lumping them together since many of the hotels are in close proximity to each. The Country Club Plaza is an outdoor shopping center that spreads over 14 blocks. It has beautiful Spanish-style architecture as well as sculptures and fountains dispersed through the area. We always recommend a stop here to shop for some local KC goods and apparel. The areas around the Plaza include some older neighborhoods with character and some show-stopping houses just south of the Plaza.
Where the Plaza shines in shopping and charm, Westport is a hot spot of good restaurants and old school bars. We absolutely recommend checking out some of the restaurants, bars and shops in this area during the day/early evening. However, this area can get a little dicey at night. While it used to be a great scene for getting a night cap, it gets a little overrun with partiers having a wild night out in the evenings. The streets shut down at night and there are police at every entry/exit checking IDs. Just something to be aware of. Check out Westport Cafe, Char Bar and Le Champion for some good food and drink.
Hotels
The Truitt & Aida Hotel
The Truitt and Aida Hotels are boutique hotels for those seeking accommodations a little out of the ordinary. The Truitt is located in a historic brick colonial mansion, while the Aida looks like a mini limestone castle. Both are run by the same owners and offer an intimate experience more akin to a Bed & Breakfast vibe. You can book standard rooms or suites that feel homey decorated in a modern, contemporary styles. They are not a full service hotels, but we tend to like experiences like the Truitt and Aida for the more relaxed vibes. Just because it isn’t a full service hotel doesn’t mean you can’t still get some great amenities including complimentary parking, morning snacks and access to their manicured gardens.
The location of these hotels can’t be beat for any art enthusiasts as they are both located just a short walk away from the Nelson Atkins Museum, which is in our opinion the best museum in the city.
The Truitt - Check Here for Rates & Availability
Aida Hotel - Check Here for Rates & Availability
The Raphael Hotel
For those seeking more a more traditional style hotel in this area of the city look no further than the Raphael Hotel. You’ll likely pull up to this hotel thinking it is an apartment complex, as that was the original purpose of the building when it was first built in 1927. The lobby has some cool old Italian style architectural features and the spacious rooms blend the history of the building with modern updates. Located just south of the Plaza, you are steps away from all the action and not too far off from a streetcar stop.
Amenities include valet parking, 24/7 fitness center, an onsite market, and live Jazz nightly. They also offer some really great room packages if you are celebrating a special occasion or just because.
River Market
Just north of downtown you will find yourself in the River Market. We love this area. Here you will find City Market, a small open-air market with shops, restaurants and produce. Venture here on a weekend and you will find the center bustling with stands selling fresh produce, fruits, flowers, and local goods. You’ll also find several antique stores to peruse and excellent restaurants. Some of our favorite restaurants in this area include Muni, The Farmhouse and Brown & Loe. Also located along the streetcar line, you have easy access to all the other great parts of the city.
Hotels
Origin Kansas City Riverfront
The Origin KC Riverfront is KC’s first hotel on the Berkley Riverfront. This newer hotel features modern, clean rooms for a comfortable stay. You will be just steps away from the Riverfront stop of the streetcar for a short trip to the River Market stop and beyond. If you are a soccer fan, the women’s soccer team, the Kansas City Current is located right along the Riverfront as well and the perfect accommodation in you are headed to a game.
Other amenities include: pet-friendly rooms, fitness center and complimentary bike rentals you can take along the trails in the Riverfront or bike down to River Market.
Prairie Village
About a 15 minute drive southwest of the city center you will find yourself truly in a neighborhood in Prairie Village. It is a cool neighborhood with both older homes and newer builds for a mish-mash of styles. If you are looking for a quieter vibe, but still close enough to the action of downtown you may want to check this area out. Prairie Village shops has some great restaurant options for breakfast, lunch and dinner and some boutique shops to poke around in. Some great restaurant options include French Market, Scratch Gourmet Kitchen and Cafe Provence.
Hotels
Inn at Meadowbrook
While this hotel is a little off the beaten path, it’s a great option for those seeking a quiet refuge. With only 54 rooms, you’ll feel the intimate and welcoming vibes as soon as you walk through the door with their English Cottage ambiance. It’s no wonder the English national team chose this hotel for their World Cup stay in 2026.
The outdoor amenities of this hotel truly shine. The hotel is surrounded by green space with Meadowbrook Park. The outdoor terrace over looks the lakes and you can enjoy an evening by their firepit as well. They also have an outdoor pool and hot tub that are open seasonally and of course a scenic fitness center with views over the lakes.
Check Here for Rates & Availability
The rest of the neighborhoods mentioned in this guide don’t really have a wealth of hotel options we’d recommend, but we still want to highlight the features and vibes of each. They all have their own unique feel and each deserve a visit. We’ll suggest what area to stay in for close proximity if you are interested in being near to check out all the neighborhood has to offer.
Brookside/Waldo
Probably KC's "coolest" neighborhood. Here you will find yourself surrounded by timeless Tudors, Colonials, and Craftsman style homes. It is extremely walkable and there are several areas sprinkled throughout that have a great diversity of food and drink options, as well as boutique shops. It is also located right on the Trolley Track trail. So, if you are looking to take a longer walk to the Plaza or the streetcar you can safely walk there. If you are wanting to stay close to this area, we recommend checking out some of the hotel options in the Plaza as that will be the closest area with hotels.
North Kansas City
Across the river from River Market and downtown is North Kansas City. This area has a low-key vibe for those seeking a refuge. This area is great for brewery hopping, finding some more casual eats or exploring local shops. We love Cinder Block Brewery or check out Iron District, an outdoor food court and retail destination. Origin Kansas City Riverfront near the River Market would be your best bet for easy access to North Kansas City.
West Bottoms
West Bottoms comes alive with antique stores opening their doors every first weekend. Most of these shops only open this one time a month, so the area is crawling with shoppers on the hunt for vintage pieces. There are also usually some outdoor booths and food trucks to keep you full and busy. This area is worth a stop over, especially if you are in town on a first weekend. But if not, there are some good food, drinks and quirky shops in this area. Rock Island Bridge also just opened in early 2026 where you can find food drink, live music and special events all right on the bridge for a truly unique experience. For an outstanding burger and upscale cocktails check out The Campground or Voltaire for a nice date night. This area is pretty small and doesn’t have hotel options, but we recommend staying somewhere downtown for close proximity if you are interested in visiting this area.
39th Street
Around 39th Street you will find some great neighborhoods with character. The main drag has diverse restaurant options including one of our favorite barbeque spots in the city, Q39. Here you will also find some great dive bars (we recommend Hi Dive) and a good upscale cocktail spot at Goat & Rabbit. You should also check out Donna’s Dress Shop for some vintage finds or Prospero’s Books for those looking to get lost in bookshelves. If you stay in the Plaza area, you won’t be too far from this street.
Kansas City, Kansas
KCK is an up and coming part of town which has been improving over the last decade. You’ll want to come here for great and mostly authentic Mexican food/culture as well as some good dive bars. We recommend staying the Plaza area if you want to be closer to this neighborhood.
Old Overland Park
Overland Park is one of the bigger cities on the KS side. It is further away than city center than other areas, but if you do venture out, stay on the north side of town in Old Overland Park for a quaint downtown vibe. Old OP has turned into one of the most diverse food and drink areas in the Metro. Here you will find what is in our opinion the best farmer’s market in the city. They just revamped the market area in 2026, including an indoor market area so the market can open year round. Right now, you can find the farmer’s market running on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 am - 1 pm. You will find local goods, produce, art and food trucks. Be sure to check out the main downtown street for local boutiques and shops that are worth the stop as well. Stay in Prairie Village for a close hotel option at the Inn at Meadowbrook.
Shawnee
Last, but certainly not least is Shawnee, KS. This unassuming downtown has quietly become one of the best downtown strips in all of Kansas City’s surrounding neighborhoods and cities. If you are looking for the best bars in the Kansas City metro, come here. You wouldn’t expect it, but Drastic Measures and Wild Child are some of the best bars in the country. The owner gets routinely nominated for James Beard awards and serves up outstanding cocktails. Not a drinker? Head over to Wild Child where they have a great variety of non-alcoholic mocktails that are just as good as the alcoholic options on the menu. There are also three breweries in the area and a cool garage bar dishing out some great burgers with a chill vibe. Stay in Prairie Village or Plaza area, for the closest recommended hotels.
Final Thoughts
There are truly so many areas and neighborhoods to explore in Kansas City. If you have time, we recommend checking them all out as each has their own flavor. For Kansas City, we recommend picking a hotel and neighborhood that is primarily located near the attractions you want to visit. Since Kansas City is know for it’s urban sprawl, you will likely have to drive to some of your destinations so you want to be close by for a short drive. Be sure to check out our Kansas City Activity Guide or Outsiders Guide to Kansas City to help narrow down what you might like to see on your trip! Happy travels!
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