Kansas City

Built in 1927 as an apartment house, the Raphael today bills itself as a boutique hotel. It's an intimate, European-style facility with large rooms that have excellent views of the plaza. — Fodor's

Within walking distance of the Country Club Plaza and the Nelson-Atkins Museum, this urban inn has rooms named for and decorated in honor of some of the big names of local history. — Fodor's

Its rooms feature contemporary art deco styling, with the golden statue of Dawn watching over the lobby's warm, dark paneling. — Fodor's

Part of the Crown Center complex, the Westin has a bustling lobby complete with a five-story waterfall and a natural limestone cliff. — Fodor's

The 730-room Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center is a huge upscale property connected to the Crown Center entertainment complex. — Oyster

Recent renovations have restored the Hilton President to the splendor of the building's original 1940s elegance. — Fodor's

This hotel blends green living and urban glamour at affordable prices. — Gayot

A luxury hotel overlooking Country Club Plaza, this property has a marble and mahogany lobby and marble baths and crystal fixtures in the guest rooms. — Fodor's

This thoroughly modern hotel, with Mediterranean-inspired styling, delivers luxurious accommodations in Country Club Plaza. — The Telegraph

The Kansas City area's only full-service resort and spa occupies a historic 1912 limestone hotel situated on 16 landscaped acres, about a 30-minute drive from downtown and the airport. — Frommer's

The 48 modern two-room suites at this historic 1926 downtown hotel have antique-style furnishings — Lonely Planet

This is the more daring of Marriott's two Kansas City Autograph Collection offshoots, a stern study in white that makes sibling Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection look like a colorful summer carnival. — Star Service

Located two blocks from the convention center, this is the largest hotel in town, combining the original 22-story Marriott and the revitalized Muehlebach. — Star Service

This hotel is situated in the theater district, one block from the convention center, in the heart of downtown. — Star Service

‘Art hotel’...only way to describe this Kansas City landmark...with a central location, up-to-date luxury and a humming food scene, the 21c offers something completely different. — The Telegraph

Geared toward families with its massive indoor/outdoor waterpark (free for hotel guests), huge game arcade, children's activity room, interactive game quest that involves tracking down clues. — Frommer's

A barn-like lodge contains a spacious homestead; visitors explore 1,200 acres of tallgrass, encountering bison and longhorn cattle, then sit for elegant prix-fixe dinners, 14mi north of Lawrence. — Michelin Guide