Arrival/Check-In: The Raphael Hotel sits in a prime Kansas City location, directly across from the popular Country Club Plaza. My husband and I arrived before the official check-in time and, while our room wasn’t quite ready, we decided to visit a nearby museum. Shortly after we left, the hotel called to say our room was prepared. Check-in back at the hotel was quick and the front desk attendant was friendly, pointing us to the elevator nearest our room. We visited just after Christmas and the hotel was still decorated for the holidays, which added a festive touch to our stay.
Guest Quarters: Our room on the seventh floor faced Country Club Plaza, which remained decorated for the season. The room included a comfortable king bed, a large desk with multiple outlets, and a sitting area with a chair, small couch, minibar and television. The closet featured a window — an unusual but welcome detail that provided natural light for choosing outfits. Complimentary, easy-to-access WiFi was available throughout our stay. Despite being near the elevator, noise was not an issue.
The bathroom was located across from the closet toward the back of the room, giving it added privacy. It offered a combined shower and tub, while the sink and vanity were positioned just outside the bathroom door. The Raphael provides oversized towels, which I appreciated as someone with long hair. Turn-down service was offered in the evenings and included chocolates on the pillows.
Services/Amenities: On our first night we stopped at Chaz on the Plaza, the hotel’s bar and restaurant. Kansas City has a lively jazz scene, and Chaz features nightly live jazz performances. We enjoyed cocktails while listening to the music, which made for a relaxed evening.
We also used the hotel’s 24-hour room service one night after an evening out. The late-night burger arrived quickly and was delicious. For exercise, the fitness center on the second floor has several cardio machines, free weights, medicine balls and other equipment. There were plenty of towels, a basket of granola bars and a small fridge stocked with water. Note that you need your room key for access to the fitness center.
Throughout the day the hotel offers complimentary beverages in the lobby: coffee in the morning, fruit-infused water in the afternoon and hot chocolate with cookies in the evening. We appreciated each of these small touches during our stay.
We felt comfortable and welcome during our three-night visit. The Raphael is a strong choice whether you’re in Kansas City for business or leisure.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ Visit Chaz on the Plaza for weekday happy hour and nightly live jazz.
◆ Walk across the street to Country Club Plaza for shopping, dining and entertainment.
◆ Check The Raphael’s website before your stay for special offers; seasonal packages may be available.
THE RAPHAEL HOTEL
325 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
tel 816 756 3800
raphaelkc.com