Arrival/Check-In: The Raphael Hotel has a prime location in Kansas City, Missouri, directly across the river from the popular shopping area, Country Club Plaza.
My husband and I arrived ahead of check-in and our room was not quite ready, so we opted to visit a nearby museum. Shortly after we arrived at the museum, I received a call that our room was ready. Once back at the hotel, check-in was swift, and the friendly front desk attendant directed us toward the elevator closest to our room. We visited right after Christmas and the property was still decked out in holiday décor, which made our stay feel extra festive.
Guest Quarters: Our room on the seventh floor faced Country Club Plaza, also still decorated for the holiday. The room featured a comfy king bed, large desk with multiple outlets and a sitting area with a chair, small couch, minibar and television. The closet had a window, which I had never encountered. I thought this was a nice touch for looking at clothes in natural light. The easily-accessible WiFi is complimentary, which I always appreciate during a hotel stay. Despite being close to the elevator, we weren’t bothered by any noise.
The bathroom sat across from the closet at the back of the room, which provided extra privacy. It boasted a combination shower and tub. The sink and vanity were located just outside of the bathroom door. The Raphael offers oversize towels. As someone with long hair, I appreciate this type of towel when drying my hair. We enjoyed turn-down service during our visit, complete with chocolates on the pillows.
Services/Amenities: On the first night of our stay we stopped for a drink at the on-site bar and restaurant, Chaz on the Plaza. Kansas City boasts a lively jazz scene, and the bar hosts nightly live jazz performances. We enjoyed sipping our cocktails while listening to music.
We also utilized the property’s 24-hour room service one night of our stay. We ordered a late-night burger after enjoying live music downtown. The service was swift and the burger was really tasty.
As we indulged in plenty of Kansas City’s famous barbecue during our visit, we knew we wanted to make time for the gym. The property’s fitness center, located on the second floor, features several cardio machines, free weights, medicine balls and other equipment. There were plenty of towels, plus a basket of granola bars and a mini fridge stocked with water. You will need your room key to access the fitness center.
Throughout the day The Raphael offers complimentary beverages in the lobby including coffee in the morning, fruitinfused water in the afternoon and hot chocolate and cookies in the evening. We enjoyed each of these options.
We felt at home during our three-night stay. I would recommend a stay at The Raphael whether you’re visiting Kansas City for business or leisure.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ Stop by Chaz on the Plaza for a great weekday happy hour and nightly live jazz.
◆ Walk across the street to Country Club Plaza for shopping, dining and other entertainment options.
◆ Check The Raphael’s website before your stay for special offers. A Winter Blues Jazz deal kicked off just two days after our stay ended, which we were disappointed to miss.
THE RAPHAEL HOTEL
325 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
tel 816 756 3800
raphaelkc.com
Read This Next
Beauty and Adventure in Patagonia
April 2019
Apr 1, 2019All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedAirlines
Aug 18, 2026Air India Selects JFK’s New Terminal 6 For Future Operations
JFK Millennium Partners, the company building and operating Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal 6, and Air India recently announced the airline chose T6 for its operations beginning in 2028, aligning Air India with other Star Alliance member carriers in the new terminal. Sixteen leading international carriers have now selected T6 for their operations, including Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and TAP Air Portugal.
Sponsored Content
Why Japan Is Best Explored by Sea with Princess
Japan is a destination that rewards repeat visits because no two regions — or seasons — feel quite the same. One moment, you’re wandering through centuries-old geisha districts in Kanazawa. The next, you’re watching neon reflections dance across Tokyo streets long after midnight.
August 2026
Aug 18, 2026Pamper Your Passion for Barefoot Luxury in the Seychelles
Imagine a place where the weather is always warm and the sun forever shines upon groves of towering palm trees and unspoiled white-sand beaches, where a vast expanse of turquoise water surrounds you as far as you can see. When I first landed in the Seychelles last spring, I knew I’d discovered a hidden Eden. Known as the Land of Perpetual Summer, the archipelago consists of 115 islands scattered in the western Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar and 1,000 miles east of mainland Africa.
Daily
Aug 18, 2026North Carolina’s The Art of Living Retreat Center to Host Creative Living Workshop
The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, is inviting travelers to relax, unwind and form a deeper connection to themselves with a restorative retreat experience.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Daily
Aug 18, 2026Portugal Hotels Partner with MOKE International Electric Vehicles
Looking for an environmental angle for your next excursion to lovely Portugal? Now you can charge up your MOKE for stays at Bomporto properties in Lisbon and Porto. And in case you’re wondering what on earth a MOKE might be, we’re happy to elaborate: Created by British luxury motor brand MOKE International, these iconic vehicles were designed in the 1960s by the same Sir Alec Issigonis, regarded as the father of the Austin Mini.
Puerto Rico by Water: Beyond San Juan
Destinations
Aug 17, 2026Daily
Aug 14, 2026MGallery Collection Debuts in the Maldives
It’s official: V Villas Maldives at Mirihi –MGallery Collection is open, welcoming guests to a private island experience rich in Maldivian heritage. The all-villa property is set upon Mirihi island within the South Ari Atoll, where the setting includes sparkling azure lagoons and sugary white-sand beaches. Accessed by a 30-minute seaplane crossing from Malé, guests arrive to discover a world of luxury comprised of 42 expansive villas, including four new opulent overwater villas, each with an ample private pool and direct lagoon access. Villas were crafted by the renowned experts at multidisciplinary design firm Studio Gronda, who fashioned each to fit harmoniously into the surrounding tropical landscape.
Sponsored Content
The Art of Balance in Seoul: Beyond the Boardroom
The value of a destination is no longer defined solely by infrastructure, efficiency or scale. Increasingly, it is measured by a city’s ability to balance productivity with well-being — creating opportunities for focus, restoration and more meaningful connections.
August 2026
Aug 14, 2026Take Along These Essentials, Wherever You Go
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Marketed to avid sportspeople as well as those who find traditional earbuds uncomfortable, Shokz OpenRun 2 gained a reputation as the best bone conduction headphones on the market. This is due in large part to their hybrid design, transmitting high notes by vibrations while using conventional speaker units to play the low notes with which technology struggles. Customers swear by their durability as well as their sound quality, perfect for runners and cyclists who need to be aware of their surroundings. $179.95.
ShareThis