“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
This is a most special post, and something I never thought possible. When I first started writing about luxury traveling a few years ago, I wanted simply to show other people the places I visited, in the hopes that they too would seek to explore the world and find their own adventures and special places.
This blog has wildly exceeded all of my expectations, but one of the challenges is that I am only one person, and I can only visit so many luxury destinations. So, I recently had the thought that I should ask someone to assist me in visiting properties, and I asked an imminently talented young lady named Sara. She’s smart, funny, witty, kind, and most importantly, loves to travel and experience new things!
Sara had a visit planned to Kansas City, so I went to work to find a luxury hotel for her to visit, and it was soon obvious that the jewel of Kansas City hotels is the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection, a part of the Autograph Collection. The hotel graciously agreed to host Sara, and I owe a great bit of thanks to Jennifer with Coury Hospitality for her and the hotel being open to this request.
I would also like to thank Sara for accepting my invitation to contribute to this blog, and for her curiosity, earnestness, and sense of adventure. Aside from a few edits, the following is Sara’s blog post. Congrats Sara!!
Location
In Kansas City’s downtown, at the heart of the Financial District, you will find the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection. This property is perfectly situated next to the Power & Light District (a vibrant eight-block neighborhood filled with restaurants, nightlife, and live entertainment) just two blocks south. Click Here to view the location on Google Maps.
If that’s not enough, you’ll find the convention center four blocks south, the Sprint Center a short 4 minute walk, and Kansas City Hall a quick 5 minute walk away. And, all of this you will find at the end of a 25 minute drive from Kansas City airport.
The Property
A jewel in the crown of Autograph Collection properties, the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection is a boutique property that bills itself as, “housed in a genteel 1920s Neoclassical building.” What a terrifically accurate description. There is a thoughtful mix of classically modern furnishings and that coupled with the small scale of the boutique property allows The Ambassador Hotel, Kansas City to achieve a nice balance between swanky and cozy.
Accommodations
Refined contemporary rooms and suites, offering marble bathrooms with designer toiletries feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and safes. All rooms have mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and minibars. Turndown service is standard.
Checkout a 360-degree view of the room on my Bubbli App by Clicking Here!
Amenities and Perks
Amenities include a 24-hour fitness room equipped with free weights, treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike. Additionally, if you inquire with the concierge, the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection also provides VIP day passes to One Life fitness a full gym just down the street; 24 hour self-service business center with access to notary, copy/printing, and courier services; complimentary luxury transportation (within a 5-mile radius); and, a swanky restaurant serving locally sourced food, cocktails, and wine. While the hotel doesn’t have an a full service spa, they do offer in-room Massages (60 minutes) as a single or couples service.
Dining
Reserve is hotel’s full service restaurant, serving locally sourced seasonal menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All in a warm dining room festooned with chic décor. Our menu selections felt as indulgent as the dining room: Cream of Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese; Arugula Salad – Basil Pesto dressing, crispy pork belly, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella; Truffle Bacon Devil Eggs; Baked Stuffed Salmon – crab stuffed salmon, lemon herb sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes, steamed carrots and wilted spinach; Braised Short Ribs – braises Creek Stone farm short ribs, with thyme-Cabernet sauce & mushroom polenta, pan roasted Brussel Sprouts.
The Little Things
I would be remiss if I didn’t share with you that this small hotel is filled with incredible small touches. From textures of interesting wallpapers to thoughtfully appointed mirrors, lighting, and intimate seating areas.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself in Kansas City, the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection is tops. Just a few blocks from the Midland Theatre, the Power & Light District, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you so much for reading!
Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection – Information and Social
Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection: 1111 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106 (Google Maps)
Phone: (816) 298-7700
Read about the Ambassador Hotel on Trip Advisor
Extra Extra!!
Kansas City is known for their BBQ – some of the top establishments include more widely known Gates and Arthur Bryant’s and some hidden gems: Oklahoma Joes (in a gas station next to liquor store – on Kansas Side) and Jack Stack (also on the Kansas side.) The Country Club Plaza, or “The Plaza” to the locals, is also a must do – shopping, restaurants, even gondola rides on the river with great views of architecture.
More Pictures!
Thanks again to Sara for her first awesome visit and blog post!! Also, thanks again very much to Jennifer and the Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Colletion for welcoming Sara, and for the use of the high resolution cover image.
Please take note that Sara was welcomed to hotel as a special media guest and that her opinions (and those of this blog) are entirely Sara’s and my own.
Thank you for reading, and happy traveling!
#agp
