The Holiday Inn Express Kansas City Downtown is our budget pick, and it has more character than most hotels at its price. It occupies the Inter-State Building, a seven-storey Chicago-style office block completed in 1915 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which was converted into a 73-room hotel that opened at the end of 2018. One of the building’s first major tenants was the federal Interstate Commerce Commission, and a plaque by the entrance still bears the name. Inside, the rooms are straightforward and comfortable, and the hotel offers what budget travellers value most: a free breakfast every morning, a fitness center, a business center and parking for registered guests. Reviews are excellent for the category, averaging above nine out of ten on Expedia from more than a thousand stays. The location is central, half a block from the T-Mobile Center and a few minutes on foot from the Power and Light District, with Crown Center, Union Station and the Crossroads easy to reach. It is the smart base for a short city break, a concert or a game night downtown when you want to save money for barbecue.
Location and getting around: the hotel is at 417 East 13th Street, on the east side of downtown, half a block from the T-Mobile Center and close to Ilus Davis Park. The Power and Light District is a short walk west, the free KC Streetcar on Main Street is a few blocks away, and Crown Center, Union Station and the Crossroads Arts District are a short ride. The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport is about five minutes by car and Kansas City International Airport around half an hour.
Rooms: the 73 rooms are simple and modern, with the brand’s standard comfortable beds, and the historic building gives some of them tall windows. Ask for a higher floor for a quieter night when there is an event at the arena.
Who it suits: budget-conscious couples and friends, concert-goers and sports fans heading to the T-Mobile Center, and travellers who want a central, reliable base with breakfast included.
Good to know: the free breakfast runs from early morning on weekdays and slightly later at weekends. Parking is available for registered guests for a daily charge. Pets are not allowed, though service animals are welcome. There is no restaurant or pool, but the Power and Light District and the Crossroads have plenty of places to eat within a short walk or ride.
Why stay here
- ✓Free breakfast
- ✓Fitness center
- ✓Business center
- ✓Small conference room
- ✓Guest parking
- ✓Historic 1915 building
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Smoke-free rooms
Good questions
Does the Holiday Inn Express Kansas City Downtown include breakfast?+
Yes, a free breakfast is included with every stay. It runs from early morning on weekdays and a little later at weekends.
Is there parking at the Holiday Inn Express Downtown?+
Yes, parking is available for registered guests for a daily charge. Check the current rate when you book.
How far is the hotel from the T-Mobile Center?+
It is about half a block from the T-Mobile Center. The Power and Light District is a short walk away.
