Chateau Avalon near the Legends.

The fairly new, 23 room boutique hotel has theme rooms. Every room has oversized Jacuzzi tubs and made to order breakfast served in the room.

I recommend avoiding the two level rooms. What we wanted was always on the other floor.

Keith

I am not familiar with the Inn at Stoneleigh. You might look at the Southmoreland, a B&B near the Plaza, assuming it's not sold out (which it may be):

www.southmoreland.com

Another suggestion is the Courtyard by Marriott on the Plaza. While it is technically a chain hotel, this particular property is a converted apartment building, very close and convenient to the Plaza, so not a typical Courtyard.

I'm not sure how to answer your question about the accessibility of the Plaza without knowing exactly which weekend you are coming. For example, next weekend is the big Art Fair, so while the area is technically accessible, it's also crowded, and auto traffic is restricted.

Thanks Keith and Music Fan.

It was my mistake abut the Southmoreland. That was the property I had as my first choice and it is indeed sold out.

Chateau Avalon looks very nice but they are also sold out.

I will look at the Courtyard. I've stayed in some of their locations that aren't so typical and this may be a good solution.

The weekend we will be in Kansas City is 10/7-10/9. I think that is the weekend of the Sprint Cup race and that would put a strain on hotel space.

I'm still intrigued by the Savoy in some way. I know the Plaza has many attractions though, including our event on Saturday (an author event at Unity Sanctuary), and I wonder if travel between there and downtown will be too much of a drag on our time enjoying Kansas City.

Thanks much.

JBT

Well, if there is a Sprint Cup race that weekend, then nothing by the Legends will be available.

You will lose little time staying at the Savoy; downtown is not that far from the Plaza, perhaps 15-20 minutes, but all things considered, staying at the Plaza would be my preference if at all possible. The new Performing Arts Center (located between the two areas) will be open by then, but I just checked and don't see any events there that weekend.

I have attended author events at Unity, usually weeknights though, and there is a nice (and free!) parking garage right next door.

Hope you have a great time--post back if you need more info.

I haven't been to the rooms at the Savoy, but when I dined there a year ago, the restaurant felt dated and a trifle shabby.

The Elms might be off the radar of folks in town for NASCAR, but I see that the reviews are about half people who loved it and half people who hated it.

Any intest in doing something an hour or two away from KC?

Thanks again Keith and music fan.

It does seem that the Plaza is where we will want to be. I'll look at the Courtyard. The InterContinental has availability but that falls into the chain column for sure.

The Savoy reviews do mention shabby and perhaps the charm isn't enough to outweigh that.

We will be staying close in town I'm sure. Perhaps dinner at Julian and hopefully BBQ.

Fodorites are a great resource. Thanks again.

JBT

Julian is a treat, particularly when Celina is in town.

what about the Phillips?
http://www.hotelphillips.com/

We go to Kansas City often and don't always want to stay with relatives. I have stayed in the Courtyard on the Plaza and liked it. They have a huge lobby if you want to visit with anyone. The room was nice but smaller than other Courtyards I've stayed at.

My favorite choice on the Plaza is the Residence Inn. Again it is nothing like the standard Residence Inn. The rooms do have a kitchen area, but it was a very large room and the breakfast was wonderful. I've stayed there about 3 times and always had a good experience.