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Hotel Phillips
Rating Details »
Categories: Hotels, Steakhouses
Neighborhoods: Central Business District, Greater Downtown106 W 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 221-7000
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
11 reviews for Hotel Phillips
I had the luxury of staying here for my friend's 21st birthday a couple months ago, as a bunch of us girls crammed into 1 hotel room and headed a block over to P and L to celebrate. The location is very convenient in downtown KC as we didn't have to take a taxi home, but rather walked.
The architectural work is simply beautiful, and the decor is elegant and timeless. It's an absolutely beautiful hotel, and with an awesome staff on hand at all times of the day, or night. I was very fortunate enough to be escorted into my room (more like carried) by a very sincere concierge, who saw that my friends were struggling with getting me into the hotel safely. He was quick to help, and he carried me, my shoes, and my purse, all the way up the stairs and safely into my hotel room. I wish I had caught his name; such a nice guy. Now that's stand-up service for you!
Even though us girls had probably made real fools out of ourselves at Hotel Phillips, we were never frowned upon or looked down on by anyone. They were gracious of our business, and always willing to help. Room service made numerous trips to our hotel room throughout the night, when a drunken call to the front desk was needed. We had packed about 6 or 7 girls into 1 room, and not once did they ever scowled us for it. Earlier that evening upon arrival, they even valet parked my car FOR FREE. Talk about awesome.
The next morning, I thought for sure we would catch hell for the night before. Hotel Phillips really is a nice hotel, and I'm sure the last thing they want to deal with are loud customers at 3 in the morning. Embarrassing. But to my surprise, they were extremely nice and a few of the workers even gave me a grin and asked me how I felt.
I felt very at home at Hotel Phillips despite my friend's and I's pitiful Happy Hour behavior, and I would love to patronize them again and get a better feel for the hotel...sober.
Kansas City was our destination for one night and one day, having spent the week working in the tiny town of Arrow Rock, MO (pop. 79) Jose and I needed some city sounds and big bed and good food. He booked us into the Hotel Phillips on 12th and Baltimore with a nice package deal called "Breakfast in Bed". At $174 we got the room (wheelchair accessible), a $35 breakfast credit coupon (in room or in the cafe), and free valet parking. No WiFi...but that seems never to be included in expensive hotels...Motel 6 yes but not a Westin or this place. (Why is that?) Anyway...a nice deal eh?
The hotel itself is found easily enough and dropping off the car was a snap, check-in was easy. Built in 1931, this deco-ish stunner looks as if it had actually be well maintained and then nicely upgraded at some point recently. The ambience was lovely though there was the distinct ancient lingering aroma of it having once been a possibly seedy flophouse filled with five-cent cigar smoking old men in grey overcoats. Ah well. History
The elevator was great and finding our corner room we dumped the bags and pulled the wooden blinds to find a relatively nice view of the rooftops and streets and wonderful city lights.
Jose turned on the bedside light. EEEEK. A swirly florescent bulb with that bleak blue-ish sickly light illuminated the room. Off it went. I switched on another. The same. Finally, the corner of the 'suite' area had a yellowy shade that sort of masked the nasty light. I don't mind being "green' but florescent light can so nauseating. Ah well.
The room was to have a King size bed but the dang thing seemed just shy of that....just a but shy. Is there such a thing as a Prince-size bed? Ah well.
The bathroom was also dimly lit and had no vent so it steamed up pretty bad. Pretty lousy water pressure too. The towels were great for exfoliating if thats what you want. Ah well.
No fridge. Ah well.
Jose brought a bottle of champers for mimosas in the morning so we had to use an ice bucket to keep it cold. No ice machine on the floor. Ah well. They did deliver a bucket while we were out...and a second robe. Ah well.
The TV was positioned in such a way after some acrobatics and wearing my distance glasses we could use it ok. One foot more away from the bed and the remote would have been out of range. Ah well.
After an amazing dinner (elsewhere) and drinks in the lobby bar ($$$) we went to sleep. Slept ok. It was GREAT being able to open a window. Kudos!
The next morning we arose to our pre-ordered breakfast in bed. Fresh OJ (for the Mimosas), lox and cream cheese, and a egg-bacon, toast, potato extravaganza for Jose. Espresso for me. When the food arrived we were told they had RUN OUT of OJ. Run out? of OJ? in a major city hotel? Ok so this is tiny, but it didn't bode well. Ah well. The lox looked as if they had walked from Nova Scotia. Or was it Lox jerky? The egg-stravaganza Jose had hoped for was just the fixings from a greasy-spoon diner...grease included.
Ah well.
Overall, I guess it is a fine place for some but not for me ever again. We just kept thinking we should have stayed at the Westin near Union Station. We wanted to try the old hotel...not a chain. Maybe I am being a snob, but $174 is a lot of dough for Ah Well as a review.
Thank goodness for the dinner the night before and the BBQ today. More on that later.
The staff was friendly. The hotel is a neat old place. Very expensive considering...but not my taste. Ah well.
This is a nice historic hotel. The rooms are ok, but the lobby is very nice. I like the bar at street level. The service is very good (front desk, maid service, room service, and the valet parking staff) I've stayed at the Phillips twice and enjoyed both stays.
Location=A
Valet= C-
Check in = B
Hotel Bar = B
Room = C
Bathroom size = D
Towels and linens = D-
Vending machine = C
Bed = C
PIGEONS = F
The pigeons on the surrounding buildings were so loud I could hardly sleep. I though I was in the movie the birds.
The towels had holes in them
I was DYING of thirst and wanted some water but the vending machine was out and the two bottles, so graciously provded at $2 a pop, had been opened and refilled with tap water and then recapped. GROSS.
The architecture is beautiful and this hotel is centrally located to a ton of fun things as well as transportation.
I think I'll stay at the President the next time, though.
i really enjoyed my stay at phillips hotel. unlike other reviewers, i didn't find that it was skimping on service, or the simple pleasures of life, like a clean, fresh, new white bath towel. for two nights, we had an executive king room. these rooms have a couch, a desk where you can purchase intranet service, a king-sized bed, and a very nice bathroom, with an interesting sink spout. how many times in life do you really stop and appreciate a nice bathroom sink? they paid attention to detail with this little bit of luxury.
overall, a very nice, and clean hotel, with an incredible location: close to a nice food market (constantinos), and a whole slew of eateries and bars.
My overall experience with the Hotel Phillips was OK. I agree with several other reviewers on a couple of things. One, the staff was very helpful. Despite the fact that room service doesn't answer their phone (this occurred with me and a fellow traveller during the same trip) after about 15 rings the front desk does, and they have someone call you back immediately and take your order. Two, the towels are a bit old. Mine had holes in them and were not plush. The hotel could make an investment here. Three, I have to admit, even though I was on the 19th floor, I could still hear the pigeons at night and it was quite loud at times. The front desk and bell staff were very accommodating and pleasant. I did not dine here or go to the bar, so I cannot comment. While this was my first stay in downtown Kansas City (which is a whole other review for another day) I thought the hotel was a decent choice for the price. The architecture alone is worth the visit - nice crown mouldings in the room. Anyway, if you need a place to stay in downtown KC, this place is A-OK.
It was a okay hotel. Very roomy hotel rooms.
One thing I want to complaint about is the towels. They are all worn out, like the side of towels were tattered (both the bath towels and face towels.)
I stayed here on a business trip from San Francisco. My first real business trip in my young career, so it felt much fancier than what it was I'm sure. But nonetheless, the charm of this hotel was in its structure--very art deco decor. Unfortunately, they were remodeling outside, so lots of noise from the street. The room was comfortable, with all the amenities--internet, cable, those little hair dryers...And the bed was super comfortable! Lots of pillows
Front desk staff were super nice, talking me through how to connect the internet, recommending a breakfast place. I have no idea how much it costs to stay there, but knowing my boss it was probably not cheap, but not expensive.
Now that I live here, I would recommend this hotel to someone visiting.
I stayed at this hotel at the recommendation of a friend and while it was okaaaaaaaaay and the old-timey vibe was supposed to be part of its appeal, it wasn't what I would expect from a four star hotel.
I don't have any specific negatives (other than the front entrance's sidewalk being torn up, but that's not their fault) but it was all just pretty average. If "okay" is what they were going for, then good job Hotel Phillips!
Oooh -- hot tip: I originally booked my room directly with the hotel for $150-ish per night but the friend who suggested the hotel said I should call back and get the corporate rate of $110. I tried, but they said that rate was sold out, so too bad for me. I ended up finding a four star hotel in the same area for $79 on Hotwire so I canceled my reservation at the Hotel Phillips and booked the Hotwire room but WHADDAYA KNOW, the Hotwire room turned out to be Hotel Phillips too.
Yay for me and all, but if they had just given me the $110 rate in the first place I wouldn't have bothered looking for something cheaper.
And the only people in the bar at 10PM on a Saturday night?
The bartender and the band.
Child, you best get your ass a reservation in this fine establishment before Kansas City completes its new Power & Light District... a mere block away. Once the new 'hood in Kansas City is complete, you can forget ever finding availability in this swank boutique hotel.
So why stay here?
- The staff will take all the time in the world to answer your questions or provide you with the best customer service possible.
- 24-hour room service that's good to have even though you'll never use it 'cause you're dead tired at 1:00am
- Pretty effin' good wireless internet for your room on an Apple whatchamacallit
- Complimentary Aveda bath & beauty products which makes you want to keep taking them so they'll be replenished by housekeeping
I need to photograph myself in the elevator, the metal walls are hotttt. Four Ts. We are talking PRIME background drops for MySpa--YELP profiles.
i think this is a great hotel.
i may have a biased opinion as Kansas City is my home town - and of all the neighborhoods i lived in, i liked living downtown the best - but if you're going to spend the money for a hotel, why not skip the marriott or the hyatt and stay in one of the historic, ornate downtown buildings for the same price? it's conveniently located about 2 minutes to interstates 35 (north/south) and 70 (east/west) taking you anywhere you need to go in the city. it's also in the middle of the power and light district (all the rage for suburbanites and tourists alike), and in walking distance to the midland theatre, the music hall and bartle hall. there are great restaurants in the area and, although i've not eaten at the 12 baltimore and hotel philips steakhouse, i've heard great things and they are beautiful on the interior.
staff was very friendly.
