Kansas City, Mo.
- The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (816.994.7200; www.kauffmancenter.org) opened last September and is the current home of the city’s ballet company and symphony. The facility, designed by noted architect Moshe Safdie, features the 1,600-seat Helzberg Hall and the 1,800-seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre. The facility also has several spaces available for receptions and other functions.
- A $20 million renovation has recently wrapped up at the 946-room Kansas City Marriott Downtown (816.421.6800; www.marriott.com), which included enhancements to guest rooms and all public spaces, and a new front entrance. Part of the renovation also included a new restaurant, BarCentral, in the hotel. Other dining or refreshment options on-site include the Metropolitan KC restaurant, CoffeeCentral coffee house and the Lobby Bar Muehlebach Tower. The hotel also offers more than 91,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The former Hyatt Regency Crown Center was reflagged last fall as the 730-room Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center (816.841.1000; www.starwoodhotels.com). The re-flagging also included a $13 million update to the property, including enhanced guest rooms, a redecorated lobby and a new fitness center. The property offers 42,850 square feet of function space, plus an additional 50,000 square feet in the adjacent Crown Center Exhibit Hall.
Kansas City, Kan.
- The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kansas City at KU Medical Center (913.236.8700; www.hiekansascity.com) recently opened with 83 guest rooms and three meeting rooms.
- Also opened within the last year is the Best Western Premier KC Speedway Inn & Suites (913.334.4440; www.bestwesternkansas.com). The facility, located at the entrance to the Kansas Speedway, features 82 guest rooms, 17 suites, one meeting room and one board room.
Overland Park, Kan.
- The 90-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites Overland Park (913.681.8400; www.hiexpress.com) opened in October with an indoor pool, fitness center and business center. The property is located just a few minutes from the Overland Park Convention Center.