The Raphael (Autograph Collection) in KC is quite nice as well.

That said, I've had good stays at the President (Hilton) downtown as well. KC's probably a better Marriott/SPG town on the whole, but the two downtown Hiltons prevent it from being a barren wasteland for HH. And plenty of suburban HGI/Embassy/DT type places to pick from it you get stuck out in Overland Park.


I just completed my first Home2 Suites stay this past weekend (Sioux Falls). I was not really a fan of the whole concept. Everything about it felt a little cheap...except that it *wasn't* cheaper in room rate or award category. First and foremost, the room isn't a suite at all: it's a bed plus pull-out sofa, no larger than any regular hotel room in a mainline Hilton or HGI. The mattress, presumably brand new, felt cheap...like a floppy foam thing I would have used in college. Breakfast felt cheap too: I had a microwaved breakfast sandwich similar to what you get at a convenience store for $1.59. Marriott SHS, SPG Element, and Hyatt House are all superior products. (In Sioux Falls, there are SHS's nearby in the same price range. Probably no Elements or Hyatts.) Within Hilton, I honestly think I'd rather have a nice new Hampton. Definitely rather have an HGI - no question about it.

Oh well, it was an experiment - I wanted to try the brand, so a 1-night roadtrip stay was a good place to learn I don't like it.