Where to stay in Kansas City
Kauffman Stadium’s middle-of-nowhere location, paired with Kansas City’s lack of public transportation, will undoubtedly impact where you decide to rest your head when you travel to Kauffman Stadium.
Because the Truman Sports Complex (home to both the Chiefs and Royals stadiums) sits next to two major highways and not much else, your hotel options near the stadium are few and far between. As we discussed in our Travel section, public transportation to and from Kauffman is limited to a single bus line, so beyond that highly not-recommended option, you will need to rent a car or use ridesharing to get around if you fly into Kansas City.
If Kauffman Stadium is your primary focus while in town, it may make sense to stay at one of the hotels near the stadium. But if you want to see more of what Kansas City has to offer, we suggest staying either in downtown Kansas City or at the Country Club Plaza. Keep in mind when searching for hotels that there are two Kansas Cities—one in Kansas and one in Missouri. The Royals play in Kansas City, Mo., so you will want to select a hotel on the Missouri side.
Where Kauffman Stadium is located
When you fly into MCI, you land well north and a bit west of downtown Kansas City—20 miles to be exact. The Truman Sports Complex sits another eight miles southeast of downtown, near the meeting of interstates 70 and 435.
Beyond the stadiums and highways, the area around the Truman Sports Complex has no entertainment or restaurants, except for two fast food options. For anything beyond what you plan to do and eat at Kauffman, you will have to head elsewhere.
Deciding where to stay for a Kauffman Stadium visit
There’s no obvious answer to where you should stay when you visit Kauffman Stadium. You definitely have options, and it just depends on what you’d like to do while you’re here. Our recommendations for where to stay are:
- Near the ballpark (for convenience to the stadium)
- Downtown Kansas City / Power & Light District (for exploring KC and nightlife)
- Country Club Plaza (for exploring KC and restaurants)
- Overland Park (for saving money)
- Near Kansas City airport (for traveling convenience)
Staying near Kauffman Stadium
Unlike many of today’s newer MLB stadiums, Kauffman Stadium was essentially built on an island. There’s nothing around the stadium of entertainment value—no bars, restaurants, or other activities. In fact, within a half mile of the Truman Sports Complex there’s only three hotels, two of which we mention below, and one (Extended Stay America) we would not recommend.
The Absolute Closest Hotel to Kauffman Stadium
Best Western Premier Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel
Why stay here: Across the street from the ballpark
Address: 4011 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Kansas City, MO
Distance from airport: 30 miles
Distance from Kauffman: 0.3 miles (most of which is parking lots, safely walkable)
Closest barbecue: Gates Bar-B-Q (2 miles), LC’s Bar-B-Q (3.7 miles)
If you’re coming to Kansas City to visit Kauffman Stadium, and only for that, then look into the Best Western. Located right across the street from the Truman Sports Complex, this mid-level hotel is ideal if you don’t want to rent a car. You can take a rideshare straight from the airport, and then it’s a 10 minute walk from your hotel straight to your seat.
The hotel has basic amenities—pool, internet, fitness room, free parking, continental breakfast. However, besides the hotel restaurant, a Taco Bell and a Subway inside a gas station, there’s literally nothing else around. If you don’t rent a car, plan to use a delivery service or ridesharing for the meals you eat outside of these options and the stadium.
If you plan to stay here without a car, we recommend booking a stadium tour or buying the special pre-game batting practice ticket from the Royals, which will get you into the ballpark one hour ahead of everyone else to watch BP from behind the dugout. Both of these are a good way to add fun things to your calendar without having to travel anywhere beyond the stadium.
The Nicest Close Hotel to Kauffman Stadium
Hotel Lotus Kansas City Stadium
Why stay here: Proximity to the ballpark
Address: 3830 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Kansas City, MO
Distance from airport: 30 miles
Distance from Kauffman: 0.5 miles (safely walkable)
Closest barbecue: Gates Bar-B-Q (1.5 miles), LC’s Bar-B-Q (3.8 miles)
Kauffman Stadium has one more hotel located nearby worth checking out. The Hotel Lotus sits across Interstate 70 from the Truman Sports Complex. If you choose to stay here you could avoid having to pay for a rental car and for parking at the stadium, because it’s just a safe and quick 15-minute walk (much of which is the stadium parking lots) to Kauffman by crossing I-70 on the pedestrian sidewalk.
This budget-friendly, 3-star hotel has an outdoor pool, free in-room wi-fi, a fitness room, free parking, and a free continental breakfast.
The Denny’s next to the hotel used to be a viable food option, but thanks to a significant fire (May 2023), it’s no longer there. The Taco Bell, the gas station Subway, and the Best Western restaurant mentioned above will still be your only walkable food options.
Great Hotel Option, Further from Kauffman Stadium
Stoney Creek Hotel Kansas City – Independence
Why stay here: Near the ballpark and entertainment, family-friendly accommodations
Address: 18011 Bass Pro Drive, Independence, Missouri
Distance from the airport: 35 miles
Distance from Kauffman: 7.3 miles
Closest barbecue: Gates Bar-B-Q (6 miles); LC’s Bar-B-Q (11 miles)
Stoney Creek Hotel has a great mix of walkable entertainment, shopping, and dining options, and it’s an easy drive seven miles down I-70 to Kauffman Stadium. The hotel backs up to Waterfall Park, which features a hiking trail around a lake, a playground, and a man-made waterfall.
On-site you will find McCoy’s Whisky and Wine Bar, a great place to pregame before a night game, or unwind afterwards. As far as other dining options, there’s plenty within a 1-mile radius of the hotel. I recommend dining at Los Cabos, a delicious Mexican restaurant next door. You can also walk to Bass Pro Shop and Duluth Trading Company.
The rooms at Stoney Creek have a rustic theme and great family options, including suites with bunk beds. Other unique features include ensuite fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.
Other amenities include a hot tub, indoor/outdoor pool, and fitness room. The pool has adults only hours from 10-11 pm each day, perfect for unwinding after a game. Free on-site parking is available, as well as breakfast and wifi.
Keep in mind when solidifying your transportation and entertainment plans for the trip, Stoney Creek takes you further east from downtown Kansas City and the airport. If you want to spend most of your spare time experiencing downtown Kansas City, this is probably not the option for you.
TSI’s choice for lodging destination:
Downtown KC/Power & Light District
The iconic Power & Light sign
Staying in downtown Kansas City is the obvious and popular place to stay for a Royals visit. It’s centrally located between the airport and the ballpark, it’s safe, and it’s close to major attractions and nightlife. So, if you’re on the fence about where to stay, downtown is the easy choice.
The Power & Light District is an eight-block area nestled inside of downtown KC, with restaurants, bars, shopping … everything. And in the middle of it all is KC Live!, the main entertainment venue, which takes up a square city block and has two stories packed with bars and restaurants, as well as an open area in the center for concerts and watch parties. Down the street is the T-Mobile Center and the College Basketball Experience. Also, the KC Streetcar runs around the area, so you can get around without having to drive or rideshare.
It’s hard to argue with staying in downtown KC … so don’t argue. It’s an easy call, and our preferred spot for a KC sports weekend.
TSI hotel picks, downtown Kansas City
The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center
Why stay here: Close to museums, entertainment, free public transport
Address: 1 East Pershing Road, KCMO
Distance from airport: 21.4 miles
Distance from Kauffman: 9.0 miles
Closest barbecue: Jack Stack Barbecue (0.6 miles); Gates Bar-B-Q (1.1 miles)
If you plan to attend games at Kauffman Stadium, but also want to experience Kansas City, we like the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. This 4-star hotel has everything from a 5-story waterfall in its lobby to a Hertz Rental Car onsite.
The Westin is attached to Crown Center, an entertainment area located across the street from the World War I Museum and adjacent to Union Station. Here you will find shops, restaurants, an IMAX theater, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, SEALIFE Kansas City Aquarium, Kaleidoscope, and the Coterie Theatre. The Westin is a great place for any baseball fan to stay, but its proximity to Crown Center makes it perfect for a family trip.
Staying at the Westin Crown Center allows you to walk to the Liberty Memorial at Kansas City’s National WWI Museum to enjoy expansive views of the city. You can also walk to Union Station from the hotel without setting foot outside via The Link, a climate controlled, elevated walkway that connects the two buildings. The KC Streetcar route begins outside Union Station, which will take you north through downtown, Power & Light, and River Market, for restaurants, bars and entertainment.
Things to note about your stay at the Westin: expect to pay $25/day for parking. Upgrading to a Club-level room will give you access to free breakfast daily, otherwise head into Crown Center for coffee and breakfast options. We love to stay here because of its proximity to everything, the views from the guest rooms, and the outdoor pool.
Other Crown Center hotel recommendations: Sheraton Kansas City
Hilton President Kansas City
Why stay here: Enjoy the history of KC while in the middle of all the excitement
Address: 1329 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO
Distance to airport: 20 miles
Distance to Kauffman: 8.3 miles
Closest barbecue: Jack Stack Barbecue (0.8 miles); Arthur Bryant’s (2 miles)
If you want to stay in the heart of downtown Kansas City, the Hilton President is our favorite. Built in 1926, this hotel has everything you need for a home base for your baseball adventure: history, location, amenities, and comfort.
Thanks to an extensive remodeling, the President Hotel reopened in 2006 with a perfect mix of modern comfort and historical vibe. Frank Sinatra and Patsy Cline, among others, performed in the hotel’s Drum Room. Even if you don’t stay at the President, you can stop by the Drum Room for happy hour specials. While this seems like a perfect hotel for an adults only trip, we can personally attest that your kids will enjoy their stay as well.
Like most hotels downtown, the Hilton President charges for parking ($30/day). It also has free wifi, a fitness center, and a lot of 1940s-era charm.
Other Power & Light hotel recommendations: Hotel Kansas City, Hotel Indigo
Make sure to see…
Speaking of history, any of the downtown/Power & Light hotels are the perfect place to stay if you want to visit the Negro Leauges Baseball Museum before you head to Kauffman Stadium, because it’s literally a 5-minute drive in the same direction as the ballpark. And while you’re in the neighborhood, you could also swing by the legendary Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque and the Vine Street Brewery—Missouri’s first (and only) black-owned brewery. Enjoy the space or pick up some beverages to-go for a quick tailgate at Kauffman.
Staying at the Country Club Plaza
Located a few miles south of downtown Kansas City, the Country Club Plaza is a 15-block area that has shopping, restaurants, courtyards, and more fountains and statues than you can imagine. But if you’re thinking it’s just some generic suburban shopping center, think again. If you didn’t know where you were, you might think you’re in Spain instead of KC because of the architecture, the mural, the towers, the art, and everything else.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Country Club Plaza may be the best location for exploring BBQ restaurants, as it’s centrally located between Joe’s, Gates, Q39, Jack Stack, and Char Bar, all hugely popular, and all places where we would tell you to visit (we are NOT going to rank order KC bbq joints—you just have to go to them all and rank them for yourself!)
TSI Pick for Country Club Plaza Hotels
InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza
Why stay here: Iconic Kansas City hotel with expansive views of the Plaza, Brush Creek
Address: 401 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO
Distance from airport: 22 miles
Distance from Kauffman: 7 miles
Closest barbecue: Jack Stack (0.3 miles); Gates Bar-B-Q (1.5 miles); Q39 (2.1 miles); Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (2.6 miles)
The InterContinental Kansas City hotel sits on a hill on the southside of Brush Creek giving its guest rooms expansive views of the Plaza. It also has an outdoor pool and sundeck (open most of baseball season) as well as a fitness room. Expect to pay $26/daily for parking onsite, $32 if you opt for valet.
The hotel also has a restaurant, but you probably won’t need it because you’ll be only two blocks away from a bunch of other options, including one of Kansas City’s legendary barbeque spots, Jack Stack.
The Plaza is a great place to explore. You can take a walk along Brush Creek to the Kauffman Memorial Garden and visit the KC’s most photographed fountain at the south end of Mill Creek Park. Then stop by Charlie Hustle on Broadway for the KC heart t-shirt you see everyone wearing in town (yes, Kansas Citians love to wear touristy shirts for their own city).
Other Plaza hotel recommendations: Courtyard by Marriott, The Fontaine, Aloft
Staying in Overland Park
Overland Park is on the southern side of the Kansas City metro area. It’s just a very typical suburb, and there’s nothing much worth mentioning about it. So why would you want to stay there? Well, one reason: it may be less expensive than the other options. It’s still within driving distance to Kauffman (about 15-20 miles), but you would absolutely need to rent a car to make Overland Park viable, because there is no way you would want to go from Kauffman back to Overland Park to get your bags and then to the airport, and there are times when ordering a rideshare from Overland Park will be virtually impossible (trust us… we’ve tried).
Honestly, before we would stay in Overland Park, we’d probably opt for the travel convenience of staying near the airport. But in the event that you’re in KC for a major event (i.e. a Royals World Series) and hotels are booked up, Overland Park is a viable, but inconvenient and unexciting, place to stay.
Staying at MCI Airport
Kansas City airport isn’t particularly convenient to Kauffman, and going back and forth to the stadium wouldn’t be the best of experiences. But if your travel plans are such that you might be tight on time and would find staying near the airport to be helpful, then it’s an acceptable option. The area around the airport is appropriately safe, but you won’t be walking anywhere—it’s all driving. Just make sure to leave enough time to get to the ballpark—it’s a haul.
Bottom Line
Our advice on lodging for your visit to Kauffman Stadium is:
- Stay close to the ballpark if you plan to focus primarily on Royals games.
- If you want to spend time exploring Kansas City, pick either downtown KC or the Country Club Plaza.
- If there’s a specific reason you need to, you can stay near the airport.
- If you want to save money and don’t mind the significant inconvenience, Overland Park is an available option.
