City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (816) 421-6800, (800) 228-9290

Address: 200 W. 12th St.

Description: With an ideal downtown location, underground link to the convention center, and superb meeting facilities, the Marriott is convention central. It’s also the place where Kansas Citians stop in for cocktails before heading across the street for a night at the Folly, Midland Theatre, Music Hall, Lyric Opera, or Kansas City Symphony. In 1997 the Marriott nearly doubled in size by merging with the historic Muehlebach Hotel at 1213 Wyandotte. Together, the two properties offer 983 rooms and suites. During its prime the Muehlebach was Kansas City’s favored host for celebrities, presidents, and four musicians from Liverpool who held a news conference in the ballroom on September 17, 1964. Other news was made here as well: In the wee hours of November 3, 1948, Harry S. Truman chose the hotel to announce that he had been reelected. The two hotel towers are now linked via a covered walkway. Together the properties offer 10,000 square feet of meeting space, including two ballrooms, 32 breakout rooms, and a 12,000-square-foot exhibit hall. The complex features a fully equipped health club and indoor pool, full-service business center including secretarial services if requested, and gift shop. There are also plenty of places to dine, enjoy a cocktail, or simply relax. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner head to Lilly’s or the Pam Pam Room, a Kansas City tradition for generations. The Muehlebach Lobby Lounge offers a refined cocktail hour, and the 12th Street Bar on the lobby level of the Marriott adds jazz to the mix on Fri and Sat nights.