"Why wait until Valentine's Day to plan a night away?
Bed and breakfast inns can be found in abundance in this area. You'll find them in residential neighborhoods near the Country Club Plaza, surrounded by acres of rolling hills in Lawrence, or within walking distance of an Irish pub in Weston. B&Bs range from grand old mansions to cozy private cottages, offering comfort and personal service.
Brookside
The Stone House, 400 W. 63rd Street. This 1920s Brookside home offers two
guest suites with fireplaces (one has a Jacuzzi), complimentary wine and
hors d'oeuvres, night time sweets, and a full breakfast. $140-170. http://www.kansascitybandb.com,
816-678-3210.
Country Club Plaza
Southmoreland on the Plaza, 116 E. 46th Street. 2 blocks east of the Plaza,
within walking distance of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper
Museum of Contemporary Art. Twelve guest rooms are decorated in the style
of notable Kansas Citians like Kathryn Winstead, Thomas Hart Benton, and
George Kessler. $130-250. http://www.southmoreland.com,
816-531-7979.
Midtown/Downtown Kansas City
" Hotel Savoy, 219 W. 9th Street. Offers atmosphere of a European bed
and breakfast hotel. Guests can choose from 32 gourmet breakfasts or dine
at the Savoy Grill. $89-120. 816-842-3575
Outside the Kansas City Metropolitan Area
• Elms Resort and Spa, Excelsior Springs (about 30 minutes from downtown).
152 guest rooms and suites. Spa and wellness facilities on 16 acres, including
couples massage. http://www.elmsresort.com,
800-THE-ELMS. $95 and up.
• The Porch Swing Inn, Parkville. Located two blocks from the historic
downtown district, with restaurants in walking distance like Piropos (Argentinian),
Café des Amis (French), and Power Plant (brewery) among others. Close
to the Missouri River walking trail. Four rooms, hearty breakfast. $80 -120.
http://www.theporchswinginn.com,
866-587-6282.
• The Hatchery, Weston. An 1845 antebellum bed and breakfast. Includes
a full country breakfast, wine, a nightcap, and hors d'oeuvres. Four guest
rooms; two have private Jacuzzis. Within walking distance of O'Malley's
Pub (with live Irish music on weekends). $100-150. http://www.hatcherybb.com,
(816) 640-5700.
• Circle S Ranch & Country Inn, Lawrence. The 1200 acre Circle
S Ranch, owned and operated by the innkeeper's family since the 1860s, offers
views of the rolling hills of northeast Kansas. The 12 guest rooms have
themes ranging from pioneer era quaintness to cowboy whimsy. An 8-person
hot tub is housed in the inn's silo. Massage and other spa experiences offered.
$155-245. http://www.circlesranch.com,
(800) 625-2839.
• Halcyon House B&B, Lawrence. A European style inn built in 1885,
located three blocks from downtown, and on the northeast edge of the University
of Kansas campus. Warm homemade breakfast. Nine bedrooms. $55-149. http://www.thehalcyonhouse.com,
888-441-0314.
NOTE: Many B&Bs offer reduced rates Sundays through Thursdays, in the winter months, and if you book online. For additional listings, Bed and Breakfast Inns of Missouri, http://www.bbim.org, and the Kansas Bed and Breakfast Association, http://www.kbba.com. If you have a personal favorite - send an e-mail to lauraspencermorris@gmail.com and we'll compile a list!