‘A beacon of hospitality’: KC hotel named one of the best of its kind in the country

Kansas City still doesn’t have a restaurant with a Michelin star, the most prestigious mark of culinary excellence.

But last week the Crossroads Hotel was awarded a Michelin key, the organization’s equivalent distinction for hotels.

Crossroads Hotel, which opened in 2018 at 2101 Central St., is the only hotel in either Missouri or Kansas that was recognized.

As with a Michelin-rated restaurant, a Michelin-rated hotel can earn one, two, or three keys. One is “a very special stay,” two is “an exceptional stay,” and three is “an extraordinary stay,” according to Michelin. Crossroads Hotel received one key.

The organization called Crossroads Hotel “a beacon of hospitality amidst a collection of low-rise, historically protected brick buildings that comprise the Crossroads Arts District from which it takes its name.” It noted its 131 “luxuriously appointed” rooms and the hotel’s Pendergast Suite, which has a billiards table and wet bar.

Crossroads Hotel is also home to the Italian restaurant Lazia, the rooftop bar Percheron, a lobby cafe and lounge called XR, and a 2,000-square-foot art gallery off the lobby.

Michelin debuted its key system in April of this year, awarding the honor to 124 luxury hotels in the U.S. On Sept. 12, more were added to the list. In all, the U.S. is now home to 16 three-key hotels, 70 two-key hotels and 207 one-key hotels.