Holiday Inn Kansas City Downtown Aladdin

Housed in a red brick building that was built in 1925 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this hotel has a lot more history, character, and color than most Holiday Inns. The Aladdin has kept and maintained its original flooring and many architectural details, like marble pillars and crenellated columns. The Art Deco style has been given some 21st-century color, though, with black, red, purple, and green accents throughout the building. Details stand out, like square hood lamps and funky light fixtures in the martini lounge. The lobby features a classic black-and-white checkered floor with an eye-catching petunia-shaped glass sculpture emerging from a patterned circular banquette. Black and gold pillars stretch up to the open second floor, where guests can be found reading or on their computers in front of the hotel’s half-moon windows or next to the grand piano. Completing the hotel's swank welcome, guests are greeted with a free glass of sparkling wine, and those staying here include are mostly couples and business travelers.

The Aladdin's location in downtown Kansas City is a big plus for tourists and business guests traveling to the city. The Kansas City Convention Center and Sprint Center are within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and the area is filled with all manner of bars and restaurants. Many of the city's theaters and performance venues are also within a five-minute walk, including the Arvest Bank Theater, Midland Theater, and Bartle Hall. The popular Power & Light District is an eight-minute walk from the hotel and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is 10 minutes away on foot. Though the hotel doesn't see too many families, the The Kansas City Zoo is a 15-minute drive away for guests with kids, while historic Union Station is a seven-minute drive or taxi ride from the hotel. Kansas City International Airport is 25 minutes away by car.

All 193 rooms at the Aladdin share the same color scheme, with lime-green accent walls and red padded headboards with matching throw pillows. The look isn't as special as the hotel's common areas -- and the satin curtains and bed skirts cheapen things -- but by chain hotel standards they are colorful and modern. Dark furniture with clean contemporary lines includes desks and dressers, and there are large windows letting in a good amount of natural light. Comfy pillow-top beds are made with white linens, and most rooms are compact. There are stylish lime-green armchairs in some rooms and all desks come with ergonomic seating. Rooms include 32-inch flat-screen TVs, irons/ironing boards, safes, and small coffeemakers. Bathrooms are modern, with attractive speckled granite countertops, white vessel sinks, bathrobes, and shower/tub combos. Depending on the room's location, exterior noise may be an issue, particularly during early morning garbage collection for those facing the alley. 

A buffet breakfast is served in the Zebra Lounge, which also offers a menu of American fare for dinner. Room service is available from morning until evening, but breakfast is not included in room rates and can be expensive. There is live music on occasion in the martini lounge as well as cocktails. Valet parking is available for a nightly fee but there is no self-parking on-site. Service animals are the only pets allowed at this property. The fitness center is a small rectangular room with a glass wall and features modern cardio equipment, pulley machines, and free weights. The business center offers computers and printers and there are a couple of meeting rooms on-site, plus free hotel-wide free Wi-Fi. There's also a small guest laundry room with a coin-operated washing machine and dryer.