Romantic Getaways Abound in Kansas City

Along with singing Valentines and chocolate, the Kansas City metropolitan area is full of romantic places to have a “night away near home.” Here are a few of these wonderful places around town. Just check the Internet under “hotels” and “beds and breakfasts, Kansas City.”

Oread Hotel

The Oread Hotel is located near the University of Kansas campus. It may be the place for casual elegance. Media Director Patti McCormick says the hotel opens in January and should be really booming by Valentine’s Day.

She offered several suggestions. Enjoy a private dinner for two on the top of the Big O (5th, 9th and 10^th floor terraces) overlooking the beautiful KU campus and the spectacular view of all of Lawrence, Kan. Sit by one of the two Oread roaring fireplaces, sharing a bottle of wine. Dance the night away in the state-of-the-art nightclub, the CAVE. Enjoy breakfast from your own terrace in one of The Oread's King Premier Suites. Grab ice cream or cookies from The Oread's own ice cream bar before your romantic walk to downtown Lawrence and the nightlife. Have your knight in shining armor propose to you on Top of The Oread. If there is a wedding in the future, there are the Hancock and Griffith ballrooms for the reception. How about a massage in our own Lemon Bliss Spa and retire to your Oread King Suite overlooking the city, McCormick says.

www.theoread.com

InterContinental at the Plaza

The InterContinental offers several packages that might be romantic or fun for the more adventurous couple. There’s the Plaza shopping package, which opens up the Country Club Plaza to happy shoppers. There’s the Kansas City Heritage package, which includes

historic neighborhoods and world-class museums such as the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, Truman Presidential Library & Museum, and the Steamboat Arabia Museum. Then there’s the Private Collections package that allows visitors to see the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

The Oak Room serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. According to the hotel, “the ever-evolving menu changes with the seasons to take advantage of the great variety of fresh local and organic ingredients raised by area farmers.”

www.kansascityic.com

The Raphael

The Raphael is another romantic hotel. The romance package is designed for honeymoons, anniversaries and other celebrations to mark milestones. The romantic suite includes a two-person whirlpool, a welcome basket, bottle of wine, heart-shaped chocolates, breakfast served in bed and more. Head downstairs Don’t forget to step downstairs and dine at Chaz on the Plaza in the hotel.

There is also a chance to retreat to a suite for a private wine tasting that features a bottle of red and a bottle of white from a regional vineyard. Handcrafted chocolates by local chocolatier, Christopher Elbow, are also included.

www.raphaelkc.com

The Elms

An older hotel in Excelsior Springs, the Elms captures charm and romance. Their romance package includes a bottle of wine and breakfast. The package can be personalized even more by adding dinner for two, chocolate dipped strawberries, roses, spa voucher, renewal of vows and more.

There’s a weekend escape package too. Stay Friday and Saturday in a deluxe guestroom with breakfast each morning. Personalize this package by adding 18 holes of golf at the historic Excelsior Springs Golf Course, skydiving for two, spa voucher, wine or champagne, dinner for two, anniversary or birthday surprise. Something similar can be arranged during a weekday retreat too.

www.elmsresort.com

Chateau Avalon

According to the hotel, Chateau Avalon is a three-floor, 62-room, luxury French-inspired chateau featuring suites themed in 24 diverse accommodation themes. They represent in detail unique eras, personalities, environments, cities and countries from around the world like Jessie James, Hemingway, Lincoln, Venice, the Mayan Rainforest, Camelot, Havana, Seville and Casablanca, just to name a few.

Amenities and extras can include wine and champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and spa baskets. Other treats might be plush bathrobes and towels. There is a complimentary DVD library and evening indulgences for a little extra. Guest favorites include massage therapy, in room chromotherapy whirlpool spa and walking trails.

www.chateauavalonhotel.com

The Terrace Avenue Inn

Innkeepers Al and Brenda Hedrick own Terrace Avenue Inn in Liberty and offer an escape from the regular life. The two main rooms are designed for respite, but the add-ons are worth a little excitement. Brenda also owns Anna Marie’s Teas and so guests can share a pot of tea and two homemade cream scones. The treat can be served in the room, out on the private porch or in the cottage style dining room. There are two romantic packages and include items such as homemade sweets, seasonal fruit with dark Italian dipping chocolate, cheese and crackers and a bottle of wine, champagne or sparkling non-alcoholic beverage. Or try an evening tray of desserts designed by Brenda and Al.

If guests check out the Web site, they might want to visit during one of Brenda’s unique tea events. There are tea parties and tea tastings in front of a roaring fire.

www.theterraceavenueinn.com

Here are some other choices in the area to try out too.

• Southmoreland on the Plaza
• Su Casa Bed and Breakfast, 92^nd Street, Kansas City
• Benner House, Weston
• Inn on Crescent Lake, Excelsior Springs
• Hatchery B&B, Weston
• Laurel Brook Farm, Weston
• Stone-Yancey House, Liberty
• The Porch Swing Inn, Parkville
• Weston Bed & Breakfast, Weston
• Bridge Water Bed and Breakfast, Lexington

www.bedandbreakfast.com