The Raphael Hotel
History
The Italian Renaissance Revival-style property was built in 1927 as an apartment building known as the Villa Serena. The nine-story brick structure opened as The Raphael Hotel in September 1975 after a complete restoration that preserved the building’s vintage style and classic design while providing for the modern comforts expected by contemporary travelers. When it opened, The Raphael Hotel helped pioneer a "boutique hotel" trend. The concept, revolutionary at the time, was designed to create an individualistic hotel with European charm, character and intimacy, offering personalized service and exceptional value. The building's original brick exterior and wood-paneled ceilings in the hotel lobby were carefully preserved. The 85 suites and 41 guest rooms in the hotel retain the classical style rooted to the building’s late-‘20s origins, while seamlessly including such modern amenities as HDTV and complimentary high-speed wired and wireless internet access. The Raphael Hotel sits at the heart of Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza district, just steps away from world-class shopping and entertainment.
