Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
by the TopOfHotel team
The pitch is simple: take the kids up to a heated rooftop pool with the whole city skyline in front of you, open to swim in any season, then walk a few covered steps to build with Legoland and watch fish at Sea Life — all without stepping outside.
The pitch is simple: take the kids up to a heated rooftop pool with the whole city skyline in front of you, open to swim in any season, then walk a few covered steps to build with Legoland and watch fish at Sea Life — all without stepping outside.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Picture checking in, taking the kids up in the lift, and stepping out onto a rooftop where the Kansas City skyline stretches across the back of the pool — kids tend to rush the edge wide-eyed, and that's the first thing that wins families over at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center within the first hour. The hotel is a tall, modern twin tower planted in the middle of Crown Center, with a wide, high-ceilinged lobby in the warm tones of an upscale chain — open enough not to feel cramped on a busy day. Up in the rooms you get roomy spaces designed to give a family space to move, with soft beds and plenty of pillows for kids who've been out all day. A favorite detail is the big windows; many higher floors look out over the Liberty Memorial and the downtown skyline, and opening the curtains to a bright city view in the morning is a nice way to start. For families with a furry member, the dog or cat can stay too.
Food and amenities
If one thing makes families choose this place, it's the heated rooftop pool, open to swim all year whether it's snowing or blazing outside. What sets it apart from an ordinary hotel pool is the city skyline right in front of you while you float in the warm water — kids splash happily and parents get the view at the same time. The warmth lets you stay in a long time without getting cold, even in winter, and a whirlpool alongside lets parents take turns soaking out the aches after a day on their feet. As a big full-service hotel there's a fitness center, an in-house restaurant and bar serving breakfast before you head out and an easy dinner later, plus a lobby bar to rest your legs over a drink. The detail that makes a trip with kids especially easy is the covered skywalk straight into the Crown Center complex — walk from the hotel into the mall, cinema and a range of restaurants, and, the part families care about, Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium in the same district, reached under cover with no weather at all. A little further and you reach Union Station, home to the Science City children's museum where kids learn hands-on.
Location and getting there
Location is the other strong card here for families. The hotel sits in the middle of Crown Center, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex linked together by covered skywalks. The part parents will love is that Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium are in the same complex, a few covered steps away — no parking gamble, no dragging little ones through the weather. Step out of the hotel and you barely need a car: the skywalk links into the Crown Center mall and on to Union Station, the historic depot turned into a home for Science City and events. Nearby is Liberty Memorial, the WWI memorial with an observation tower for fine city views, an uphill walk away. For families heading further out, the T-Mobile Center and the Kansas City Convention Center are a short walk, and a few minutes' drive reaches the Power & Light District for food and drink, plus the city's zoo and other museums. Drivers reach the main expressways easily, with valet parking on hand.
Things to know before booking
To help you decide, a few honest points. First, this is a large tower of around 730 rooms, so during conventions, tour groups or big district events it gets especially busy — check-in lines, the lifts and breakfast can be packed, and the rooftop pool can fill up on fine weekend days. To let the kids swim in peace, head up in the morning before other families wake. Second, reviews mention the building's age — it's been open a good while and is renovated in stages, and some rooms not yet refreshed, or certain common areas, look older than the price suggests, so ask for a renovated room when you book. Third, the extra charges are worth checking: valet and self-parking, the pet fee if you bring one, and separate admission to Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium on top of the room — buy combo tickets online in advance for better value and no queue. And while Crown Center is convenient, it can be quieter than downtown outside event times; anyone who wants constant buzz may prefer the Power & Light District.
Our take
Having read through plenty of real reviews, the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center nails one pitch: a year-round heated rooftop pool with a skyline view, a whirlpool to unwind in, kids' attractions like Legoland and Sea Life within a covered walk, and a pet-friendly policy — all at a reachable price for families. If your idea of the trip is taking the kids up to float in a warm rooftop pool over the city any day, rain or snow, then walking a few covered steps to build Lego and watch fish before piling back onto soft beds with a city view through the window — dog or cat in tow — this is a full-on family pick, especially for families who want everything within walking distance and out of the weather, at better value than the neighbors. If you're after a small, private place that's brand-new in every corner, the size and age of this tower means choosing your room with care. Overall we give it 8.4/10, best for families who want the kids happy in the same district as the attractions and a pool they can use all year, on a budget that's easy on the wallet.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The heated rooftop pool has the full city skyline in front of you and stays open to swim all year, snow or rain. The water is warm enough that kids stay in for ages, and there's a whirlpool alongside for parents to soak tired legs — families call it the part their kids loved most.
- The location puts Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium in the same Crown Center complex, a few steps along a covered skywalk. No dragging little ones through the weather, no gamble on parking.
- It's pet-friendly, so families who want to bring the dog or cat along don't have to leave them at home — an edge you won't easily find at other family hotels in the same district.
- It's a big full-service hotel with everything covered: fitness center, in-house restaurant and bar, a wide open lobby, plus the covered skywalk to the Crown Center mall and to Union Station with its Science City children's museum. Food and things to do without going outside.
- Starting rates are reachable and usually better value than nearby hotels in the district — you get the rooftop skyline pool, the kids' attractions within walking distance, and rooms roomy enough for a family. Plenty of reviews call it good value for a trip with kids.
- This is a large tower of around 730 rooms, so during conventions, tour groups or big events in the district it can feel busy — check-in lines, the lifts and breakfast all get crowded, and the rooftop pool can fill up on fine weekend days.
- The building has some age on it and is being renovated in stages. Some reviews note that rooms not yet refreshed, or certain common areas, look older than you'd expect for the price — ask for a renovated room when you book.
- Rates sit at the upscale end and there are extra charges worth pinning down: valet and self-parking fees, the pet fee, and separate admission to Legoland and Sea Life. The Crown Center district can also be quieter than downtown outside event times.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Take the kids up to the heated rooftop pool in the soft early-evening light for the best skyline view and the most comfortable air. To dodge the crowds, go in the morning before other families wake up — and remember there's a whirlpool for parents to soak in.
- Buy combo tickets to Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium online in advance — it's usually cheaper and skips the queue. Both sit in the Crown Center complex, a few covered steps from the hotel, so a half-day plan is easy.
- If you're bringing a pet, call ahead to confirm the policy and the pet fee before you book, and request a high floor so you get the city skyline and Liberty Memorial filling the window.