Pros

  • In the attractive Excelsior Springs historical district
  • Within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and attractions
  • Modern rooms have flat-screen TVs and iPod docks
  • Historic, well-preserved hot springs retreat on multiple acres
  • Luxe spa features a lap pool, steam room, sauna, and hot tub
  • Outdoor pool is large, with numerous lounge chairs
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour amenities include room service and a fitness center
  • Three restaurants offer a variety of dining
  • Pet-friendly (for a fee)
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Cons

  • No bathtubs in any rooms
  • Low ceilings in the fitness center can make it feel cramped
  • Fee for valet parking
  • Lots of weddings; some rooms hear reception noise
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The historic Elms Hotel & Spa -- a turn-of-the-century hot springs retreat that has been lovingly restored -- sits on 16 manicured acres in the Excelsior Springs historic downtown area, within walking distance of attractions, shops, and restaurants. Rooms are modern with elegant, vintage-inspired styling, as well as a good amount of space, marble-and-tile bathrooms, and iPod docks; there are no tubs in any rooms, however. In keeping with the hotel's history, the spa is a highlight here, and comes complete with a steam room, sauna, grotto hot tub, and lap pool, in addition to a wealth of services. There are three high-quality restaurants and an outdoor pool, too. The hotel also has free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Pets are welcome for a daily fee, and there is a fee for valet parking. This hotel hosts a lot of weddings and some guests complain of reception noise late into the night.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

The Elms Hotel and Spa

Scene

A well-preserved historic spa retreat with both antique and modern touches

Built in 1912, the Elms Hotel & Spa's stone building is an icon in the area, and has been restored and maintained to honor its distinctive look and historic beauty. Inside, the decor blends vintage and contemporary vibes, from the lobby's Deco-inspired orange chandeliers to the original brick front desk. Plush wingback chairs fill the tiled lobby, and some surround a stone-and-brick fireplace for an especially cozy sitting area in cooler months. Wherever possible, the original tiled floors and antique fixtures have been preserved, although the spa is notably modern, with dark tile walls, stone columns, and wooden lounge chairs creating a relaxing, serene environment. Overstuffed leather armchairs and wood tables adorn the lounges and on-site restaurants, all of which have the feel of a private club. The sprawling grounds are well-maintained, and include an outdoor fire pit, gazebo, and lagoon-style pool, in addition to a wealth of chairs and tables.

See More Scene

Location

On 16 wooded acres in Excelsior Springs' historic downtown district

Set on 16 acres of quiet land in Excelsior Springs' historic downtown, the Elms Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of many of the town's sights, include the Paradise Playhouse, the Hall of Waters, and the Cultural Museum. The Excelsior golf course is a five-minute drive from the hotel and the Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery is an eight-minute drive. A drive to Kansas City takes about 40 minutes. Unless you plan to spend most of your time at the on-site spa, you’ll need a car; valet parking is available for a fee. The hotel's concierge can help arrange excursions and tickets.

See More Location

Rooms

Stylish vintage-inspired luxury rooms offer features such as memory foam beds and iPod docks -- but none have tubs.

Tastefully adorned in understated blues and oranges, rooms and suites at The Elms Hotel and Spa compliment the antique yet modern theme found throughout. Wood headboards, floral art and wallpaper, and much of the furniture speaks to the historical style of the hotel, while the colors, materials (such as granite and chrome), and storage design invoke a modern sensibility. Wood closets surround the TV or bed area, and offer additional storage without cluttering the available space. All rooms have memory foam beds, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, coffeemakers, and free newspapers. Microwaves and mini-fridges are available upon request in rooms; suites come with mini-fridges, wet bars, and additional square footage. Bathrooms only offer walk-in showers, versus tubs, although some have two showerheads -- one on each end. Their design includes gray and white tile, granite, and luxury fixtures; and sinks, floor tiles, frosted glass doors, and light fixtures all demonstrate a vintage style. All bathrooms have Natura toiletries.

See More Rooms

Features

Extensive on-site spa, outdoor pool, three restaurants, and a fitness center

The top priority for many guests at the Elms Hotel and Spa is the full-service luxury spa, with a large sauna, lap pool, steam room, hair salon, steam shower, hot tubs, and grotto area. A full menu of services includes massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and body wraps.

In addition to the spa amenities, there is also a seasonal outdoor pool and poolside bar. The main restaurant, 88 at the Elms, serves well-reviewed American Midwest cuisine, but it can be a bit on the pricey side. The bar and lounge, the Tavern, offers pub-style meals, snacks, and cocktails, while the Café at the Elms serves coffee, pastries, and espresso.

A 24-hour fitness center with low ceilings has quite a lot of equipment, including various cardio machines, and there are other activities on-site, such as bocce ball, badminton, shuffleboard, and a volleyball court. The hotel also offers a seasonal murder mystery event.

There is free Wi-Fi and the hotel is pet-friendly; however, pets incur a daily fee. Room service is available around the clock.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

The Elms Hotel and Spa

Scene

A well-preserved historic spa retreat with both antique and modern touches

Built in 1912, the Elms Hotel & Spa's stone building is an icon in the area, and has been restored and maintained to honor its distinctive look and historic beauty. Inside, the decor blends vintage and contemporary vibes, from the lobby's Deco-inspired orange chandeliers to the original brick front desk. Plush wingback chairs fill the tiled lobby, and some surround a stone-and-brick fireplace for an especially cozy sitting area in cooler months. Wherever possible, the original tiled floors and antique fixtures have been preserved, although the spa is notably modern, with dark tile walls, stone columns, and wooden lounge chairs creating a relaxing, serene environment. Overstuffed leather armchairs and wood tables adorn the lounges and on-site restaurants, all of which have the feel of a private club. The sprawling grounds are well-maintained, and include an outdoor fire pit, gazebo, and lagoon-style pool, in addition to a wealth of chairs and tables.

See More Scene

Location

On 16 wooded acres in Excelsior Springs' historic downtown district

Set on 16 acres of quiet land in Excelsior Springs' historic downtown, the Elms Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of many of the town's sights, include the Paradise Playhouse, the Hall of Waters, and the Cultural Museum. The Excelsior golf course is a five-minute drive from the hotel and the Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery is an eight-minute drive. A drive to Kansas City takes about 40 minutes. Unless you plan to spend most of your time at the on-site spa, you’ll need a car; valet parking is available for a fee. The hotel's concierge can help arrange excursions and tickets.

See More Location

Rooms

Stylish vintage-inspired luxury rooms offer features such as memory foam beds and iPod docks -- but none have tubs.

Tastefully adorned in understated blues and oranges, rooms and suites at The Elms Hotel and Spa compliment the antique yet modern theme found throughout. Wood headboards, floral art and wallpaper, and much of the furniture speaks to the historical style of the hotel, while the colors, materials (such as granite and chrome), and storage design invoke a modern sensibility. Wood closets surround the TV or bed area, and offer additional storage without cluttering the available space. All rooms have memory foam beds, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, coffeemakers, and free newspapers. Microwaves and mini-fridges are available upon request in rooms; suites come with mini-fridges, wet bars, and additional square footage. Bathrooms only offer walk-in showers, versus tubs, although some have two showerheads -- one on each end. Their design includes gray and white tile, granite, and luxury fixtures; and sinks, floor tiles, frosted glass doors, and light fixtures all demonstrate a vintage style. All bathrooms have Natura toiletries.

See More Rooms

Features

Extensive on-site spa, outdoor pool, three restaurants, and a fitness center

The top priority for many guests at the Elms Hotel and Spa is the full-service luxury spa, with a large sauna, lap pool, steam room, hair salon, steam shower, hot tubs, and grotto area. A full menu of services includes massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and body wraps.

In addition to the spa amenities, there is also a seasonal outdoor pool and poolside bar. The main restaurant, 88 at the Elms, serves well-reviewed American Midwest cuisine, but it can be a bit on the pricey side. The bar and lounge, the Tavern, offers pub-style meals, snacks, and cocktails, while the Café at the Elms serves coffee, pastries, and espresso.

A 24-hour fitness center with low ceilings has quite a lot of equipment, including various cardio machines, and there are other activities on-site, such as bocce ball, badminton, shuffleboard, and a volleyball court. The hotel also offers a seasonal murder mystery event.

There is free Wi-Fi and the hotel is pet-friendly; however, pets incur a daily fee. Room service is available around the clock.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.