Jessica S.
Yelp
I had reason to be in the KC area last week, and wanted to find a unicorn; a hotel close to where I needed to be, that was affordable, unique, clean, and comfortable. Higher Ground was exactly that. Well, not so much close to where I needed to be. I miscalculated that, but that's hardly a strike against the place. Heck, given the chance to do it all again, I'd still book here.
The description of it being a boutique hotel got me interested. The insanely high ratings got my to click the button to book. This place deserves every star it's got.
If asked to describe it, the best way I can is to sit you down in front of YouTube, cue up Pink's Beautiful Trauma video, and press play. This place is a time capsule of vibrant colors, Americana, and pin up nostalgia.
The room was comfortable and well appointed. We had a mini fridge and keurig in the room. There's an on site massage therapist. But I didn't have the opportunity to visit them. The lobby is cozy. The business center is quiet, and there's a surprisingly well stocked guest library for guests who are looking for a paperback to pass the time with.
Not being part of a chain, there was no trace of a sterile, corporate mentality either with the staff, or in the decor. It wouldn't surprise me if each room was decorated differently, with its own personality. When we arrived about an hour earlier than I had anticipated, the gentleman behind the counter joked that he wasn't expecting us yet. "We made 'good time'" I told him. He handed us two physical keys to our room, and a piece of paper with the wifi password, and code to the external doors. He also gave us a brief history lesson when we asked about the spire we'd passed on the way in to town. It's been decades since I took a civics class, but if I had the opportunity, I would return to Independence for an edutaining long weekend to take in the sightseeing. And that's thanks to the font of knowledge available from the man of many hats behind the front desk.
If you're looking for a place to hang your hat for one night, or many, and are tired of cookie cutter, sterile, corporate hotels, please give the place a chance. It's unusual, friendly, clean, and well worth it even if you have to leave the beaten path slightly. Especially since you have to leave the beaten path.