Sometimes the best getaway is the one that doesn't require much planning. For Kansas City travelers, The Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs is just a short drive away and accomplishes just that.
Part of this historic hotel's appeal is that it has always been more than a place to stay. Over the decades, it has served as a gathering place for celebrations, milestones, relaxation, and connection. Families have returned generation after generation, creating traditions and memories. While the hotel and spa has evolved over the years, its purpose has remained the same. It offers a place where people can step away from daily routines, reconnect, relax and enjoy genuine hospitality.
The Elms has been part of Excelsior Springs for more than 130 years, and that history is one of the things that makes this destination special. The balance between history and experience continues to attract a wide range of visitors. Wellness travel has brought a growing number of spa guests through the doors. Couples choose The Elms for romantic weekends and special celebrations. History enthusiasts are drawn to the property's rich past and legendary stories. At the same time, more Kansas City residents are discovering the hotel as a quick escape that feels like a getaway without requiring extensive travel.
For many guests, the spa is where that experience begins.
The Grotto has become one of the hotel's signature attractions and remains unlike anything else in the Midwest. Rather than focusing solely on treatments, the spa creates an immersive wellness experience that encourages guests to slow down and disconnect from the outside world. Moving through steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, cold plunges, and the signature Roman bath becomes less about checking off amenities and more about creating space to pause.
Massages remain among the most popular services, particularly the signature Elms Massage, while facials and couples experiences continue to be in demand. However, many guests say the Grotto itself becomes the highlight of their visit, creating the kind of experience that brings them back again and again.
That opportunity to slow down may be one of the most valuable luxuries The Elms offers. In a world that promotes constant activity, the property gives guests permission to rest. Whether visitors spend a few hours in the spa or an entire weekend on property, the goal is simple: to leave feeling renewed and more than when they arrived. The philosophy of honoring tradition while embracing the present can be found throughout the property. Thoughtful renovations, updated guest experiences, wellness offerings, and dining programs allow The Elms to meet modern expectations without sacrificing the character that has made it a destination for generations.
That is especially evident at Three Owls, the hotel's restaurant. The dining experience is warm and approachable and reflects both the spirit of the Midwest and the history of the property itself. The menu focuses on regional ingredients and flavors. Steaks, seasonal features, and chef-driven specialties remain guest favorites, but some of the most interesting dishes are often the ones inspired by what's growing just outside the restaurant's doors. Throughout the season, herbs, fruits, and other ingredients harvested from The Elms gardens make their way into both dishes and handcrafted cocktails. It's a detail that creates a meaningful connection between guests, the culinary team, and the grounds that have been part of the property for generations.
The Elms has also become a sought-after destination for weddings, offering a combination of history, accommodations, wellness experiences, and natural beauty that few venues can match. Couples can host everything from rehearsal dinners and spa days to ceremonies and receptions in one location, creating an experience that feels seamless for both guests and families.
Corporate groups are finding value in that same sense of escape. Organizations increasingly seek destinations that encourage creativity, collaboration, and meaningful connection outside traditional conference settings. While companies may initially come for meeting space and accommodations, they often discover something more. Despite being only a short drive from Kansas City, The Elms creates a sense of separation from everyday demands. The result feels less like a typical business trip and more like a resort experience.
Looking ahead, the property's focus remains on creating experiences that complement its history while giving guests new reasons to visit. Expanded wellness programming, culinary events, seasonal activities, outdoor experiences, and community partnerships are all part of that vision.
More than a century after opening its doors, The Elms continues to prove that a memorable getaway isn't always about how far you travel. Sometimes it's about finding a place that allows you to slow down, reconnect, and return home feeling refreshed. For generations of guests, that's exactly what The Elms has provided, and why it remains one of the region's most popular travel destinations.
That opportunity to slow down may be one of the most valuable luxuries The Elms offers.
While the hotel and spa has evolved over the years, its purpose has remained the same. It offers a place where people can step away from daily routines, reconnect, relax and enjoy genuine hospitality.