In the past year, my house has doubled as an office, high school classroom, and sorority house. My daughters regularly send assignments from their at-home classrooms to the printer on my desk, usually triggering at least one dog into a barking frenzy, and nearly always right as I take myself off of mute to present something important to a large group on Zoom.
In the room next to my office, the furniture is pushed against the walls, the rug is rolled up, and three afternoons a week, the wood plank floor hosts virtual dance class. I know it’s been a tough year for everyone, but you haven’t truly lived through the pandemic until you’ve hosted a webinar for hundreds of people with tap class taking place 10 feet away!
So when Hotel Kansas City announced a new initiative that offers daily office rentals to locals who need an escape from the “new normal” work-from-home day, I jumped at the opportunity to give it a try! Built in 1922 to house The Kansas City Club, an exclusive social club with members like Harry S. Truman, the team at this newly reopened historic building at 13th and Baltimore has transformed the 8th floor into “Work from HKC” office spaces. Here’s why renting a hotel room for a day may be just what you need.
Thank you to Hotel Kansas City for letting me experience their Work from Hotel Kansas City concept for a day!
1. Finally, A Distraction-Free Work Space!
All of the working moms I know are part octopus. They can prepare for a demanding day at work while getting kids out the door to school, answer text messages about what’s for dinner without missing a beat in a meeting, and still muster the energy to run kids to activities at night. But this past year has been a challenge for even the most amazing octo-moms, and you may not realize just how much you have been craving (and can benefit from) a quiet workspace without constant interruptions.
Pro Tip: While it’s not unheard of to pay $20 to $30 or more a day to park downtown in many cities, Hotel Kansas City offers free valet parking for all Work from HKC guests.
2. No Competition For Screaming-Fast Wi-Fi
With homes from coast to coast suddenly supporting work and school video conferences, remote family holidays, and non-stop Netflix binging, even the most reliable Internet providers may be delivering slower-than-usual speeds. When you rent a hotel room as an office for a day, you’ll enjoy screaming-fast Wi-Fi.
3. You Can Leave The Cooking To Someone Else
Who else is worn out from cooking two to three meals a day (instead of just dinner back in pre-pandemic times)? When you rent a hotel room for a day at Hotel Kansas City, you can leave the cooking to someone else. And not just anyone else — like the teenager in my kitchen whipping up a snack and taking photos of her masterpiece for her remote-learning health class — but executive chef Johnny Leach and his wife, executive pastry chef Helen Jo Leach. Together this dynamic duo has created a menu for The Town Company with a focus on ingredients produced in America’s Heartland.
Pro Tip: There are also delicious options within a block or two of Hotel Kansas City including Yard House, Cosentino’s Market, and Bristol.
4. Access To The Gym
If you’ve been missing the gym during the pandemic (or are finding it more difficult to fit in a workout with the added responsibilities it has put on many of our shoulders), you’ll be glad to hear that your daily “Work from HKC” office rental includes access to Hotel Kansas City’s gym. Stretch out on a yoga mat, lift weights, stroll on the treadmill, or hop on the Peloton for some blood-pumping self-care that will help you burn a few COVID-19 pounds.
Click here to book an office for the day at Hotel Kansas City.
5. Usher In Happy Hour In Seconds
Once you’ve put in a highly productive day, celebrate your accomplishments by heading to the lobby bar for happy hour. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. you can enjoy $5 local drafts, $8 KC Club bourbon cocktails, and 25 percent off wines by the glass. If you’re celebrating something particularly amazing, have a bottle of Hotel Kansas City’s bourbon delivered to your room (I mean office). Crafted in collaboration with J. Rieger Co., the exclusive blend is based on the whiskey enjoyed by members of the Kansas City Club before Prohibition.
6. You Can Stay Longer, If You Like
Once I stepped across the threshold into my office for the day, I was in love! The room was spacious, comfortable, and beautifully decorated with incredible views of Kansas City’s Power and Light District. While I didn’t want the clock to strike 5 o’clock (and have my luxurious workspace turn back into my pandemic reality), my responsibilities at home beckoned. But you can be your own prince charming and extend the magic by staying overnight for just $30 plus tax.
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