Not your run-of-the-mill Holiday Inn, Kansas City's Aladdin Hotel (1215 Wyandotte St., 816-421-8888) is arty and fun, with a stylish decorating aesthetic, highly personalized service, a convenient downtown location, and a very cool vibe - it actually feels much more like a part of the Holiday Inn's sister brand, Indigo. The 16-story 1920s buildings, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, reopened as a hip 193-room hotel in 2007. Accommodations (here's a view of a room) are colorful and contemporary - try to get a corner room for the best views and plenty of sunlight through the large windows. Amenities include the funky Martini Loft bar, and the Zebra Room restaurant, plus a small but well-equipped gym, valet parking, and a small business center.
The dynamic Power and Light District, with its many restaurants and bars, is just a couple of blocks away, and it's no more than a 10-minute walk to the Crossroads Arts District and its many bars and restaurants. In terms of value, style, and gay-friendliness, this is arguably the best lodging option in Kansas City.