Name? Amanda Watters

Occupation? Stay at home mom & Blogger.

Preoccupation? I love working and making things with my hands, whether it is in the garden, kitchen, or at the craft table. I also have a passion for reading and always have music on throughout the day.

Place you live? Brookside, an older part of Kansas City, just south of downtown.

How long have you lived there? 10 Years

Can you sum up Kansas City? Kansas City is homey and small while having heaps of variety and things to do. The cultural community here is vibrant and growing, but there’s also a slower and more mindful pace here that makes for easy living.

What is the best thing about Kansas City? The food and live music scene here is incredible, but the best thing about Kansas City are the kind people and their love and appreciation for the Midwest. There is a genuine, good-natured spirit and Midwestern approachability that flows throughout the city, making living here really beautiful. There are so many new farm-to-table restaurants opening up each month and, while the seasonal fair is fantastic, it’s the hospitality and kindness of the people that really takes the cake.

What is a perfect day in Kansas City? A perfect day would start in the River Market buying a big bouquet of wild flowers and filling up my market bag with goods from local gardens. I would hop over to Happy Gillis for brunch and order their biscuits and gravy before heading to The Nelson-Atkins for an afternoon at the museum. I would take a stroll through the Loose Park rose gardens before heading to Westport for dinner to have oysters, charcuterie, and rosé on Ca Va’s patio under the bistro lights.

What are the people like in Kansas City?

If Kansas City were a person who would it be? Jessica Day from New Girl. Like Jess, Kansas City is affectionate and warmhearted, but it also has a quirky and creative side that keeps things interesting and fresh.

Can you tell us about your experience visiting Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton? As someone who appreciates interior design and hospitality, I could not stop admiring the thought and warmth put into our stay. The décor really appealed to our aesthetics and made us feel like we were truly on vacation.

We dined at Tavernonna, the hotel’s modern Italian restaurant, and enjoyed the delicious homemade cacao e pepe and seared scallops. We are big fans of homemade pasta, and we were very happy with the quality of food we ordered.

The location of the hotel was also really nice as we walked everywhere and even rode the KC Streetcar on several occasions. Everything was a delight and we left our staycation feeling refreshed and inspired without having to board a plane or pack for an extended stay.

What was your impression of Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton? From the moment we walked in, it was clear that every single detail was considered throughout this classically decorated hotel. It felt as though we were stepping back in time with the beautiful and historic Jazz Age features, such as old-school lighting, the emerald velvet couches, and the claw foot tub in our room. The intentionality in each space made our whole experience truly magical and a breath of fresh air.

If a friend was visiting Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton what would you suggest they do? I’d have them start with room service breakfast because there is nothing more relaxing or luxurious than sipping coffee and eating fresh cooked-to-order eggs in a big white bed. I’d have them grab a slice of pie at Pryde’s and some tacos at Port Fonda before heading back downtown to do some antiquing in the River Market or West Bottoms, if it happened to fall on the first Friday of the month. Dinner at The Rieger, a historic restaurant here in Kansas City, would be a must and I’d have them order the paté and one of their seasonal salads. After dinner, they’d go to The Phoenix or Green Lady Lounge to hear live jazz before heading to P.S., the speakeasy in Hotel Phillips Kansas City, for the rest of the night to sip hand-crafted cocktails and chat with locals.