The best Airbnbs in Kansas City for living like a local in KCMO

From the outside, this quaint 1930’s farmhouse looks all tradition and charm with pretty white shutters and window boxes. But inside, it’s a designer’s dream with a marble-topped kitchen, cosy earthy colour palettes, stone wash basins, brass fittings, texture-filled furnishings and billowing linens. Soak in the black freestanding bath and enjoy alfresco meals on the back garden terrace, which has a barbecue and a fire heater. The hosts will also send you an information pack before you arrive so you feel right at home from the off. 

Rooms? Three. Sleeps six.
The mood? A design haven.
Location perks? Nestled in Kansas’s historic Prairie Village, it’s a short drive from the city centre with all the perks of being in a leafy, independent suburban neighbourhood. 
Budget range? An affordable stay, especially for larger groups.

If you're a real homebody then you'll love cozying up in this beautifully modern cottage in Lee Summit. Spread across one floor, this bright home is just the right size for two guests looking for a stylish place to crash that feels residential while being an easy 20-minute drive to downtown's hub of stores and restaurants. Downtime here is best spent on the couch or out in the backyard by the fire pit.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests. 
The mood? Homely and modern.
Location perks? Set on a tree-lined residential street, so it really feels like home. 
Budget range? Very affordable rates.

According to the hosts of this midcentury bungalow, Elvis stayed here as a guest in the early 70’s while on tour in Kansas City. Whether true or not, the place has dived into the legend head-first with Presley pop art on the walls, a huge guitar-shaped swimming pool and neon signs proclaiming it ‘The Elvis Retreat House’. The rooms are clean and stylish with funky touches and there’s a 120” projector, 6 burner grill, a pool/ping pong table, arcade games and a wet bar to keep you occupied. 

Rooms? Four. Sleeps up to 10 guests. 
The mood? A slice of rockabilly real estate.
Location perks? 10 miles away from Downtown Kansas City with a terrace and large lawn. 
Budget range? On the more expensive side, but a good option for groups. 

Get ready to feel zen. This minimalist pile is a patchwork of glass, crisp white walls and neat lines of timber. Perfect for groups, there are huge sofas to snuggle up on, a long dining table for big meals and plenty of bedrooms. It has sterling eco-credentials and in the summer there’s a grassy backyard with a rock-filled fire pit and outdoor chairs. There’s even a Buddha if you want to have a full-on chill-out session. When you’re ready to ramp things up, the place is within walking distance of Kansas City’s West 39th Street neighbourhood packed with colourful bars and restaurants. 

Rooms? Three. Sleeps seven. 
The mood? Minimalist zen.
Location perks? In one of the most walkable neighbourhoods in Kansas City, Rosedale, near West 39th Street’s buzzing bars and restaurants. 
Budget range? Mid-range. 

The swankier the better we say. If that's your style too, head right up to this upscale apartment with views overlooking Downtown. Interior-wise, the space is classic and cozy with a mix of leather and chic wooden furnishings - we really dig the toffee-color palette. And since the apartment is centrally located, you'll have the free streetcar right on your doorstep to get around town. 

Rooms? Two beds. Sleeps four guests. 
The mood? Modern-chic.
Location perks? Free parking and stunning views of the city in the evening. 
Budget range? Pretty decent if you don't mind heights.

Stay right in the thick of things in a piece of Kansas City history. Built in 1868, this apartment sits at the top of the oldest remaining fire station in the city. It was renovated in 2021 to create a cool warehouse-style penthouse with bare brick walls, exposed ceilings and open-plan living spaces. It’s been done out splendidly with vintage sculptures, neon signs and statement furniture. There’s even a disco ball and lights in the bathroom and a roof terrace for evening drinks. When you’re ready to leave, you’re in walking distance of the Cross Roads Arts District packed with indie boutiques, bars restaurants and galleries. 

Rooms? Four. Sleeps up to 12 guests. 
The mood? Edgy industrial warehouse. 
Location perks? Right next to the city’s thriving art district and glitzy city-wide views. 
Budget range? A more expensive option.   

There’s a shabby chic quality to this beautifully restored 1933 bungalow, which despite being in a leafy 18-acre site is just minutes away from major tourist attractions. Inside you’ll find bright airy rooms filled with vintage furniture, cosy furnishings and plenty of charm. The hosts live next door if there are any issues and they’ve made sure to cover little details like leaving slippers at the door, draping the sofas in comfy throws and leaving pots of soaking salts by the bath. They can also arrange group yoga sessions. 

Rooms? Two. Sleeps six. 
The mood? Comfy boho chic. 
Location perks? Just 20 minutes from downtown Kansas with all the perks of being in a secluded leafy neighbourhood. 
Budget range? A great option for those on a budget.    

Let’s be honest, this is a pretty weird-looking house. But what it loses in the traditional beauty stakes (and who wants to be restricted to tradition, eh?), it gains in memorability and uniqueness. Located in the West Crossroads area of Kansas City, boasts a beautiful outdoor saltwater pool (heated on request during the cooler months of the year) and a rooftop terrace with a hot tub positioned perfectly to take in the skyline views (the area around the pool is also hot-to-trot). There’s also a really fab place for getting some laptop hours in, if you need to.

Rooms? Two. Sleeps up to eight guests.
The mood? Industrial refurb meets pool life.
Location perks? Get your bearings courtesy of that gorgeous view.
Budget range? Going higher.

Get a delicious taste of KC’s history with a stay in the Grand Victorian. Located in Union Hill (just a few min’s walk to downtown), this historic property is gorgeous both inside and out. Those huge windows and high ceilings beloved of Victorian architects now help to illuminate an expertly preserved and updated family home. Here are a few of our favorite things: the stained glass upper windows, the great combination of heritage paint shades with contemporary whites, that cute little balcony area and the (strictly decorative) tiled fireplace. OH! And that quirky wallpaper in the bathroom. Beautiful.

Rooms? Three. Sleeps seven.
The mood? Period charm dragged very elegantly into the now.
Location perks? Familiarise yourself with the best indie eateries of Union Hill.
Budget range? What a little bargain.

This handsome timber-clad home is a little slice of Kansas City history. It's been tastefully renovated leaving its grand carved wood staircase, original fireplaces and sash windows intact though. There’s plenty of modernity here too, including the high-spec kitchen, metro-tiled bathrooms and funkily furnished bedrooms. With four bedrooms, including a large attic space, it’s a great one for groups and it’s super close to all the attractions in Downtown. 

Rooms? Four. Sleeps up to 10. 
The mood? A tasteful dose of history. 
Location perks? Everything is within walking distance, including Downtown.
Budget range? A bargain.    

Feel like you’re in an episode of Cribs in this plush five-bed mansion right in the heart of the city. The place manages to pack in no less than seven queen beds, two kitchens, a formal dining room, a billiards room and two hot tubs, all accented by gleaming hardwood floors, chandeliers and gold framed mirrors. Look out for unusual details like coats of armour, ornate stone fireplaces, Italian Renaissance-style murals on the ceilings and a huge walk-in wardrobe. 

Rooms? Five. Sleeps up to 15 guests. 
The mood? Ostentatious luxury. 
Location perks? Lots of space just 10 minutes drive from Downtown.
Budget range? One to splash the cash on. 

This place was entirely decorated – and indeed named – in homage to a much beloved, yet now closed, local home furnishings shop. As that level of attention to detail suggests, this place scores super high in the style stakes. In fact, every last inch of it demonstrates an expert eye for colour, texture and pattern. We’re particularly fond of the green-doored kitchen and the dive grey banquettes around the table. There’s also a hotel-worthy bathroom and a perfectly snug twin bedroom with interesting wall art. Those who get a lot of home envy on Instagram will love this place.

Rooms? Three. Sleeps six guests.
The mood? A home more stylish than most hotels.
Location perks? Feel refreshed at the nearby Prairie Village public pool.
Budget range? Excellent price!

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, this joint has your back. Everything in it is fully electric and powered by solar panels. It’s also pretty sweet to look at too. Huge floor-to-roof windows give the whole place a light, bright airy feel and the wooden terrace at the back of the property looks like a secluded tree house. There’s a projector and retractable screen for movie nights, ergonomic chairs, workstations, king beds and a patio with seating and a barbecue. If you can bear to leave, Downtown and the Crossroads Arts District are right around the corner. 

Rooms? Two. Sleeps four. 
The mood? Open plan minimalism. 
Location perks? Leafy but just steps away from Kansas City’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. 
Budget range? Excellent value for money. 

Feel like you’re tucked away on your own private homestead in this all-American pile situated in rolling green grounds. It might feel like you’re in a secluded rural idyll but Downtown Kansas City is only a 20-minute drive away. When you’re not taking off for the city, inside the place is a home away from home with squishy sofas, comfy beds, pot plants dotted around the place and long dining tables for big hearty meals. There’s also a cosy veranda that wraps around the house for whiling long summer nights. 

Rooms? Four. Sleeps up to 10 guests. 
The mood? An all-America countryside stay in the city. 
Location perks? Surrounded by plenty of spacious greenery while being close to the bustling city. 
Budget range? Mid-range, a good option for larger groups.