Kansas City Boutique Hotel Receives Travel + Leisure World's Best Award Honors

KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwired - Jul 3, 2013) - Travel+Leisure has announced its 2013 World's Best Awards winners. Included on the list of winners is The Raphael Hotel, affiliated with Marriott International's Autograph Collection, a portfolio of independent hotels selected for their distinctiveness. For the 18^th annual poll, editors asked discerning readers to cast their votes for hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines, tour operators and safari outfitters, destinations, and airports that represent the best in travel around the world.

Hotel characteristics rated included rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value, and the international travel magazine's readers voted The Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection among the Top Large City Hotels in the Continental U.S. in the Travel + Leisure 2013 World's Best Awards survey.

The luxury Kansas City hotel ranks No. 22 on the prestigious Travel + Leisure list of Top Large City Hotels in the Continental U.S. with a cumulative rating of 89.57. As an independent hotel, The Raphael Hotel was a rarity on the list of the top 50 hotels in the large city hotels, a category dominated by luxury brand hotels. The hotel received an additional value distinction, signified by rates of $250 or less. The complete World's Best Awards Lists of overall and regional hotel rankings are available at http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest.

About The Raphael Hotel: The Raphael Hotel is a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel that combines the charm and intimacy of a locally significant landmark with highly individualized service. It is the original boutique concept among historic Kansas City Plaza hotels. The nine-story, Italian Renaissance Revival structure is a member of National Trust Historic Hotels of America and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Raphael Hotel is noted for distinctive Kansas City hotel deals and specials within its portfolio of romantic getaway, destination-rich and special affinity packages that can be booked online. More information is available online.