Overland Park's BEST Kept Secret: Drury Inn & Suites Review!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dissect the Drury Inn & Suites in Overland Park, Kansas – the so-called "BEST Kept Secret." (Spoiler alert: is it really a secret anymore?) This ain't your dry, corporate review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, straight from a weary traveler's weary soul. Prepare for honesty, a little ramblin', and maybe a touch of over-caffeination. Let's dive in!
First Impression: Accessibility & (Un)Expected Perks
Okay, so, immediately, I'm checking for accessibility. Gotta know this is a place where everyone can feel comfortable. And, hey, the Drury gets a thumbs up here! Wheelchair accessible? Absolutely! They've got elevators (duh!), and while I didn't personally use a wheelchair this trip, the hallways and common areas seemed plenty navigable. Elevator (check!). And you know what's super important in accessibility? Front desk [24-hour] Yes! Because problems never happen during convenient business hours. This is a big WIN for folks who need it. Facilities for disabled guests? They list it! So hopefully the rooms are up to snuff!
Internet Woes & Wi-Fi Wonders (or Lack Thereof)
Let's talk internet, because in the modern world, no Wi-Fi means no work, no entertainment, no sanity. The dreaded Internet [LAN] makes an appearance on the list. Cringe. Do people still use LAN cables? Anyway, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! claims the ad. Amen! My experience? Spotty. I'm not saying the Wi-Fi was non-existent, but it was more of a "Will it work? Maybe? Just try again in 5 minutes" kind of situation. Seriously, I spent 20 minutes trying to upload a single Instagram post and nearly lost it. Internet in general? Mixed bag. Wi-Fi in public areas? Better. But still, not the rockstar connectivity I'd hoped for.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe & Sound (Mostly)
This is where the Drury really shines, especially post-pandemic. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Double Check! I saw staff constantly wiping things down. Rooms sanitized between stays? Yep! The level of cleanliness felt reassuring, which is a huge plus. Hand sanitizer? Everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. They were definitely making an effort. This is a big win for peace of mind. Smoke alarms are in place. Fire extinguisher located. So, if something goes wrong, you're at least prepared. Feeling safe at a hotel is essential, right?
The Food & Drink Dilemma: Buffet Bliss & Bar Blues
Okay, let's talk food, because a free breakfast can make or break a hotel stay. And the Drury? Their breakfast is legendary, they claim. And, you know what? They're RIGHT. Breakfast [buffet]? A glorious, carb-filled yes! Buffet in restaurant? Absolutely. Waffles, eggs, sausage, fruit… the works! My work, that is, because I was eating it to the brim! Breakfast takeaway service? (Smart.) Asian breakfast? Listed. I didn't see any, but hey, the options were plentiful and fresh. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Absolutely. I may have had three cups, fueled by the free fuel that keeps a weary traveler going. Poolside bar? Didn’t see it, but honestly, I was too busy devouring waffles to notice. Happy hour is also a huge draw. Free drinks and snacks in the evening? Yes, please! The bar, however, was… underwhelming. It wasn't a bad bar, but it wasn't particularly memorable. More of a "pour-your-own-drink-while-you-wait-for-the-microwave" vibe, if you catch my drift.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (and Free!)
Car park [free of charge]? Hallelujah! Parking in hotels is often a rip-off. The Drury provides car park [on-site], AND free. Taxi service? Listed, but I didn't need it. Airport transfer? Didn't see any signs, but Uber/Lyft are readily available. The location itself is pretty central, making getting around Overland Park easy.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things (and the Big Ones)
This is where the Drury Inn really tries to wow you. Cash withdrawal? On-site? Gotta love it. Coin laundry? Never seen a dryer, but maybe it's there somewhere. Convenience store? Yes, and it's well-stocked. Daily housekeeping? My room was spotless. Dry cleaning? Listed! (That's always handy). The luggage storage was a godsend. Meeting/banquet facilities? Available! Business facilities? Yup, including Xerox/fax in business center. Hotel chain is present here.
Rooms & Rest: Sleepy Time (Eventually)
Okay, the rooms themselves are… comfy. Nothing fancy, but clean and functional. Air conditioning? Yes, and it works! Blackout curtains? A lifesaver for light sleepers like me. Coffee/tea maker? Essential. Desk? Check. Hair dryer? Yup, and it actually dries your hair (unlike some hotel dryers that just blow warm air). In-room safe box? Present. Refrigerator? Always appreciated for late-night snacks. Soundproofing? Okay, sometimes I could hear the hallway chatter, but not awful. Wi-Fi [free]? (See my earlier rant about Wi-Fi… but yes, technically they offer it.) Additional toilet makes an appearance. Non-smoking rooms? Definitely available. Rooms sanitized between stays is important in this day and age.
But Here's the Real Deal… About That Pool.
Okay, listen. I'm going to be honest. This is where the Drury really shines. They claim a Swimming pool [outdoor] and Swimming pool and Spa/sauna. I'll get to the sauna later, but let's talk about this pool situation. It's… well, it's a vibe. After a long day of driving, I walked over to this pool like a thirsty man in the desert. The water was warm, the hot tub was bubbling, and there was a sense of… peace. The pool with view it is! It wasn't the fanciest pool, but it had to have been the cleanest I've seen.
The Sauna? I only went in the sauna, and it was well kept. I'm not going to lie; I spent a solid hour just soaking in the peace. The world melted away into a haze of humidity and relaxation. That is the Drury Inn secret that makes the whole thing worth it.
Things for the Kids I'm not traveling with kids. But I saw Family/child friendly. They have Kids facilities and a Babysitting service available.
The Final Verdict:
The Drury Inn & Suites in Overland Park? It's not perfect. The Wi-Fi can be a pain. The Bar could improve. But overall? It's a solid choice. The clean rooms, the free breakfast, the friendly staff, and that amazing whirlpool… They make it a winner. It's a haven for weary travelers.
My Advice?
If you're looking for a comfortable, clean, and convenient stay in Overland Park, with a killer pool experience, book the Drury. Don't expect five-star luxury, but do expect comfort, value, and a genuinely pleasant experience.
Book your stay and unwind. You deserve it!
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't going to be your perfectly-planned travel diary. This is the REAL DEAL, Drury Inn & Suites Overland Park edition. And trust me, it's got more twists and turns than a Kansas tornado.
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Promise of Free Popcorn
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). The plane ride was a blur of stale air and my inner monologue screaming, "Did I pack enough snacks?! Did I leave the curling iron on?!" My travel companion, bless her heart, is already halfway through her giant-sized bag of chips.
- 1:45 PM: Car rental. The guy behind the counter has a nametag that says "Bartholomew." My brain immediately conjures up images of a perpetually grumpy rabbit. Bartholomew is anything but grumpy, though. He's a fountain of local trivia and recommends BBQ places faster than I can blink (which, admittedly, isn't saying much).
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at the Drury Inn & Suites Overland Park. First impressions? Spotlessly clean lobby. The woman behind the counter? Announcing: "Welcome to Drury Inn & Suites, and your free popcorn and soda is waiting for you!" Sold!
- 3:00 PM: Okay, room. It's…beige. Very beige. But the beds look ridiculously comfortable. Plop down on the bed and take a nap, and in this day and age, it's exactly what is needed.
- 4:30 PM: Pre-dinner drinks. Oh my god. Drury Inn's free happy hour. Seriously. Wine, beer, soda, and snacks. My inner child is doing a happy dance. Ate the chips.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Went to a highly-rated BBQ place that Bartholomew recommended. The ribs were so good; I almost licked the plate (and yes, I am judging myself). The sauce? A masterpiece. My travel companion, however, accidentally spilled hers all over her shirt. The look of horror on her face was only matched by the waitress's stifled giggle. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. Which, considering the amount of BBQ we consumed, was a genuine accomplishment.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the Drury. More free snacks and a desperate attempt to watch the TV. Let's just say Hotel TV in the United States is not exactly a premium experience. But hey, free popcorn.
Day 2: Museums, Missteps, and a Deep Dive in the Pool
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Drury. Eggs, sausage, waffles… the works. I load up, because I know I'm going to work it off later.
- 10:00 AM: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Wow. Just… wow. The art is amazing, but honestly, the giant shuttlecocks on the lawn are the REAL stars. I spent a solid twenty minutes taking pictures with them. My travel companion pointed out that I look ridiculous. I don't disagree. But look at those shuttlecocks!
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. Found a cute little cafe. I accidentally ordered something that I didn't know the ingredients… it turned out to have peanuts. Immediately, I had an internal panic spiral. It was fine.
- 2:00 PM: The National WWI Museum and Memorial. Brutally powerful. I was honestly kind of speechless for a while. I spent a lot of time just staring at the exhibits, trying to absorb the scale of it all. It's a tough but important place to visit.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Drury. Time for the pool! The pool is… fine. A little chlorinated, a little crowded. But I do a few laps and I'm feeling better.
- 5:00 PM: Tried the fitness center. It was a disaster. There's one treadmill, and it's occupied. Ended up just stretching for a bit and giving up. I'll get to it tomorrow, I swear!
- 6:00 PM: Happy Hour Round Two.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. It was a disaster. We went to some Italian place, the food wasn't that great (and felt like it cost a LOT), and the waiter clearly hated us.
- 8:30 PM: Back to the hotel, and I needed to have the free popcorn, as I'd had a traumatic experience, and popcorn has always been a friend to me.
Day 3: Last day. A Quest for the Perfect Souvenir and a Fond Farewell (Maybe)
- 9:00 AM: Final breakfast at the Drury. Taking it easy, and I feel like I need to.
- 10:00 AM: Souvenir hunting. I spend way too much time in a gift shop, trying to find the perfect thing to bring home. End up buying a t-shirt that says "Kansas City BBQ Expert." I feel like I've earned it.
- 12:00 PM: Last Lunch.
- 1:00 PM: Packing. It's a mess. I have way too many clothes, and half of them I didn't even wear. I'm pretty sure my suitcase is going to explode.
- 2:00 PM: Check out. The woman at the counter smiles at me, and for the first time, I feel a twinge of sadness about leaving. I'm not sure if it's because I've spent three days in a beige box, or if it's because I've actually had a good time.
- 3:00 PM: Head back to the airport. Goodbye Overland Park, goodbye Drury Inn, goodbye free popcorn. Maybe I'll be back. Maybe not. But I'll always remember those shuttlecocks.
So, yeah, there you have it. The slightly-unhinged, often-hungry, and occasionally-overwhelmed perspective of a traveler in Overland Park. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't always pretty. But it was real. And now, I need another nap.
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Drury Inn & Suites Overland Park: Is It REALLY a Secret? My Messy, Honest FAQ
Okay, okay, "Best Kept Secret"... is that hyperbole? Seriously, does anyone *not* rave about this place?
Alright, let's be real. "Secret" might be a stretch. My Aunt Mildred from Des Moines probably knows about it. But here's the deal: Drury Inn & Suites in Overland Park *is* consistently fantastic. I've stayed at a LOT of hotels, trust me. From budget motels that made me question the very concept of clean to… well, let’s just say I’ve seen things. Drury? Drury is a safe haven. More like "Overland Park's Delightfully Well-Known-But-Still-Deserving-of-Praise Secret." Frankly, I'm surprised everyone doesn't live there. (Maybe they do? I'm starting to suspect that.)
The Free Food. Tell me about the free food. Is it actually good, or is it sad continental breakfast-level dreariness?
Oh. My. God. The food. Okay, listen. I'm a sucker for anything that's free. Especially if it's edible. But at Drury, the free food is… legitimately *good*. Breakfast? Forget the sad, shriveled pastries. They have eggs, sausage (and sometimes, gloriously, bacon!), waffles you make yourself (which is always a win), and… wait for it… *biscuits and gravy*. Biscuits. And. Gravy. This alone is worth the price of admission, folks. And the evening kickback? Forget that sad bag of chips and a warm soda at some other hotels. They often have hot dogs, sliders, even pasta sometimes! Yeah, I may or may not have strategically planned my dinner around the Drury schedule more than once. Don't judge me. I was tired! And hungry! And it was FREE!
What about the pool? Is it actually a place you'd *want* to swim, or is it a chlorine-filled swamp of despair? (Asking for a friend... mostly.)
The pool? Okay, here's where I get *slightly* critical. It’s not the Four Seasons pool, let's be clear. It's usually indoors, which is a plus, especially in Kansas. But it can get… crowded. Especially at peak times. Also, that chlorine smell? Yeah, it's there. But hey, it's clean! I saw the pool guy doing his thing, meticulously scrubbing the tiles, and it made me feel better. The kids seem to love it, and that's half the battle, right? Plus, there's a hot tub. And who am I to judge a hot tub after a long day of… well, whatever I'm doing? I can't be high-maintenance all the time... I’m usually too tired to care anyway.
The Rooms: Are they clean? Spacious? Do they have enough outlets for all my electronic devices? (Priorities, people!)
Clean? Oh, yes. Seriously, the rooms are always… *clean*. This is a HUGE deal for me. I’m talking, sniff the air clean. No weird smells. The beds are comfortable. The pillows? Perfectly fluffy (a crucial, underappreciated element). Space? Yeah, they're pretty spacious, especially the suites. And... the outlets! Bless them. Enough outlets to charge your phone, your tablet, your laptop, your… vibrator (hey, no judgment here!). They're smart. They understand a generation tied to its electronics. One time, the TV remote wasn't working. I called down and someone was up, with a new one, in five minutes flat. That's Service! I felt seen!
Let’s get specific: Any particular Drury Inns in Overland Park that stand out?
Okay, I've only stayed in one Drury in Overland Park (I’m not a hotel-hopping aficionado, just a loyal guest!), but the one I know is on... well, I'm not going to give its address out! Do your own research. But, a tip: call ahead and ask if you can get a higher floor. The views aren't exactly breathtaking (it's Overland Park, not the Alps), but less noise from the parking lot is always appreciated.
Any major downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right? (Except maybe free biscuits and gravy?)
Okay, here's my one *minor* complaint. The parking can be a *little* tight depending on the time of day. Sometimes you have to circle the lot like a vulture looking for a fresh kill (I get it, I was one of them). Also, the free Wi-Fi? It’s not always lightning-fast. If you're trying to stream a 4K movie or do a major video conference... well, good luck. That's about it, though. Honestly, it’s hard to complain when you're getting all this for the price. I'm getting a little giddy just talking about it, actually. I think I need to go check in now.
So, overall rating? Would you recommend it? Would you get upset if someone *didn't* recommend it?
Recommend? HELL YES. Absolutely, unequivocally, 100% recommend. Okay, maybe 99%. Look, nothing's perfect, and I'm not being paid to say this, but Drury Inn & Suites in Overland Park is consistently excellent. Would I get upset if you *didn't* recommend it? Maybe a little. I mean, I’m not going to stage a protest or anything, but I might side-eye you pretty hard. It's just… a good place to stay! They get it. Clean, comfortable, food is GREAT, staff is friendly. What more do you need? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go strategize my dinner options. And maybe hit that hot tub. And maybe, just maybe... another biscuit and gravy. Don't judge me.
