The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center…
The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center describes itself as “a haven of wellness, renewal, and luxury with a sparkling pool and fitness studio.” Unfortunately, that was far from my experience on a Saturday. First, the good: Check-in was smooth, the front desk attendant was very helpful, the bartender was personable, the fitness center appeared nicely equipped, and pool towels were readily available. The pool experience, however, was disappointing. The pool is fairly small, with very limited loungers and additional seating. Nearly every chair was occupied or covered with guests’ belongings, and at one point I found myself simply standing in the shade with nowhere to sit. The pool itself was just as crowded. The small, roped-off shallow area was largely occupied by children playing, swimming back and forth, and splashing, while kids repeatedly jumped cannonball-style into the deep end near other guests. Some adults resorted to sitting along the edge with their feet in the water to read a book because there was so little room to comfortably relax. Eventually, I found a small spot near the stairs where I could stand in about three feet of water and enjoy a drink. The kids were having a great time — love that for them! — and a few parents did remind them not to splash other guests, but there simply wasn't enough space for everyone. The splashing continued, eventually ending with pool water in my drink. My issue isn't with families or children enjoying the pool. The problem is that the space doesn't support the experience the Westin is advertising. If you're selling day passes and promoting “wellness, renewal, and luxury,” guests should reasonably be able to find a place to sit, get into the pool, and relax. There appears to be plenty of surrounding space, and I hope the Westin considers expanding the pool area, adding significantly more loungers, or even creating separate adult and family areas. As it stands, I paid for a relaxing afternoon and spent far too much of it competing for a chair, dodging cannonballs, and being splashed by kids. Maybe weekdays or Sundays are different, but I would not recommend a Saturday day pass if you're looking for a relaxing pool day.