It’s big. Like, really big. If you’ve ever driven down College Boulevard or hopped off I-435 in Overland Park, you can’t miss the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at the Convention Center. It anchors the whole skyline of Johnson County. But here’s the thing: people often write off convention hotels as these sterile, soul-sucking boxes where dreams go to die in a pile of lukewarm buffet eggs.
That’s a mistake here.
Most travelers looking for a place to crash in the Kansas City metro get torn between the flashy new builds downtown or the boutique vibes of the Country Club Plaza. They overlook Overland Park. Honestly? The Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center is basically the "old reliable" that actually kept up with the times. It’s the tallest building in the county, and it functions as the heartbeat of the South KC business corridor.
Whether you’re here because a corporate scheduler forced you into a conference or you’re a family trying to navigate a youth sports tournament at the Scheels Soccer Complex, this place hits differently than your standard roadside Marriott. It’s connected directly to the Overland Park Convention Center, which sounds like a minor detail until it’s raining sideways or it’s 102 degrees with 90% humidity—typical Kansas stuff.
The Location Logic: Why Stay Here Instead of Downtown?
Location is everything. If you stay at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center, you aren't just at a hotel; you're in the center of the "Silicon Prairie."
Let's be real. Downtown KC is great for jazz and barbecue, but if your meetings are at Sprint (now T-Mobile), Netsmart, or any of the massive healthcare tech firms nearby, staying downtown is a logistical nightmare. You'll spend forty minutes in traffic on US-69. Staying here means you’re within a five-minute Uber of basically every major employer in Johnson County.
It’s also surprisingly close to the fun stuff. You've got the Museum of Prairiefire just down the road—that building with the dichroic glass that looks like it’s on fire—and the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead for the kids. If you want high-end shopping and eating, Town Center Plaza and Hawthorne Plaza are right there. You aren't stuck in a "hotel desert." You’re in the middle of the most affluent, active part of the suburbs.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Rooms can be a gamble. We’ve all checked into a "luxury" hotel only to find carpet that smells like 1994 and a shower pressure that feels like a tired garden hose.
The Sheraton mostly avoids this.
They did a massive renovation a few years back, and it shows. The aesthetic is clean. It’s that modern Sheraton look—lots of grays, crisp whites, and ergonomic furniture that actually makes sense. The "Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience" beds are legitimately comfortable. I’m talking about that heavy, high-thread-count feel that makes it hard to get up for an 8:00 AM keynote.
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Some rooms face the city, others face the suburban sprawl. If you can, snag a higher floor. Since it’s the tallest tower around, the views are actually quite stunning at sunset. You see the rolling hills of Kansas stretching out toward the horizon. It’s peaceful.
One thing people get wrong: they think the "Club Level" is a scam. It isn't. If you have Marriott Bonvoy status or you pay for the upgrade, the Club Lounge access pays for itself in coffee and bottled water alone. Plus, it’s a quiet place to work that isn't your room or a noisy lobby.
The Convention Center Connection
This is the big selling point. The hotel is physically attached to the Overland Park Convention Center.
Think about that.
You wake up, grab a latte at the on-site Starbucks (yes, there is one), and walk to your session without ever stepping outside. For trade shows, weddings, or massive corporate retreats, this is the gold standard. The convention center itself is a beast—60,000 square feet of exhibit space. It hosts everything from high-end jewelry shows to comic book conventions and massive tech summits.
The synergy between the hotel and the center is seamless. The staff at the Sheraton are used to high-volume crowds. They don't panic when 500 people try to check out at once. That's "expert level" hospitality that you don't always get at smaller properties.
Dining and the "OP" Vibe
Okay, let's talk food.
The main restaurant is OP 1906 Bar & Grille. Is it a Michelin-star experience? No. But is it better than it has any right to be? Yeah, kinda. They do a solid job with American classics. The burger is legit, and they have a decent selection of local KC beers on tap—look for something from Boulevard Brewing Co. or Free State.
If you want to venture out, you’re spoiled for choice. You’ve got Q39 South nearby, which many locals (including me) argue is some of the best barbecue in the city. Don't @ me, Joe's fans. There’s also Jack Stack if you want the "fancy" BBQ experience with the world’s best baked beans.
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The hotel lobby bar is the unofficial "after-hours" spot for every conference. It’s where the real networking happens. It’s got that classic, bustling hotel bar energy where you might end up talking to a software engineer from Seattle or a real estate mogul from Dallas.
Fitness and the Pool Situation
Don't skip the gym.
Most hotel gyms are a sad corner with one broken treadmill and a rusty dumbbell. The Sheraton Fitness center is actually decent. They’ve got LifeFitness equipment and enough space that you aren't knocking elbows with the guy next to you.
The pool is indoors and heated. It’s fine. It’s great for kids to burn off energy while parents sit on the sidelines and scroll through emails. It’s not a resort-style "infinity pool" experience, but it does the job.
The "Quiet" Advantage of Overland Park
People often worry that staying in a suburb like Overland Park means they’re missing out on the "real" Kansas City.
I’d argue the opposite.
Overland Park is a huge part of the Kansas City identity. It’s safe, it’s incredibly clean, and the infrastructure is fantastic. You don't have to worry about finding a parking spot or navigating confusing one-way streets. The Sheraton offers plenty of parking, which is a massive relief compared to the $40-a-night valet fees you'll hit downtown.
Plus, the noise level is lower. You don't have the sirens and street noise of the city center. You get a good night's sleep.
What People Get Wrong About the Price
There’s a misconception that because it’s a Sheraton attached to a convention center, it’s going to be wildly expensive.
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Sorta.
During a massive 5,000-person convention? Sure, rates spike. But on "off" weekends or during the shoulder season, you can often find some of the best value-for-money stays in the whole metro area. If you’re a savvy traveler using points, this is a Category 4 or 5-ish level stay that often provides a high "cents-per-point" value.
Practical Tips for Your Stay
- Ask for a corner room. They have slightly more square footage and better natural light.
- Check the Convention Center schedule. Before you book, see what's happening at the center. If it’s a "closed" corporate event, the hotel will be quiet. If it’s a public consumer show, the lobby will be packed.
- Use the back exits. If you're headed to the restaurants across the street, there are exits near the convention center wing that save you a long walk through the main lobby.
- Breakfast hack. If the hotel breakfast line is too long, there are about five different breakfast spots (including a First Watch) within a two-minute drive.
Logistics and Accessibility
Getting here from MCI (Kansas City International Airport) is a straight shot down I-29 to I-435. It takes about 35 to 45 minutes depending on the "spaghetti junction" traffic.
If you aren't renting a car, Uber and Lyft are plentiful. However, this is a car-centric part of the world. To really enjoy the area—getting to the Plaza or the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art—you’ll want wheels.
The hotel is fully ADA compliant, with wide hallways and accessible room options that are actually integrated into the main floor plans, not tucked away in a corner.
Is it Worth It?
If you need to be in Johnson County, this is the best choice, period. It’s more professional than the nearby limited-service hotels and more convenient than staying in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at the Convention Center isn't trying to be a trendy, "Instagram-mable" boutique. It’s a workhorse. It’s a high-capacity, high-comfort machine that handles thousands of guests with a level of polish you don't find everywhere.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Verify the Convention Calendar: Before booking, check the Overland Park Convention Center website to see if your dates overlap with a major public event. This affects everything from room availability to elevator wait times.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: Even if you aren't a frequent traveler, join the loyalty program before you arrive. It often unlocks free Wi-Fi and mobile check-in, which lets you skip the front desk line entirely—a lifesaver when a big group arrives at once.
- Map Your Meals: Overland Park has a massive "restaurant row" on 119th street and nearby. Don't feel obligated to eat every meal in the hotel; some of the best Korean, Indian, and BBQ in the Midwest is within a three-mile radius of the Sheraton.
- Request a High Floor: When you check in, specifically ask for a room on floor 15 or above facing north. You’ll get a view of the distant KC skyline on a clear day, which adds a lot of value to the room for zero extra cost.