Higher Ground Hotel

A mom & pop owned lodging facility. Not a cookie cutter hotel, very cozy and unique.
The breakfast is adequate, but the breakfast attendant, who is the «Pop» and co-​owner, needs to stop watching TV and reading his newspaper and pay attention to replenishing breakfast items as they run out. Also, there is no decaf coffee. Many people cannot tolerate caffeinated coffee. They need to serve decaf coffee. Also, the coffee pot is way too small and tiny for a lodging facility, which is why it continually runs out. Please buy a large coffee maker!
There is a gaping large opening at the bottom of room doors, which allows noise and light to enter the rooms. Please repair this with an inexpensive door seal.
Higher Ground offers many positives, not the least of which is the reasonable cost. The surrounding neighborhood is a quiet residential neighborhood, with Harry Truman’s house directly across the street.
Housekeeping does an outstanding job cleaning and stocking the rooms. Rooms are large and comfortable. Bathrooms a bit small but adequate. Room HVAC worked perfectly.
Private garden out back. A nice cozy computer lounge on the third floor. The entire facility is cozy, unique, and kept very clean. Free WiFi, with a good signal throughout the hotel. Adequate private well lighted parking. Cipher locks on all doors ensure security.
I would consider staying here again and would recommend it to others.

Glad I found this place on Unilocal.Impeccably clean and a unique atmosphere. Definitely can see pride of ownership in this business. Walking distance to the downtown businesses.

I stay at this hotel once a year when I have to go to Independence for school. It’s a very nice, locally-​owned hotel. The other students stay at chain hotels that are further away from campus, because the hotels advertise with the school. Higher Ground is a perfect, clean hotel with nice staff. I have had no problems so far staying with them.

Strangely religious (which is not apparent from the website), but really a unique place. Nice front desk people, check out movies and board games, comfy lounges, yummy breakfast, and rooms with skylights!
Problem is, is that the rooms are tiny, the movies are outdated and they don’t like it when you take your food upstairs to get away from the blaring FOX news which they won’t turn off or change the channel to something less… sensational.

I wish that I could write a 5 star review but like a previous reviewer it just didn’t click with me. The staff was very helpful. The rooms are clean and large but I just didn’t like the fact that codes were needed to get in the garden and the hotel. It didn’t make me feel very safe though there didn’t seem to be any need to worry. I was also able to hear conversations from other rooms. (I hope the occupant can find the size 11 shoes she was looking for.) Despite all that the location is excellent for Truman history buffs.

One of my favorite places I have stayed. Clean, quiet and comfortable places. Located in a neighborhood this is spotless and would definitely stay there again. It is not a chain and the owners are onsite and have done a great job decorating the building. Beds are comfortable and rooms are quiet.

Quaint and charming former church office building converted into a hotel. Rooms are larger-​than-​usual which is a plus. The only con was a Bathroom a bit small and no lid on toilet which means no where to put items brought with you– except floor :(
Keurig coffee maker in room with nice choice of coffee pods was a huge surprise!
Breakfast is served on first floor and more than adequate in variety.
Very friendly and helpful staff made our trip enjoyable.
Overall we were very pleasantly surprised with this little hidden gem.

The reviews on the various websites were positive and it was $ 75 a night, so I figured why not. If possible, I do enjoy trying out unique hotels, as opposed to the typical chains.
It didn’t click with me, though, until I stood at the front door (locked at 7:00pm) waiting (for a staffer to come open the door and let me in) what this hotel was all about… After seeing the halo in place of the dot above the «i» in their logo, things started to click.
Do not let the religious aspect prevent you from staying here, though. Aside from a non-​denominational prayer on the pillow, there was really nothing else religious about this place.
In fact, what this place most resembles is a re-​vamped college dorm. The layout is almost exactly like one of the dorms I lived in years and years ago. From the room itself to the hallways to the common areas — it’s a dorm that wants to be a bed & breakfast.
The entire hotel was welcoming and pristine. Bonus points for satellite TV. Decent bathroom. Very nice yard area (though, while I was here it was covered in snow).
The best part, though — and, let’s face it, when it comes down to it, this is the part that counts the most — was the bed. It was a fabulously comfy and warm bed. Soft, yet firm. Big, fluffy down comforter. Four extra-​large pillows. It was one of my best hotel bed experiences.

What do get in a hotel room when you pay less than $ 100 a night?
In a chain hotel, you’ll get everything you need: a bed, shower and TV. Maybe a fridge and wi-​fi, too. Also, a feeling of griminess that you can’t wash away in the slightly yellowing showers. Trust me, I’ve been there.
The Higher Ground Hotel is part inn, part convention center and part hotel. From the pamphlets, I can tell it’s primarily used for church retreats and family reunions. However, it’s a real gem in the extended Kansas City area. Each floor has a common room area with a giant reception area for weddings and events in the basement. The staff is friendly and they have the obligatory-​in-​Independence Truman biography videos for free rental if you have the time.