Hotel at Old Town, a historic hotel in Wichita, Kansas, recently completed multi-million-dollar upgrades, elevating the guest experience and upping the property’s modern amenities while preserving its historic elements.
Built in 1906, the Hotel at Old Town building originally served as a warehouse for the Keen Kutter brand of tools, silverware, dishes and sporting goods. Nearly a century later, after being purchased by hotelier Jack DeBoer, the hotel opened for business in 1999, giving the building a second life as a downtown hotel and Wichita landmark.
The hotel is located in one of Wichita’s popular downtown districts – Old Town, an area sought out for its dining, shopping, nightlife and attractions and known for its characteristic brick-lined streets. Guests can walk from the hotel to restaurants, local shops, bars attractions such as the Museum of World Treasures, Mosley Street Melodrama and WAVE.
“We are excited for visitors to experience Hotel at Old Town’s unique atmosphere,” said Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita. “The hotel offers guests a perfect blend of modern amenities and historic charm, making it an ideal place to stay when visiting Wichita, the Heart of the Country.”
Hotel renovations were completed in June 2024, including upgrades to all rooms as well as lobby improvements and the addition of the Alcove Boardroom for business meetings. The updates were designed to revitalize the hotel’s classic charm with new furnishings, fixtures and finishes in rich leathers, bold accents and elegant comfort.
“Hotel at Old Town was built to remind us of the days when traveling was sophisticated and special,” said General Manager Jennifer Finlay, who has been with the hotel for more than 20 years. “Our team wanted to create a look that would appeal to the next generations of travelers while still preserving the history and classic elements that people love about our hotel. You can see that in every detail we carefully chose, from the local art that fills our rooms and hallways to new furniture with a timeless feel.”
In addition to the general updates, the hotel now has a designated aviation floor, which houses artifacts and artwork that honor Wichita’s status as the Air Capital of the World. The city first earned the title in 1928, when Wichita’s 16 aircraft manufacturers rolled out 120 airplanes off the production lines each week. At that time, one out of every four U.S.-built airplanes came from Wichita. Aircraft manufacturing continues to be an economic driver in the city to this day.
Guests can enjoy authentic pieces of history supplied by the Kansas Aviation Museum and the B-29 Doc Hangar Education and Visitors Center. The floor also features photographs and art from past and current Wichita aviation companies including Swallow, Travel Air, Cessna, Beechcraft, Textron Aviation, Boeing, Spirit, Bombardier and FlightSafety International and Wichita area airports.
“It’s such a privilege to display our pride in being part of the Air Capital’s story,” Finlay added. “Wichita has played an incredible role in the development of the aviation industry across the globe. Now guests staying on this floor will get a feel for that every time they stay with us.”
The hotel features complimentary jazz music on Friday and Saturday nights in the hotel’s lobby and atrium. For a no-stress stay, the hotel’s Gold Cap experience offers concierge-style recommendations as well as VIP perks and discounts.
Additionally, The Vail wedding and event center is right across the street, making Hotel at Old Town a single-stop destination for social events, such as weddings and reunions. The elegant venue, which can hold up to 500 people, can accommodate any layout configuration and allows event planners to bring in their choice of catering.
And because every room is a suite with its own kitchenette, Hotel at Old Town is a great option for those needing a Wichita extended stay hotel. Many employers choose the hotel to accommodate employees who are relocating or on temporary assignment in the Wichita area.
Download Visit Wichita’s 2024 Spring/Summer visitors guide for more ideas and inspiration for visiting the city and book a room at Hotel at Old Town at hotelatoldtown.com.
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by President and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2022 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
