Most guests aren't staying at the Best Western Plus Kansas City Airport-KCI East for the ambiance, which is impersonal. They’re here for the convenient location, within a few miles of the airport. This typical chain hotel occupies a cement building in shades of brown and gold. The entranceway has some pleasant landscaping and a brick drive protected by a green plastic roof, where guests can unload luggage. Inside, the bland lobby melds into the breakfast room. Decor is functional but not overly warm or inviting: a wooden desk, cream walls and floor tiles, dark patterned carpet, and a few red-and-beige-striped plush chairs and couches for seating. The carpet extends to the breakfast room (and hallways too) where there are blond-wood tables and chairs with black cushions. Most guests are families or couples, though with its proximity to the airport and companies in the area, the hotel also draws some business travelers. 

The hotel sits on the northern outskirts of the city, far from the bustle of Kansas City but near a variety of company headquarters, and it's just a seven-minute drive from Kansas City International Airport. Guests also have the option to use the hotel’s free shuttle to and from the airport or within a five-mile radius of the hotel within specific hours. A deli and pizza place is located a seven-minute walk from the hotel, but guests will have to drive a few miles for other dining options. As for nearby points of interest, Tiffany Greens Golf Course is an eight-minute drive, KCI Expo Center is a three-minute drive, and it's an eight-minute car ride to Zona Rosa Mall. 

The guest rooms are fairly generous in size with a simplistic, modern decor. White linens are set against a maroon color scheme, abstract-print bed runners, cherry-wooden furniture, reddish carpet, and generic abstract prints and art pieces. It’s a dated style, though each room has modern conveniences like a flat-screen TV, microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee/tea facilities. Some rooms also include pullout sofas, and connecting rooms are available. Complaints have been made concerning some cleanliness issues and thin walls that permit bothersome noise. Bathrooms are sleek and standard size with gray, granite shower walls and sinks that don't quite match with the tan floors and walls. They have showers or shower/tub combos, some with deep soaking tubs, as well as toiletries and hairdryers. 

The indoor pool is the hotel's best feature here; there are plastic tables and chairs on the deck and free towels for guests to use, though some guests have complained about the cold water temperature. From the pool, guests can access an outdoor patio area with a few glass tables, woven chairs, and a grill. The 24-hour fitness center only has a couple of cardio machines and one weight machine. There's no on-site restaurant, but a free hot and cold breakfast buffet is served in the morning, though guests have noted that the quality is average. Business travelers can make use of a 24-hour business center with two computers, a printer, copier, and fax machine or the single meeting room that has some audio-visual equipment. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and there’s on-site parking for a daily fee, though guests have the option to pay to leave their car on the premises when traveling.