A new chapter for an icon of Nebraska’s big city
Whether bound for Omaha, Nebraska, or already there, those with a taste for refined hospitality will find much to appreciate at Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. An exciting boutique addition to the city’s midtown Blackstone District, the hotel sprang from a $75 million reinvention of the iconic Blackstone Hotel, which was long considered the premier stop-off between San Francisco to Chicago. Since 1916, the hotel has hosted many illustrious guests such as John F. and Jackie Kennedy, who celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary onsite.
Staying true to its Omaha roots, Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel combines Midwestern warmth and charm with European-inspired glamour, featuring a revitalized lobby decked out with original tile, marble staircase, hand-carved terracotta columns, and a restored greenhouse-style solarium. The hotel is arrayed for contemporary travelers and generations to come with 205 guest rooms, including 31 suites, all bathed in glorious natural light through restored windows, and decked out with natural materials, luxe finishes, and striking design touches such as grand bed headboards illustrated with woodland scenes.
The signature dining experience is The Committee Chophouse, which takes its name from poker-playing friends of the original owner of The Blackstone Hotel. A sleek modern steakhouse with warm-toned interiors, cozy booths, and stand-alone tables, the fine-dining restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Jason Sirois specializes in prime steaks cooked at 1,200°, dishes such as hand-carved Chateaubriand and flaming Baked Alaska, as well as “boozy” martinis.
Of course, there’s more to drink at Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel than martinis. Hidden deep within the restaurant is The Cottonwood Room, an elegant and eye-catching cocktail lounge with stunning circular bar surrounded by cushioned seating with a cottonwood tree sprouting from its center and a visual panorama of imagery as a backdrop. It’s the spot for “Old School” classics and “New School” concoctions such as the Paper Plane mixed of Four Roses Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon. The hotel offers five dining outlets altogether, including the Orleans Room, serving modern French, and its accompanying walk-up café Petit Orleans.
The shimmering jewel of the property is its resort-style swimming pool, open seasonally for sun worshiping and relaxation on lush seating, with a hot tub available year-round. The pool is also home to the Cottonwood Pool Club serving small, fresh-made bites and cocktails. Membership in the Pool Club offers amenities from complimentary hotel stays and guest passes, to priority reservations and 24-hour access to the fitness center. Membership is available for Juniors (ages 21-30), Solos, and Couples, with joining fees starting at $1,500 and monthly dues at $150.
The hotel is also a hot spot for business gatherings and social occasions – especially weddings – with 13,500 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor event space plus catering and event planning from on-property talent. Meanwhile, the city outside offers a wealth of attractions to engage guests on short or lingering stays, with the Blackstone District now the coolest corner of the city. The hotel is convenient to the Old Market and Downtown, and Omaha sits right next to the Iowa state line and is surrounded by the Great Plains beyond.
Rates from $145. For more information, please visit thecottonwoodhotel.com.