The Elms Hotel & Spa Named Semifinalist for Outstanding Economic Impact Project Legacy Award

In downtown revitalization, there are projects that contribute to progress and then there are projects that define it.

In Excelsior Springs, The Elms Hotel & Spa is not simply a historic landmark. It is the economic heartbeat of the community, an anchor institution whose continued investment, evolution, and success have driven measurable and lasting impact throughout the downtown district.

Originally opened in the late 19th century, The Elms has long been tied to Excelsior Springs’ identity as a destination rooted in wellness and renewal. But its modern impact is the result of intentional, transformative reinvestment.

In 1998, The Elms celebrated a grand reopening following a $16 million renovation, introducing 153 guest rooms, expanded conference facilities, and a new spa. More than a decade later, the property underwent an additional $20 million renovation, closing in 2011 and reopening in 2012 as a fully revitalized destination that seamlessly blended historic character with modern luxury.

This reinvestment did more than restore a building. It reactivated a district.

Today, The Elms stands as one of the most significant tourism and economic drivers in Excelsior Springs. With the largest spa footprint in the Midwest and a nationally recognized guest experience, the property attracts visitors from across the region and beyond, many of whom are introduced to downtown for the very first time through their stay.

In 2025 alone, The Elms generated nearly 163,000 visits from over 64,000 unique visitors, including approximately 39,000 overnight guests.

These numbers represent more than occupancy, they represent economic activity.

What makes The Elms truly transformational is not just the volume of visitors, it is how those visitors engage with the community.

Located within minutes of downtown, The Elms serves as a gateway experience. Guests don’t remain on property…they explore. They walk Broadway, dine in locally owned restaurants, discover boutiques, attend events, and become immersed in the character of Excelsior Springs. For many, a stay at The Elms is their first introduction to downtown. For others, it becomes a reason to return.

And they do return.

The Elms has cultivated a loyal visitor base, guests who come back year after year for spa experiences, weekend getaways, and celebrations. This repeat visitation creates a sustained economic cycle that supports downtown businesses far beyond a single stay.

Equally important, The Elms drives year-round activity. Unlike seasonal attractions, its consistent occupancy and event schedule provide stability during slower months, ensuring that downtown businesses continue to benefit from visitor traffic even outside of peak tourism seasons.

Each visitor contributes to the broader downtown ecosystem. Guests dine in local restaurants, shop in independently owned boutiques, attend events, and explore the district. The Elms serves as a built-in customer base for surrounding businesses, providing a level of consistent foot traffic that most small communities struggle to achieve.

Its impact is both direct and catalytic.

Directly, The Elms supports jobs within hospitality, spa services, dining, and operations. Indirectly, it fuels job creation and revenue growth across the downtown district by increasing demand for goods, services, and experiences.

But perhaps its most powerful contribution is the confidence it creates.

In downtown revitalization, perception drives investment.

The presence of a high-quality, fully operational historic hotel signals stability, opportunity, and potential. The Elms has played a critical role in shaping that perception in Excelsior Springs. Its continued success has helped attract entrepreneurs, encourage private reinvestment in surrounding buildings, and support the expansion of small businesses that rely on visitor traffic.

It has helped shift the narrative from a downtown with potential to a downtown with proven momentum.

Beyond economics, The Elms enhances quality of life for both residents and visitors. It provides a destination for weddings, conferences, and community gatherings. It offers amenities that elevate the local experience. And it stands as a point of pride, a place that reflects the history, resilience, and forward momentum of the community.

Its role is not isolated.

It is integrated into the fabric of downtown.

Through partnerships with local organizations, including the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, The Elms supports tourism initiatives, hosts visitors attending community events, and contributes to the shared goal of creating a vibrant, welcoming destination.

The Elms Hotel & Spa is more than a successful redevelopment project.

It is a sustained investment in place.

A historic structure that has been preserved, modernized, and activated to drive long-term economic impact.

A destination that consistently brings new visitors, and repeat visitors, into the community.

A catalyst that continues to inspire growth, confidence, and opportunity throughout Downtown Excelsior Springs.

In a community built on history and driven by vision, The Elms stands as proof that when a landmark is not only restored, but fully leveraged, it can transform an entire district.

And in Excelsior Springs, that transformation is still unfolding, one visitor, one stay, and one experience at a time.