Fridays with Joe is a Mark of Craft Celebration observed in the lobby every Friday from 3 – 4 pm. Even the most determined individualists and individualistic organizations at some point wonder whether it would be better to be a part of something larger. Since its 2011 affiliation with Autograph Collection, a portfolio of independent hotels curated by Marriott International, The Raphael wonders no more. ”Affiliating with Autograph Collection has benefited The Raphael in more ways than we imagined,” says Steve Miller, director of operations for Lighthouse Properties, owner and operator of the historic Kansas City hotel. “We knew our guests would be thrilled with the opportunity to earn Marriott Rewards (perennially recognized as the world's leading hotel rewards loyalty program) and that we would benefit from Marriott's marketing muscle. What has surprised us is the operational improvement gained by sharing best practices with some of the world's best independent hoteliers.” Hazy Hayden is a signature craft cocktail inspired by Kansas City's reputation for BBQ & smoked meats. The Autograph Collection vision was to assemble a portfolio of independently owned and operated hotels noted for their distinctiveness within their marketplaces. The brand focused on hotels with a story and a soul – hotels that could promise travelers a reliably authentic and unique experience in their destination city. It started in 2010 with the Mansion on Forsyth Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Today there are 130 Autograph Collection hotels worldwide with another 75 under development. The standards for admittance are still rigorous. Each is exceptional, one-of-a-kind and has its own distinct perspective. “Our aim is to showcase some of the most beautifully orchestrated hotel experiences the world has to offer,” is the claim on the Autograph Collection website. “We believe that beauty without heart is meaningless. You won't need to leave your hotel to feel a sense of time and place. We handpick hotels that are intimately connected to their surroundings – and, in turn, become part of the locality's fabric.” The Raphael became the Autograph Collection's 14th affiliate in February 2011, immediately gaining recognition as a top performer. It was named Hotel of the Year for the Autograph Collection in 2013 and again in 2015 for an unprecedented second time against some of the most acclaimed luxury hotels in the United States. In addition, Marriott International awarded William D. Carter, general manager, “Franchise GM of the Year, Western Region and Americas Franchise GM of the Year” in 2016. “There is a collegiality within Autograph Collection, but there is also a competitive factor that drives us to continually improve our respective properties,” says Miller. As a result, we can confidently recommend other properties to our guests traveling to other cities.” Search the world for hotels exactly line nothing else.
