It all began with Ryan Hiser and David Tran’s first home in West Plaza.
Despite the home being just two bedrooms with one bathroom, it didn’t take long for the pair to turn it into a hospitality venture and enter the Airbnb space. “It helped us buy our next house in the Rockhill neighborhood,” Hiser says. After putting this second home through a major renovation, Hiser and Tran realized the strength of their passion for historic properties, and this enthusiasm led them to more ambitious projects.
Today, Hiser and Tran own and operate The Aida and The Truitt, two boutique hotels situated in historic mansions in the Southmoreland neighborhood, and the properties beautifully complement the neighborhood’s blend of historic architecture and museums (both are just steps from the Nelson-Atkins Museum). “This is a complete accident,” say Tran, a former pharmacist, and Hiser, a former counselor. “We definitely did not have it on our bingo card to do hotels.”
Hiser and Tran make an excellent team, each bringing something unique to the table. Tran excels in design, curating the hotels’ common spaces and rooms with a modern twist on the historical elements of each mansion. “I really enjoy the excitement of setting the stage every day,” Tran says. “We try to preserve whatever is historic or original to the property while making it fun and modern.” Hiser, on the other hand, manages the hospitality-focused logistics. “Every day is like a theatrical production,” Hiser says. “We call it ‘stage-ready’ daily.”
At the Aida and Truitt, memorable guest experiences begin with the neighborhood and the building itself. “Being close to all the museums, we aim to keep things design-forward,” Tran says. The art throughout the properties ranges from pieces by local artists to unique finds scouted from around the country. “We always describe the hotel as like staying at your rich best friend’s house.”
Decorating a hotel is no small feat—especially when it comes to preserving the historic charm of the spaces. “We always try to keep whatever is historic or original to the property and give it a fun, modern twist,” Tran says. “When guests walk into a room, I want them to say, ‘Oh, wow, I’ve never seen this before.’ That’s my ultimate goal.”
Their approach to designing the spaces is both creative and meticulous. The pair frequently embark on road trips around the country to hunt for unique furniture and art. “We rent a U-Haul, drive around and scout for the coolest stuff you don’t see very often,” Hiser says. The two of them have a keen eye for examining the shape of furniture pieces and envisioning how they can be restored to fit their vision—and they have their upholsterer on speed dial, of course. They also thoughtfully weave locally made art into their hotel spaces, further enhancing the connection to the museum-filled neighborhood.
Maintaining historic homes comes with its own set of unique challenges, which is to be expected. “Old homes love money,” Hiser says. “It’s a lot of preventative care and occasional surprises, but it’s part of the game.”
Despite these challenges, the two remain passionate about their work and the hospitality they provide to the diverse range of travelers who stay at The Aida and The Truitt, from European cross-country road trippers to art buffs and business travelers. “It’s fun to be an unexpected stop and direct them to local spots,” Tran says. (He’ll never pass up a chance to recommend Oddly Correct to visitors.)
Currently, the team is expanding The Truitt to Oak Street Mansion, a 1907 Georgian Revival home located between the Nelson-Atkins and Kemper museums. “The new Truitt will have more common spaces, more rooms, a large garden and a beautiful sunroom,” Tran says. “So it’s got so much natural light. We’re excited to offer even more space for guests to enjoy. It’s like a little oasis in the city.”
