St. Louis hotels

Sometimes upscale hotels, as lovely as they are, have a certain sameness. Not Le Méridienuse, one of the luxury hotels in St. Louis, which gave me the heads-up that it not just allowed dogs, but was dog-friendly. Rooms are light and bright with a mid-century vibe and views of the city skyline.
They’re soundproof, too, so even if there’s a big wedding going on, you won’t hear a thing. Location is central for getting stuff done in the Clayton business district. Street parking is plentiful on weekends, but during the week you should use the parking lot.
Grab a snack from the on-site market or eat at the restaurant/bar, which has a chic vibe paired with TVs that will probably be showing the Cards game. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, an urban oasis that feels away from it all.

I’ve stayed at a lot of hotels with cool art collections. I love to stroll the hallways, check out local artists, and learn how the pieces were curated. On top of this, the walls at Angad Arts Hotel are filled with works by local and regional artists.
There are regular art openings where you can meet the artists and connect with the city’s cool art scene. Angad Arts is the first (and only) place, and one of the best hotels in St. Louis, where I have been able to choose my room aesthetic based on my mood. Feeling energized? Go red. Looking to be soothed? Book blue.
The color selection gimmick doesn’t distract from legit standard amenities, including spacious rooms, a fitness center, attentive service, pet-friendly policies and a lobby you’ll want to hang out in. The location is convenient to the Fabulous Fox performing arts center and other attractions.

It’s always nice to stay in a hotel near a park. But Forest Park isn’t just any park, it’s a 1,300-acre wonderland with pathways, multiple museums, the zoo, golfing and much more. Right there across from the corner of the park is the Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis.
I’m a fan of Art Deco architecture, so in addition to the location, I like the look of this hotel (and its ornate swimming pool and lobby). Rooms are elevated, but not dated, with clean lines as part of the décor. The hotel has a lot of meeting space, so it is popular with weddings and other groups.
Service is attentive, and of the caliber expected at a luxury hotel. If you’re a regular, they’ll remember your name.

If you want an alternative to large hotels among the gleaming skyscrapers in Downtown St. Louis, Seven Gables in the suburban Clayton area is a good option. Its architecture is vaguely reminiscent of a European village, with the gabled roofs that give the hotel its name.
It has been renovated many times in its nearly century-long history. The newest overhaul offers modern, updated rooms without losing the charm of the past, making it one of the best hotels in St. Louis for weddings and other events.
Because it is a small hotel, if you’re not part of that group you might feel a little out of it (as opposed to a larger hotel where you’d have other guests around). The continental breakfast is several steps up from the generic make-your-own-waffles spread.

If you like a few practical reasons to choose a hotel, you might like the suite set-up. Of the 143 rooms in the hotel, 53 of them are suites and 30 of those have balconies (although, being in the heart of the city, the balcony views may not be particularly bucolic).
The hotel remodel seriously upgraded the guest room bathrooms, which are spacious and have swanky perks such as TV screens. If you’re coming to a Cards game, it is an easy walk from the Hotel Saint Louis to Busch Stadium. In addition to the cushy bathrooms, you can relax at the rooftop pools or at the on-site spa.
Do not miss the restored original stained-glass ceiling in the lobby. The hotel is located downtown, close to the train station and the convention center. If you like the buzz of a city hotel, this is a good one to pick.

If you’re willing to stay around 20 minutes out of town, the Wildwood Hotel offers something a little bit different. The architecture looks like a replica of a European castle from the outside, and as a result, it is a popular destination for weddings and other groups and one of the most unique hotels in the St. Louis area.
Inside the rooms are more like what you’d expect from a standard Midwestern hotel; you’re not transported to the French countryside. Some of the rooms are suite-like, with space for sitting and space for sleep. Room sizes vary considerably – some are spacious, other more compact.
There’s a serviceable breakfast buffet, fitness center and swimming pool for your downtime. Wildwood Hotel is within walking distance to restaurants, shops, a movie theater as well as biking and hiking trails.

I love the entrance to the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis because it feels regal. The 1921 building provides an Eloise-at-the-Plaza-style welcome, and the lobby follows with a giant chandelier from days gone by. There’s a pretty cool story about the hotel, too.
Supposedly it was at this hotel (which then had a different name) where the nightly practice of leaving chocolates on the pillow began. Actor Cary Grant used to stay here when in town and left some sweets to woo a friend. The manager saw what was happening and decided to leave them for other guests, too.
The guest rooms, which vary in size from intimate to expansive, are modernized and are scheduled for a cosmetic renovation. Not only does the hotel allow dogs, but there’s also no extra fee for having your four-legged friend.

If you don’t want to miss the first pitch, this is the hotel for you. It is located just steps from Busch Stadium inside Ballpark Village. The hotel has a baseball aesthetic, but the décor is subtle and sleek, not campy.
Choose from several bars and restaurants, including a whiskey bar and a grab-and-go market which is great for a snack if you filled up on peanuts and Cracker Jacks at the Cards game. Some rooms have views of the stadium. In addition to the Cards games, there are sometimes concerts in Baseball Village as well, so the surrounding vibe is loud.
Amenities meet Loews standards – dog-friendly rooms, in-room robes, fitness centers with Peloton bikes and all the other niceties. Check-in will go more smoothly if you arrive before a Cards game starts, rather than in the middle of all the baseball action.

This spot holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first place I ever stayed in a Ritz, for a friend’s wedding. That was many years ago, but The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis has remained one of the best hotels to stay in St. Louis.
As is the Ritz way, you’ll be greeted with attentive service. The staff will know your name and will help you find what you need. Case in point: there’s no pool on-site, but passes are available to another in the area. The hotel is home to several high-end restaurants and bars as well as a cigar club and is within walking distance to many other fine-dining spots in Clayton.
The hotel’s Casa Don Alfonso is a particularly popular Italian-menu restaurant. Guest rooms are appointed with marble bathrooms and other luxury detailing. Make sure you have time to take advantage of the hotel spa.

If you’re coming to St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch, the national park feat of art and engineering for which the city is famous, you might as well really see it. Many windows of the large hotel (it has 910 rooms) look out on the Arch, its surrounding gardens, and the Mississippi River.
Other downtown attractions, including Busch Stadium, are nearby as well. Being one of the upscale hotels in St. Louis, it offers all the amenities of a full-service national brand, including a 24-hour gym, a Starbucks, bars, and other restaurants. Many of the guest rooms are spacious.
The Hyatt offers valet parking, but parking is at a premium in the heart of downtown and can be crowded. Fortunately, many downtown attractions are within walking distance. There’s a gift shop if you need to stock up on any sundries. Dogs are permitted with an additional pet fee.