Eylul 
Isn’t it a good idea to have a journey to a city that has awesome landscapes, cultural attractions, historical sites, and a mouth-watering food scene? Welcome to the colorful St. Louis, get ready to be amazed!
Located on the Illinois border, St. Louis is the largest city in Missouri and offers so many distinctive activities that can appeal to all kinds of travelers whether you are a museum enthusiast, foodie, or art lover. Once you have stepped into St Louis you will be surprised by the great number of museums and art galleries, as well as the beautiful city view that blends historical architecture with modern high-rise buildings. Have you already started to get more curious?
In this blog post on where to stay in St Louis, I will talk about the 4 best areas to stay in the city and give you the top hotels for all budgets. Before we start, I just want to remind you that in order to get better deals on hotels and secure your place, do not forget to make a reservation in advance. Many hotels in St. Louis have a free cancelation, so don’t worry if you change your mind!
Shall we start our Saint Louis city tour?
Contents
- Quick Picks for Your Stay
- 1. Downtown St. Louis – where to stay for the first time
- 2. Forest Park – where to stay in St. Louis for sightseeing
- 3. Grand Center – the coolest area to stay in St. Louis
- 4. Clayton – where to stay in St. Louis for foodies
- BONUS: The best places to stay in St. Louis for families
- Frequently asked questions about St. Louis
- Conclusion
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Here are the best places where to stay in St. Louis with hotels from luxury to budget. They all have good reviews and great locations!
Here is a map with the 4 best areas where to stay in St. Louis that I will be talking about in this travel guide so you can easily visualize them:
- Downtown: for first-timers
- Forest Park: for sightseeing
- Grand Center : the coolest area
- Clayton: for foodies
1. Downtown St. Louis – where to stay for the first time
Downtown St. Louis is the heart of the city and where you will find the main tourist attractions, lively nightlife, and trendy restaurants. That’s why if you are visiting St. Louis for the first time and want to be within walking distance to the action, my answer for where to stay in St. Louis is definitely Downtown.
The first thing that will catch your attention in downtown St. Louis is the impressive Gateway Arch which is the tallest monument in the USA. Go for a walk by the beautiful Mississippi River, to admire its glory and discover many great museums and art galleries.
FUN FACT: With its 630 feet height, The Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the USA and was built resistant even to the strongest winds and largest earthquakes.
Are you a blues music fan? Go to the National Blues Museum and thank me later! On your way, check out the many cool music shops you will pass by. Even if you’re not into blues, if you are a foodie or feel like going out at night you won’t have difficulty finding nice places among one of many nice restaurants and bars here.
In Downtown St. Louis you will find a great selection of hotels and I’ve already picked the best of the best ones for you. In order not to miss them, do not forget to make your reservation in advance. If you are looking for another cool city with many attractions for your next trip, check out the best places to stay in Kansas City.
Set by the Missouri River, Four Season St. Louis is one of the best luxury hotels to stay in the city. I love the comfortable rooms that have floor-to-ceiling windows with epic river views and the rooftop swimming pool. There is a fully-equipped fitness center, a spa with a hot tub and indoor pool, and a business center with modern amenities. America’s Center Convention Complex and the iconic Gateway Arch are within walking distance.
Other accommodation in Downtown Saint Louis
Located near Union Station, this hotel offers spacious rooms, free wifi, an indoor swimming pool, and complimentary breakfast
Drury Inn is the best budget hotel in Downtown that features an indoor pool, comfortable rooms, and free wifi
This Airbnb has modern rooms with luxury amenities, a beautiful living room, a fully furnished kitchen and is close to the Union Station
Things to do in Downtown Saint Louis
- See an amazing performance at the Peabody Opera House
- Visit the Inside the Economy Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank
- Learn about the history of blues music at the National Blues Museum
- Take a photo of the iconic Gateway Arch in Gateway Arch National Park
- Catch a football game at Busch Stadium or the Dome
- Check out the amazing sculptures at the Citygarden Sculpture Park
2. Forest Park – where to stay in St. Louis for sightseeing
Forest Park is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Downtown St. Louis and between Clayton and the Central West End neighborhoods. If you want to stay in a quiet area surrounded by beautiful nature and to discover the city’s famous museums, Forest Park is the best place to stay in St. Louis.
St. Louis Forest Park is a very beautiful area with a huge lush green park, tree-lined streets and so many nice cultural and fun attractions such as the Saint Louis Zoo and the Saint Louis Science Center. If you are a museum enthusiast and history lover, this neighborhood is filled with tons of art galleries and historic museums so make sure to allow enough time to discover them!
By staying in St. Louis Forest Park you will have easy access to the downtown attractions but at the same, you will be able to start your day with a morning stroll in lovely parks without the crowds of the city center. Doesn’t it sound so tempting?
Before talking about the best hotels that I carefully picked for you, I want to remind you to make a reservation in advance to secure your favorite place to get better deals on hotels. Speaking of museums and fun attractions, if you are looking for another fun city to travel check out the best places to stay in Memphis.
Now, here are the best places to stay in Forest Park, St. Louis:
Chase Park Plaza is the best hotel to stay in Forest Park with its upscale facilities. You will love the fancy restaurant that offers a great selection of gourmet food and a heated outdoor swimming pool. The rooms are very comfortable and have beautiful city views. You can have special cocktails on the chic hotel bar and go to the hotel’s rooftop club to dance. St. Louis International Airport is just 10 miles (15 km) away and Saint Louis Zoo is a short drive.
Other accommodation in Forest Park, St. Louis
This hotel offers spacious guest rooms with a kitchen, free wifi, an indoor swimming pool, and free parking
This the best hotel to stay on a budget in Forest Park that offers a fitness center, a swimming pool, and modern rooms
Centrally located in Forest Park, this Airbnb has beautifully decorated rooms, a nice dining area, and free parking
Things to do in Forest Park, St. Louis
- Visit the Missouri History Museum
- Go to the Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park
- See the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in the Central West End
- Go to the World Chess Hall of Fame
- Walk through the beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden in Forest Park
- Visit the Saint Louis Science Center
- Marvel the artworks in the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum and Saint Louis Art Museum
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3. Grand Center – the coolest area to stay in St. Louis
Grand Center is located between Downtown St. Louis and Forest Park and has a very convenient location to access all kinds of entertainment events and cultural attractions. From art galleries to trendy cafes and shops, you will find a bit of everything here.
Grand Center is famous for its great galleries and the good news is, many of them have free entrance! Take your time visiting as many as you wish then head to the lovely SLU Dog Park & Sculpture Garden. Enjoy chilling on the lawn, pet dogs, and check out the impressive sculptures. At night, head to the lively restaurants and bars with live music to mingle with locals. How does that sound?
Here you will find many nice accommodation options that have easy access to the city center and I have already chosen the best of the best ones for you:
Angad Arts Hotel is the best hotel to stay in Grand Center that has unique rooms with contemporary design and luxury facilities. I love the colorful room decoration and fancy lounge area in the hotel where you can enjoy signature cocktails. There is a fully-equipped fitness center and an amazing terrace to have dinner with a beautiful view. Simply perfect!
Other accommodation options in Grand Center
This hotel offers modern rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a good breakfast and is within walking distance to Forest Park and attractions
This Airbnb has great access to the city center and offers comfortable rooms, a fully furnished kitchen, and free parking
This Airbnb has floor to ceiling windows with a beautiful view, spacious rooms, a nice terrace area, and free wifi
Things to do in Grand Center, St. Louis
- Go to the International Photography Hall of Fame Museum
- See an exhibition at the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries
- Visit the Contemporary Art Museum and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation
- Go for a stroll at the SLU Dog Park & Sculpture Garden
- Visit the Saint Louis University Museum of Art
- Have a nice meal at the Dark Room at the Grandel
4. Clayton – where to stay in St. Louis for foodies
Didn’t I already promise you great food in St Louis? Clayton is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Forest Park and is a foodie heaven with tons of nice restaurants and cafes! It will be so much fun to discover each corner of this neighborhood that is full of surprises!
In Clayton, you will see high-rise modern buildings surrounded by lush green parks. The best way to discover this area is simply getting lost in the streets tasting local and international flavors and checking out the cool boutiques. If you are a luxury traveler you will love the upscale restaurants and wine houses here!
For those who are into trying new tastes, experiencing local vibes, and don’t prefer a place to stay near downtown, I highly recommend staying in Clayton!
The Ritz Carlton is no doubt the best hotel to stay in Clayton, St Louis. This 5-Star hotel has luxury rooms with panoramic city views, 3 on-site restaurants, and a fancy bar. I love the fitness center overlooking the city and the lounge area with a fireplace where you can have drinks in a cozy atmosphere.
Other accommodation options in Clayton, St. Louis
This hotel has spacious rooms with quality amenities and a business center which is perfect for business travelers
Clayton Plaza is the best budget hotel in the area that offers a swimming pool, comfortable rooms, and on-site parking
This Airbnb features beautifully decorated rooms, a furnished kitchen, a nice garden, and free parking
Things to do in Clayton, St. Louis
- Go for a walk at Shaw Park
- Have a drink and mouth-watering food at Avenue Restaurant
- Go shopping at Saint Louis Galleria
- Have dinner at Dominic’s Trattoria
- Take a pint or wine at Louie’s Wine Dive & Clayton Kitchen
- Sip a good coffee at Coma Coffee Roasters
| 👑 Luxury price: | $300 |
| 🏨 Mid Range: | $200 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $120 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | $160 |
| 💰Accommodation prices: | Medium |
| 📍Best Area: | Downtown St. Louis |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Four Seasons St. Louis |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Hampton Inn & Suites |
BONUS: The best places to stay in St. Louis for families
Thanks to its family-friendly attractions such as Saint Louis Zoo, SLU Dog Park & Sculpture Garden, many nice museums and parks St. Louis is a great city to travel to with your families! Now I would like to talk about the best hotels to stay in St. Louis that have spacious rooms and kids facilities for you to have a memorable family holiday.
Luxury
St. Louis Union Station Hotel – Located in downtown St. Louis this hotel is the best hotel to stay for families. Union Station Hotel has amazing 19th-century architecture and literally a theme park concept! Your kids will love the carousel, colorful mazes, ferries wheel, and many more fun attractions! What’s more, the hotel rooms are quite spacious and the breakfast is good enough to satisfy even the picky eaters. At night you can have cocktails at the chic hotel bar while your kids are having fun at the playground.
Mid-range
Pear Tree Inn – Centrally located in downtown St. Louis, this pet-friendly hotel offers spacious family-friendly rooms and allows you to bring your fur friends so no member of the family needs to be left behind. The breakfast has enough variety for every taste and there is an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. While your kids are playing in the pool you can even catch up on some work in the modern business center (but only if 100% necessary, you’re on holiday!).
Budget
Missouri Athletic Club – Located near St. Louis Gateway Arch, this hotel is within walking distance to the main city attractions and has beautifully decorated family rooms. There is a good on-site restaurant with kids’ meal options, a bar where you can have a great selection of drinks, and a nice lounge area to relax. Missouri Athletic Club also offers free shuttle service to sports events in the city and some city attractions.
Airbnb
Old World Charm – This Airbnb has a fabulous location near downtown St. Louis and can accommodate up to 5 people. The rooms have a very nice decoration that will make you feel like you are staying in your own home. There is a fully equipped kitchen and a charming patio with a beautiful view. You can use the BBQ facilities to have a family dinner in the large living room and free parking, a laundry room, and free wifi are available.
Frequently asked questions about St. Louis
🗺️ What are the best areas in St. Louis?
Downtown St. Louis and Forest Park are the best areas to stay in St. Louis. Some of the best hotels to stay in here are Four Seasons St. Louis and Chase Park Plaza.
👨👩👦👦 Where to stay in Saint Louis with family?
Forest Park is the best area to stay for families thanks to its safe and relaxed atmosphere and some of the best family-friendly hotels here are Chase Park Plaza and Home 2 Suites.
❌ Where should you NOT stay in St. Louis?
The northern part of the city near St. Louis Lambert International Airport is not a very safe area to stay in St. Louis.
🤔 Is it safe to stay in downtown St. Louis?
Downtown St. Louis is a safe place to stay in St. Louis. Some of the best hotels to stay in here are Drury Plaza Arch and Four Seasons St. Louis.
✨ What are some unique places to stay in Saint Louis?
Located in St. Louis Downtown Four Seasons St. Louis and Chase Park Plaza in Forest Park offer a unique stay in St. Louis with their unique city views and rooftop swimming pools.
📷 What should I not miss in Saint Louis?
Some of the main tourist attractions you should not miss in St. Louis are:
● St. Louis Gateway Arch
● Saint Louis Zoo
● Saint Louis Science Center
● Missouri Botanical Garden
● City Museum
● National Blues Museum
● and Busch Stadium
Conclusion
It is time for me to say goodbye, dear travelers. In this blog post on where to stay in St. Louis, I talked about the best places to stay from luxury to budget as well as Airbnbs in each area. I also gave you some information about the things you can do there so you could pick the perfect one for you!
As I’ve already said, being close to the tourist attractions downtown St. Louis is the best place to stay for first-timers. However, each neighborhood has its own vibe so I let you decide on the area based on your priority whether it is history, sightseeing, or food hunting!
I would like to remind you again that in order not to miss your favorite place to stay in St. Louis, and get better deals on hotels, do not forget to make a reservation in advance!
For those who are having difficulty picking among the many hotel options, let me sum up. Here are the best 2 hotels in St. Louis that have convenient locations as well as good reviews. I definitely recommend you to stay in one of these if you can’t decide between the awesome options in this list!
- Four Seasons St. Louis – The best luxury hotel to stay in Downtown St. Louis with an amazing rooftop pool and city views
- Drury Plaza Arch – A great place to stay in St. Louis downtown that has easy access to the tourist attractions
If you have any other suggestions or questions about St. Louis and Missouri, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be glad to leave a reply to them!
Have a great time in St. Louis,
Eylul
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