Omni Majestic (1019 Pine Street; 314-436-2355)
As anyone who has traveled knows, not all hotels are created equal. Some are unfriendly, some dirty and some are both -- ick! Thankfully, St. Louis has the Omni Majestic. Not only does the hotel exceed in friendliness and cleanliness, the Omni's also got charm. Built in 1913, the building is a National Historic Landmark and features nineteenth-century poster beds in the guest rooms. The location provides plenty for pedestrian visitors to enjoy, as the restaurant lies downtown near many sites, including the City Museum and all major sports venues. Inside the first-floor Mahogany Grille, the warm décor invites visitors to cozy up for breakfast, lunch, dinner or, for those in true vacation mode, a cocktail.
Renaissance Hotel (800 Washington Avenue; 314-621-9600)
The Renaissance Hotel downtown provides the perfect home away from home for business travelers, tourists and those just wanting to have a night away from home. The hotel boasts 875 rooms, 42 suites, 23 floors, 32 meeting rooms and more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space. Its location allows guests to visit downtown attractions such as the City Museum and the Gateway Arch, as well as partake in the constantly evolving Washington Avenue nightlife. Not interested in venturing out? No problem: the Renaissance's Capri Restaurant serves up classics such as St. Louis-style ribs and gooey butter cake, so you can still get a taste of St. Louis without leaving this lovely hotel.
Chase Park Plaza (212 North Kingshighway; 314-633-3000)
Everyone deserves a little indulgence now and then, whether it's a trip out of town or a staycation. The classiest option in town for either, the Chase Park Plaza, has been exuding elegance for decades. The Chase has thought of everything to ensure that guests don't even have to leave the hotel, if they so choose. Dining options include Eau Bistro, Café Eau, Chaser's Lounge, Marquee Café and the Tenderloin Room. Weather permitting, guests can ignore the bustle of the Central West End while lounging around the gorgeous outdoor pool. Or, if the weather's not so great, catch a flick at the Chase Park Plaza Cinemas. As if the hotel needed anymore cool points, it should be noted that the Chase Club (now home to Chase Park Cinemas) hosted such acts as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bob Hope. Oh, and for the newer generations of guests, George Clooney stayed at the Chase while he was in town filming Up in the Air, and he's kind of a big deal.
