Stays in St. Louis
St. Louis pairs a walkable downtown riverfront around the Gateway Arch with a business district in Clayton and a large urban park system anchored by Forest Park. Hotels range from historic downtown buildings to pool-and-hot-tub properties near Union Station and the airport.
Stays in St. Louis split naturally between the historic downtown core along the Mississippi riverfront, where the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse sit within walking distance of most hotels, and quieter alternatives in Clayton, the Delmar Loop, and Forest Park's West End. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport sits northwest of downtown, a twenty-to-twenty-five-minute drive from most riverfront hotels and closer still from properties in Florissant. Travelers splitting time between the Arch grounds, Forest Park's museums and zoo, and a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium will find downtown the more practical base, while families prioritizing free parking and a pool often do better a short drive out.
St. Louis in numbers
Drury Plaza Hotel Louis At Union Station
2,100 reviews
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Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis At The Arch
3,696 reviews
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Moonrise Hotel
2,669 reviews
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The West End
298 reviews
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St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
9,483 reviews
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Courtyard by Marriott St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center
1,014 reviews
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Hampton Inn St. Louis-Downtown (At the Gateway Arch)
2,262 reviews
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Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis Downtown
2,337 reviews
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Angad Arts Hotel St. Louis, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
1,401 reviews
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Clayton Plaza Hotel
1,936 reviews
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Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Near Union Station
2,532 reviews
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Courtyard by Marriott St Louis Downtown West
986 reviews
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21c Museum Hotel St Louis
935 reviews
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The Cheshire
2,148 reviews
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Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
5,844 reviews
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Aloft by Marriott St. Louis Cortex
558 reviews
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Residence Inn by Marriott St. Louis Downtown
1,516 reviews
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Hilton Pennywell St. Louis at the Arch
2,087 reviews
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Hotel Indigo St. Louis - Downtown by IHG
612 reviews
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Quality Inn Florissant-St. Louis
1,212 reviews
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HoteLumière at the Arch - A Caesars Rewards Destination
1,158 reviews
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- Downtown riverfront hotels cluster within walking distance of the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse.
- Forest Park and the West End suit travelers prioritizing the zoo, art museum and a quieter residential feel.
- Clayton offers a business-district base with easy access to Saint Louis Art Museum.
- Properties near Florissant and the airport cut the drive to Lambert International to under fifteen minutes.
- Union Station's converted train shed adds an aquarium and a historic hotel option downtown.
- The Delmar Loop suits travelers wanting a walkable nightlife strip outside the downtown core.
Local tips
- Book downtown if the Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse and a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium are the priority, most sit within a ten-minute walk of each other.
- Choose a Florissant or airport-area hotel for an early flight or late arrival, it cuts the Lambert International drive to roughly ten to fifteen minutes.
- Visit in spring or fall for milder weather, St. Louis summers run hot and humid and winters turn cold enough to limit outdoor time.
- Free parking is common outside downtown but often a paid add-on at riverfront hotels, factor it into the daily budget.
- Forest Park's zoo and art museum are both free, making a West End or Cortex-area hotel a practical base for a family trip.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in St. Louis?
Downtown near the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse suits travelers focused on riverfront sightseeing and walkability, while Clayton, the West End or the Delmar Loop suit those prioritizing Forest Park, a business trip or a livelier nightlife strip.
What types of accommodation are available in St. Louis?
St. Louis offers downtown business hotels, historic converted buildings near Union Station and the Old Courthouse, boutique arts-district properties in Grand Center, and budget-friendly options near the airport in Florissant.
What is the best time of year to visit St. Louis?
Spring and fall bring milder temperatures and fewer crowds than the hot, humid summer months, which also coincide with peak baseball season and higher downtown hotel rates.
Where should I stay in St. Louis for the Gateway Arch?
Hotels within a five-minute walk of the Old Courthouse, including several downtown Marriott, Hilton and Drury properties, put the Gateway Arch grounds and riverfront within easy walking distance.