Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel: Your Luxurious Gateway to the Gateway Arch!
Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel: My Gateway Arch Adventure (and a Few Hairspray Blunders!)
Okay, so here's the deal. I just got back from St. Louis, and I stayed at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. The official line? "Your Luxurious Gateway to the Gateway Arch!". My unofficial line? Well, let's just say it was a mixed bag of good vibes, slightly questionable carpeting, and a desperate quest for decent coffee. Buckle up, because here's the messy, honest, and hopefully helpful lowdown.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or, the Ramp Rant!)
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. This is crucial, and I'm brutally honest here. While the hotel claims to be accessible, and technically is, things weren't quite as seamless as they could be. The entrance? Fine. Elevator? Yup. But the ramps leading to certain areas (like, say, the pool…more on that later!) felt a little… steep. I'm a fairly mobile person, but even I was huffing and puffing a bit. For anyone with mobility challenges, really assess the layout before you commit. I saw wheelchair accessible markings everywhere, but the execution felt like it could use a bit more… oomph. They definitely have the Elevator, which is a HUGE plus.
Rooms: Comfort, Conveniences, and the Search for the Perfect Pillow
My room? Well, it had everything. And I mean everything on the laundry list. Air conditioning was a godsend in the St. Louis humidity. Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely crucial, even if the signal occasionally felt like it was coming from… well, you know. They boasted Wi-Fi in all rooms! and access through Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, and of course, Internet in general. I had a desk to work at, which was great because I needed to be a productive visitor to the Gateway Arch. And there was a Laptop workspace! I utilized the Complimentary tea, Coffee/tea maker and Free bottled water. Air conditioning and Blackout curtains were my friends. I had a Hair dryer, and although I brought my own, I tried theirs, and… well, it's a hairdryer. Sigh. Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub, nice to have choices. Although, the Mirror in the bathroom was a bit blurry but I'm being picky.
Where It Gets Messy: The "Spa" and My Disastrous Attempt at Relaxation.
Okay, so here's where things took a turn. The hotel promotes a Spa! Awesome, right? Visions of cucumber water and fluffy robes danced in my head. The reality? Well, it was… there. They had a Sauna, a Steamroom, and the ever-coveted Gym/fitness. I opted for the Swimming pool [outdoor]…which was mostly shaded. The view? Not so much. It's a great spot to take a breather, though! I saw a glimpse of the Pool with view! which was more or less a view of the airport… but still, water is water, right?
I decided to have a Body scrub, because why not? I will not go into details. The results were…mixed. I walked out feeling slightly exfoliated and a whole lot confused. Maybe I needed the Foot bath, or maybe a stiff drink. Maybe the Massage would have been a better choice?
Dining: The Buffet, the Bar, and My Quest for a Decent Breakfast.
The food situation? Again, a mixed bag. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a buffet. The usual suspects: scrambled eggs that tasted suspiciously of air, questionable bacon, and pastries that looked prettier than they tasted. They offered Asian breakfast options, which I did not take advantage of. They had Western breakfast. At a certain point, I started sneaking out to a nearby diner for my morning caffeine fix. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a gamble. The Restaurants were there, and sometimes, that's all you need, that's where you can get Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, and you know, more food. They do have Restaurants, and Poolside bar, and a Snack bar. I tried the Bar, for a couple of Happy hour drinks, and while the service was friendly, the cocktails were…forgettable. They do boast International cuisine in restaurant, and they do offer Alternative meal arrangement. Also, they provide Bottle of water. Which, hey, is always good. Don't skip the Room service [24-hour].
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Pivot (And the Hand Sanitizer Quest)
I have to give them credit. They were trying. They listed so many precautions! Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff were Staff trained in safety protocol. The rooms were Rooms sanitized between stays, and there was the option for Room sanitization opt-out available. They also did things like Individually-wrapped food options. Seeing this made me feel better, so I did. They were doing everything to provide a safe experience. They also have a First aid kit, and a Doctor/nurse on call for the worst case.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh."
They offered a ton of services. Daily housekeeping? Check. Laundry service? Yup. Dry cleaning? Indeed. The Concierge was helpful, and the Contactless check-in/out was a nice touch. They have Cash withdrawal just in case. I think they also had a Convenience store; but honestly, I was so preoccupied with the Hair dryer situation that I didn't even notice. But… the Car park [free of charge] was a lifesaver, however, it's just a parking lot, no drama there. They have a pretty decent Facilities for disabled guests.
For the Kids: Did I See Any?
They tout themselves as "Family/child friendly," with "Kids meal" options and hints of "Babysitting service". I didn’t see any kids, which made me question how kid-friendly is really kid-friendly… but hey, I wasn’t there for kids.
Getting Around: Airport Access + Other Transportation Shenanigans
The hotel is obviously geared towards airport travelers. Airport transfer? Yes. Easy access? Yes. Taxi service? Available. You could find a Car park [on-site], if you're feeling confident, and they have Car power charging station. I did consider the Bicycle parking, as St. Louis seemed a good place to bike, but I'm not sure it was worth the effort.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Honestly? Maybe. If I needed to be near the airport, and I didn't have high hopes for culinary greatness or spa-like tranquility, it's a decent enough option. The staff was generally friendly. The beds were comfortable enough. The location was convenient. But the hotel's "luxurious" ambitions fall a bit short of the reality. More importantly, the accessibility needs a serious overhaul.
Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. Room for improvement, but not a complete disaster. And hey, at least I have a good story to tell, and a slightly better understanding of where the best coffee in St. Louis isn’t located.
SEO & Metadata (Because, Duh!)
- Keywords: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, St. Louis hotels, hotel review, airport hotel, Gateway Arch, accessible hotel, St. Louis spa, hotel pool, free wifi, dining, buffet, travel review
- Meta Description: A brutally honest and hilarious review of the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, from accessibility concerns to questionable coffee and a disastrous body scrub. Is it worth the stay? Find out!
- Title: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Hairdryer!
- H1: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel: My Messy Gateway Arch Adventure
- Focus Keywords: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel Review, accessibility, St. Louis airport hotel
- Internal Links: Link to relevant hotel booking sites, St. Louis travel guides.
- External Links: Link to the hotel website.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to dive headfirst into a Renaissance-brand adventure in the heart of St. Louis. This ain’t your glossy brochure kind of trip, folks. This is raw, unfiltered, and probably involves me getting lost at least once. Consider yourselves warned.
Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel: My Unedited Itinerary (or, How I Survived a Weekend in Missouri)
Day 1: Arrival and the Airport Shuffle - AKA, the Day My Luggage Became a Drama Queen
- 1:00 PM - Land in St. Louis! (Hopefully). Okay, so the flight was… uneventful, which is honestly as good as it gets these days. But the real test begins now. My luggage, a particularly stubborn piece of rolling luggage I've christened "Betsy," is nowhere to be found. Cue the internal panic. The airport baggage claim area resembled a scene from a disaster movie, a swirling vortex of lost luggage, bewildered passengers, and stressed-out airline employees.
- Anecdote: Spent a solid hour fruitlessly navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the airport, eventually confronting a woman who looked like she'd seen a ghost (probably because she'd also lost her luggage). She offered me a surprisingly comforting shoulder to cry on, and we bonded over our shared misery. Turns out, she’s a local, and gave me the BEST tip. Get the toasted ravioli. Trust me on this.
- 3:00 PM - Shuttle to the Renaissance, Triumph and Tribulation Finally, the hotel shuttle arrived! The driver, bless his heart, seemed like he'd been driving the same route since the dawn of time. The ride was a blur of highway signs and my frantic mental checklist: Do I have my phone charger? Did I pack enough socks? Did I leave the oven on?! Reached the hotel, and Betsy was still MIA. Groan. This is how it all starts.
- 3:30 PM - Check-in and Hotel Recon. The Renaissance lobby is… well, it's a hotel lobby. Nice enough, sterile enough, smells faintly of cleaning products and ambition. Check-in took longer than expected (Betsy’s lack of appearance had delayed the check-in). The friendly staff tried to soothe my frazzled nerves, and finally, I was off to my room. Ah, the room. Perfectly beige, perfectly… hotel-y. A small, tiny triumph, and a beacon of hope for the next few days.
- 4:30 PM - Hotel Bar "Research." First things first: a stiff drink is in order. Headed down to the hotel bar for some “research” – you know, to… analyze the local atmosphere. Ordered a local brew, stared at the TV, and slowly began to feel human again. The bartender was a font of local knowledge (and gossip). Apparently, the Cards are in town, which means… it's gonna be a party.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner: The Toasted Ravioli Revelation. Remember that sweet local lady? She saved me, not just from luggage-less despair, but with her recommendation for toasted ravioli. I Ubered over to a neighborhood spot that was overflowing with people. The air buzzed with energy, laughter, and the aroma of garlic. And the ravioli? Oh. My. God. Forget all other food. Forever. I'm not kidding. My soul has taken flight with the first bite. It's crispy, cheesy, meaty perfection dipped in marinara. I could cry (again).
- 9:00 PM - Sleep: I needed it. After a day of travel and an emotional roller coaster, I had to get some sleep. I crawled into the bed, and the world faded away.
Day 2: Culture, Cardinals, and Culinary Chaos
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet & Regrets. Okay, the hotel breakfast buffet. It's a buffet. The usual suspects: scrambled eggs that look suspiciously yellow, sad-looking pastries, lukewarm coffee. Ate way too much. Immediately regretted it.
- 9:00 AM - The Gateway Arch Adventure! Okay, so the Arch. You have to do it. It's iconic. The tram ride up is… cramped, but the view from the top is actually pretty spectacular. Was it worth the lines? Maybe. Was it worth the fear of claustrophobia? I'd say so.
- Quirky Observation: The "museum" under the arch is really something, a real tribute to the pioneers and their westward journey. They should rename it to the "Please Don't Throw Up from Motion Sickness While Watching the Film About Moving West Museum."
- 12:00 PM - Lunch & The Great Pizza Debacle. Went for a slice in a local pizza joint. It was a bit of a gamble. The pizza was okay…but the service was SO SLOW. Like, watch-the-sun-set-slow.
- 2:00 PM - Cardinals Mania! Time to embrace my inner sports fanatic. The baseball stadium was packed, the energy electric. I don't even like baseball that much, but I got swept up in the atmosphere. Cheered, booed, ate a hotdog. It was a blast.
- Emotional Reaction: I actually cried a little when the Cardinals scored a home run. Don't judge me. It was just so… American.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner & The Steak That Almost Killed Me. Decided to be fancy and hit a steakhouse. Ordered a medium-rare steak that looked incredible. Took a bite, and it was… well, chewy. Another bite, and it was tougher. Finally, after a few more bites, I had to quietly hide it in a napkin. I wasn't going to send it back. I hate making a scene - I'm too conflict-averse.
- 8:00 PM - Wind-Down & People-Watching. Back at the hotel bar, for a nightcap and some serious people-watching. Observed a family of four trying to take a selfie with the Christmas-lighted tree in an empty corner of the lobby.
- 11:00 PM - Bedtime with a Side of Anxiety. I really hoped Betsy would be waiting for me in the morning. I had to make calls.
Day 3: Departure (and the Luggage Saga Continues)
- 8:00 AM - Last Breakfast, Last Hurrah. The joy of a Sunday morning breakfast buffet. Ate lightly, not wanting a repeat of yesterday's food catastrophe.
- 9:00 AM - Postcard Panic. Sent a postcard to my mom. Realized I have no stamps. Ran around the hotel. Found some. Relieved.
- 10:00 AM - Check-Out and the Final Showdown. Check-out went smoothly. I asked about my luggage, and the front desk person gave me a sympathetic look. She said they would notify me when it shows up.
- 11:00 AM - Airport, Take 2. Headed back to the airport, feeling surprisingly zen. Even if Betsy never showed up, I had some amazing ravioli and a good time.
- 1:00 PM - The Flight Home. As soon as I sat down, I passed out.
- 4:00 PM - Home. Where I found, waiting for me on the doorstep, my luggage. "Betsy's home!"
- Stream of Consciousness: Well, that was… something. St. Louis, you eccentric place, you. There were highs, lows, amazing food, questionable food, baseball, and the terrifying possibility of luggage-less existence. But hey, that's life, right? And I'll be back for that ravioli. And maybe even the Cardinals.
Hope this gives you a good indication of how real things are. Enjoy!
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Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel: Your Chaotic Guide to Gateway Arch Fun (and Maybe Some Mild Airport Drama)
Okay, spill the tea: Is this place *actually* luxurious? Because "luxury" hotels can be so… disappointing.
Alright, *luxury*. Let's unpack that. It’s... well, it *tries* to be. The lobby is impressively vast, all soaring ceilings and fancy chandeliers. The first time I walked in, I actually gasped. It felt like stepping into a very expensive, oversized snow globe. But then, the bellhop was nowhere to be seen, and I was left wrestling my suitcase the size of a small child through the revolving doors. So, luxurious? Yeah, *mostly*. Expect a *little* bit of reality to seep in. Like, maybe the coffee maker in your room will definitely be using pods from the 1980s.
Speaking of rooms, what are they *really* like? Are the beds as comfy as they look in the pictures? (Because, let's be honest, hotel beds are a major dealbreaker.)
The beds. Oh, the beds. Okay, here's the *real* scoop. They're... good. But the pictures are *lying*. They always are! They're not the sort of cloud-like experience that'll make you forget all your life's worries. They're more like… a really decent, supportive mattress. I slept well, which is a win in my book. BUT… I *did* find a stray crumb in my sheets one time. Probably from that late-night cookie I clearly needed. So, yeah. Bed-wise? Above average. Crumb incident? Happens.
The Gateway Arch! Is it easy to get to from the hotel, and what’s the *actual* easiest way? I’m already envisioning myself lost and hangry.
Alright, getting to the Arch. This is important. It's *close*. Like, a short taxi ride kind of close. But *don't* try to walk it. I made *that* mistake once. My sneakers are still recovering. The easiest way? Uber or Lyft. Seriously. Download the app, call the car, and let someone else deal with the traffic. I remember once, I was running late for my Arch tour. The Uber driver was this lovely, chatty woman who told me her entire life story in ten minutes. Bless her heart. Made the *panic* of being late somehow... charming. I still gave her five stars, even though I thought I was going to die from stress.
Okay, I'm hungry. Are there good restaurants *in* the hotel, or do I need to brave the wilds of St. Louis for a decent meal?
Inside the hotel? They have a few options. And, honestly? Kinda hit or miss. One time, I ordered room service – late, after a *very* long flight. The burger was good, but the fries were… well, let’s just say I'm not sure what variety of potato they were. Another time, the hotel restaurant had a fantastic pasta dish. I’m pretty sure it was made by a real Italian. So, yeah, a gamble. If you're feeling adventurous, explore outside the hotel. There are some *amazing* places in St. Louis, but… maybe ask the front desk first. Or Yelp. Or, you know, just wander and hope for the best. (I've done that. It worked... sometimes.)
What about the airport – is it convenient for early morning flights? Because struggling with a shuttle at 4 AM is not my idea of a good time.
This is *the* winning point for this hotel! It's *specifically* designed to be convenient for the airport. It's right there! You're basically stumbling distance from the terminal. Seriously, you can practically smell the jet fuel from your room (…maybe not a selling point, but you get the idea). I once woke up late, convinced I'd missed my flight. I threw on some clothes, sprinted (well, shuffled as fast as I could) to the terminal, and made it with minutes to spare. Stressful, but doable. The shuttle is there, but you *probably* don’t need it. Just walk. Save yourself the early morning trauma. (Unless you're me, in which case, prepare for drama regardless.)
Is there a pool? (I'm addicted.) And is it, you know, *nice*? Or just a sad, chlorine-filled rectangle of despair?
Yes, there *is* a pool. And… it’s better than despair. It's not the best pool you've ever seen in your life, but it's perfectly adequate. It's indoors, so you can swim regardless of the weather. It's usually clean. I've seen kids having fun, and I've seen stressed-out business travelers trying to unwind with a few laps. It's… fine. Don’t expect a resort-style paradise, but it’s a pool. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Once, I was there, sitting on a lounge chair reading. This kid kept doing these cannonballs. Not the best for getting my reading on, but the pure joy on his face? Made it worth it, I guess.
What's the vibe? Is it family-friendly, business-y, or a weird mix of both?
It's a *mix*. A chaotic, beautiful, slightly awkward mix. You'll see families with screaming children. You'll see stressed-out business people on their laptops. You'll see the occasional lone traveler, looking vaguely lost (me, often). The lobby can be noisy at times, especially when there's a conference happening. The restaurant can feel a little sterile. Basically, it's a hotel. It's functional. It’s a place to sleep, eat, and occasionally, get a little lost. Embrace the chaos.
Any hidden gems or things I should know *before* I go? Like, a secret shortcut to the elevators, or a place to get a decent coffee?
Okay, here's the *real* insider info. Forget shortcuts. Embrace the maze. The elevators can take forever, so be patient. Decent coffee? Walk across the street to the small shop. It's usually better than the in-room stuff. And… the real hidden gem? The little convenience store in the lobby. It has snacks. And sometimes, when you've had a long day of travel, a bag of chips and a soda is the best luxury of all. Seriously. Buy the chips. You'll thank me later.
Would you stay there again? Be brutally honestStay Scouter
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