11 Best 5 Star Hotels in St. Louis

The riverside Missouri city of St. Louis is a natural stop on the famed Route 66 road trips – and for a good reason. Aside from its repute as blues music central and a foodie heartland, this all-American city is also home to leafy historic squares, stately museums, and music bars. Plus, it serves up some of the most lip-smacking Southern comfort food ever presided over by the gleaming and iconic Gateway Arch. The many options we found for a 5-star hotel in St. Louis were topping off our perfect midwestern getaway in this city. They allowed us to see the city in style and made perfect lodgings for our Southern adventures.

What’s more, we were surprised to find that while many hotels lie downtown, some of the best things to do, restaurants, sights, and neighborhoods are well spread out. So, we also fanned out in our search for luxury in St. Louis and were delightfully surprised. As loyalty members, we did find all the usual suspects on the St. Louis scene, but we also found exquisite local, authentic, and boutique stays. In this list, we’ve included not just 5-star hotels but also 4-star ones, which offered us no less than a 5-star treatment. So, fan out and read about our detailed guide to staying like a royal in this Southern “Rome of the West.” 

Hotel Saint Louis, Autograph Collection

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We begin with the place that epitomizes the history of the city and whose storied past alone is worth a few stars, the Hotel Saint Louis Autograph Collection. This Downtown boutique Marriott outpost has a beautiful take on affordable luxury and sits in the landmark Union Trust Company building. When we stepped into the hotel, we were awed by the fully intact upper cornice and the massive two-story lobby, but with the modern stained-glass roof.

The staff personally escorted us to our slick white and navy room, where amenities like high-thread-count linens and in-mirror bathroom TVs absolutely made our day – and stay. We had a special experience staying in the one-bedroom suite, which featured views of the pool. The marble-and-glass bathroom was luxurious to boot, with a bathtub, bathrobes, and free bath products. But the best bit was that it came with a patio from where we could spy stupendous views of downtown St. Louis.

Downstairs, the hotel was every bit as luxurious as the digs. After check-in, we headed to the rooftop for some much-needed R&R. After a languorous swim and lounge by the rooftop pool, the massage at the urban spa felt all the more heavenly. By this time, we were hungry, and the onsite Union 30 restaurant impressed us with the locally-inspired fare. Finally, we wound up the day – and evening – with creative nightcap cocktails at the rooftop Form Skybar. Our recommendation? Try the Smoked Manhattan cocktail for an extra dose of timeless glamor.

The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St Louis

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The Central West End is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in St. Louis, and The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St Louis is one of its most recognizable landmarks. With sweeping views of the beautiful Forest Park from practically everywhere, this swanky 4-star property sits in a 1922 Art Deco-style structure. The Chase proudly calls itself a “city within a city,” as it has many unique things to see and do. These range from a historic five-screen cinema theater to even a barbershop! It’s no wonder it’s one of St. Louis’ historic hotels.

After a long day of exploring St. Louis in summer, the Mediterranean-style outdoor pool felt like an oasis. It even has stone-carved porticoes and fountains, as well as an outdoor fireplace for winter. Later on, we lounged on the daybeds as the staff gave us some TLC in the form of drinks, snacks, and towels. If that wasn’t enough, we loved watching movies at the theater, and for that, too, we didn’t have to step out of the hotel! Thanks to a bevy of classic drinking and dining options, including the amazing cocktail-central Preston, we didn’t have to go far for food and drinks either. The culinary highlight here is the Tenderloin Room, which has been a St. Louis institution since the 1960s!

The newly renovated rooms felt nice, and we could unwind thanks to the ideal blend of modern comfort decor and historic charm. Not only did our room come with a flat-screen TV and a comfy pillow-top bed, but it also came with a marble bathroom with designer toiletries.

Magnolia Hotel St. Louis, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

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Best boutique luxury. There’s a sense of glamour from an era gone by at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis. This centrally-located downtown crash pad is famous for being the place where movie star Cary Grant once hung his hat. The gold-and-white furniture and art deco mirrors immediately drew us in, giving us the feeling of entering our boudoir. However, the stained-glass windows and the lobby chandeliers dripping with crystals firmly put the ‘luxe’ back in ‘luxury’ at this hotel, which is all about vintage touches.

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The 1924-built hotel, formerly the Mayfair Hotel, boasts some of the most well-designed redone rooms we’ve ever seen. Featuring large windows, all rooms boast natural light, mid-century furnishings, and a soothing but non-boring color palette. What’s more, all rooms come with free Wi-fi and bottled (Voss) water. We loved the large flatscreen TV, the oversized, plush headboard, and the comfy bed in our Corner Suite, but it was the French doors/windows with sweeping views of the Gateway Arch that did us in.

Aside from the onsite fitness center, Robbie’s Restaurant was also impressive and served us amazing artisanal cocktails and locally sourced American cuisine. How about riding in a Tesla around downtown St. Louis? Yes, you read that right! We hopped into the sweet Tesla ride, which dropped us off downtown as we went exploring the city on our own. Before we headed back to our room in the evening, we were delighted to be offered complimentary milk and cookies! 

The Cheshire Hotel

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Enjoy 4-star luxury at The Cheshire Hotel, an authentic British-inspired luxury guesthouse smack dab in the heart of St. Louis. This lovely, half-timbered hotel channels a Tudor aesthetic and vibe, and we were gobsmacked at the lattice stained-glass windows, Tudor architecture, and the British flag flying over the entrance. The lobby resembles an English country manor, with cozy touches such as a wood-burning fireplace, a massive stuffed bear, and diamond-paned windows. In fact, it’s this charm that’s propelled this hotel to the list of St. Louis’ best boutique hotels.

Throughout the hotel, we were charmed by the 18th-century fixtures, furnishings, and antiques, a vibe that continued to the rooms. In fact, the rooms and novelty suites are all named, honoring the works of famous British playwrights, poets, and authors. Mod-cons such as Wi-Fi, Keurig coffeemakers, flatscreen TVs, iPod docks, and luxe bathrooms seamlessly blended in, making our stay every bit as uniquely luxurious as possible.

“We loved everything about the Cheshire, but the Clayton Courtyard with the pool was our favorite spot on the property!”

WOW Travel

We loved unwinding in the Clayton Courtyard, which boasts a refreshing courtyard pool and even a fitness studio. The pool, with striped parasols, wicker chairs, chic cabanas, poolside food, and verdant views of the leafy Clayton, is one of the best hotel pools in St. Louis. Even when we were hungry, we didn’t have to step out – the Fox & Hounds Tavern, just off the lobby, was perfect for drinking a pint and getting a bite to eat. If that wasn’t enough, breakfast and 24/7 coffee and tea service are complimentary here.

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

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Most luxurious. There’s no way to draw up a list of the most luxurious hotels in St. Louis and not have The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, on the list. Standing tall on the edge of the Clayton neighborhood, the hotel puts on the Ritz – so to speak. The rich and refined décor, which was evident from the minute we stepped into the lobby, mixes modern elegance and traditional luxury. We loved the large vases of sunflowers everywhere, which livened up the place.

While the lobby has a midnight-blue color scheme, the rooms and suites are more graceful and classically restrained in hues of beige, gold, and creams. What’s more, the hospitality of the staff here was second to none and even radiates the iconic Midwestern warmth and friendliness. A fitness center aside, the hotel is home to the top-tier Ritz Carlton Spa, which also has a sauna and steam rooms. Even though we aren’t tobacco aficionados, we loved the vibe and atmosphere of the Cigar Club. Two restaurants and a swanky lobby bar, which includes the largest dine-in wine cellar in the city, certainly impressed us when it came to the dining scene.

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Even the standard, entry-level rooms at the Ritz were the epitome of luxury, complete with Carrara marble baths, Asprey luxury bath products, and French doors opening onto a private Juliet balcony. Since we were celebrating our anniversary, the lavish Club Level Executive Suite upgrade was worth every penny. We have amenities like massive marble baths with separate soaking tubs, personalized concierge service, and exclusive access to the Club Lounge.

Angad Arts Hotel

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While on the lookout for an offbeat stay, we stumbled upon a very bespoke 5-star hotel in St. Louis, the Angad Arts Hotel. Nestled right in the heart of the Grand Center Arts District, this vivid design hotel brims with colorful decor and lots of local artwork.

But what really sets this hotel apart is that every floor boasts a different colored theme. The idea was to pick a color based on how we felt or wanted to feel during our vacation! So, there was green for rejuvenation, blue for free, and yellow for curiosity. What’s more, notwithstanding which color you chose, they all boasted massive murals created by local artists and monochromatic decor and furniture. We wanted to feel empowered and chose the red Loft King, which came with a red standalone soaking tub in the bedroom – talk about fiery passion!

Apart from the splashy paintbox rooms, the rest of the hotel was equally fascinating, especially the rotating art exhibits from local artists. We made sure to take time and head to the rooftop patio, home to the indoor-outdoor Art Bar. Here, we’d sip cocktails every evening while soaking in sublime views of the iconic Gateway Arch. With so many artsy touches and cool amenities, it’s no wonder that this chic and edgy hotel is so popular with discerning travelers who seek luxury.

Live! by Loews – St. Louis

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Are you in town to catch a Cardinals game and want to stay in style? Do what we did and stay at Live! by Loews – St. Louis, which sits just across from Busch Stadium. Even if you aren’t a sports fan, like us, you’ll love this 4-star stay which sits in the heart of the city’s entertainment district. Plus, the Gateway Arch and most things to see in the city are easy to walk around. 

We loved crashing out in the stylish rooms, which boasted contemporary decor and design that paid homage to the origins of American baseball. All rooms were spacious by St. Louis standards and boasted floor-to-ceiling windows, which offered sweeping city views. We appreciated the addition of the Beekman Brothers bath products in the deluxe ensuites. Do you want to go big? Do what we did and book the one-bedroom king suite with a large private terrace that overlooked Busch Stadium!

When it comes to drinking and dining, we were spoilt for choice. We wanted a casual evening, so we picked up grab-and-go snacks and beverages at the River Market and enjoyed them at the Bullock’s chic outdoor terrace. In fact, we ended our evening at the Whiskey Room with a curated nightcap.

St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

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A multi-decade renovation has brought the historical building of Union Station, once St. Louis’ transportation hub – back to life. Today, it’s the St. Louis Union Station Hotel and is sought-after by history geeks and culture vultures, us included. The Grand Hall is the hotel’s crown jewel and has us oohing and aahing in admiration. Not only did it feature 65-ft-high barrel-vaulted ceilings, but it also boasted intricate artwork and even a light show every night. Since the 1894-built structure is as historic as St. Louis gets, we were not surprised to find all sorts of historical references throughout. Think stunning archways, Tiffany stained glass windows, and whatnot. After a long day, we loved resting in the beautifully styled rooms, all of which came with mod-cons for an indulgent stay. Think luxe bath products, Cuisinart coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and 42-inch HDTVs.

Even if you aren’t staying here (but we implore you to), the hotel is worth swinging by just for a drink. When we were not out on the town, we’d go swimming at the gorgeously seasonal outdoor swimming pool. Besides the fully outfitted gym, our favorite haunt was the 1920s-themed Starbucks! Of course, we took everyone’s recommendation and caught the hourly 3D light show on the lobby’s sky-high ceilings. Finally, we loved eating at the Grand Hall, which had excellent food in a historic setting.

The Moonrise Hotel

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Most unique. Everyone in St. Louis – even tourists – knows about the hip and unique Moonrise Hotel, which lies on Delmar Boulevard, St Louis’ most famous street. As you’ve probably guessed from its name, the Moonrise is a playful lunar-themed with luxury amenities and a retro-chic vibe. It’s what makes it one of the city’s most unique 5-star hotels, and we couldn’t wait to stay here.

The theme of the hotel was evident the minute we stepped inside the lobby, which had funky space art, a lit-up rainbow staircase, and iridescent walls! Our favorite hangout spot was the rooftop garden lounge and bar, which seemed to be the favorite spot for the lively crowd that would always be there. As eco-conscious peeps, we were thrilled that the funky moon and the bar were both powered by a solar panel canopy! Did you know that the moon here is the largest manmade moon in the world? Yes! This sleek and modern venue was the perfect place to sip on signature cocktails before heading down to the award-winning Eclipse Restaurant for dinner.

Heading back to the rooms was something not very exciting to look forward to, but it was different from the luxurious boutique rooms at this hotel. They came with eco-friendly Aveda products, ensuites with Symmons rain showers, and Serta Enrapture Euro Top beds. Since we were in the mood for something unique, we booked one of the whimsical Celebrity Suites, whose theme follows icons from the St. Louis Walk of Fame!

Le Méridien Downtown

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The modern, four-star Le Méridien Downtown sits in a 1913-built heritage structure right in the very heart of Downtown. Not only is it just a few streets from the foodie-central Washington Avenue, but it’s also surrounded by some of St. Louis’s best verdure. Even though the hotel is business-centric, we loved the design touches, like the velveteen chaise longues in the rooms and the eye-grabbing wall murals everywhere. What’s more, all rooms were spacious as compared to St. Louis standards and came with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and plush bathrooms, while the suites even had a separate seating area with a sofa. Since we wanted to take advantage of the amazing neighborhood and the location, we booked a higher-floor room for the dazzling city views that also gave us superb views of the Arch.

Downstairs, the amenities didn’t fail to impress us. The smart little urban gym is especially well-designed and comes with freshly laundered towels and chilled water to ease one through their workout. The included continental breakfast spread was fantastic and got us out on the town all refueled and refreshed.

Four Seasons

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Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is the most luxurious stay in St. Louis – undisputed – the Four Seasons St. Louis. This inimitable, resort-style five-star hotel sits right on the banks of the Mississippi River, offering a bird’s-eye view of the iconic Gateway Arch. Did you know that the hotel boasts an extensive modern art collection that’s said to be worth over USD 7 million? Yep.

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Everything about the Four Seasons screams luxury, but the Sky Terrace with the serene rooftop pool is its USP and probably the best place in all of St. Louis. Think plush daybeds and curtained cabanas from where we had sweeping views of the Mississippi River and St. Louis’ distinctive bridges. After a languorous swim, we even enjoyed cocktails from the knockout bar right by the poolside. Our recommendation? Head here at a time when you can enjoy the 4 pm happy hour for beers and bargain bites in a high-glam setting. After that, we headed to the second-best place on the property – the sky-level spa, where a couple’s treatment was followed by a soak in the whirlpools. All this worked up a nice appetite, which we satiated at the award-winning Cinder House restaurant. Did you know the hotel has an onsite casino as well? Yes!

As expected, the 200 light-filled rooms and suites here are contemporarily styled and boast floor-to-ceiling windows. Undoubtedly, some of the best in the house have Arch views, but we took a riverfront studio suite, allowing us to have very different and unique St. Louis views. Plus, it came with a host of mod-cons, such as a flat-screen TV and a marble bathroom with plush bath amenities.

Our Verdict!

Staying at a 5-star is one of the best ways to enjoy an indulgent and luxurious Southern stay in St. Louis. That said, here are our top picks:

• Best boutique luxury: Magnolia Hotel St. Louis, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• Most luxurious: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
• Best overall: Four Seasons
• Most unique: The Moonrise Hotel

Where to Stay in St. Louis?

Located right along the Missouri-Illinois border, St. Louis is one of the country’s largest midwestern cities. In fact, it’s supposedly one of the world’s lesser-known cities to consider relocating to! So, which St. Louis neighborhood did we stay in and why, and where should you stay on your indulgent trip to this “Gateway to the West?”

Firstly, we begin with the heart and soul of St. Louis, which is Downtown. Not only does it have some amazing hotels, but also it’s home to the city’s best tourist attractions, trendy restaurants, and lively nightlife. Secondly, there are the leafy neighborhoods of Compton Heights and Forest Park. Located just beyond downtown, Compton Heights is all about B&Bs sitting pretty on tree-lined avenues and boulevards. In fact, we culture vultures had a ball soaking in the gorgeous 19th-century residential architecture. On the other hand, Forest Park is home to historic museums, art galleries, and, of course, the St. Louis Zoo. Do you prefer peace and quiet and like being slightly away from the bustle? This is where you should be.

Another buzzing neighborhood close to downtown is Grove, which comes alive in the evenings as it’s home to some of the best pubs and restaurants in St. Louis. Finally, we have some more leafy neighborhoods like Benton Park, Holly Hills, and U-City, which are also all about guesthouses and B&Bs lying on leafy boulevards.

What is the nicest neighborhood in St. Louis?

While most will be inclined to say Downtown, we think it’s Compton Heights/Forest Park. Not only are they close to downtown and its offerings, but they also offer quieter and serene choices of stays.

Where are most luxury hotels in St. Louis located?

Most of them are located downtown, but there are also a few wonderful luxury hotels near the Arch, just outside downtown.

Which are St. Louis downtown’s nicest hotels?

That would be the Four Seasons, its most lavish stay, as well as the Hotel Saint Louis and the Magnolia.