Where to stay in St. Louis

Hi friends and family. I wanted to share information about where to stay in St. Louis. We have set up wedding blocks at 3 different hotels in St. Louis to give you plenty of options. Two of the hotels are a few blocks apart in the Central West End of St. Louis near Forest Park, and one is located downtown near the Convention Center. I'll try to describe each of them in a bit more detail to help you make your decision.

1. Chase Park Plaza

http://www.chaseparkplaza.com/

Jason and I will be staying here.

Hotel and Neighborhood: This is a historic hotel in the Central West End of St. Louis. It is right next to Forest Park, which is almost 1300 acres (500 acres larger than NYC's Central Park). Forest Park offers lots to do inlcuding: the zoo, the art museum, the history museum, a public golf course, running trails and many other attractions (stay tuned for a post of things to do in St. Louis). The Central West End has lots shops and restaurants, and Straub’s, a gourmet grocery store, is right next door. This hotel is not within walking distance of the City Museum (wedding venue) but is about a ten minute drive. It has a nice outdoor pool, an exercise facility and a salon/spa. It also has its own five screen movie theater.

Reservations and Rates: The Chase has a wedding block under Wurth-Bulluck. You can call 1-877-587-2427 or 314-633-3000 and ask for group reservations to make your reservation here. The special rates are $139 for a standard room and $159 for a one bedroom suite, which has a pull out couch. Please note that you must make your reservation here before July 8, 2010.

Transportation: St. Louis has a light rail called the Metrolink, which runs from both terminals of Lambert Airport. The metrolink stop closest to the Chase Park Plaza is called Central West End. The Central West End station is about 0.5 miles from the Chase. To get from the Central West End station to the Chase, walk North on Euclid toward Children’s Pl. and then turn left on Lindell. The hotel is on the corner of Lindell and Kingshighway. The address is 212 North Kingshighway Boulevard.

2. The Parkway Hotel

http://www.theparkwayhotel.com/

Hotel and Neighborhood: The Parkway is also located in the Central West End just a few blocks from the Chase Park Plaza. It is also located near Forest Park and many shops and restaurants (see description of neighborhood in the description of the Chase). It has a gym. The hotel does NOT have a pool. It is not walking distance to the City Museum, but is only a 10 minute drive.

Reservations and Rates: The Parkway also has a wedding block under Wurth-Bulluck. You can call 314-256-7777 to make a reservation. The block rate at this hotel is $115 and this includes a hot breakfast. To get the block rate here, reservations must be made by July 3, 2010.

Transportation: The Parkway has a free shuttle that runs from 6:00 am to 9:30 pm within five miles of the hotel. You can schedule use of the shuttle or walk up and use it on the half hour.The Parkway is only two blocks from the Central West End Metro. To get to the hotel from the metrolink station, head north on Euclid to Forest Park and turn right. The Parkway is located at 4550 Forest Park Avenue.

3. Marriott Renaissance

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stldt-renaissance-st-louis-grand-and-suites-hotel

This historic hotel is in downtown St. Louis, close to the Convention Center. It is about 8 city blocks from the City Museum (wedding venue) but a ten minute drive to the Chase Park Plaza and Parkway hotesl, so it is less central to the other festivities. The Mississippi River, the Arch, Busch Stadium, the sculpture park and many other downtown attractions are all closer to this hotel. This hotel has a gym and a small indoor pool. There are shops and restaurants in the area around this hotel.

Reservations and Rates: The wedding block rate at this hotel is $129. They do not have any suites at this hotel. Call 314-621-9600 to make reservations. The block rate will be available until July 16, 2010.

Transportation: The metrolink runs from both terminals of Lambert Airport to the Convention Center station. This hotel is about two blocks from the Convention Center Metrolink Station. To walk from the station to the hotel, head west on Washington Ave. from 6th St. to 8th St. You will see the Renaissance to your left. The address is 800 Washington Avenue.