Pros

  • A beautiful hotel with rich furnishings
  • Fitness center features a sauna, steam room, and massage services
  • 3 on-site restaurants as well as a bakery, lounge, and cigar club
  • Enormous bathrooms with bathrobes and luxurious toiletries
  • Directly across the street from a MetroLink station
  • Pets (up to 25 pounds) are welcome at the hotel for a fee
See More Pros

Cons

  • Some furnishings, though high quality, show wear and tear
  • Daily fee for valet and self-parking
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
See More Cons

Bottom Line

This 300-room Ritz is located in the business district of Clayton, a suburb of St. Louis located about nine miles from downtown, which guests can easily access using the MetroLink subway system. The hotel lives up to the Ritz brand's reputation, and features crystal chandeliers, marble floors, dark woods, and rich rugs in the common areas. Rooms are classically chic, featuring balconies, comfortable beds, and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs with separate showers. There are three on-site restaurants, as well as a bakery, lively lounge, and cigar club. The massive fitness center features a steam room and sauna. But while the service and features don't disappoint, there is some wear and tear throughout this older property, particularly in some of guest room furnishings.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Kids Club
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

Scene

A swanky hotel attracting upscale guests

The Ritz makes a grand first impression: Uniformed staff greet guests upon arrival, and the entrance is ornate, featuring dark wood, brass and crystal chandeliers.

Though the Ritz's suburban location appeals mostly to business travelers, it's a short drive to Washington University, the Componere Gallery, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo, making this an attractive pick for visiting families as well. The hotel even offers a number of amenities geared toward kids (such as a scavenger hunt of the hotel and kid-proofing supplies for rooms such as electrical outlet covers). The vibe, however, is decidedly swanky, and features such as a Cigar Club and Wine Room contribute to the grown-up vibe. So while children are assuredly welcome, some guests may expect them to be seen but not heard.

The Ritz offers an impressive roster of upscale features, including several delicious eateries and an expansive fitness center with a sauna and spa services.

See More Scene

Location

Located in an upscale suburb across the street from a Metrolink station

The Ritz-Carlton is located in the upscale business district of Clayton, surrounded by quaint shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Downtown St. Louis is a 15-minute drive or short subway ride away, and there is a MetroLink stop directly across from the hotel.

Forest Park, a short drive away, is a major draw for locals and tourists, thanks to not only its ample grassy space, but also its large number of art museums, theatres, and golf courses.

St. Louis is a thriving Midwestern city, perhaps best known for the Gateway Arch -- the Gateway to the West. St. Louis has plenty of historic character, which can be experienced by visiting the city's distinct neighborhoods. These areas are quite spread out, and most people will find they need a car while visiting.

  • 10-minute drive to the St. Louis Science Center
  • 11-minute drive Washington University campus
  • 11-minute drive to Forest Park (home of the St. Louis Zoo, amphitheatre, museums, and activities)
  • 13-minute drive to Lambert St. Louis International Airport
  • 14-minute drive to Fox Theatre
  • 14-minute drive to the St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum
  • 17-minute drive to Busch Stadium
  • 20-minute drive to the Gateway Arch
  • 21-minute drive to Anheuser Busch Brewery
  • 21-minute drive to Laclede's Landing
  • 22-minute drive to Chesterfield
See More Location

Rooms

Classically luxurious rooms have balconies and spacious bathrooms.

The 300 rooms have elegant, timeless style. All rooms have quality furnishings, though some are beginning to show signs of wear and tear, and feature French doors that open up to Juliet balconies overlooking either Clayton or the St. Louis skyline.

  • Feathertop beds, duvets, and 400 thread count linens
  • Enormous bathrooms featuring European toiletries and terrycloth bathrobes
  • Flat-screen TVs with premium cable and pay-per-view movies, as well as DVD/CD players
  • iPod docks
  • Gourmet tea and coffee
  • Minibars
  • Free morning newspapers
See More Rooms

Fitness Center

A recently renovated fitness center with a bevy of extras, including massage services

The Ritz features a spacious fitness center as well as massage and spa services.

  • Cardio machines including treadmills, elliptical, recumbent bicycles and free weights
  • Steam room and sauna
  • Massage services available (they need to be scheduled at least two hours in advance), including sports, deep tissue and aromatherapy
See More Fitness Center

All-Inclusive / Food

A steakhouse, fine dining restaurant, lobby lounge, wine room, and cigar club

The Grill serves classic American cuisine with a twist, in a contemporary setting adorned with art. The menu, focusing on steaks and seafood draws both guests and locals like. The Ritz's main restaurant, on the other hand, is open for breakfast and lunch (as well as brunch on Sundays) and specializes in continental cuisine. The Restaurant -- as it is simply known -- also features a fitness menu for guests looking to count calories.

The Lobby Lounge serves small plates, such as spicy Asian meatballs and prime beef sliders, and features a sushi bar in the afternoons and evenings. It is primarily a popular drinking spot, with many specialty cocktails on the menu and a full wine and beer list. Live entertainment is offered on certain nights, as are tango lessons.

The Wine Room and Cigar Club offer two unique alternatives to the Ritz's more traditional dining offerings. The Wine Room, which is used for events, is the largest dine-in wine cellar in St. Louis and features over 7,000 select labels and rare vintages. Decor is charming, with over 1,000 mahogany wine bins lining the walls, vine-shaped doors, and Murano glass sconces. Unique wine and meal pairings are created for each event. The Cigar Club, which guests can access with a day pass (it is otherwise members-only), allows individuals to indulge in a selection of scotch, whiskey, cigars (obviously), and casual fare in a relaxed, decidedly masculine atmosphere.

Clayton is also home to several excellent restaurants, and the concierge can assist with reservations.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Drinks

Beverages are served in the hotel's cozy tavern or on the terrace.

The Lobby Lounge has comfortable seating, crystal chandeliers, and live entertainment (including free tango lessons on certain days). The full cocktail list includes more than 200 martinis, and there is also a full wine and beer list. During the day, afternoon tea is served here.

The Cigar Club is a private area reserved for members who enjoy smoking cigars (guests can purchase a day pass to access it). In addition to the requisite cigars (there are 250 varieties to choose from), scotch, and whiskey, a selection of small plates are served at the club, which boasts the same rich decor as the Lobby Lounge (picture dark woods and fabrics). The rest of the hotel is smoke-free.

See More Drinks

Services

A pet-friendly policy and a 24-hour business center

  • Pets up to 25 pounds are welcome at the hotel, for a fee
  • Gift boutique and sundry shop with Starbucks Coffee
  • Twice-daily housekeeping
  • Overnight laundry service
  • Concierge services
  • Valet parking
  • Free newspapers
  • Car rentals
  • 24-hour business center and technology butler on-call
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
  • Kid-proofing amenities such as electrical outlet covers available; the hotel can also arrange a scavenger hunt for young ones.
See More Services

Oyster Hotel Review

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

Scene

A swanky hotel attracting upscale guests

The Ritz makes a grand first impression: Uniformed staff greet guests upon arrival, and the entrance is ornate, featuring dark wood, brass and crystal chandeliers.

Though the Ritz's suburban location appeals mostly to business travelers, it's a short drive to Washington University, the Componere Gallery, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo, making this an attractive pick for visiting families as well. The hotel even offers a number of amenities geared toward kids (such as a scavenger hunt of the hotel and kid-proofing supplies for rooms such as electrical outlet covers). The vibe, however, is decidedly swanky, and features such as a Cigar Club and Wine Room contribute to the grown-up vibe. So while children are assuredly welcome, some guests may expect them to be seen but not heard.

The Ritz offers an impressive roster of upscale features, including several delicious eateries and an expansive fitness center with a sauna and spa services.

See More Scene

Location

Located in an upscale suburb across the street from a Metrolink station

The Ritz-Carlton is located in the upscale business district of Clayton, surrounded by quaint shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Downtown St. Louis is a 15-minute drive or short subway ride away, and there is a MetroLink stop directly across from the hotel.

Forest Park, a short drive away, is a major draw for locals and tourists, thanks to not only its ample grassy space, but also its large number of art museums, theatres, and golf courses.

St. Louis is a thriving Midwestern city, perhaps best known for the Gateway Arch -- the Gateway to the West. St. Louis has plenty of historic character, which can be experienced by visiting the city's distinct neighborhoods. These areas are quite spread out, and most people will find they need a car while visiting.

  • 10-minute drive to the St. Louis Science Center
  • 11-minute drive Washington University campus
  • 11-minute drive to Forest Park (home of the St. Louis Zoo, amphitheatre, museums, and activities)
  • 13-minute drive to Lambert St. Louis International Airport
  • 14-minute drive to Fox Theatre
  • 14-minute drive to the St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum
  • 17-minute drive to Busch Stadium
  • 20-minute drive to the Gateway Arch
  • 21-minute drive to Anheuser Busch Brewery
  • 21-minute drive to Laclede's Landing
  • 22-minute drive to Chesterfield
See More Location

Rooms

Classically luxurious rooms have balconies and spacious bathrooms.

The 300 rooms have elegant, timeless style. All rooms have quality furnishings, though some are beginning to show signs of wear and tear, and feature French doors that open up to Juliet balconies overlooking either Clayton or the St. Louis skyline.

  • Feathertop beds, duvets, and 400 thread count linens
  • Enormous bathrooms featuring European toiletries and terrycloth bathrobes
  • Flat-screen TVs with premium cable and pay-per-view movies, as well as DVD/CD players
  • iPod docks
  • Gourmet tea and coffee
  • Minibars
  • Free morning newspapers
See More Rooms

Fitness Center

A recently renovated fitness center with a bevy of extras, including massage services

The Ritz features a spacious fitness center as well as massage and spa services.

  • Cardio machines including treadmills, elliptical, recumbent bicycles and free weights
  • Steam room and sauna
  • Massage services available (they need to be scheduled at least two hours in advance), including sports, deep tissue and aromatherapy
See More Fitness Center

All-Inclusive / Food

A steakhouse, fine dining restaurant, lobby lounge, wine room, and cigar club

The Grill serves classic American cuisine with a twist, in a contemporary setting adorned with art. The menu, focusing on steaks and seafood draws both guests and locals like. The Ritz's main restaurant, on the other hand, is open for breakfast and lunch (as well as brunch on Sundays) and specializes in continental cuisine. The Restaurant -- as it is simply known -- also features a fitness menu for guests looking to count calories.

The Lobby Lounge serves small plates, such as spicy Asian meatballs and prime beef sliders, and features a sushi bar in the afternoons and evenings. It is primarily a popular drinking spot, with many specialty cocktails on the menu and a full wine and beer list. Live entertainment is offered on certain nights, as are tango lessons.

The Wine Room and Cigar Club offer two unique alternatives to the Ritz's more traditional dining offerings. The Wine Room, which is used for events, is the largest dine-in wine cellar in St. Louis and features over 7,000 select labels and rare vintages. Decor is charming, with over 1,000 mahogany wine bins lining the walls, vine-shaped doors, and Murano glass sconces. Unique wine and meal pairings are created for each event. The Cigar Club, which guests can access with a day pass (it is otherwise members-only), allows individuals to indulge in a selection of scotch, whiskey, cigars (obviously), and casual fare in a relaxed, decidedly masculine atmosphere.

Clayton is also home to several excellent restaurants, and the concierge can assist with reservations.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Drinks

Beverages are served in the hotel's cozy tavern or on the terrace.

The Lobby Lounge has comfortable seating, crystal chandeliers, and live entertainment (including free tango lessons on certain days). The full cocktail list includes more than 200 martinis, and there is also a full wine and beer list. During the day, afternoon tea is served here.

The Cigar Club is a private area reserved for members who enjoy smoking cigars (guests can purchase a day pass to access it). In addition to the requisite cigars (there are 250 varieties to choose from), scotch, and whiskey, a selection of small plates are served at the club, which boasts the same rich decor as the Lobby Lounge (picture dark woods and fabrics). The rest of the hotel is smoke-free.

See More Drinks

Services

A pet-friendly policy and a 24-hour business center

  • Pets up to 25 pounds are welcome at the hotel, for a fee
  • Gift boutique and sundry shop with Starbucks Coffee
  • Twice-daily housekeeping
  • Overnight laundry service
  • Concierge services
  • Valet parking
  • Free newspapers
  • Car rentals
  • 24-hour business center and technology butler on-call
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
  • Kid-proofing amenities such as electrical outlet covers available; the hotel can also arrange a scavenger hunt for young ones.
See More Services

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.