The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

I cannot in good conscience recommend this hotel if you are expecting a top notch Ritz Carlton experience. Everything was "just fine" but nothing was outstanding. We visited the lobby bar and the bartender was not attentive despite the bar having only 5 people. Another time I walked down and asked for a cup of ice (not realizing the were ice machines on every other floor). Same guy says, "well there are ice machines on every other floor" and started to walk away rather than offer to get me the cup of ice I asked for in the first place. I had to say, "hey well can you get me that cup of ice anyway". In regards to the overall property and room, the cleanliness and comfort were subpar. The elevator had wrapped peppermint candies on the floor and the doors were smudged, our room bed was the most uncomfortable hotel bed I've been in in a very long time. We travel frequently and this one was the worst. The bathroom was really not in good shape. The wallpaper in the commode area had a giant stain, the sink had a crack. As a matter of fact, we came back from dinner to find our bathroom sink full of water???!! and our bathroom floor wet. The crack in the sink had apparently finally given way and water was all over the floor. Still unsure as to how the water got in the sink in the first place, something clearly backed up since the stagnant water was full of black particles. The cleaning folks left their cleaning solution in our bathroom. All of these things individually don't seem so bad, but when you stay at this particular brand your expectations are for a high level of service. We were here for a difficult family situation and were really hoping for the relaxation and comfort a Ritz usually provides to make our difficult time here easier, and instead dealt with disappointment and annoyances.

It's hard to complain with this St. Louis hotel. Although the exterior looks a little dreary, it is a lovingly maintained hotel with an interior that feels as though you are stepping back into an era of glitz and glamour. The rooms are large and clean and generally have pleasant views over the vast flat neighborhoods of the St Louis area (we could see the arch from our room, which was fun). The neighborhood itself is dotted with nice cafes, bars, and restaurants that are easily walkable and the attached parking garage is nice when you need to go further. Being close to Forest Park and Wash U. is convenient. Only thing that can be a little annoying is going downtown, which is a bit too far for comfort, but you'll probably only do that once to see the Arch anyway. Service was friendly and pleasant. We did not eat at the restaurant or bar inside the hotel while there.

This hotel is one of the nicer options in St. Louis, with a great location and friendly staff. I stay here several times a year, and while it’s a decent hotel, it does feel a bit dated for 2025. The TVs only offer streaming through Netflix and YouTube, and in some rooms, I’ve noticed cracks in the ceiling and yellow stains around the crown molding. While it may not quite live up to its five-star reputation, it’s still one of the better choices in the city. I just hope they update the aesthetics and refresh the rooms and bathrooms—a simple paint job could make a big difference!

The hotel itself is beautiful and the public areas are clean and well maintained. The room was also clean and well kept. The location of the property was perfect for me and I felt very safe walking around the local neighborhood. While the hotel and location are nice, don’t expect the typical Ritz Carlton experience. The few staff interactions that I had were pleasant enough, but I was never greeted while entering/ exiting the property many times nor when arriving or departing in an Uber. There was also no turndown service provided. The service at The Cigar Club was also abysmal. When I entered, there was only one party there. Despite the lack of tables to serve, it took over 20 minutes for someone to take my order. The gentleman who took my order made it clear that he did not know what he was doing (literally said so himself). While these things are not terrible, I expect far better service from the Ritz Carlton brand. The stay was fine, but I would hesitate to return, especially at the rates charged (680) making it the most expensive hotel in St. Louis at the time of my stay.