Where to stay · St. Louis · United States
Where to stay in St. Louis
8 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Downtown. The Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district. Best alternatives — budget: Soulard.
Key facts
- First visit
- Downtown
- Families
- Downtown
- Budget
- Soulard
- Nightlife
- Downtown
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Downtown | The Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district |
| Families | Downtown | The Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district |
| Couples | Central West End | Sidewalk cafés, boutiques and mansions beside Forest Park |
| Budget | Soulard | French-founded brick neighbourhood of blues bars, the farmers market and the brewery |
| Luxury | Clayton | The county seat's office towers, upscale hotels and restaurants |
| Nightlife | Downtown | The Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district |
| Food lovers | Central West End | Sidewalk cafés, boutiques and mansions beside Forest Park |
| Solo travellers | The Loop and University City | Delmar Boulevard's music venues, diners and the St. Louis Walk of Fame |
| Quiet stays | Lafayette Square | Painted Victorian townhouses around one of the oldest parks west of the Mississippi |
St. Louis neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and nightlife
Downtown
Downtown has the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village, City Museum and many of the city's larger hotels, plus restored warehouses along Washington Avenue. MetroLink runs from here to the airport and Forest Park, making it the most practical base for first-time visitors.
- Good
- Walk to the Arch and the ballpark; MetroLink to the airport and Forest Park; Wide choice of hotels
- Watch out
- Quiet streets at night outside game days; Paid parking
- Nearby
- Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, City Museum, Citygarden
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, first-timers and culture
Central West End
The Central West End's Euclid Avenue and Maryland Plaza are lined with cafés, bars and boutiques, and its private streets hold grand early-20th-century mansions. The Cathedral Basilica is here, Forest Park is on its western edge, and a MetroLink station links it to downtown and the airport.
- Good
- Walk to Forest Park's museums; Good restaurants and bars; MetroLink connection
- Watch out
- Busy around the hospital complex; Hotel prices are higher than elsewhere
- Nearby
- Forest Park, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, Euclid Avenue
$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers and budget
Soulard
One of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, Soulard is a grid of 19th-century brick townhouses with corner bars, blues clubs and restaurants. The Soulard Farmers Market and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery are here, and the neighbourhood hosts one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the country.
- Good
- Lively bars and live blues; Historic architecture; Close to downtown
- Watch out
- Few hotels; mostly rentals; Very crowded during Mardi Gras
- Nearby
- Soulard Farmers Market, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Lafayette Square
$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and food lovers
Lafayette Square
Lafayette Square's restored Victorian townhouses, many in bright colours, surround Lafayette Park, laid out in the 1830s. A small strip of restaurants and cafés along Park Avenue serves the neighbourhood, and downtown is a short drive away.
- Good
- Beautiful historic streets; Quiet and residential; Close to Soulard and downtown
- Watch out
- Few places to stay; Need a car or rideshare
- Nearby
- Lafayette Park, Soulard, Downtown
$$ · Best for food lovers, families and quiet stays
The Hill
Settled by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century, The Hill still has Italian bakeries, delis, family-run restaurants and fire hydrants painted red, white and green. Baseball greats Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up on the same street here. It is the place to try toasted ravioli.
- Good
- Some of the city's best-known restaurants; Distinctive neighbourhood character; Close to Forest Park
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Quiet after dinner
- Nearby
- St. Ambrose Church, Forest Park, Missouri Botanical Garden
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget and solo travellers
The Loop and University City
The Delmar Loop is a lively strip of restaurants, bars, shops and music venues, including Blueberry Hill, where Chuck Berry played for years, and The Pageant concert hall. Brass stars set into the pavement honour famous St. Louisans, and Washington University is nearby. MetroLink stations sit at both ends.
- Good
- Lots of casual food and live music; Student energy; MetroLink access
- Watch out
- Limited hotel choice; Some vacant storefronts
- Nearby
- Blueberry Hill, The Pageant, Washington University, Forest Park
$ · Best for food lovers, budget and quiet stays
Tower Grove and South Grand
Tower Grove Park, with its ornate Victorian pavilions, sits next to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Along South Grand Boulevard, Vietnamese, Thai, Ethiopian, Afghan and other restaurants reflect the city's immigrant communities, and the surrounding streets have many historic homes.
- Good
- Diverse, affordable restaurants; Beautiful park; Near the Botanical Garden
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Need a car or bus to reach downtown
- Nearby
- Tower Grove Park, Missouri Botanical Garden, South Grand Boulevard
$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and quiet stays
Clayton
Just west of Forest Park, Clayton is St. Louis County's business district, with upscale hotels, steakhouses and well-regarded restaurants. It hosts the St. Louis Art Fair in September and is on MetroLink's Blue Line.
- Good
- Polished hotels and restaurants; Close to Forest Park; Quiet and safe-feeling streets
- Watch out
- Business-focused, quiet at weekends; Far from downtown sights
- Nearby
- Forest Park, Washington University, Shaw Park
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | $$$ | Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, City Museum, Citygarden |
| Central West End | $$$ | Forest Park, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, Euclid Avenue |
| Soulard | $$ | Soulard Farmers Market, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Lafayette Square |
| Lafayette Square | $$ | Lafayette Park, Soulard, Downtown |
| The Hill | $$ | St. Ambrose Church, Forest Park, Missouri Botanical Garden |
| The Loop and University City | $$ | Blueberry Hill, The Pageant, Washington University, Forest Park |
| Tower Grove and South Grand | $ | Tower Grove Park, Missouri Botanical Garden, South Grand Boulevard |
| Clayton | $$$ | Forest Park, Washington University, Shaw Park |
Getting to your hotel
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is about 23 km northwest of downtown. MetroLink's Red Line runs from both terminals to downtown in about 35–40 minutes and to Forest Park in about 25 minutes. Taxis and rideshares take about 20–25 minutes outside rush hour.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in St. Louis for first-time visitors?
Downtown. Downtown has the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village, City Museum and many of the city's larger hotels, plus restored warehouses along Washington Avenue.
+Where should families stay in St. Louis?
Downtown: Walk to the Arch and the ballpark.
+Which area of St. Louis is best for a budget stay?
Soulard ($$): French-founded brick neighbourhood of blues bars, the farmers market and the brewery.