Jeanette

Could anyone tell me anything about the Doubletree Club in Westport or the Omni Majestic in downtown St. Louis. This is for friends who may possibly meet us at Busch Stadium. Is the Doubletree Club located with easy access to the Stadium? Has anyone had first hand experience of either hotel? THANKS.

dan woodlief

I am not from St. Louis but just returned from a few days stay there. I spent a lot of time walking around downtown, including by the baseball stadium. I looked at my travel guide to see where the Omni Majestic is located. This should put them within a 15 minute walk of the baseball stadium. It would also be convenient for many other places of interest, such as the Arch, Laclede's Landing, the Old Court House, and Union Station.

Jeanette

Thanks, Dan! A walk to the park sounds nice for a June evening. I haven't been to St. Louis for many years and we're looking forward to it. They're lucky to get a pretty good deal that close to everything in town this late. Thanks, again.

Vicki

I would suggest the Hyatt Regency in Union Station or the Drury Inn Union Station (across the street). Both are very nice and close to everything you would want to see. Westport is near the airport but not close to the stadium. I would not suggest taking an evening stroll anywhere in the downtown area of St. Louis. I would feel pretty safe during the daytime in most areas. "The Hill" has some wonderful Italian restaurants.

bac

Jeanette,

There's a new Westin just across the street from Busch Stadium (I think it's called Cupples Station, or something like that - named after the warehouses there.) It just opened 2 months ago. May be able to get a good rate since it's so new. (And SO close).

amy

Definitely check out the westin - it is suppose to be great and is right across from the stadium.. Agree with other suggestions on Drury at Union Station - there is also another Drury within walking distance of stadium - it is by the river and arch and is new in the old International Fur Exchange building.
I think it is referred to as Drury Plaza. GO CARDS (AND THE BLUES TOO)

Jeanette

THANKS everyone! The Westin is too new to be on most of the hotel webpages and I got a very good rate for the days we needed. This is going to make everything a whole lot easier and it's thanks to the Fodorites from St. Louis.
Also sounds like they have a very nice loft restaurant. Any favorite dining in this area of St. Louis?

amy

Congrats on the Westin - I am jealous.
for food check out Sydney Street Cafe in Soulard (Soulard is a few blocks away - great area with great farmers market). Also check out Fraziers Traveling Brown Bag - hotel should be able to tell you where it is.. If you want to check out St. Louis's famous Hill area (Italian) it is about ten minutes away by car. Trattoria Marcella is the best.

Jeanette

Amy, thanks for the restaurant info. We definitely will go to the hill area and now I see / read so many other places that I'd like to stop at that I am thinking about adding another day onto the trip and going to see Cohokia mounds on the way home. I have to talk my significant one into taking another day off- as I would still have time to make it back for late Monday pm work, but he would not.

My poor Sox have taken the same route as the stock market did and all the excitement of last year seems to be fizzling, but regardless we still enjoy the ballgames tremendously. My one son is a big Cards fan and got to talk to M. McGuire last year.

dan woodlief

Jeanette,

You might want to call well ahead for Trattoria Marcella. A day and a half ahead of time, the earlist reservations I could get were at 10:00 p.m., so I chose to eat at Dominic's on the Hill. It was recommended to me by a business colleague in St. Louis as his second favorite Italian spot (after Trattoria Marcella). For Dominic's, it is also good to call at least a day ahead.

Jeanette

Thanks Dan, I will call ahead and make it a sure thing. I usually don't do that on baseball trips but this one sounds too good to miss.

amy

If you are going to add time for your visits I have one other suggestion. About 30 minutes West of downtown off Highway 40 in St. Charles is Highway 94. Highway 94 is a beautiful road and goes to a variety of wineries (wine country in Missouri!!!). On of the wineries is called Augusta Winery and during the summer has great concerts on the weekend in a beautiful courtyard area that overlooks the Missouri bluffs. It is so beautiful. We often go as a group and take food and the kids, buy a little wine sit on the terrace and watch the kids play and dance. Just be careful not to drink too much - the road in and out winds alot. check the Augusta website for concert info.

Jane

Hey Jeanette! Try the Drury Plaza!! Mr. Drury recently renovated a historic building, and the marble in the lobby is beautiful. Also, walking around downtown is okay during baseball season. People who don't recommend it are the ones who don't live in the city, but the suburbs. Best place for Italian food on the Hill is Cunnetto's. They don't take reservations, but if you are willing to stand in line around 4:30, you can be seated at 5:00, otherwise it is about an hour to two hour wait. Great food and a great value for the price. Enjoy your stay in St. Louis!!

Jeanette

Wow, this was a really informative thread. Thank you Jane and Amy! My youngest son went to school in Carbondale and spent lots of time in St.Louis and always walked around at night. He loves to go back and now I think I will extend this trip for sure. Sounds like Augusta would be just what we tend to enjoy and I'll check the website to see if the times are right. If we do the Saturday day game at Busch then we could possibly do the Augusta Winery too.

We are pretty good walkers for our age and have walked about 7-10 mile hikes in all kinds of neighborhoods but do appreciate anyone letting us know what the reality of safety is. In Chicago also there are suburbanites who will not walk anywhere, yet we do find many places that deserve a look-see and don't reflect their reputation. I am a Chicago surbanite now but lived my young life hanging off of a city bus.

To the Drury poster, that was my first choice but they didn't have my dates and the Westin beat the price. I just went to Italy and was at the marble quarries. I love marble interiors. If you ever have a chance, go see the interiors at the Harold Washington Library downtown Chicago. Every floor as you rise is a different shade of marble (walls, etc. too)-by the top garden floor you are into pink swirls.