Howdy, travelers! I've read the recent St. Louis threads and they confirm a lot of good ideas (City Museum and Forest Park), but now I'm wondering where the best place is to stay w/ kids.

I'm going to be limited by some hotels due to our having three kids, but w/ them being aged 4,2, and >1, we really do all need to be in one room together (probably w/ two beds).

We're definitely on a budget so I was thinking of trying Priceline, but I'm rather clueless on where to stay. We're driving from Louisville so we will have our car.

We'd like to see the zoo, so I'd considered the Best Western Inn at the Park, but then the reviews were so mixed on it, I just wasn't sure. As it turns out, any reasonably-priced hotel in St. Louis has vastly mixed reviews. Either people writing in to say "I don't know why the reviews are so bad," or others writing in to say "the nightstand was held together with masking tape" (I wish I were making that up).

I read on another thread that staying in Clayton is a good idea, and that downtown is dead, but other than that, I'm not really finding any applicable tips.

Any suggestions for where to stay with children?

And is Priceline the way to go? I was impressed by the other recent poster getting a $65/night room at the CP, which really is 1/2 off their standard rates.

Anyway, I'm all ears.

Probable itinerary:

St. Louis Zoo
City Museum
The Arch (maybe)
Museum of Transportation (or other train-related activity for the train-obsessed boys)

Restaurant considerations:
I am a vegetarian
One son has a severe allergy to peanuts

Which reminds me, I don't see any hospitals on these tourist maps, either.

Any help is appreciated!!!

Needing room for 5, I don't think you're a good candidate for Priceline. Priceline only guarantees double occupancy, a room with a king bed. Some people have had great luck getting a room with 2 double beds by calling ahead after winning a room. I'm cautious. I wouldn't risk that.

For area Clayton may be best for you assuming you have a car. It's centrally located considering you want to include the Transportation Museum which is in Kirkwood. An excellent museum, I visited it for the first time last summer. Lots and lots of cool trains.

If the kids are really into trains, make sure you ride the light rail. From the airport over the Mississippi and into Illinois I'm sure they'd love to give it a whirl. You could make several stops: Union Station, LaClede's Landing for the Arch, the airport, Delmar for the St Louis walk of fame and lunch at Blueberry Hill, Stadium stop for a Cardinals baseball game in their new stadium.

www.metrostlouis.org

Younger than 5 is free. All day pass is 4.25. You could ride it from end-to-end for less than $10. Some time over the summer the spur to Clayton should open. Depending upon when you go it might be an option from there.

Near Forest Park, St Louis Children's Hospital is one of the finest in the country. It's in the Barnes-Jewish Hospital complex.

www.stlouischildrens.org

Rest Assured St. Louis is home to some of the Finest Hospitals in the World. There are 2 large ones centrally located near Forest Park.

one place you might try prior to your visit is - www.stltoday.com

When at the zoo in Forest park you and your children might like a paddle boat ride on the lake. There is a restaurant there called the Boathouse which is fun. They could feed the ducks from the docks. There is live music at night.
Clayton is home to some fabulous restaurants, Hotels are probably not inexpensive,....however you could maybe find a deal with the Radisson or Sheraton.
There is a wonderful place called Grants Farm. Anheuser Busch owns it...there is a tram through the grounds where wild buffalo and antelope roam. Animal shows, baby goat feedings etc... The adults get free samples of beer. the tour is free as well. It is a beautiful place, also home to the famous Clydesdales.

I will try to think of vegetarian restaurants.
I will post back.... Have Fun......

I was thinking of you annesherrod as I was typing.

Any local feel for when the Link will open to Clayton?

Hi there Indytravler...

Oh,I think it was supposed to open a year ago!!!! Over Budget, behind schedule!!
We live right near there and everything "looks" finished, the underground, the stations, etc... I will try to find out.
Have a great weekend!!!

Oh, you had me at Free Beer.

I think I might fall in love w/ St. Louis and decide to move.

Thanks for the great suggestions so far.

I am all ears.

We will definitely have our car!

There is a Residence Inn across the street from the Galleria. It's probably officially in Richmond Heights when you look on their website. I know that would fit the bill for 5 people and be centrally located.

When are you coming? Grant's Farm doesn't open back up until April 12th. But there's also free beer at the AB Brewerey tour. I think all ages are allowed, there are Clydesdales at the brewery too.

The city museum is great, but be careful when you take your very little ones. It can get crowded, and they may get overwhelmed. And you might have to climb amound on weird things after them.

The miniature Museum Line Railroad at the museum of transportation would be fun, but also doesn't open until April 1.

Not too many all veggie restaurants, but everyplace seems to have veggie options. It may be better to suggest restaurants to you after you've picked a hotel.

Somebody will flame so about the above, so I'll correct myself: the Residence Inn is across the HIGHWAY (I170) from the Galleria, but easy to get to from Brentwood, where the Galleria is located (big shopping mall)

It'll be April 15-18. I'm having a hell of a time finding a room where I want one.

I really appreciate the tips--they help a lot.

The Daniele has a good policy for handling kids, but--again--mixed reviews. Does anyone know if it is a good hotel these days?

I'm finding a much better rate at Best Western Inn at the Park, but, again, some people are saying it is a total dump.

As far as chasing after the kids at the museum goes, that's no prob, as I am used to climbing after them--but perhaps we will save that trip for a weekday, just in case.

I'll check out the Residence Inn next. I hate feeling cornered into a hotel--it's so much better to have a choice!

Agree that Grant's Farm and the zoo are both wonderful for kids. Years ago we took our kids to The Magic House. Is it still open? Perhaps some St. Louis experts can chime in.

Have a great time!

Leslea, I had a wedding brunch at the Danielle and felt confident putting up friends there in 04. What a disaster! It was really run down and gross, as if time passed it by. Our friends ended up in a Courtyard by Marriott near Maryville University. Not exactly an exciting location but it was clean, close to Highway 40 (and my parents) and roomy for their family of 4. I'm going to think of vegetarian restaurants for you.

Yes, the Magic House is open, and another good suggestion for young children.

http://www.magichouse.com/

Thank you so much for the report on the Daniele! Scratching that one off the list.

Checking out Magic House now!

Thanks to all of you for your input. This is helping me so much.

Okay. How is the West County are? There is a Days Inn there that looks affordable and a good option for kids (indoor playground, heated pool, breakfast included).

It's on S. Lindbergh and Ladue.

Thoughts on the neighborhood?

With my budget, I think it is either going to be someplace like this or the KOA.

There is not a hotel of any kind at the intersection of Lindbergh and Ladue. Please let us know where you're really talking about. There is a Days Inn on Lindbergh and Watson, I think. That's in Sunset Hills, kind of a long trek to zoo etc. But, closer to the museum of transportion.

Hmmm,
there is no Hotel at Lindbergh and ladue Rd. I wonder what one it could be? If you could get the address I could comment.

There is a Hilton on Lindbergh and Clayton Rd IN Ladue.

The map said S. Lindburgh and Ladue. I'm sorry, I was not trying to be vague.

3660a S Lindbergh Blvd St Louis, MO 63127-1204

It's hard to talk about hotels in the city in which you live, since I never stay in hotels here.

There is a Drury Inn and Suites in Creve Coeur that might be worth checking out. It's sort of isolated, but I've never figured out who is its target guest, so it might be a place that you could get a deal.It's easy right at Olive and I270, so it has good access.

Looks like it is right across the street from Sunset Hills Shopping Center.

I checked the Days Inn site you indicated. It will be hard to beat that price I think, that is very reasonable.
I dont live near there so I cant comment much. It is near an Interstate and lots of strip mall shopping.Not far from the Museum of transport like the othe poster said.
It is also close to a Park called Lone Elk Park where you can drive through and see lots of wild game, also it is near a really cool sculpture Park called ...Laumier..somthing like that. I will have to check.
It is also a straight shot down LIndbergh to go to the Magic House - A must do with your kids!!! don't miss it.