Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

The Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis is the most luxurious hotel in the city and our splurge pick. It opened in 2008 on North 2nd Street at the northern edge of downtown, as part of the Horseshoe St. Louis development, and occupies 15 floors of a 19-floor tower, so most of its 176 rooms and 24 suites have big views over the Mississippi River, Gateway Arch National Park and the downtown skyline. The great signature is the Sky Terrace on the eighth floor, where an outdoor pool looks straight down the river towards the Arch. The spa has 12 treatment rooms, a couples’ room with a eucalyptus steam room and a relaxation suite overlooking the park, and there is a 2,800-square-foot fitness center with personal trainers available around the clock. Dining is at Ramsay’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay, which serves globally inspired dishes. Service is in the Four Seasons tradition, polished and personal. For a special occasion, a romantic weekend or a first visit where you want the Arch view from your room, this is the hotel to book.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at 999 North 2nd Street, on the riverfront just north of Laclede’s Landing, about an eleven-minute walk from the Arch grounds along the river. The narrated trolley tour starts right outside, at Carr Street and 2nd Street, and Busch Stadium, the Old Courthouse and City Museum are a short drive or rideshare away. It is less convenient on foot for Forest Park and the Central West End, which are a drive west.

Rooms: rooms and suites are spacious and contemporary, and the best face the river and the Arch, so request a river-view room when you book. Suites add separate living areas for longer stays or families.

Who it suits: couples on a special trip, travelers who want five-star service and the best views in the city, and spa lovers. It also suits visitors who want a calm base apart from the busiest downtown streets.

Good to know: breakfast is usually charged separately unless your rate includes it. The outdoor pool on the Sky Terrace is weather dependent, so check whether it is open in late autumn and winter. Ask about parking and its cost when you book, and reserve spa treatments and Ramsay’s Kitchen ahead for weekends.