A downtown St. Louis hotel with roots going back to 1913 is welcoming guests again. Le Méridien St. Louis Downtown, owned by Hawkeye Hotels and part of Marriott's Le Méridien brand, has reopened after a closure that began in January 2024, when a burst sprinkler pipe caused water damage serious enough to shut the property down.
The building itself is a big part of the appeal. Constructed more than a century ago, it has been restored with a focus on keeping its historic character while updating the comfort factor. There are 96 guest rooms, done up with warm finishes, plush bedding and desks large enough to actually work at — a nod to the business travellers who pass through downtown St. Louis.
Amenities are straightforward but useful: a 24-hour fitness centre, valet parking, free WiFi for Marriott Bonvoy members, and Longitude Bar, which pours specialty espresso drinks and serves gelato. The bigger food news arrives later this month with the debut of Pine Street Social Kitchen & Wine Bar, the hotel's new signature restaurant. The menu leans bistro: short rib ragu pappardelle, bourbon-brined pork chops, and a house burger stacked with bacon jam and pimento cheese.
Hawkeye Hotels president Ravi Patel framed the reopening as giving a hundred-year-old building "a new chapter" in the heart of a major American city — and for travellers, that's exactly the pitch. You get old-building character without sacrificing modern basics, in a location that puts you within walking distance of the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium and the rest of downtown.
Reservations are open now, though the hotel has yet to announce its official opening date, so it's worth confirming your dates directly before booking if you're planning a visit in the coming weeks.
