<p>Cheap and nice place, the Residence Inn by Marriott across from The Galleria Mall.</p>
<p>My D went to Wash U in early April and stayed in the dorms 3 nights, so I stayed at Crowne Plaza for 3 nights. Because of a hot water malfunction, I was moved for 2nd and 3rd nts to a room in the EXECUTIVE tower-huge difference. The room was great, unlike the 1st room which was pretty depressing. I had a really good rate, maybe 109 a night. I would only stay there again in EXEC tower. I've heard Sheraton is nice. Clayton is really nice and safe, with some great restaurants...pm me if you want addl info... I would not stay downtown, you might get a good rate but not the feeling of safety you get in Clayton. Plus if you're renting a car hotel parking rates downtown can be really high.</p>
<p>If this is the first time you are visiting Wash U, then staying at a nearby hotel (Clayton area) is really recommended. The hotels downtown are okay, too. (Downtown is just a few miles from the school.) As for safety, we felt pretty safe. HoteLumiere is a new hotel by the river downtown. We stayed there a couple of times, before it was renamed and had good experiences. For future visits you might want to check out the hotels in Westport Plaza. They are less expensive than the ones closer to the school, but since we always brought a car it worked well for us.</p>
<p>tmi - We have found having a car during our visits has been very usefull. It helps for shopping and general mobility. From what I remember, the Sheraton also charges for parking. As for safety, we have never felt unsafe in any of the downtown hotels we have used. I also agree with the Westport area, it offers a large choice of hotels and is only 15-20 minutes from WashU by car. At the same time Clayton can also be a good choice. I base my comments on three years worth of visits.</p>
<p>Renting a car allowed me to explore St. Louis and really enjoy my stay. BTW, CP charged $6 a day parking but I think it was free on the weekend nights... Wherever anyone stays, check parking rates ahead of time. In my case, I got a great rate at the Omni downtown but the parking rate was steep...</p>
<p>Just blew in from St. Louis - went to D's final concert of the year! We stayed at the Knight Center, as we try to do when it is available. We have also stayed at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza and the Ritz (which has gotten VERY expensive), and both are great! Here is a link from the WashU site about hotels they recommend - Visit</a> Us. Not sure if these have all been mentioned. I waited so long to get a reservation for when we go back to load D up next week that the closest I could find was I think a Marriott at the Galleria, which is also not far. We drove by the Cheshire Hotel Saturday and I asked H if he thought we should check and see if it was available next week. Just looking at the outside he said, NO I'd rather stay at the Galleria!</p>
<p>Midwest parent, I understand what you meant when you said, "blew in from St. Louis", ha ha. It has been so windy here in the midwest the past few days.
We also waited so long to get a reservation for S1's graduation,and all the Clayton hotels are already booked so we will be staying at the Sheraton downtown. We have not stayed at the hotels by the Galleria. They are always booked, too. We have not stayed at the Cheshire either. It just does not look good from the outside alone.</p>
<p>It's too bad the Executive Center is already full because that place was awesome! They gave the guests acess to a pantry. We got all the free food we want! My room was very nice as well. It's right on campus next to Busch Hall.</p>
<p>D graduated last year. I stayed at a number of places over the four years and will attempt to share my impressions...</p>
<p>Residence Inn Marriott near the Galleria - stayed there most frequently, especially when traveling with family or when D wanted to escape from campus, as there is lots of space. Kitchens in units, also nice breakfast included. Convenient to mall (shopping and Cheesecake Factory!), reasonable, but you need a car (btw pretty reasonable to rent in St Louis). Convenient to airport access. BUT did not feel comfortable staying there all by myself - rooms are not entered through a lobby but more "condo" style.</p>
<p>Crowne Park Plaza Clayton
Stayed there twice when visiting alone. Was very comfortable, safe and convenient.</p>
<p>Knight Center
Only got in there once, but was very comfortable staying there alone. Loved the snacks on the conference center floor, and D was living right across the street in Millbrook Apts!</p>
<p>Cheshire Inn
Ugh. Dark. Smelled like vomit in the elevator. Don't do it.</p>
<p>Hyatt Regency at Union Station
Stayed there with D once when heading east in the car. Was reasonable and safe, not too close to campus but we were heading out so it didn't matter.</p>
<p>Ritz Carlton
Stayed there twice, once when first visiting school with D (OK maybe I was trying to influence her decision!) and once when visiting D with a girlfriend. Was very nice but pricey.</p>
<p>Chase Park Plaza.
Stayed there with family for graduation. Was worth it!!!</p>
<p>HEADS UP for those with kids in the Class of 2009...Sheraton Clayton is already booked for graduation weekend 2009, as is the Hampton Inn & Suites, the Drury Suites and I think, the Crowne Plaza. I was able to book rooms that can be cancelled at the Westin, and reservations open Thursday at the Chase Park. The Chase Park, however, will charge a one night, non-refundable deposit for each reservation. Once you pass 30 days out however (like April 14, 2009), the entire reservation will be charged. The Ritz hasn't started accepting reservations yet, but I suspect they will be VERY expensive. Currently the graduation weekend rate for this year is double the regular weekend rate. </p>
<p>However, on the original topic, any of the hotels mentioned here are safe and convenient to Wash U. We have always stayed at the Sheraton, but clearly we will have a different destination for graduation next year!</p>
<p>Recommend against the Crowne Plaza Clayton.</p>
<p>Hyatt at Union Station is nice---like their Union Station complex a lot. Not much around it though. </p>
<p>People need to not feel like they MUST stay so close to campus. The driving around St. Louis is much less congested than some of the areas you may be from---minus construction, which is a bit of a pain right now. If you've got a car you should consider staying west of Clayton where the hotel prices are sometimes cheaper than both Clayton and downtown St. Louis. The Marriott St. Louis West is very nice, it's right out 40/64 and you won't get lost getting back and forth to Wash U. We've also stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Westport Plaza, and this time for dropoff (dropping off 2) we're going to be at the Residence Inn near the Galleria (that someone else mentioned too) for one night and the Courtyard Marriott Creve Coeur the rest of the nights. Both those Courtyards and the Marriott St Louis West are all 15-20 minutes away from Wash U. It has never caused any problems for doing move in or being at orientation or parents weekends events to be the extra 15-20 minutes away.</p>
<p>I lived in St. Louis. The Hyatt attached to Union Station is not as safe as the Crowne Plaza in Clayton. I've stayed at the Crowne Plaza and it was fine. But, I wouldn't worry too much about safety anywhere. Just be careful at night, as you would be in any town you don't know.</p>
<p>We always stay at the Ritz. It has just undergone renovation and is one of our favorite hotels in the St. Louis area. The concierge floor is wonderful!</p>
<p>soproudofkids, just of out of curiosity, what don’t you like about the Crowne Plaza, Clayton? Thanks for any info.</p>
<p>I have stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton. It's fine. No its not as nice as the Ritz-Carlton, but it's about half the price.</p>
<p>^^^^Thanks.</p>
<p>Having just returned from our last trip to St. Louis, I have been happy with our stays at La Quinta (out by the airport) on each of the occasions we have gone to WashU. It's nothing fancy, but it's clean and pleasant and includes a nice breakfast in its $58/night AAA rate. Since we have rented a car each time we have visited anyway, the 15 minute drive to campus has seemed like a minor inconvenience at worst.</p>
<p>I've been to Wash U twice now and both times stayed at the Marriot Residence Inn. Like mentioned before - has kitchen, larger suites for families, guest laundry, across the street from a mall. I came alone for parent weekend last year and might have been a little uncomfortable because the rooms aren't accessed from the lobby but my daughter stayed with me.</p>
<p>My daughter and I visited Wash U. in March and stayed at the Drury Inn, Forest Park. It is a new hotel and was very pleseant. The staff was great. Highly recommend.</p>
<p>As previous posters have said, STL is very easy to navigate by car. Clayton is one of the wealthier suburbs of STL. When you fly in, it is easy to spot because it's the other area of STL with skyscrapers, other than downtown. Any of the downtown major hotels are fine. The problem with STL is that the downtown area (other than Laclede's Landing) is dead at night, so it's not advisable to walk around much at night just because there aren't many people. Any of the name brand hotels at the airport are fine. I like the Drury Inn at the airport. There's also a Ramada and a Hilton. Westport area is good, too, as is the area around the Galleria. </p>
<p>Currently, I would advise against staying around the Galleria because there is a LOT of road construction. Interstate 40/64 is completely closed throughout much of STL. MapQuest directions indicate this, but if you are using a map, beware. I64/40 is closed from the intersection with I170 (the main route north to the airport) and Ballas Rd. (the 1st intersection east of I270 (the main bypass).</p>
<p>The area around WUSTL is very beautiful and residential. It is not dangerous, but as in any big city, there are not a lot of people on the street, so anyone should be cautious in walking around at night, particularly alone.</p>