St. Louis Hotels that Deliver Holiday Magic

Do you go all out for the holidays? So do these St. Louis hotels!

To truly immerse yourself in the splendor of the season, book a stay at one of these accommodations, where twinkling lights and festive music are only the beginning.

St. Louis Union Station Hotel

The holiday extravaganza at St. Louis Union Station will make you stop in your tracks. Anchored by a modern Hilton hotel – a member of Historic Hotels of America – the thoughtfully renovated 19th-century train station has become a mecca of kid-friendly fun, and this time of year, it offers signature holiday events around every corner.

During your stay, spend an evening aboard The Polar Express. As you rocket toward the North Pole alongside the film’s characters, hold onto your childlike wonder and let your imagination run wild. After the extraordinary journey, head to the Christkindl Market, where you can shop with hot chocolate in hand as holiday-themed fire shows play across the lake, or stop by the St. Louis Aquarium, where you can chat with Santa and his trusty elf as they dive in Shark Canyon.

Mischievous elves have also taken over the Selfie Express, using a sprinkle of magic to transform the space into a whimsical wonderland. Whether you’re tinkering in Santa’s workshop, frolicking through the snow or searching for hidden surprises, every room will fill you with holiday cheer.

All this excitement will increase your appetite. Luckily, St. Louis Union Station can accommodate your cravings. For a delicious start to your day, gather your family in the Grand Hall for pancakes with Santa. In Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, you can use cookies as your canvas, creating edible masterpieces with thick icing and colorful sprinkles, and at The Soda Fountain, the Holiday Freak Shake can feed the whole family! The maple syrup-flavored milkshake features a chocolate swirl; a vanilla icing rim covered with marshmallows, miniature M&M’s and Sno-Caps; and over-the-top garnishes such as candy-cooked spaghetti, fudge Pop-Tarts, candy canes, whipped cream and a cherry.

Those 21 and older can indulge in creative cocktails at The Sleigh Shed, as well. With wall-to-wall bling, the holiday pop-up bar puts the excess of the holidays on full display. As you lose yourself in this glittering retreat, enjoy appetizers, desserts and drinks – popular picks include Guava Holly Jolly Xmas (ElVelo tequila blanco, amaretto, Angostura bitters, apple cider, pink guava, pomegranate and lime), Santa’s Red-Eye Fix (local vodka, cold brew, heavy cream, whipped cream and cookie crumbles) and Walnut Reserve (Willett pot still reserve bourbon, Nux Alpina walnut liqueur, Amaro Nonino, allspice dram and cardamom bitters).

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis specializes in storybook moments. From celebratory cuisine at Ramsay’s Kitchen to enchanting décor in the Holiday Lodge, the downtown St. Louis hotel has a host of magical touches that will delight guests from near and far.

During dinner service from Dec. 20 to 28, Ramsay’s Kitchen will offer a lavish Beef Wellington. Designed for two, the sumptuous entrée comes with truffle potato purée and bone marrow bordelaise sauce. In town on Christmas Day? Feast on a festive brunch in the hotel’s bedecked ballroom. The extravagant spread will feature carving stations, made-to-order omelets, a waffle bar with all the fixings, charcuterie and cheese, freshly baked bread and pastries and other holiday desserts. A kid-friendly buffet and holiday activities will keep young guests entertained, too.

You can also spend New Year’s Eve at Ramsay’s Kitchen, savoring menu staples such as smoked bone marrow beef tartare, seared scallops and sticky toffee pudding. Dinner comes with unparalleled views of the Gateway Arch.

New this season, the Holiday Lodge invites guests into a grove of twinkling trees at the base of snowy mountains. Among the merry trimmings, indulge in Instaworthy cocktails and decadent nibbles – think gingerbread milk punch, pork belly skewers, roasted grape tartine and peppermint ice cream. A holiday playlist, rustic accents and plush pillows add to the immersive experience, and classic holiday scenes will play on two floor-to-ceiling screens to complete the snug space.

Continue the celebration at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis with an overnight stay in the Santa Suite, where you’ll dream of dancing sugarplums and visits from Old St. Nick. The hotel’s elves have decorated the Riverfront Studio Suites with lights, baubles and cozy seasonal bedding, and every suite features a Christmas tree adorned with sparkling ornaments. Available until Jan. 4, the experience also includes a hot chocolate-making kit, a gingerbread house-decorating kit, a complimentary in-room movie and a daily $75 credit for in-room breakfast. Reservations can be made by calling 314.881.5752 or by emailing res.stlouis@fourseasons.com.

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

The holidays are all about food and drinks at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. At Casa Don Alfonso, the hotel’s elevated Southern Italian eatery, you can toast with four winter-inspired cocktails, as two of each adorn the annual Holiday Cocktail Tree.

The Partridge & Pear features Maker’s Mark bourbon, Galliano liqueur, Disaronno amaretto, spiced pear sherry reduction and lemon juice, while Sorrento Wonderland combines Ketel One Citroen, Tuaca, orange juice and apricot and vanilla syrup with a cranberry-lavender foam. Rum Rum Rudolph mixes Mount Gay Rum, Amaro Nonino, blackberry syrup, lemon juice, Greek yogurt and foaming bitters, and Noel Noir blends Stoli vanilla vodka, Luxardo cherry liqueur, Mozart milk chocolate liqueur and cherry-cocoa syrup. If you find a favorite, the cocktails are available for individual purchase, as well.

Traveling with kids? Book a table for brunch with Santa. Featuring a carving station and a raw bar, the buffet also boasts an upscale selection of brunch bites – think pecan-smoked bacon, eggs Benedict, personalized omelets, herb-roasted potatoes, roasted pumpkin soup, wild mushroom-stuffed chicken, chocolate-caramel tarts and red velvet crinkle cookies. Pile your plate and then partake in face painting and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus by the fireplace.

The gorgeous restaurant will also host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffets brimming with specialty dishes and traditional trimmings, as well as a delectable prix fixe menu for Christmas dinner.

Arguably the most popular event at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Teddy Bear Tea returns this season, too. Arm in arm with their furry friends, kids can enjoy gourmet tea, hot chocolate and finger foods – plus, cookie decorating, storytelling, caroling and face painting – in the reimagined Lobby Lounge.

To top off the experience, order holiday room décor, including a tree and stockings, and book a holiday movie night for the family complete with popcorn, candy and a small gift from the staff.

BONUS: A Bed-and-Breakfast Befitting the Holidays

Wreathed in red bows and green garland, illuminated snowmen and adorable penguins, shiny gifts and towering trees, Tuxedo Park STL has the holiday spirit, inside and out. Housed in three unique yet connected limestone buildings – the oldest of which was built in 1895 – the luxury bed-and-breakfast in Webster Groves is the epitome of comfort and joy.

As you enter, Guinness and Murphy, two loveable Labradors who were born on St. Patrick’s Day, greet you with wagging tails and the occasional bark. The first floor, where they lounge and play, features a 10-person breakfast bar that mimics the curve of the building, an elevated platform that holds a 20-person table, a spacious living room and original stained-glass windows.

“Most people don’t know what to expect when they book a room at a B&B in the middle of an urban area,” owner Maureen Elliott says, “and I love watching their faces when they come through the door because they’re usually blown away by the interior.”

During the holidays, Elliott enhances the Tuxedo Park experience with homemade shortbread – she recently found a recipe for a pistachio-cranberry flavor that she’s going to try this year – and when they’re not exploring holiday events in the city, guests can curl up in a leather armchair by a crackling fire with a classic story such as The Night Before Christmas. The player piano also takes requests, so make your holiday playlist before you arrive!