Downtown St. Louis, Missouri is the first place to head on a St. Louis visit. The iconic arch is there, for one thing, along with several other don’t miss sites. Because the Pear Tree Inn is at the edge of downtown, it’s a perfect launch and landing spot for a St. Louis stay. A Drury Inn property, the Pear Tree Inn offered us what we were looking for on our quest for a weekend getaway. The hotel’s framed photos of St. Louis attractions added to the ambiance and visual appeal.
Lobby, dining area and business center combo makes for easy visiting
The downtown location enabled us to sample much of St. Louis’s things to do without the need for long car rides. Most of what we did was within walking distance.
While we were at the hotel, the staff was accommodating and friendly, going above and beyond the expected. For example, after my husband parked the car in the hotel’s free parking garage, the receptionist called our room to pass along the night security guard’s concern that our car’s dome light seemed to still be on from his vantage point.
Also, when we went to the complimentary happy hour that occurs at the Pear Tree Inn every evening, the staff greeted guests, refilled chips and poured drinks to create a sense of Midwest hospitality. Alcohol choices were white and red wine and a couple of beer options with a two drinks per guest limit for the 21 and over crowd. Coffee and tea are available 24/7. Free soda and popcorn are also available from 3-10 pm.
Nightly complimentary drinks and snacks are a way to wind down
The hot buffet breakfast was uncomplicated with sausage, eggs, sausage gravy and biscuits elevating breakfast past the cold cereal, bagels and muffin selection. Seating seemed plentiful enough to accommodate the travelers that ranged from families with young children to older couples and anyone else in between.
Although we didn’t have time to make use of the hotel’s indoor pool, hot tub and exercise room, I noticed other guests enjoying some hotel hangout time. The lobby with its business center was another hangout location. I used the computer to find a Groupon for a one hour trolley tour of St. Louis’s main sites and historic neighborhoods–a tour I do recommend. The trolley pickup place was within walking distance.
Our queen-size room was big enough that we didn’t feel cramped, and I appreciated that the room’s lighting was able to tone down for those who wanted to sleep without leaving night owls like me sitting in the dark. The room came with a microwave, coffee maker and refrigerator which were put to use. King rooms and suites are other room options of this 239 guest room hotel. Pets can stay for a $15 cleaning fee, but service dogs stay free. There’s a two pet limit per room.
The one drawback to the Pear Tree Inn during our stay is that one of the two elevators stopped working the day we were checking out which made getting to the lobby and back up to the 10th floor where our room was located slightly time consuming. The staff was appropriately apologetic and did offer the service elevator to those who were unable to wait a bit longer. The elevator outage is not a common problem, however. This was a hopping weekend of weddings, reunions, and those in town for the football game. The Cleveland Browns did not win.
View from front of the Pear Tree Inn
I booked our room at Hotel.com for a rate of a little over $100. For a hotel a bit above budget, family-friendly and close to attractions, I’d say the Pear Tree Inn is a good bet. There are less expensive hotels out by the airport, but paying for convenience and views of downtown, the extra money is worth it.
The Pear Tree Inn is located at 2211 Market Street, St. Louis, MO, 63103. Phone 314/241-3200.
You can book at the Drury Inn’s directly or see what kind of deal you can find at Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com.
Post and photos courtesy of Jamie Rhein
