TL;DR

Concept: Contemporary-art-meets-hotel in a historic YMCA building.
Location: Downtown Saint Louis, close to the Gateway Arch, City Museum, and Union Station.
Atmosphere: Comfortable, friendly, and visually striking with a museum-like feel.
Design: Rotating art exhibitions in common areas make the hotel a living gallery.
Check prices here

21c, a midwestern chain of contemporary-art-meets-hotel, has its Saint Louis boutique offering parked on the western side of Downtown, a gorgeous location for a gorgeous concept.

As a museum, it’s certainly unconventional, which is a main strength. The rotating selection of artwork bleeds into common spaces that are so artfully decorated on their own it’s difficult to tell where the show stops.

The result is a comfortable, friendly, and uniquely beautiful hotel.

While some 21c hotels are a little large for that intimate boutique feeling, this stunner of a building, originally the local YMCA, has been brought back to its roots.

An arched doorway and warm brick facade once again welcome guests, while the athletic portion of the property has received a chic upgrade.

What are the rooms like?

Room count: 173 rooms of varying sizes and configurations.
Design: Contemporary furniture in jewel tones with colorful abstract artwork.
Amenities: Comfortable seating areas, 50″ HD TVs, Malin + Goetz bath products, walk-in showers.
Variety: Small rooms to suites with bathtubs, working areas, double vanities, kitchenettes, and fitness lofts.
See all rooms in detail here on the booking page

While the facade and common areas may have retained some vintage touches, the rooms at 21c Museum Hotel are full contemporary.

The furniture is vibrant and sleek in lovely jewel tones, with colorful abstract paintings on the walls. Bathrooms are clean white tile accented in black.

The smallest rooms are decidedly cozy, but once you’re up to the Queen Doubles and especially the Corner King, you’ll have room to lounge about on the comfortable couches.

The double-height of the Queen Loft feels especially airy.

Suites offer even more space with varying combinations of bathtubs, working areas, and double vanities.

The 21c King Suite even features a kitchenette and a personal fitness loft, though, in our opinion, we wouldn’t miss a second of the on-site fitness center. More on that later.

All rooms, from the small to the extravagant, include comfortable seating areas decked out in original artwork, 50″ HD televisions, Malin + Goetz bath products and luxurious walk-in showers.

What are prices like?

> Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Dining: Idol Wolf (upscale Spanish-inspired dinner) and Good Press (casual breakfast/coffee); weekend brunch at Idol Wolf.
Museum: 14,000 sq ft of exhibition space with rotating artwork; museum shop on-site.
Wellness & Fitness: Locust Street Athletic and Swim Club with spa, sauna, steam room, lap pool and indoor/outdoor training areas.

Starting with the food, you’ll find two dining spaces on-site, an upscale Spanish-inspired dinner establishment, Idol Wolf, and Good Press, your spot for a casual breakfast and coffee every day of the week.

Idol Wolf will also provide an exceptional brunch on weekends.

Both locations offer tasty food with completely different vibes that round out your options and somehow still beautifully match the art and design of the hotel.

Every corner of 21c Museum Hotel seems perfectly curated to enhance your experience.

There is, of course, the actually curated 14,000 square feet of exhibition space, where you could easily find a new favorite artwork every day.

The museum shop (a must, of course) will let you take a piece of the experience home with you, or share it with friends.

Last, but most certainly not least, is the Wellness Center. Unlike some afterthought-y hotel gyms, The Locust Street Athletic and Swim Club is the real deal, open to members and hotel guests.

You’ll find full relaxation in the steam room, sauna, and spa, with a range of massage services.

The pool is an actual lap pool, surrounded by gorgeous tiled walls and open until 10pm.

The rest of the fitness center is industrial ceilings and fresh light wood, with a light and airy ambiance, open 24/7.

There are both indoor and outdoor areas for personal and small group training.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Location: Downtown Saint Louis, central to the Gateway Arch, City Museum, and Union Station.
Outdoor activities: Gateway Arch National Park, walking trails, riverboat tours along the Mississippi.
Transport: Easy access to buses and metro to explore other Saint Louis neighborhoods.

You can’t get more central at 21c Museum Hotel, with the Gateway Arch, the City Museum, and Union Station all within walking distance.

Easily hop on a bus or the metro to check out St. Louis’ neighborhoods.

Gateway Arch National Park is the perfect place to grab some outdoor time and enjoy a walk along the Mississippi.

There are walking trails, an 1834 Catholic Basilica, and an access point for riverboat tours.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

”Friendly staff, lovely hotel…Really lovely. Nice staff that would go out of their way to help. Interesting art gallery!…”

”The art was beautiful and an unusual backdrop to a wonderful bar and restaurant. We loved our corner bedroom with modern appointments . The gyms had great equipment and were well air conditioned….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”That someone set off the fire alarm and I had to 🏃‍♀️ down 10 flights of steps. I was in the shower 🚿 at the time of thea” alarm. It was a false alarm….”

”I was missing hand soap in the room and not enough bath towels….”