Hollywood Casino & Hotel St. Louis

The two front desk clerks I dealt with, Friday night and Saturday morning, were pleasant and did what they could. The VIP check-in clerk was exceptional, and the delays weren't her fault. But I've stayed here several times and haven't been impressed with the rooms. This Friday stay was poor from the start. Rooms were supposed to be ready by 4 PM, but when I checked in at 5:15, mine wasn't ready until shortly after 6. The manager, Robert?, got involved, and I understand his options were limited while housekeeping caught up. Still, he never checked back on the room or apologized for the wait. I was told the cleaning staff was short-handed, but management should bring in extra workers when they know a large event is booked. The planning and management seemed very poor, and I wasn't the only guest with these problems. I later found hairs left in the shower, which made me wonder what else hadn't been cleaned. Quite disgusting. The bed was small and uncomfortable, probably what they call a 'Hotel King'. That felt cheap for a place branding itself as premier. I'd expect that at a Motel 6, not Hollywood Casino/Hotel.

Triumph had an amazing full-on sensory show, with the band members themselves creating the equipment, sound, and lighting tech. The lasers through fog and the graphics were awesome, and there were even sneaky high-tech drones flying around. The venue is a merchandising carousel with high-end prices. I paid $28.00 for a mixed-drink lemonade and threw it away. Parking costs are ridiculous, as are the double tags on ticket prices.

Room 825 was nice, and I prefer its "hardwood" floor to carpet. We asked for a quiet room, so they placed us at the far end of the hall and it was quiet. We also asked for an upper floor for a better view, but still looked out over the back parking garage. Even the Rodeo side faces the front parking lot, that's just where the hotel sits. A few things could be improved: the pillows were too thick, the shower light should be brighter, and a hook between the shower and door would make it easier to reach a towel. The TV screen also showed some burnout.

Hollywood used to be better a decade ago. Now it feels like one big ashtray, with no atmosphere or excitement. Dealers and pit bosses look sloppy, one dealer had awful breath and kept leaning in close, and the limits were high even at empty games. The grand jackpot was embarrassingly low, and nobody seemed to be winning. A rum and Coke in a plastic cup cost $6.50. Save your money and go anywhere else.