Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton

I keep ending up here for business when the Residence Inn down the road is sold out, which happens often, or when I’m only in town for a night or two. There are plenty of practical upsides: parking is on site, has lots of spaces, and sits next to the property, which is a big plus in Clayton. The lobby meeting rooms have worked well for us, and the side table outlets charge a phone quickly. Beds are decent and supportive, the shower pressure is good with adjustable settings, and the shower stalls have been spotless. Dining is convenient too, whether you eat at the bar, get takeout, or order to the room. It reliably takes about 15 minutes, with a 20% fee plus $5. Bathroom mirrors pull out and offer regular and magnified views. The filtering blackout shades help, though the view is mostly concrete and parking decks. Some everyday things are less convenient. Fridges are available only on request, and some floor ice machines were out of order. There’s occasional noise from sirens and neighbors showering, flushing, or playing music. The toiletries have food scents like sage and peppermint, which I don’t enjoy. There’s only one robe, fine if you’re alone, less so for a couple. No luggage rack, though there is a bench, and the work surface is counter height with a stool, awkward if you’re short. The carpeted room has no slippers, so bring your own if you prefer. Storage is oddly built in, and I’d rather have normal drawers. The main frustrations: no handheld showerhead, floppy unsupportive pillows, and rooms that are dark even with all the switches on. I’ve used my phone flashlight to see my face, and video calls are out of the question. Rooms and showers are on the small side. There’s one hook in the whole room, by the shower, so bags, coats, towels, and umbrellas end up wherever they fit, including the bed. Neither of the two waste bins had a liner, and there was no separate recycling bin.

La Meridien has a stylish look, but the amenities were underwhelming and the comfort didn’t quite match. The pillows were flat, the 8th-floor ice machine was broken, and there were no vending machines. Snack choices were very limited. Bring what you might need.

The longer I think about it, the more this feels like a two-star stay, though I’ll leave it at three. I didn’t realize when booking that this was the former Sheraton in Clayton. The rooms have been updated, but it feels like a quick refresh of a worn property: mismatched decor, loose or crooked fixtures, and little useful storage. The woman at check-in seemed annoyed we had arrived, and our Bonvoy status didn’t get us a decent room location. The regional team needs to raise its standards.

The bar’s food and drinks are pricey, though the drinks were delicious. I’d suggest the short ribs and eggs, but order bread on the side since the dish is pretty liquid. The hotel is centrally located, and the rooms, pool, and workout room are good.