Tru By Hilton St. Louis Downtown

At 5:45am I was told the valet service wouldn’t start until 7, even though I needed to leave by 6 for a 12 hour drive. The key was in a lock box, with nobody able to access it and no manager on site. I’d specifically checked with the nighttime valet, who confirmed the service ran 24/7. The website doesn’t spell out any restricted hours, says valet is the only parking option, and an online search also says it’s available around the clock. The employees were all wonderful, and the front desk representative stayed patient and helpful even while I was irate. I’m not angry with the workers, and I know I wasn’t the only person complaining or trying to leave early that morning. Please update the website and signs to show the limited valet hours, since guests have no self-parking option.

The rooms were nice, but the plastic or rubber mattress cover made me sweat. Hilton, if you’re reading this, please switch to breathable bamboo covers. Parking was miserable. I tried to get valet service before the posted closing time, but the front desk said we were too late. I pointed to the sign showing we were there before that time, and she just shrugged. The front desk staff at night also weren’t very nice or helpful. It was a good stay otherwise.

I was still waiting for my car as I wrote this, since valet doesn’t start until seven. That feels pretty inhospitable when you know the hotel is fully booked. The best part is the central downtown St. Louis location. The room was okay, and breakfast was a nice perk, but once the hotel filled up there wasn’t any food left to get. The front desk attendant insisted on a credit card for incidentals, though the hotel really doesn’t have any …

We cut our stay from two nights to one because valet was the only other parking choice at $50 per night, plus a tip, since the parking staff doesn’t get any of the $50. Street parking farther from the hotel didn’t feel like a good idea because of the crime. The location is challenging for that reason and because parking is limited. After a walk down Washington St, I got back and saw there had been a police incident outside our hotel, below the 11th floor window. The things the hotel can control were great. The staff were all awesome and helpful, the room was clean and modern, breakfast was good, and there was armed security at the door full time.