Hotel recommendations

Question

Looking for the best area and moderate hotel to stay in St Louis for two days without a car.

Answer

If you plan to stay in St. Louis, Missouri for two days and don’t have a car, a good strategy is to pick a hotel in a neighborhood that is walkable and well-served by public transit (especially the MetroLink light-rail) — that way you can get to major sights, dining, and entertainment easily. Below are several of the best neighborhoods + moderate-hotel options to consider, along with pros/cons based on ease of getting around, hotel type, and walkability.

### ✅ Best area(s) to stay when you don’t have a car

Downtown / near St. Louis Union Station / near the Gateway Arch National Park
— Very central: easy walking to major attractions (Arch, riverfront, museums, historic districts).
— Excellent transit access: MetroLink + buses, and light-rail stops serve downtown and make it easy to get elsewhere without a car.
— Great for a short 2-day stay when you want to pack in a lot of sightseeing without worrying about parking or driving.
Central West End / Forest Park area (or nearby)
— Chic, walkable neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and nice streets.
— Easy access to attractions near Forest Park (museums, green space) plus connection via MetroLink / public transit to downtown if you want to venture out.
— More relaxed and residential-feeling than downtown, which can be pleasant if you want calmer evenings.

### 🛏️ Recommended Moderate Hotels (Good for car-free stays)

— Located right by Union Station, so you are extremely well-positioned for walking to downtown attractions and public-transit access.
— Offers indoor pool, breakfast, and comfortable mid-range accommodations — good value if you want basics + convenience.
— Historic-building hotel with a nice central location, very walkable to downtown landmarks, restaurants and the Arch.
— A good “moderate to slightly upscale” feel without needing a car; convenient if you rely on foot/MetroLink.
— Walking distance to Union Station / downtown, so easy to reach many top sights on foot or via transit.
— Often reviewed as a well-kept, comfortable hotel with good value in the midrange / moderately upscale category.

### 🎯 How these choices match what you’re looking for

If I were you and traveling to St. Louis for two days without a car, here’s how I’d think about it: staying downtown or near Union Station gives maximum convenience — you can walk to many sights, avoid parking or driving entirely, and hop on the MetroLink if needed for something a bit farther. Hotels like Drury Inn, Union Station Hotel (Curio), or 21C Museum Hotel give good balance of comfort, moderate cost, and walkability.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed, neighborhood vibe with nice restaurants, cafes, and green-space access (and still enough transit nearby) — then Central West End or near Forest Park is attractive. It might be quieter in the evening, and you still have transit options if you want to go downtown.

### ✅ My recommendation

For a 2-day stay without a car: choose a hotel downtown or near Union Station (like Drury Inn & Suites or the Union Station Hotel) — it gives you the most flexibility and ease, especially if you want to see the main tourist highlights. If you prefer a slightly more relaxed local vibe, go for Central West End / Forest Park area + a hotel like 21C Museum Hotel — that gives a nice mix of calm and convenience.