Look, if you’ve ever tried to book a room in downtown St. Louis, you know the struggle. It’s a weird mix of ultra-expensive luxury spots that charge you $30 for a "curated" breakfast and budget motels that make you question your life choices. Then there’s the Drury Plaza Hotel St Louis at the Arch. It sits in this strange, perfect middle ground that shouldn’t really exist. It’s housed in the old International Fur Exchange building—a massive, historic stone structure—and it’s literally a stone's throw from the Gateway Arch National Park.
Most people see the name "Drury" and think of standard roadside stops. They’re wrong.
The St. Louis Arch location is the flagship for a reason. You walk into a lobby with high ceilings, marble accents, and a vibe that feels way more expensive than the nightly rate. It’s honestly one of the few places where the "historic" label isn't just an excuse for drafty windows and peeling paint. They’ve managed to keep the 1920s soul of the building while making sure the Wi-Fi actually works.
The Secret Sauce: What’s Actually Included
Standard hotels have spent the last decade "unbundling" everything. You want water? That's $5. You want a bagel? Head to the lobby bistro and pay $14. The Drury Plaza Hotel St Louis at the Arch takes the opposite approach, which feels almost rebellious in 2026.
The "5:30 Kickback" is basically a local legend at this point.
Every evening, they put out hot food—think sliders, tacos, chili, pasta—and give every adult three drink tickets. It’s not a "snack." It’s dinner. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a game-changer. You save $80 a night on a family meal just by showing up to the mezzanine. Is it Michelin-star dining? No. Is it hot, reliable, and free? Absolutely.
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Then there’s the breakfast. It’s a full spread. Scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and those DIY waffles that everyone loves. Most hotels in this zip code, like the Hyatt Regency or the Four Seasons, will charge you a premium for this. At the Drury, you just walk down in your slippers and eat.
Why Location Matters More Than You Think
You’re at 2 South 4th Street. That puts you right on the edge of the Arch grounds. If you get a room on the east side of the building, you are staring directly at the stainless steel curve of the Arch. It’s intimidatingly close.
You can walk to Busch Stadium in five minutes. If you’re in town for a Cardinals game, this is the spot. You avoid the $40 event parking fees because your car is already in the hotel garage. You can hear the roar of the crowd from the sidewalk outside the lobby.
The Room Situation: Old School vs. Modern Needs
The rooms aren't flashy. You won’t find neon lights or "smart mirrors" that tell you the weather. What you will find is space. Because this is a converted historical building, the floor plans are occasionally quirky, but generally much larger than modern builds.
- The Beds: They use crisp linens and decently firm mattresses.
- The Quiet: Thick walls. Being an old fur exchange means the exterior walls are built like a fortress. Even with downtown traffic, it stays surprisingly quiet.
- The Views: Ask for a high floor. The city-view rooms give you a cool look at the Old Courthouse (where the Dred Scott case started), while the Arch-view rooms are the ones everyone fights over.
One thing to keep in mind: the elevators can be a bit slow during peak hours. It's a tall building with a lot of guests, especially when there’s a convention in town. If you’re in a rush to catch a flight, give yourself an extra ten minutes just for the lobby transit.
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The Pool and Amenities Nobody Uses (But Should)
Most people ignore hotel pools. Don't do that here. The indoor pool and whirlpool are situated in a way that feels private, and they keep the area incredibly clean. There’s also an outdoor terrace that most guests seem to forget exists. It’s a great spot to sit with a coffee in the morning and watch the city wake up.
The fitness center is standard—treadmills, some free weights, the usual. It’s functional. It gets the job done if you’re trying to burn off those 5:30 Kickback sliders.
Is There a Catch?
Nothing is perfect. Let's be real.
The parking garage is tight. If you’re driving a massive dually pickup or a lifted SUV, you’re going to be sweating as you navigate those ramps. It’s a historic downtown area; space is at a premium. Also, because the hotel is so popular with families, the lobby can get chaotic around check-in time. It’s loud. There are kids with ice cream. There are people trying to figure out where the Arch entrance is.
If you want a silent, zen-like boutique experience, this isn't it. This is a high-energy, high-value hub.
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Navigating the Neighborhood
While the hotel is safe and well-patrolled, downtown St. Louis has its pockets. Walking to the Arch or Busch Stadium is perfectly fine and very common. If you’re heading further west into the city at night, you might want to grab an Uber.
Check out Pappy’s Smokehouse for BBQ or Sugarfire nearby if you want a quicker fix. For a drink that isn't from the hotel bar, 400 Olive is a sophisticated little spot nearby with great cocktails.
Making the Most of Your Stay
To truly win at the Drury Plaza Hotel St Louis at the Arch, you have to time things right. Show up to the Kickback at 5:15 PM to snag a table. If you wait until 6:00 PM, it’s a zoo.
When booking, check the Cardinals' home schedule. If they’re playing, rates spike. If you can visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday when the team is away, you can often find rates that feel like a total steal for the quality of the room.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Book Directly: Drury often has a "Best Rate Guarantee" on their site, and their rewards program (Drury Rewards) actually accumulates points fast enough to matter.
- Request the North or East Side: This ensures you either see the Arch or the historic Old Courthouse rather than just a parking garage or another office building.
- Walk the Arch Grounds: Don't just look at it. The recent renovations to the park have made it an incredible place for a morning jog or a sunset walk. The entrance to the underground museum is just a short walk from the hotel doors.
- Check the Event Calendar: If there is a major convention at the America's Center, the Drury will fill up months in advance. Plan accordingly.
- Use the "Extras": Take the popcorn and soda. They have free popcorn in the lobby every afternoon. It sounds small, but it's these little touches that make the stay feel like you're actually being hosted rather than just processed.
The Drury Plaza isn't trying to be the coolest hotel in the world. It’s trying to be the most helpful. In a travel industry that's increasingly focused on charging for every breath you take, that's a refreshing change of pace.