NCAA's 2017 - where to stay in St Louis?

[blak&gold]

I went to my first NCAA's out in NYC. It was challenging to find many options for hotels there. I bumped into an Iowa fan in the airport on my way home. He suggested staying away from downtown in St Louis, I think in an area closer to an airport but don't totally remember. I looked a little at hotels when I got home but most seemed to not let me book that far out.

I think I can book my room now. The rooms close to venue seem pretty spendy for me. Does anyone have any recommendations for areas to stay? Areas to avoid? Personally, I don't mind taking mass transit in but not sure those I am going with feel the same way. Never did make it on the subway in NYC. Is there issues finding parking near Scottrade Center?

Are there a lot of restaurants around the Scottrade Center? Anything else someone who has never been to St. Louis should know?

 

[Azchief32]

You can stay downtown or like he said, find a hotel near the train stops. Takes about 15-20 mins to get into town.

Right by Scottrade, there are not many places to eat. But a few blocks down, there are...especially by Busch Stadium. Would not recommend driving in to each session. As for areas to avoid, just travel in a group and use the buddy system and you should be fine. It just depends on what you want out of it...If you stay downtown, you are near all the pubs and bars where a lot of fans meet. If you are there for the wrestling only, stay out of town or by the airport and use rail. As of now, I am staying at the Hyatt...it's spendy but about a mile and a half so not a bad walk or cab ride at night.

 

[Gobblin]

I highly recommend staying downtown and walking to and from sessions. It's where the all the action is and after attending nationals in STL everytime they've hosted, we have yet to find an "area to avoid". It's been the Arch Drury everytime for us.

 

[Sandor45]

Thanks for the reminder guys!
Just booked at Marriott courtyard. Looking at hotels, there's not much left for those dates if you want to stay downtown.

 

[McCulloughd]

Hampton Inn, St Louis Downtown At the Gateway Arch or Pear Tree Inn. located by the airport.

 

[Huck]

Can't disagree with what these guys are telling you. Downtown will cost you more but more convenient obviously. If you want to go cheap, get a room out by the airport and you can ride the Metro Link in which will take you about 20 minutes. In my opinion, you aren't going to find any "bad spots" down there, especially that weekend. I've been to every one down there and never remotely feared for my safety. I also live about an hour west of STL and have been to the downtown area many times with family and never was worried. The metro will take you right down to the Scottrade Center so it's a good option if you want to go the cheap hotel route.

 

[bcdeputy]

Keep in mind that Ferguson Mo is by the airport. Some nice hotels by the airport, but the area can be questionable at times.
I suggest Fenton. Decent area, good hotels and good places to eat. Shrewsbury MetroLink station is close by and easy to find. Stops near both the Scottsdale Center (which is most likely where the wrestling will be) however if it's at the EdJones Dome then get off at the Convention Center. Short walk to get there.

Visit St. Louis often and always enjoy it. If you have time try to get to the zoo (it's free), it's really good, even in the winter.

 

[McCulloughd]

Keep in mind that Ferguson Mo is by the airport. Some nice hotels by the airport, but the area can be questionable at times.
I suggest Fenton. Decent area, good hotels and good places to eat. Shrewsbury MetroLink station is close by and easy to find. Stops near both the Scottsdale Center (which is most likely where the wrestling will be) however if it's at the EdJones Dome then get off at the Convention Center. Short walk to get there.

Visit St. Louis often and always enjoy it. If you have time try to get to the zoo (it's free), it's really good, even in the winter.

I've stayed at hotels near the airport dozens of times and have never had a problem. Ferguson is about 16 miles from the airport.

 

[blak&gold]

I would love to stay in downtown but the prices don't look that much better than what I paid in NYC. I guess I don't have to pay for flights this time.

If I go with the cheap route is it better to use the MetroLink than try to find parking? I am guessing I could be with a group of 4-8 people depending on who goes this year.

I am normally a "cheap skate" but you guys are making me rethink which way I should go. I will need to get some feedback from others that may be going. I am hoping to bring my son with this year. Is the weather typically decent for walking around downtown?

Thanks for the information! I really appreciate it!

 

[1stplacehawk]

I haven't looked at hotels because I live in St. Louis but if you don't want to stay downtown or can't find a room, you should consider staying in central west end. There are a handful of hotels and Euclid Ave is one of the better spots in the city for Bars and restaurants (better than actual downtown). It's about 3 miles to the scottrade center which isn't a bad uber or cab fare at all.

 

[1stplacehawk]

I would love to stay in downtown but the prices don't look that much better than what I paid in NYC. I guess I don't have to pay for flights this time.

If I go with the cheap route is it better to use the MetroLink than try to find parking? I am guessing I could be with a group of 4-8 people depending on who goes this year.

I am normally a "cheap skate" but you guys are making me rethink which way I should go. I will need to get some feedback from others that may be going. I am hoping to bring my son with this year. Is the weather typically decent for walking around downtown?

Thanks for the information! I really appreciate it!

St Louis it notorious for having too many parking garages. I park for $6 at a garage about 2 blocks from the stadium when I go to Cardinals games. I'll be taking an uber because I plan to drink but I wouldn't be afraid to drive in and park if you want to save some money

 

[artradley]

Thanks for the reminder guys!
Just booked at Marriott courtyard. Looking at hotels, there's not much left for those dates if you want to stay downtown.

I just booked a room there, too.

 

[Wendy79]

I've never felt unsafe downtown. You'd be fine by the airport too, and if you decided to drive you'd miss the morning rush hour.

Home2 Suites by Forest Park (less than 10 minute drive to Scottrade) has good rates (AAA is $151). But yeah, you can still book the Courtyard downtown for about $180 online, which is a ridiculous bargain, so grab that.

Take a cab down to Bogart's BBQ one afternoon. Get the beans (they sit underneath the brisket for 14 hours...holy moly, they're good). Completely worth the wait.

Weather in March...I've seen cold/rainy (and a bit of snow around Hannibal, MO, on the way back) and 80 degrees.

 

[who r u]

we always stay next to the metro train, park the car wed night and dont get back in it till sunday morning.

 

[RoarLions1]

St. Louis Metro offers a special pass for the NCAA Championships. If you are staying at a hotel near a metro stop, it may be worthwhile. We fly in on Wednesday, and use the pass from the airport to our hotel, then back and forth each day to the Scottrade Center. Since it's good for buses too, we even take a couple trips further away from the venue for meals.

http://www.metrostore.org/product/ncaa-wrestling-metropass-2017

 

[hawkssox1]

I highly recommend staying downtown and walking to and from sessions. It's where the all the action is and after attending nationals in STL everytime they've hosted, we have yet to find an "area to avoid". It's been the Arch Drury everytime for us.

Booked 4 rooms there in March.

 

[OkobojiHawkeye]

I highly recommend trying the Air BnB app for places to stay. I have used this the last 4 years and prefer it over hotel stays. With air bnb, you rent out private rooms or entire homes to stay at. The prices are much cheaper than conventional hotels, and you will usually have more space. I have a loft 2 blocks away from scottrade center booked for $85 a night this year

 

[minnhawkeye]

My friend and I most likely be staying with the Hawk Klub and use the metro link to get to the arena. Anyone know yet what hotel they will be using? Hope it is the Renannise (sp) again was there 3 years ago great hotel downtown.

 

[bcdeputy]

I've stayed at hotels near the airport dozens of times and have never had a problem. Ferguson is about 16 miles from the airport.

I've stayed by the airport many times as well. There are some nice hotels by the airport

 

[pointtheway]

We just booked our rooms at Quality Inn in Florissant out by airport. Free hot breakfast, wi-fi, parking. Price is good at about $65 per night. Short, easy drive to the Park and Ride, where we get on the Metro. The special Metro Pass for the NCAA tourney is great. We've stayed out in that area several times and have stayed at that hotel multiple times. There are several reasonable priced hotels when you get out that far from downtown.

 

[El-Jefe]

The answer depends on whether you're driving in or flying in.

If I'm driving in, I'd stay around Clayton (near-western suburb). Lots of good restaurants/bars, close to The Hill, easy drive downtown, convenient other parts of the city and metro area. There is a Metro stop there, not sure if it's walking distance to any hotels or Airbnbs.

If I'm flying in, I would stay downtown. No need for a car, close to everything ... and can go back to the room at any time if needed. Downtown is safe (with the situational awareness you need in any city). There are some marginal and unsafe areas near downtown, but you'd be unlikely to find those areas on foot.

The airport area is a good choice, but I wouldn't do it for a downtown event. Just not a fan of the 20-25 min commute each way daily, plus being hostage to the train schedule. (In most cities, missing your train to/from the suburbs means waiting an hour for the next one. So you waste time before the train, hoping to not waste a lot more time later.) Maybe the Metro runs extra trains during event weeks?

Anyway, I stayed there in May (business trip, work was < 5 min drive from the airport). The hotel was clean and completely safe. But there's not much to do in the airport area besides the hotel bars. I had all of my dinners in the city or Clayton. Airport is not a bad option, just not my preference.

BTW, Ferguson is irrelevant to anyone planning a trip to nationals. It's 10+ min from the airport hotels, not on I-70, and without a Metro train station.