I am planning to go to St Louis during the labor day week end. Good Place to stay?

I wouldnt suggest by the airport since all the main attractions are midtown or downtown. There are several Drury's that fit the bill, on Oakland, on Market Street, Union Station and Convention Plaza. Another nice midtown hotel is the Chase Park Plaza which is directly across from Forest Park and only 10 minutes from down town. If you are renting a car I would suggest that you avoid some of the downtown hotels because they do charge for parking and you may be doing a lot of tipping for the valets. I really like Drury's because they are clean, comfortable, have free happy hour with snacks and also a nice free breakfast. Some have indoor pools and hot tubs and their rates are very reasonable. Check out http://www.hotels.com/ to see the variety of hotels offered in downtown and then you can see what ammenities are most important to you for the price.

I'm not from St Louis but have traveled there many times. As far as safety...I have never felt threatned while traveling/visiting there. I'm 32 yrs and have been driving there since I was 17 yrs. As far as the road closure thing. Yes there is major road construction going on. Check out modots website for travel. (modot.mo.gov) Some of the construction will be on-going for at least a year so it is a long-term thing. I didn't understand if you wanted your parents to stay at a hotel or with you at your apartment. Please clarify. Can't recommend places to rent since I'm not from there, but I have heard good things about Clayton and Brentwood both. Just don't go East of St Louis!!! Sorry I couldn't give you specifics. Good luck!

As close to the Arch as possible. And... if you can, get a room facing the river. (Book your room tomorrow morning - Saturday 7/19/08). Also have the hotel send you a "letter of confirmation" with the hotels logo on top and also showing your room number.

You may have to call 5 or 6 hotels, but you'll find out what a mess Labor Day weekend is in St. Louis.

One time we sat in our car for 1 1/2 hours trying to get out of the "parking lot" after the fireworks !!!

I'm not trying to throw mud on your plans, but it may be difficult to even FIND a hotel downtown period.

St. Louis city/county and surrounding area is 800 sq miles !!!

St. Louis is 2nd in the Nation for Trucking/Railroads/River traffic and Airlines. It's also close to the triangle of 3 towns known as "the population center of America". (which changes everyday due to children being born around the country).

Did you book your flight (round-trip) yet and get a seat assignment? As a former Airline employee I recommend you also get a letter of confirmation from the Airlines showing: flight numbers/dates/class of service (First or Coach) and "seat assignment number" (round trip).

Also get into the habit of ALWAYS writing down the name of any person your dealing with for this and future trips.

Sorry to drag you thru all this but, after almost 50 years of travel 1/2 way around the world, I've gone thru a few situations.

Not that you'll fall into this problem but, there are certain town and cities in this world that only have "1" flight a week or month. (Ha-ha) THAT'S when you start setting 3 alarm clocks (or sleep at the airport), so you don't miss that flight.

I always stay downtown at Crowne Plaza on North 4th Street. My favorite room is a corner suite that faces the arch, has a side balcony that overlooks the city. If you stay there, you are within walking distance of so many things to do and see! Staff is friendly, too. You are also close to Metro, though I've never used that means of transportation.

Your best bet is to stay downtown...you can easily get to Forest Park (the Zoo, the Boathouse, etc.) Laclede's Landing (where they will be a Blues festival going on during that weekend), Washington Avenue, CWE, etc. Almost all of the major chains are located downtown including Hyatt, Hilton, Westin, etc.

Downtown for sure. Everyone has given good suggestions so far. There is also the Adams-Mark hotel downtown, nearer to the waterfront, but still withing walking distance of alot of things to do.

I would suggest finding out for sure what you really want to do while you are in town. You will most likely need to rent a car as well. Enjoy your trip!

I would stay away from staying near the airport. There really isn't much to do around there. For your first trip here, I'd recommend that you stay downtown (you'll be near Busch Stadium, Laclede's Landing, Washington Ave, and a quick cab ride from Soulard, etc.).

The Metrolink can take you from the airport to downtown. From downtown, you can ride it toward Forest Park (to see the Art Museum, Science Center, the Zoo, the Jewel Box, the Muny, etc.).

Drury Inn on right off of Hampton about one mile from the zoo and right next to the hill

Free soda and popcorn from 3-10 each day

2 free drinks each evening from 5:30 to 7:00 with snacks

Nice morning continentual breakfast

Indoor and outdoor swimming pool

hot tubes