St. Louis is a popular midwestern town, home to highlights like Busch Stadium, the Saint Louis Zoo, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. This is a great choice for a budget vacation, particularly because you can score a great room for a real bargain when you know when, where, and how to shop.
Check Out Downtown Hotels
Hotels in downtown St. Louis are some of the cheapest in the city. While you can also travel south to areas like Carondelet and the Patch, you should stick to the river. Head too far west and you’ll see hotel prices rise again.
Compare hotel prices before you book your room. While most downtown options are reasonably priced, you’ll still find a big gap between locations like the Sheraton St. Louis City Center, which is a great bargain pick, and the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, which is notoriously pricey. Book a cheap St. Louis hotel on Hipmunk.com where you can easily see your options side-by-side.
Don’t Forget About Room Shares
St. Louis is overflowing with room shares, many of which cost much less than what you’d pay for a hotel room. The best part about the room shares in this city is that many of them will put you in gorgeous neighborhoods like Lafayette Square and McKinley Heights. Many rentals even give you the run of the house. These home rentals are a real steal, many priced at the same rate you’ll pay for a single hotel room downtown.
Room shares and home rentals aren’t for everyone, but if you enjoy the cozy ambiance of preparing a meal in and don’t mind missing out on housekeeping and hotel soaps, you may find that this option is the single best way to trim your travel budget.
Hit the City in Winter
Winter is typically the cheapest time to visit St. Louis. This is particularly true if you book your visit for January or February, once the holiday festivities are over. You can even hit up Soulard Mardi Gras in these months, making the winter chill seem just a bit warmer. Hotel rates are highest in summer, so avoid this season if possible. Try searching for last-minute hotel deals if you can travel on short notice. You’ll often find surprising steals.
Know Your Amenities
Smart travelers know that a few simple amenities can make a big difference in your travel budget. The Mariott St. Louis Airport offers a free airport shuttle that may save you the cost of a rental car or taxi. A free hot breakfast, like the one available from the Hampton Inn and Suites St. Louis at Forest Park, will save you the cost of an entire meal every day of your stay. Refrigerators and microwaves are handy amenities as well, particularly if you’re prone to late night cravings. Keeping a few groceries in the room is cheaper than a midnight fast food run.
St. Louis offers many opportunities for a budget escape, especially when you know what to look for. Share your tips in the comments below.
Mandi Rogier lives in sunny central Florida, and regularly contributes to several travel blogs and websites. In her free time she enjoys visiting nearby theme parks, taking family road trips, and planning girlfriend getaways. She is currently working on the #HipmunkCityLove project.