Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark

The Hilton's two separate hotel towers adorned with the distinct Hilton logo are easy to spot when entering downtown St. Louis. Upon arrival, valet attendants meet guests in the driveway and take vehicles to the covered parking garage on the other side of the property. The faded white exterior reveals the hotel's age (it was once a Marriott), but once inside, the spacious lobby has sophisticated contemporary decor and a gas fireplace. Guests, mostly in suits, can be found working here and drinking coffee from the attached Starbucks.The vibe, especially mid-week, feels geared to the business and convention crowd rather than families (though all are welcome). The rooftop bar on the 26th floor gets a hopping crowd on game nights, as well as weekends when DJs spin.

The Hilton St. Louis Ballpark is in the heart of downtown and offers easy access to corporate offices and tourist attractions in the area. Most notably, the Hilton is located right next door to Busch Stadium, home to the St. Louis Cardinals. Guests can easily walk over for a ballgame or head to the rooftop deck for a birds-eye view. Other main downtown attractions, such as the Gateway Arch, are also within walking distance.St. Louis has plenty of historic character, which can be experienced by visiting the city's distinct neighborhoods. These areas are quite spread out, and most people will find they need a car while visiting.- 3-minute drive or 13-minute walk to Laclede's Landing

• 5-minute walk to Busch Stadium
• 5-minute drive or 9-minute walk to the Gateway Arch
• 6-minute drive to Fox Theatre
• 7-minute drive to the St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum
• 7-minute drive to Anheuser Busch Brewery
• 8-minute drive to the St. Louis Science Center
• 10-minute drive to Forest Park (home of the St. Louis Zoo, amphitheatre, museums, and activities)
• 12-minute drive Washington University campus
• 13-minute drive to downtown Clayton
• 20-minute drive to Lambert St. Louis International Airport
• 27-minute drive to Chesterfield

The Hilton has 670 rooms divided between two towers. The West Tower completed renovations in 2012, while renovations in the East Tower are slated to finish in spring 2013. tag:revisit 4/1/2013West Tower rooms have chain-like but upscale contemporary decor, and received new bedding, carpeting, and furnishings during the renovation. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. Historic black-and-white baseball photos decorate the walls, and some rooms have direct views of the ballpark or the Gateway Arch.Partially renovated bathrooms (containing original tub/shower combos) tend to be on the smaller side, but they do have granite countertops.West Tower rooms contain:- Hilton Serenity beds and bedding

• Black-out curtains
• Granite-topped desks and ergonomic desk chairs
• Flat-screen TVs
• Cuisinart coffeemakers
• Bathrooms with granite countertops and shower/tub combos
• Clock radios with iPod docks

The rectangular indoor pool and spacious Jacuzzi are located underneath a series of glass skylights, and floor-to-ceiling windows face Busch Stadium. The complete area is surrounded by lounge chairs and potted plants.

The fitness center located next to the indoor pool is free for guests. The space is divided into two narrow but spacious rooms that come with a good selection of Precor equipment -- weights in one room and cardio machines in the other. Large decorative mirrors and red accent walls give it a modern touch, but there are no windows.

• The hotel's main restaurant -- Market Street Bistro -- is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves American fare in a space decorated with neutral tones and white leather chairs.
• The Three Sixty rooftop bar on the 26th floor offers a selection of small plates such as pork tacos and local artisan cheeses. This option is better suited for those looking for drinks and nightlife rather than a full sit-down meal. Families take note -- the crowd becomes 21 and over after 7 p.m.
• Steaks and seafood can be ordered at the restaurant adjacent to the hotel, Mike Shannon's, named after the Cardinals legend.
• For snacks and casual fare, the hotel offers Imo's Pizzeria, Starbucks, and frozen yogurt shop Yo My Goodness.
• Room service is available 24 hour a day.

Perhaps the biggest draw of the entire hotel is Three Sixty, a rooftop bar offering outstanding 360 degree views of the city from the 26th floor. This is a popular spot for locals as well as guests, especially on baseball nights, as it has a birds-eye view overlooking Busch Stadium. Cocktails, wines, and beers are served (as well as small plates), and the decor is modern with touches of bright green. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide views from inside, while outdoor fire pits create a cozy ambiance. Entertainment is common on weekends.- Market Street Bistro & Bar, located next to the front desk and down a small set of steps, offers a full selection of drinks. This darkly lit, sophisticated lounge space has a romantic atmosphere.

• Drinks can also be ordered in the brighter contemporary lobby area.

• Concierge service to assist with special requests and local information
• Free Wi-Fi in the main lobby (though for a fee in rooms)
• Business center with T3 wireless capabilities
• Dry cleaning service and guest laundry
• Valet service for a fee
• Gift shop

The hotel's central location is close to corporate offices and downtown tourist sights (such as the adjacent Busch Stadium), which makes it a popular venue for functions and gatherings, especially mid-week.There are a total of 27 meeting rooms available throughout the property -- some new and some old. Smaller groups can gather in a contemporary boardroom setting, and large groups -- as many as 1,460 -- can be accommodated in the Grand Ballroom.Most meeting rooms are windowless, but some options provide full views of the Arch.On-site meeting planners can help with catering packages and other arrangements.

The Hilton offers a number of event and restaurant spaces for large groups, though wedding receptions primarily take place in the Arch View Ballroom. This space offers views of the Arch, Old Courthouse, and city skyline.The Three Sixty rooftop bar is another venue option, and offers unbeatable panoramic views of the city. This indoor/outdoor space is flexible, but can fit up to 400 people for a cocktail and small plate menu.The hotel can also cater off-site ceremonies and receptions at the Old Courthouse Rotunda, the St. Louis Gateway Arch Museum, and the original 1904 World's Fair Pavilion.

• Interior and exterior modifications to the building have been made to meet ADA requirements.
• Electronic devices for the audio and visually impaired are available upon request. Also, there are fire alarms for the audio and visually impaired in rooms and throughout the hotel.
• Ample handicap accessible parking
• 17 ADA-compliant guest rooms come with wider doors, removable showerheads (some have roll-in showers), lower shelving for storage, and lower peepholes.

• 24-hour staff and a security department with video surveillance
• Locked exterior doors require room keys to enter after 10 p.m.
• Guestrooms come with safes and automatic deadbolt doors.
• A safety deposit box is located behind the front desk.
• A well-lit parking lot with valet attendants on duty