Escape to Paradise: The Last Hotel in St. Louis? (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into "Escape to Paradise: The Last Hotel in St. Louis? (You Won't Believe This!)" And let me tell you, after my recent visit, the "won't believe this" part? Yeah, it's earned.
First Impressions…and a Tiny Panic Attack:
Okay, so picture this: St. Louis, a city that's got a heart of gold and a soul that occasionally gets lost on the way back from a Cardinals game. Finding Escape to Paradise felt a little like stumbling into a secret club. The location? Let's just say it's…unique. Finding the place itself was a bit of an adventure. My GPS, bless its silicon heart, kept trying to reroute me down what appeared to be a private gravel driveway. That's when I started wondering if I'd accidentally signed up for a witness protection program. But then, bam! The sign. Escape to Paradise. Okay, maybe not witness protection. Maybe just…eccentric charm?
Accessibility: The Good, and the "Needs Improvement"
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. This is important, folks.
- Wheelchair Accessible: I didn’t personally test this, but their website does mention some accessibility measures. However, details were a little vague. Pro Tip: Call ahead and ask specific questions. Don't assume. Ask about door widths, elevator availability (crucial!), and accessible bathroom features. Then double-check when you arrive.
- Elevator: Yes, thankfully (essential for this gal who cannot climb stairs).
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: The website mentioned some but again call the hotel for more details to ensure you are satisfied.
- Other considerations: The general layout did seem…a little labyrinthine. Navigation might be tricky for some. That little gravel driveway bit? Might be a problem depending on your wheels.
Internet – The Lifeline of the Modern Traveler…Mostly!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the tech gods! It was, for the most part, reliable, which is HUGE. Let’s face it, in today’s world, Wi-Fi is as essential as oxygen. (I had a small panic when it flickered out for five minutes while I was trying to upload an Instagram story. Dramatic sigh).
- Internet [LAN]: Theoretically available, which is a plus if you need a super-secure connection or are old-school. I didn’t personally use it, but good to know it’s there.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Yup, and pretty decent too.
- Internet services: Pretty standard – nothing particularly mind-blowing, but gets the job done.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Sigh of Relief
I am a germaphobe, so this is a BIG deal.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. Good to know.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Room sanitization: They offered an opt-out option, which is nice. I didn’t opt out. I’m not stupid. I wanted things CLEAN.
- Hand sanitizer: Provided.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed…competent. No major red flags.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: A basic requirement, handled.
- Hygiene certification: I didn't see any certificates but they did seem to follow the recommended protocols.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes, thank goodness.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They did their best, depending on the area of the hotel.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
Okay, here’s where things get interesting. This isn't your cookie-cutter hotel dining experience, but the food was good.
- Restaurants: Yes!
- Bar: Yup, and it looked like a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.
- Breakfast [buffet]: They had a buffet, which I always love the convenience of. The buffet contained a great array of items, but I must admit the buffet was not as large, and fancy as other hotels I've been to.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/ Coffee shop: Yes!
- Happy hour: Definitely a plus.
- Poolside bar: Perfect for those balmy St. Louis afternoons!
- Snack bar: Yep, for those late-night cravings or quick bites.
- Room service [24-hour]: YES! Bless the people who make this happen. Perfect for late-night snacks.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Which is fantastic if you're in a hurry.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were willing to accommodate some dietary restrictions.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and the Spa (My Personal Paradise!)
This is where Escape to Paradise shines!
- Pool with view: They had a glorious outdoor pool. So serene.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes!
- Spa: YES!
- Massage: I had a massage and it was heaven! Seriously. The masseuse was amazing. I nearly fell asleep mid-massage.
- Fitness center: I peeked in, and it seemed well-equipped.
- Sauna
So, I'm at the spa, okay? And I'm stressed. My life is chaos. Deadlines, family drama, a rogue email chain…the usual. I booked a massage, hoping that it would soothe my frayed nerves. I asked the masseuse to work on my shoulders. She was magic. She found knots I didn’t even know I had. I left feeling like I'd spent a week on a tropical island.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
- Air conditioning in public area & Rooms: Essential in St. Louis summers.
- Cash withdrawal: Easy access, which is always helpful.
- Concierge: Helpful staff.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Elevator & Facilities for disabled guests: Great to see this.
- Laundry service: Always appreciated, especially when you spill red wine on the dress.
- Luggage storage: Super convenient.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good feature.
For the Kids: Yay (Mostly)
- Family/child friendly: Seemed like a nice environment.
- Babysitting service: I did not need it, but it's great that it is available!
Room Details: The Nitty-Gritty
- Air conditioning: Crucial.
- Blackout curtains: Excellent for sleeping in after a long day of exploring.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial for me.
- Refrigerator
- Free bottled water: Always a nice touch.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yes, and it worked well!
- Smoking area: Check, if you need it.
- Non-smoking rooms: Thank goodness.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Available which makes things easier.
- Car park [free of charge]: YES - bonus.
- Taxi service: Available.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. Escape to Paradise isn't perfect. It has its quirks. But the staff were friendly, the location was unique (in a good way), the spa was heavenly, and the free Wi-Fi kept this travel blogger sane. It's got that "hidden gem" vibe. It's not just a hotel; it's an experience.
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Luxury Bintaro Apartment: Unbelievable Style at Embarcadero!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is a raw, unfiltered, likely-to-change-on-a-whim kind of Last Hotel St. Louis experience. Let's dive in, shall we? (And be warned, I’m prone to tangents.)
The Last Hotel: A Rambling Romp Through St. Louis (Probably with Brunch Inevitably Involved)
Day 1: Arrival and Tentative Embrace (aka, Are We There Yet?)
1:00 PM (ish): Touchdown. St. Louis Airport. Fine. Dull. The usual sterile airlessness. Ugh. Already fantasizing about a strong coffee. Grab an Uber (or try to; sometimes technology hates me).
1:45 PM: Arrival at The Last Hotel. Okay, I'll admit it, the exterior is striking. Brick, industrial chic, feels a little… haunted in the best way? Reception is… well, it's reception. They took my reservation, eventually. I’m forever the person who forgets a password.
2:30 PM: Room check-in. (Praying for a decent view). Okay, this is good. Exposed brick, big windows, a little bit of that "fallen grandeur" vibe I secretly love. Though, seriously, where's the coffee maker? Note to self: investigate that ASAP.
3:00 PM: The exploration begins! Or, you know, the search for caffeine. Right outside the hotel there are several different cute spots for a strong coffee. I'm getting that vibe that I need a pick me up.
3:30 PM: Wandering around. I’m getting a sense of the neighborhood, and let me tell you, it feels alive. I can just feel it is a part of history.
5:00 PM: Happy Hour! Oh, yes. Essential. Time to explore the hotel bar, maybe the rooftop bar, or any bar close by. I am always up for a good cocktail. It's essential travel sustenance in my book. And I will be judging the bartender's skills ruthlessly.
7:00 PM: Dinner. Okay, choices, choices. I'm torn. Do I go for the fine dining option at the hotel (probably over-priced, but it is convenient)? Or do I brave the outside world and find something… more local? The problem is, I'm already tired. Ugh, decisions.
(Rambling Alert!) This is where my travel usually goes sideways. I have a terrible habit of "researching" restaurants online for hours, agonizing over reviews, and then just ending up ordering pizza. It's a flaw. A glorious, cheesy flaw. But, I'm determined to be adventurous this trip! Maybe.
9:00 PM: Post Dinner. Time to either walk around for a bit and enjoy St. Louis, or catch up on some sleep!
Day 2: Architecture, Blues, and Existential Brunch Questions
9:00 AM: Wake up. Okay, the coffee situation needs to be addressed. I'm going to hunt down the breakfast menu.
9:30 AM: Breakfast at The Last Hotel. Okay, the food is average. But, the ambiance… well, that’s what makes it great.
10:30 AM: Architectural Wonders. I'm off to explore St. Louis. I'm going to explore with a local tour guide to show me all the interesting spots.
1:00 PM: Lunch. Finding a local spot. Maybe some barbecue? St. Louis is known for its barbecue, right? I need to find some good local barbecue, and let me tell ya, I have standards.
2:30 PM: The National Blues Museum. This is what I’m waiting for. I love the blues! I’m excited to know about this area!
5:00 PM: Happy Hour (again? Judge me. I dare you). Different bar this time, hopefully with a better cocktail menu than last night. (I'm still bitter).
7:00 PM: Dinner. I’m getting a pizza again. Nope, I’m deciding to go out and actually enjoy some good food!
9:00 PM: Live music. I'm going find a music store and have some fun!
Day 3: Culture, Reflection, and the Bitter-Sweet Farewell
9:00 AM: Sleep in. That's the plan.
10:00 AM: Brunch! Of course. I’ve decided that Brunch is the best meal of the day. I’m going to find the best brunch spots!
12:00 PM: packing my bags and checking out!
1:00 PM: I’m going to the airport and flying home.
(Emotional Rundown):
- Overall Feeling: Mixed. A bit overwhelmed, definitely tired, but also… intrigued. St. Louis is a city that seems to hold its secrets close, but I have a feeling it’s worth the effort to uncover them.
- The Last Hotel: Good bones. Could use a cozier vibe, less pretense, and a reliable coffee maker in the room. But the location is excellent, and I love the history in these walls.
- The Food: Has much to find.
(And now, the obligatory pre-trip self-doubt session…)
- Am I going to enjoy St. Louis?
- Will I regret not seeing (insert famous tourist attraction here)?
- Did I pack enough socks? (The eternal question).
- Is it too late to change my mind and just stay in the hotel room with a good book? (Most likely).
Okay, that’s it for now. I will try to update this with more details and much messier, less-edited prose as I go. Wish me luck. This could get interesting. And probably involve a lot of pizza.
Escape to Paradise: SpringHill Suites Naples Awaits!
So, "Escape to Paradise: The Last Hotel in St. Louis"? Seriously? What's the deal?
Okay, look, first off, the name alone is *chef's kiss* ironic. "Paradise"? In a crumbling St. Louis hotel facing… well, let’s just say "challenges"? But that's precisely the point! It’s a documentary, or *trying* to be a documentary, about the last stand of a relic. Think of it as… well, me, mostly just being *obsessed* with this place and trying to share the chaos. It's about the people, the building, and the sheer, improbable will to survive. It's not polished, it's not pretty, and believe me, it's definitely not always "paradise."
Is it actually *about* escaping? Like, are they trying to *get out* of St. Louis?
Haha, no. Though, some days, I wouldn't blame them! But “Escape” refers to *life*, the everyday drudgery, the crushing weight of… well, everything! It's about finding a refuge, a little bubble, inside this hotel. Some residents are escaping addiction, others are escaping loneliness, some are...well, just trying to escape the weather. The *hotel* itself? That's trying to escape demolition. It's a complicated metaphor soup, okay?
What kind of people are living there? Like, are they… sketchy?
Sketchy? Look, let's get real. This isn't the Ritz. It's a haven for people society often ignores, throws away, or conveniently forgets about. There's a Vietnam vet with a story that would break you in half, a young woman trying to escape a toxic family, a couple who just lost their home. Yeah, things happen – heck, I’ve witnessed some stuff that would make your hair curl – but the *humanity*? That's what gets to me. They’re survivors. They're flawed. They're real. And honestly, sometimes I'm the one that feels like I deserve to be called 'sketchy', mostly because of how much I spend time with them, recording their stories. I'm always self-conscious about my "outsider" status, but also... I just *want* to listen.
What's the best thing about the hotel? And the worst?
The best? The stories, hands down. The sheer resilience. The camaraderie. These people… they're connected in a way most of us will never understand. They *get* each other. And the *worst*? The building’s falling apart. Literally. The roof leaks, the pipes burst, there's a certain… aroma… you get used to. The sheer *weight* of neglect. It’s heartbreaking. There’s a constant undercurrent of despair, a sense that everything is fleeting, fragile. It can be incredibly overwhelming. Oh also, the internet is terrible, that's up there, too!
You said it's a Last Hotel, so is the entire thing is like just people in a bad situation?
That's a tough one, because, let's be honest, yeah. The *situation* is bad. The building's falling apart, the city seems to have forgotten it exists, and the odds are… well, not good. But! And this is a big BUT. I had a conversation about this the other day with a guy who'd been there twenty years. He'd seen it all--the good, the bad, the ugly. He told me, "It's not paradise, no...but it's *home*. And a lot of us wouldn't survive out there without it." And that got me. That's what I'm trying to get at. The warmth. It is not always easy. But it's honest. And it gives me an inside look, that's the part that makes me stick around.
Did you get attached? Were there any people who really stuck out to you?
Attached? God, yes. I'm a mess. I was warned against it from the start. But how can you *not* get attached when you hear these stories, when you share a joke, or even just offer a cigarette? There was Elsie. Elsie, who was a librarian before she came here. God, what a loss! But, she was just so kind. She always gave her thoughts on everything...and she also became my go-to person for gossip. And, she'd say, "Dearie, this place is a mess, but…" You fill in the blanks. I… I cried when she eventually moved on. Or maybe she was pushed out, I still don't know the truth. Point is, I'm a soft touch, and the people there… they burrow into your heart. Some nights you just can't sleep because you're replaying their conversations, you can hear their voices... It's a bit of an obsession, really. More than a bit. I'd like to say I'm doing this for *them*, but in truth… I'm doing it for myself.
So is the hotel itself a character in this?
Absolutely! The building IS the main character. This place… it’s seen everything. Wars, depressions, booms, busts, probably *a lot* of things it shouldn’t have seen. And you feel it. The ghosts of past lives linger in every chipped tile, in every creaking floorboard. I swear, some days I can almost *hear* the building sighing, groaning under the weight of its history. It's a physical manifestation of time, of loss, of hope, and... I can honestly say, even if it's a mess? There's a beauty in the decay. It is like a physical reflection of living in a big city like St. Louis: It's seen a lot, and weathered it all.
Is there any real hope for the hotel, or the people who live there?
...That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? I don't know. Some days I'm optimistic. There's talk of renovations, of turning it into… something. But other days? I'm walking around worrying about the very essence of the building itself. The building is in a state that makes me feel for the people that live there -- if it goes, then where will these people? And what do I do with the video I've been taking? But! Hope? It flickers. It's born in a shared cup of coffee, the way someone smiles despite everything, a kindness shared. And that little flicker… that’s what keeps me coming back. It's what keeps them there, too. So... maybe. Maybe there's hope. But it's a fragile thing, like the last few leaves hanging on the tree.
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