• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

Hotel Ignacio's décor is inspired by the arts.   (Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Ignacio)

Sleep in the space age at The Moonrise (from $190), a lunar-themed hotel that balances galactic quirk (a giant moon sculpture sits on top) with mid-century furnishings designed by Eames and Bertoia. Catch the view of downtown from the rooftop bar, where performers and concertgoers head after shows let out at nearby music venue, the Pageant.

Wake up to a sprawling vista of the Frederick Law Olmstead–designed Forest Park from your room at the Chase Park Plaza (from $209), which rises above the Central West End neighborhood and its turn-of-the-century mansions. This grand hotel has roots going back to the twenties, but wasn’t restored to its former glory until the nineties. After lounging at the pool, retreat inside for a movie on one of the five screens at the Chase Park Plaza Cinemas.

Surround yourself with the arts at Hotel Ignacio (from $190), which features an art collection amassed by nearby Saint Louis University. Rooms are themed by medium — performance, architecture, music, and fine art, and boast green elements such as bamboo sheets and towels. Stop into Café Pintxos after 4 p.m. for Basque small plates like albondigas ($5) or octopus salad ($11).

Published on Aug 29, 2011 as a web exclusive.