St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

The St. Louis Union Station Hotel is a National Historic Landmark, AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel featuring the “Headhouse” Grand Hall, with its sweeping archways, fresco and gold leaf detailing, mosaics and art glass windows. One can imagine the incredible impression the room created in 1894 on opening day. Today, Union Station is a balance of nostalgia and renovation. The stylish and sophisticated Grand Hall features elegant historic touches like the original terrazzo floor, green glazed terracotta bricks, stained glass windows and wooden carpentry detailing. Among the carefully restored details, you’ll stare in awe at the Allegorical Window, a hand-crafted design of stained glass. But look up to see modern times—an innovative and breathtaking 3D light show set to music projects across the Grand Hall’s entire 65-foot vaulted ceiling, every day at 5pm, for an exciting mix of old-meets-new (check for blackout dates). Take in the light show from the Grand Hall’s fabulous lobby and full lounge bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail or linger over a delicious meal with friends. Those original hotel rooms have changed a lot. Today, you will find fully renovated, beautifully modern and historically rich accommodations in 567 spacious guest rooms and suites. Many of the rooms give a nod to Union Station’s history with artwork and decor depicting railroad themes. And several suites offer views of the historic side of the building that looks out over Market Street with a glimpse of the landmark Meeting of the Waters Fountain. The renovations that have redefined the hotel and surrounding station will continue. Paying homage to the rich history of the city of St. Louis and Union Station, one of the major updates will be the restoration of the massive steel train shed, bringing it back to its original glory of more than 120 years ago. Visitors get a bird’s-eye view of the train shed and the iconic St. Louis skyline when they board the neighboring 200-foot St. Louis Wheel. Open year-round, the observation wheel features 42 enclosed gondolas, each equipped with seating for eight adults. And if folks are in the mood to splurge, one special “VIP” gondola has leather bucket seats, a stereo system and a glass floor. Anchoring the entire Union Station development is the stunning St. Louis Aquarium. Located in the former retail space inside the station, the 120,000-square-foot attraction will feature one-of-a-kind exhibits and tanks housing thousands of aquatic species from the rivers and oceans of the world.