The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis Celebrates 35 Years of Excellence with Exclusive Guest Experiences Wednesday April 23, 2025 Share St Louis Spotlight By Rachel Huffman To honor its 35th anniversary, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis has launched a year-long celebration that underscores the hotel’s enduring legacy of luxury. The centerpiece of the celebration is the Eternal Emerald Escape, a lavish three-night stay in The Ritz-Carlton Suite, which includes a private dinner for six, a hot air balloon ride, spa treatments, private transportation, butler and concierge service and a commemorative keepsake. Throughout the property guests will also find timely touches. Every 35th check-in will receive a custom chocolate bar; the Cigar Club will offer a Patron 1964 Anniversary Imperial cigar with a bespoke band; the Lobby Lounge will mix Emerald Fizzes with Nolet’s Silver Gin, melon and peach liqueur, lemon juice and Jeio Prosecco; and the Club Lounge will sweeten stays with festive sugar cookies. The series of exclusive guest experiences comes on the heels of a prestigious recognition. For the 22nd year in a row, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis was awarded a four-star rating for outstanding hospitality and dedicated service by the Forbes Travel Guide, remaining the only four-star property in the state. “We are honored to continue a legacy of excellence at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, and we take pride in being the only hotel in Missouri to be recognized with a four-star rating by Forbes,” general manager Hans Schaepman says. “Our Ladies and Gentlemen provide an exceptional and sincere experience for each and every guest, curating unforgettable stays at the hotel.” The four-star rating follows the hotel’s renovation of its Lobby Lounge, including the reimagination of the sushi bar with an intimate 12-seat experience, the introduction of contemporary architecture to blend the rich history of St. Louis with the modern furnishings of the hotel and new menus focused on elevated culinary nods to the city. Here, we take a deeper dive into a signature stay at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. “At The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, the genuine care and comfort of our guests is our highest priority,” general manager Hans Schaepman says. “Exceptional service at our property begins from the moment our guests arrive and is consistent until the moment they leave.” During the hotel’s anniversary celebration, every 35th check-in will receive a custom chocolate bar. If you don’t get the special treat, you can still expect a warm greeting, seamless experience and personalized service. “We aim to create guests for life by making their stays memorable,” bell captain Shawket Barwary explains. “We get to know our guests – their preferences, their families, their stories – so that we can engage with them, which might mean leaving a personal note in their room, reserving their favorite table at Casa Don Alfonso or having their favorite drink waiting in the Club Lounge.” Refined luxury and exceptional service are The Ritz-Carlton standard, but if you want an experience beyond expectations, book the Presidential Suite at the property in Clayton. The 2,650-square-foot suite has a subtle yet chic design featuring artwork by local artist Ted Collier. It’s grand, but it still feels like home. Highlights include an expansive living room with a shiny piano and an electric fireplace, an eight-person dining table, a full-size refrigerator, a peaceful office and five balconies with unobstructed views of downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. A stay in the suite also includes access to the Club Lounge. The Club Lounge on the 18th floor gives guests access to sumptuous dishes, complimentary drinks and as many gooey butter cookies as they want! Often referred to as a hotel within a hotel, the Club Lounge provides a space to relax, unwind and engage in the destination with the help of a dedicated club concierge. Guests from near and far can take advantage of the fitness center membership packages, which include access to the state-of-the-art fitness center and spa offerings such as a monthly massage or facial. “Located in the Lobby Lounge, the sushi bar at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis takes guests on a culinary journey of authentic flavors and traditional techniques,” general manager Hans Schaepman says. “We also offer omakase dinners featuring a themed 10-course tasting menu. Translated from Japanese to English, omakase means “I’ll leave it up to you,” which shows the trust that guests have in our expert team. Recently, the menu highlighted floral and botanical flavors inspired by cherry blossom season.” The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis invites guests to explore the city’s rich history during a daily defining moment at 3:14 p.m. – a nod to the local area code. Held in the Lobby Lounge, the immersive experience alternates biweekly. One week, guests can sip Missouri wines while learning about the state’s pivotal role in saving French vineyards. The next, they can indulge in gooey butter cake while learning about the serendipitous mistake that became a delicious tradition. During the experience, guests can send postcards to loved ones and flip through digital illustrations that delve deeper into St. Louis’ past. Casa Don Alfonso brings a taste of Sorrento to St. Louis. Beneath 600 hand-blown glass wisteria leaves, you can enjoy recipes passed down by the Iaccarino family such as ziti with lobster ragù and veal ossobuco on a bed of creamy polenta. Share
