Ahh, a winter getaway! The lights are up, the air is crisp, and time slows down. It’s time to build a trip around cozy moments – with family, a partner or friends.
St. Louis is the place to do it. In colder months, the city comes alive with glittering light displays, outdoor skating, and neighborhoods like the Central West End made for wandering. The best place to station yourself for your trip? The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza.
This historic hotel with old-world glamour sits in the heart of the Central West End, right across from Forest Park. The hotel has three onsite restaurants, a Gingerbread Village, carolers, and a holiday spirit that starts the moment you walk into the lobby. This season, you can even stay in the limited-time North Pole Parlor, a suite-turned-winter-wonderland with snowy décor, peppermint cocoa kits, a holiday movie library, board games, plush robes, and blankets.
Whether you’re skating in the park, strolling through the neighborhood, or settling in for a movie night in your room, I’ve pulled together a two-night itinerary to help you make the most of your stay.
Here’s how to spend your winter weekend at The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis.
Day 1: Arrive and settle into the season.
Afternoon: Check-in, head to the North Pole Parlor, make some cocoa, and relax with some holiday tunes. Adults – order a couple drinks to the room, put on your robes and take your time getting ready for a great evening. Kiddos – play a board game!
Evening: Start with a stroll around the hotel and visit the Gingerbread Village in the lobby. Adults – grab a seasonal drink and dinner at The Preston. Families – pop into Chase Club for some more relaxed fare. Chase Club also has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings! Then head out to the patio area to sit by the fire with a warm beverage. After, head back to your room and enjoy a holiday movie (maybe with a nightcap?) before nodding off to sleep.
Day 2: Outdoors by day, lights by night.
Morning: Brew a coffee in the morning (kids, enjoy some cocoa!) and play a provided board game to ramp up for a great day ahead. Head down to The Preston for breakfast.
Afternoon: Walk the Central West End for a coffee at Kaldi’s, boutique browsing with magical holiday window displays, and stop at the Cathedral Basilica to see its mosaics. Then back to the room for a warm-up!
Evening: Cross the street into Forest Park – visit Steinberg Skating Rink and then visit Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (check their calendar for hours!). Another option is to ride-share a short wide South to Missouri Botanical Garden for their Garden Glow (more than two million lights!). Head back to the hotel for cozy evening cocoa snuggled in blankets, watching a holiday movie.
Day 3: A gentle send-off.
Morning: linger over breakfast, catch the Sunday morning lobby music and play a game of chess in the lobby before packing up and heading out.
However, you spend your two nights (lacing up skates in Forest Park or wandering the Central West End or curling up in a robe with a cup of peppermint cocoa), a winter stay like this one just might become the part of the season you remember most. The best part is that the hotel is part of the experience, not just a place to sleep.
The North Pole Parlor is available for a limited time, so if you’re planning a holiday getaway with family, a partner, or friends, now is the time to book.
Disclaimer: The suggested itinerary and points of interest are provided for informational and planning purposes only. Guests are encouraged to independently verify opening hours, availability, travel times, and any potential changes prior to visiting. The inclusion of any businesses, attractions, or destinations does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by Sonesta or its affiliates. Sonesta makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided and assumes no responsibility for any inconvenience or loss arising from the use of this information.
