DoubleTree by Hilton today announced that the historic, AAA four-diamond St. Louis Union Station Hotel has joined the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels as the St. Louis Union Station Hotel - a DoubleTree by Hilton. The St. Louis Union Station Hotel - a DoubleTree by Hilton joins other prestigious, iconic hotels that retain their unique character while enjoying the benefits of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand, including The Wit in Chicago, Hotel Maya in California, The Curtis in Denver and Gallery One in Ft. Lauderdale.

“For more than a century, this site has been the gateway to the Midwest, first as a train station, and for the last 25 years as a hotel,” said Robert O’Loughlin, CEO of Lodging Hospitality Management.  “When we began considering which brand would best carry on the traditions of the location and complement the rest of the St. Louis landscape, DoubleTree by Hilton emerged as the clear winner.  DoubleTree by Hilton, with their warm chocolate chip cookies and authentic CARE Culture, will resonate with the St. Louis community and the visitors who travel here for a dose of genuine Midwestern hospitality.” 

“The DoubleTree brand is enjoying tremendous growth due largely to the vision of owners like Lodging Hospitality Management that appreciate the value of the brand and the benefits that Hilton Worldwide can bring to the table,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton.  “St. Louis Union Station- a DoubleTree by Hilton will be a great complement to its sister Hilton hotels in St. Louis.”

The 539-room St. Louis Union Station Hotel - a DoubleTree by Hilton sits on the site of Union Station, once the largest railway station in the US.  In its heyday in the 1940s, 100,000 passengers passed through its Midway each day.  The famous photo of Harry S. Truman holding the Chicago Tribune headline that proclaimed “Dewey Beats Truman” was shot there as Truman boarded a train for Washington, D.C., after the 1948 Presidential election.  Located in the center of the city, the hotel is within walking distance to Scottrade Center, the Peabody Opera House, Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch and only 20 minutes from Lambert International Airport.

Despite the hotel’s four-diamond status, the historic Grand Hall and Midway are slated for upgrade starting November 1 as part of a $13 million, four-year improvement project.  Once staging and gathering areas in the train station, the Grand Hall and Midway comprise some 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space enhanced by sweeping archways and adorned with original frescos, mosaics and art glass windows. 

The hotel also is home to the city’s Mobil four-star restaurant, Station Grille.  Established in the late 1800s by restaurateur Fred Harvey of Harvey Girls fame, Station Grille was the epitome of service and innovation.  Train passengers were able to wire in their order and find it ready and waiting when they arrived at the terminal.  Station Grille will serve the brand’s signature Wake-Up DoubleTree breakfast.  Additional dining options include Einstein Bagels and the Grand Hall Lounge.  The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center.