Omni Majestic in St Louis

Family Friendliness in a Boutique Setting

Situated in the heart of St Louis, the Omni Majestic is one of the Historic Hotels of America and the smallest Omni hotel.  With 91 rooms and 42 associates you’ll receive unparalleled personal service in a beautiful boutique environment.

An Upscale Hotel for the Discriminating Guest

The minute you walk through the front doors you know the Omni Majestic will provide a hotel experience unlike most.  My first inclination of this was when I entered, travel weary and toting a feverish 4 year old.  I was welcomed by John, who greeted me by name and handed me our room keys saying, “Everything is ready for you, Mrs. Halsted.  If anything needs to be signed we can take care of it in the morning.”  More welcome words I have never heard upon hotel check in.  John then went to help my husband with the bags and told him I had already gone up to the room.

It wasn’t until the next morning when I went down to the lobby that I noticed just how beautiful it was- or that the front desk was not what you’re used to.

The spacious, sunlit lobby holds an air of upscale elegance that, instead of feeling reserved, is inviting.  The front desk is a single desk, topped with a computer and phone.  Behind it sits an armoire, containing key cards, a printer and other necessary tools.  The feeling was like walking into a very large bed and breakfast, not a hotel.

Despite it’s boutique splendor there are no pretenses at the Omni Majestic.  Every guest, famous or not, young or old, is treated as a welcomed guest- who is soon to be a friend.  With a ratio of two rooms to one employee you will come to know many employees by name in just a couple of days time- and they will know you, as well.

Rooms at the Omni Majestic

Our arrival was just before that of the Blizzaster 2011- a snow and ice storm that disabled half the states in the US.  Due to the storm we became stranded in St. Louis.  (Stranded may be too harsh a word- we were at the only boutique hotel in downtown St. Louis- there are much worse places to be stuck!) Our lovely deluxe room had two comfortable beds, a spacious bath and a sitting area.  But I have two daughters- ages 4 and 6- and that room, while not tiny, was not going to work for a family stuck indoors all day.  I also knew that my husband and I hoped to get some work done during our downtime.

With this knowledge- and knowing the city itself would shut down if weather predictions were accurate (they were and it did)- I approached the hotel manager early the next morning to request a larger room and, possibly, a reduced rate due to the weather.  Martin Pittman, the Majestic’s General Manager, was sympathetic – having small children of his own- and understanding.  After a quick check with the front desk he led me to one of three suites in the hotel.

The Ambassador Suite is a two room haven, perfect for a family.  The bedroom has a sitting area, work desk and a king size bed that cradles you in comfort.  It is separated from the living area by French doors (bonus!).  The living area is very spacious and has a tv armoire, couch (which folds out to a bed), coffee table, side table and chairs.  Two bathrooms, one with a deep jacuzzi tub, and spacious closets make this room practically perfect in every way.

The girls played and watched tv, Doug and I did some work, and peace reigned indoors while snow and ice coated the city.  (Note: wi-fi is an additional charge at Omni hotels unless you are a member of their Select Guest loyalty program- which is free to join.  Being a Select Guest member has other great benefits, too, including morning beverage delivery and the services of a Loyalty Ambassador.)  A service we sincerely appreciated- and I didn’t see it listed anywhere- was the valet starting our van daily to thaw the accumulated ice from it.  It was such a little thing, really, but it made an impression on my husband and I.

The Mahogany Grille in the Omni Majestic

Thankfully the Omni Majestic has a lovely restaurant on premises; the very aptly named Mahogany Grille.  The menu is small, but the food is tasty and well prepared.  In the mornings a breakfast buffet is served along the bar (not included in room rate) which includes juices, hot beverages, cereals, breads, spreads and hot items (such as eggs, sausage and French Toast).

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner -they serve a fabulous burger- and the bar is wonderful to sit at, enjoy a cocktail and chat with other guests and the locals who come to enjoy the hospitality.

The Omni Brand is Family Friendly

Be sure to let your hotel know in advance that you are bringing children and they will be delighted to find an Omni Sensational Kids pack waiting in the room and complimentary milk and cookies before bed the first night of your stay.

Final Thought on the Omni Majestic in St. Louis

I spent a bit of time with Martin Pittman, the GM, and one thing he said has really stuck with me; he said that the Majestic is in “the experience business, not the hotel business.”  After our stay- and his contacting me when we had an accident soon after leaving, telling me to let him know if we needed help or to return to the hotel, that they were there if we needed anything- I believe him.  Our first stay at an Omni Hotel will not be our last.  The Majestic has earned our business when we return to St. Louis and if the rest of the Omni brand is half as inviting as the Majestic, they will have our loyalty.

Disclosure: our first night at the Omni Majestic was covered by a gift certificate I received at TBEX (swag). Our second night was offered, complimentary, by the hotel due to weather and our travel situation. I was not compensated for this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.