A British-Inspired Retreat That Became One of Our Favorite Stops on a Midwest Road Trip
Location: 6300 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63117
I Booked the James Bond Suite. I Left Talking About the Entire Hotel.
Less than twelve hours after leaving Richmond, Kentucky to begin our nine-day Midwest road trip, I found myself feeling like I had returned to London.
Not because I had crossed the Atlantic.
Because I had checked into The Cheshire St. Louis.
As the first overnight stop—and our first hosted stay—of the trip, I expected the James Bond Suite to be the highlight.
It wasn’t.
The biggest surprise was how completely The Cheshire transported me back to Europe.
From the moment I walked through the front doors, it felt warm, inviting, and wonderfully different from any hotel I had stayed in before.
What I expected was a themed hotel.
What I discovered was a retreat.
The Ultimate Midwest Road Trip Route 66, Tanganyika Wildlife Park & Hidden Gems
First Impressions That Felt Surprisingly Familiar
Having visited London earlier this year, I wasn’t expecting to find a hotel in Missouri that would instantly bring back those memories.
Yet that’s exactly what happened.
The lobby immediately drew me in with its comfortable seating areas, rich wood finishes, British-inspired décor, and welcoming atmosphere.
One of the first details that caught my attention was the traditional guard statue standing watch near the entrance in a classic bearskin-style hat.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t overdone.
It simply felt authentic.
Before we ever reached our room, I already knew this wasn’t going to be just another overnight stay.
It was going to be part of the adventure.
More Than a Place to Sleep
The Cheshire St. Louis isn’t just a hotel.
It’s a retreat and an escape to Europe without the long flight.
Every public space encouraged us to slow down.
The inviting sitting rooms, thoughtful décor, and quiet corners made me want to linger rather than hurry off to the next attraction.
As a photographer, I found myself constantly reaching for my camera.
In fact, I captured nearly 80 photographs during our stay and honestly could have taken many more.
Every hallway seemed to offer another interesting architectural detail or thoughtfully designed space.
For photographers, it’s the kind of property that rewards curiosity.
Inside the James Bond Suite
While the hotel itself became my favorite part of the experience, the James Bond Suite certainly lived up to expectations.
I knew we would be staying there.
What surprised me most was the size.
The suite was much larger than I anticipated and offered plenty of room to spread out after a full day of exploring.
Located on the main floor with convenient poolside access, it immediately felt comfortable and welcoming.
Rather than overwhelming guests with movie memorabilia, the Bond theme is woven throughout the room with tasteful touches that celebrate the world’s most famous spy without becoming kitschy.
The nostalgic artwork and vintage-style décor quickly became my favorite design elements.
Even if you’re only a casual James Bond fan, the suite offers a fun and memorable experience.
A Suite Designed for Relaxing
Beyond the theme itself, the suite included everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Highlights included:
- Spacious sitting area
- Mini refrigerator
- Complimentary bottled water
- Multiple televisions
- Large bathroom
- Convenient pool access
After spending the day exploring St. Louis, the spacious sitting area became the perfect place to relax, review photographs, and plan the next day’s adventures.
And then there was the famous red chair.
It’s difficult to describe.
Part art.
Part conversation piece.
Part James Bond movie set.
Whatever it was, it fit the personality of the room perfectly.
A Relaxing Afternoon by the Pool
One afternoon, Craig and I spent about an hour and a half enjoying the hotel’s pool.
The atmosphere was peaceful, family-friendly, and never felt crowded.
What really elevated the experience, however, was our private cabana.
Having our own shaded space made the afternoon feel more like a resort vacation than a city hotel stay.
Sometimes the best part of a road trip isn’t seeing another attraction.
Sometimes it’s simply slowing down long enough to enjoy where you are.
Fox & Hounds Tavern
Although I didn’t eat at Fox & Hounds Tavern, I couldn’t resist stepping inside to photograph it.
As someone who isn’t much of a bar person, I was pleasantly surprised.
Rather than feeling loud or busy, the tavern was warm, romantic, and inviting.
The rich wood finishes and British pub atmosphere fit perfectly with the rest of the hotel.
Even if you’re not planning to stop for a drink, it’s worth taking a few minutes to experience the ambiance.
A Convenient Home Base for Exploring St. Louis
One of The Cheshire’s greatest strengths is its location.
Forest Park—larger than New York City’s Central Park—is just a couple of minutes away and deserves far more than a quick drive-through. After seeing only a small portion of it, I already knew I’d be planning another visit.
The Delmar Loop is also nearby, offering restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, while downtown St. Louis is only about fifteen minutes away.
Parking couldn’t have been easier.
Guests have access to both a complimentary underground parking garage and additional parking near the hotel’s entrance, making The Cheshire an excellent choice for road trippers.
Each morning, guests can also enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast before heading out to explore the city.
Why I’d Stay Again
One of the easiest questions to answer after this stay is whether I would return.
Absolutely.
In fact, I’d love to come back specifically to experience another one of The Cheshire’s themed suites.
If the James Bond Suite was this thoughtfully designed, I can only imagine what the others have to offer.
While our stay was hosted by The Cheshire St. Louis, readers of Lenses & Latitudes know that I only recommend places I would genuinely return to. If something hadn’t met expectations, I would have shared that as well.
In this case, I’d happily book another stay.
Final Thoughts
Some hotels are simply places to spend the night.
Others become part of the story.
The Cheshire St. Louis belongs firmly in the second category.
Its British-inspired atmosphere, beautifully themed accommodations, relaxing amenities, convenient location, and attention to detail create an experience that goes far beyond a traditional hotel stay.
Whether you’re visiting St. Louis for a weekend getaway, a family vacation, or a Route 66 road trip, The Cheshire offers something that’s becoming increasingly rare:
A hotel that feels like a destination.
For a few days, it allowed me to escape to Europe without ever leaving Missouri.
And that’s something I’ll remember long after this road trip comes to an end.
Planning Your Stay
Highlights:
- Unique themed suites
- James Bond Suite
- Complimentary continental breakfast
- Outdoor pool
- Private cabanas
- Fox & Hounds Tavern
- Free parking
- Minutes from Forest Park, the Delmar Loop, and downtown St. Louis
Day 1 – Route 66 Roadside Attractions, Murals and Unexpected Adventures on the Way to St. Louis
Coming Soon – Exploring St. Louis Beyond the Gateway Arch
