- Hotel Website: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles
- Location: Google Maps
- Book: Check availability
- Room Type: Premium Suite, 1 King, Living/sitting area, Missouri River View
- Review Score: Results of our review
Unexpected Luxury: The interior quality rivals that of major Las Vegas properties, specifically reminding me of the Venetian and Palazzo.
Exceptional Value: Food and beverage costs are extremely low compared to traditional Las Vegas strip hotels (e.g., $12 for a glass of wine).
Top-Tier Dining: Bugatti’s Italian Restaurant is amazing and highly recommended for its food and wine list.
Superior Service: The staff throughout the resort were above kind, providing fantastic service at every point of the stay, even during a large event.
New Amenities: The newly revamped casino and the stunning, shiny new convention center elevate the entire resort experience.
Exterior vs. Interior: The exterior, especially when viewed from the highway over the Missouri River, is not particularly appetizing, but the entrance and interior are grand and beautiful.
Check-in Time: The resort strictly enforces the 4:00 PM check-in time; early check-in is available but requires an additional fee.
Loyalty Program: The resort is run by Boyd Gaming (Boyd Entertainment) and is not part of a major luxury points program (like Marriott), so loyalty points cannot be earned here.
Inconsistent Housekeeping: Room service was not provided for the duration of the three-night stay, which was an odd lapse in service.
Missing Details: The room was missing a robe and slippers.
🕐 24-hour room service
🍸 Bar
🏋️ Gym
📋 Meeting rooms
🏊 Indoor pool
🐾 Pet friendly
🍽️ Restaurants
💆 Spa
The Luxe Atlas Rating
Design: 8/10
Vibe: 7.8/10
Romantic: 8/10
Air Conditioning: 9.5/10
Room: 8.5/10
Food: 7.8/10
Location: 7/10
Gym/Fitness: 8/10
Cleanliness: 9/10
Wow Factor: 9/10
Overall Experience: 8.18/10
Ameristar St. Charles Review: Unexpected Luxury at the Missouri River Casino Resort
In all honesty, I have not spent a lot of time in St. Louis, usually only passing through. However, this trip led me to the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles—a destination that completely defied my expectations.
Introduction: Discovering St. Charles’ Best-Kept Secret
Driving into St. Charles during the cold season, the initial vibe of the area wasn’t immediately exciting, certainly nothing like pulling into a St. Regis in the Riviera Maya. As we passed the hotel on the highway, looking down at the property along the Missouri River, the exterior didn’t seem too appetizing. However, when we rounded the corner and entered the grand, impressive entrance, I was immediately taken aback by how nice the place actually appeared. Once the driver dropped me off at the front door and I walked in, I was immediately blown away by how luxurious and beautiful this hotel and casino truly are!
Arrival and Initial Logistics
Walking through the initial lobby toward the main hotel check-in desk, I learned that I could not check in until the official 4:00 PM time, which left me with about three hours to fill. The option for early check-in was available, but it came with an additional cost, which I decided to skip as I didn’t find the value proposition worthwhile. Despite this rigid check-in time, the process eventually became quick and simple once my room was ready, thanks to checking in ahead of time online. I received a text confirmation exactly at 4:00 PM, allowing me to move into the room immediately.
The Hotel Experience and Scale
The overall quality of the hotel is absolutely Las Vegas caliber, though perhaps not on the same massive scale as the largest strip properties. The entire facility feels recently revamped and high-end. During my wait, I toured the property, cruising up to their brand new convention center. This facility is absolutely stunning, with both the second and third floors looking shiny and new. The massive rooms were perfect for the event I was attending, and it was neat to see the fresh opening of their convention area. Furthermore, the entire casino floor had been recently updated, featuring a beautiful entryway and a stylish central bar, creating a fun, social environment.
Hotel Room: Unforeseen Quality and Comfort
I had booked a traditional room, not knowing what to expect, but opening the door, I was genuinely blown away at the high quality of the accommodation. It instantly reminded me of the opulent design found in the Venetian and Palazzo properties in Vegas. This level of luxury was completely unexpected! The room included a massive king bed that was super comfy and two televisions, both equipped with Netflix. The spacious office space was well-utilized, offering a view overlooking the Missouri River. While the actual view wasn’t the most beautiful thing to look at, knowing there was moving water nearby made the setting really nice. The massive bathroom was fully stocked with amenities, though I did find it odd that a robe and slippers were missing, perhaps indicating a difference from a full suite upgrade. One strange service note was that my room was not cleaned for the duration of my three-night stay.
Restaurants Onsite (Including Operating Hours)
The dining and beverage experiences were a major highlight due to the quality and value:| Bugatti’s Italian Restaurant | Italian, Fine Dining | Amazing food! Enjoyed Bolognese pasta and a meaty steak. Fantastic wine selection and prices. Highly recommended. | Dinner Service (Typically 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM) |
| Chapter 18 (Sports Bar) | Casual American / Sports Bar | Had a decent steak dinner. Food and beverage costs were extremely low ($12 glass of wine). The sports bar section has screens everywhere, making it great for watching any game. | Lunch & Dinner (Typically 11:00 AM – Late) |
| Sports Bar Lunch | Casual Fare | The Caesar salad and chicken were tasteless and highly skippable. Avoid the protein here. | Lunch Service (Typically 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM) |
| Stage & Concert Venue Bar | Cocktails, Drinks | Enjoyed excellent drinks and cocktails while watching a band two evenings in a row. The bars were fast and prompt despite the crowd. | Evening & Show Hours (Varies based on events) |
Activities & Amenities
The Ameristar Casino is central to the experience. The casino floor has been recently revamped, offering low-cost buy-ins, which made gambling very accessible. It was a fun social time, especially being there with a large group of 300 people. The staff across all venues—from the bars to the convention center catering—were kind and provided fantastic service.
Casino: Newly revamped, inexpensive buy-ins, beautiful entryway and bar.
Sports Bar: Features screens everywhere; highly recommend going here to watch a game and grab a beer (but be mindful of the food quality).
Live Entertainment: The concert venue hosts bands and is a great spot for evening drinks and entertainment.
The Spa
Adjacent to the lobby area, I noticed a beautiful spa. While I didn’t have the opportunity to use the spa services, its visible and convenient location suggests it is a dedicated amenity for relaxation and wellness at the resort.
Final Closing
All in all, I was genuinely blown away by how nice the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles is. The quality of the rooms and the casino facilities completely exceed exterior expectations. This property is run by Boyd Gaming and does not offer major loyalty points, but if you are looking for a high-quality casino and resort experience without the hassle of traveling to Vegas, this is definitely your spot. I highly recommend it and hope to return when the event is held here next year.
