The Angad Arts Hotel-St. Louis

Check it out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT0Ld5HsVzQ

Iconic modern art is bold, creative and innovative-true to the artist’s vision. This same description is evident of St Louis’ Angad Arts Hotel. Located next to the St. Louis Symphony, the Angad Arts Hotel perfectly complements the adjacent theaters and halls.

Even the exterior of the hotel makes an artistic statement. It’s classic architectural features are highlighted by whimsical cutouts and sculptures. The exterior fire escape is decorated with large climbing figures in varying stages of ascent. A precarious ‘tower’ of luggage teetering towards collapse sits by the entrance.  Both of these draw the eye before the hotel sign itself. That is subtly mounted on a less prominent corner of the building, almost like the artist’s signature on a painting.

Like great art, visiting the hotel is a challenging experience. There is a learning curve for first-time guests. The main entrance opens to the ground floor of the hotel, boasting a large rotating art exhibit, a couple boutique shops and a restaurant serving breakfasts is closed after the meal’s traditional hours. A pair of elevators are located opposite the exhibit and down the hall adjacent to the boutiques.

Readers may notice the absence of the front desk in my description. This is not an oversight. It’s not there.

No big deal, I hear you say. I did mention the elevators, didn’t I? Well, those weren’t as accommodating as you would think. The elevators by the door had a control panel that had alarm buttons clearly marked, but no noticeable call button. The elevators around the corner were of even less use. Calling the elevator was possible, but it was only usable with a key card one would presumably be issued upon check-in.

I arrived at the hotel after a long day at my desk, later in the evening. In my arms I carried my luggage, briefcase and purse, as well as a box filled with care-package items for Erin. A seasoned traveler, my plan was simple-to check in, drop off my things, and meet up with my daughter for a late meal. It never occurred to me that it all hinged on that first step.

The security and aesthetics were nice features and ones I was sure I would enjoy during my stay, if I made it that far. I bumped around between the two, struggling with my bags and packages. I looked around for signs-clues of what was expected of me and actual signs. But the more I looked, the less clear it became. There was no stairway entrance. Not that I would have been excited to pull my carry-on and other items up flights anyway, but the designers appeared to have made that decision for me in advance. And the more I examined the elevator control panel, the more prohibitive it appeared. With the only evident button emblazoned with the image of a fire fighter’s helmet, I really didn’t want to push that. Nor could I image the hotelier would appreciate it either.  

About fifteen minutes into my puzzle an older couple appeared. Bags in hand, they looked as experienced with the traditional hotel registration process as me.  We greeted each other with a quiet smile and went about our business. They strolled in search of the front desk and I causally watched. This wasn’t an exam, and I’m not too proud to look over someone else’s shoulder.

No luck, it was clear they were as lost as me.

At first, we walked around each other, attempting to solve the riddle without signaling to the other our difficulty. After about ten minutes, we threw shyness aside and collaborated to solve what could only be described as the most unexpected reverse-escape room imagined. In a rare moment in the history of man, the gentlemen tapped out and called the hotel to ask for directions. In response he was asked which direction he was coming from.

“The first floor,” he answered.

“Go to the front desk,” the operator answered.

Why didn’t we think of that?

With the hour getting later, one of us grew frustrated enough to consider pushing the elevator alarm button on the control panel but pressed the space above it instead. The doors opened. Brilliant. The elevator was limited to the option of going to one floor-the forth floor, if I remember correctly. But it was fine with us. It opened to the hospitality floor with another restaurant, seating areas and the illusive front desk. The woman and I stepped quickly to register, as if the desk might disappear soon and we would have to repeat the whole process.

“Carl? Are you coming?” the woman called to her companion.

But he had dropped his bag and was walking determinedly to the opposite side of the room-one with a prominent stairway leading to a well-labeled bar upstairs. “I’ll meet you when you finish,” he replied.

The hotel staff were great throughout my visit. They were very warm and friendly and didn’t even show a hint of smirk when I confessed how long I had struggled to arrive. They smiled and said it happens all the time.

Just as visitors might experience problems between their key cards and the elevator readers. At times, you may have to attempt to initiate and re-initiate the key card reader several times without any luck. No worries, the elevators will always take you to the hospitality floor no matter what and the front desk staff will replace your card without question. At one point I carried nine cards, each activated for my room and pushed each one against the reader like a deck of playing cards until the elevator found one that was temporarily acceptable.

The hospitality floor is a work of art in itself. Visitors are greeted to an immersive celebration of art from the furnishings, wall décor and lighting. The common area past the front desk has fixtures on the ceiling that shows video art inside lightshades like mini silent movies. The space is so perfectly arranged that instead of being overwhelming, crowded or uncomfortable, the guest is left with a cozy comfortable experience, ready to settle into a good book or conversation.

The floors are distinguished by a palate of primary colors. And green, I’m not sure what gave green it’s own floors where the honor was not bestowed upon purple or orange but I suppose that was the artist’s call. I stayed on a yellow floor and my room was decorated exclusively in that hue accessorized with an eclectic collection of white accent pieces. I found the room whimsical and functional. I’m not sure if I would have felt the same way had I stayed on the red floor, but leaving a piece of art with questions is part of the experience.

Overall, the room was fairly affordable. I got a two bedroom queen suite on a non-holiday weekend for under two hundred dollars. Secure parking was available for a reasonable fee.  And having finally made it to my room too late to get a table at any of the nearby restaurants, I was still able to rely on Door Dash.

That guy too, wondered how to get to the front desk.

My takeaway: leave your assumptions at the door and snicker at the newbies quietly.  

Do you have a hotel or inn you think I should review? Let me know on Facebook, Instagram or shoot me an email at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com