Meet Me in St. Louis

Our America's Heartland itinerary began with a two night hotel stay in St. Louis, MO at the Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza. Since we had booked our flight here with Viking Air, an airport transfer to the hotel was included. While our arrival into Toronto for the Viking Octantis cruise was more hectic with chaotic customs and a Viking rep who had us walking for a while before being put in a private car, this transfer process was much smoother. We appreciated how there were Viking reps stationed throughout the way from deplaning to baggage claim to direct us and keep us informed on the next steps. We were passed onto the next rep at baggage claim who helped collect our luggage. Then we were directed to someone checking us in for the transfer and within 15 minutes we were boarding one of the coach buses to head to the hotel. We were treated to a mini lesson on St. Louis history during the drive.

Our experience at the hotel was less than ideal. The hotel had several conventions and large groups booked for the same time frame. After waiting in line to check in at the front desk, we got to check in at the Viking Host's desk around the corner to receive a welcome packet for our time leading up to boarding the ship. We ended up getting way more steps in than we expected to on these first couple days because we were assigned a room in another wing of the hotel opposite from where everything we would need to attend and use was held. Our room was in a row that faced a busy intersection and the hotel's proximity to a hospital had us being kept awake by emergency sirens throughout the night. 

After a welcome briefing in a banquet room where our Viking representative Molly introduced herself and led a mimosa/champagne/water toast, we were encouraged to head out onto the terrace just off the banquet room to get our first glimpse of the St. Louis Arch. Perhaps a bit spoiled by our land experience with Princess where they included a catered dinner on night one, I am always a bit surprised when other lines don't consider doing the same. 

The rest of the evening was ours to do as we wish so we chose to dine at the Chase Club, a self described gastropub within the hotel. Due to the overbooked hotel crowds, we had to put our names on a waitlist. We ended up meeting some fellow passengers in line and the four of us told the hostess that we'd be willing to share a table if it meant clearing the waitlist faster. After waiting almost an hour, the manager (who had come out to check over the list with the hostess) finally admits that even if we could get a table, we'd still be kept waiting because the kitchen was an hour behind in orders. So we went across the hall to The Preston to try and get a table for the four of us and they claimed only a thirty minute wait. While we sat outside The Preston waiting, the hostess from Chase Club came over and claimed a table was suddenly available. Our would have been tablemates chose to go back to the gastropub. 

Once we finally got into The Preston about 45 minutes later, we found that they only had one waiter working. He greeted us with glasses of water, took our drink and appetizer orders, and then completely forgot about us. We watched him going to the same tables bringing them each course and taking care of drinks to the point that people who came in after us were getting served before us. The manager came over to check in and we shared our frustrations as we were now counting by hours since we started this quest for dinner. He quickly got the sole waiter to come over who had so completely forgotten us that he tried to bring more water and asked for our drink order again. The manager finally stepped in himself as well as the hostess from the gastropub who had come over to help bus tables. That made a big difference and we soon had everything we ordered delivered within a couple minutes of each other. I think at one point they even offered to clear the appetizer before we'd finished taking our first bites of it. 

Our appetizer of Pretzel Croissants - house made cheese spread and seasonal jam

We both ordered the Angus Burger - cotswold, caramelized onions, rocket lettuce, garlic aioli, tomato jam, brioche, and fries.

When we were ready to call it a night, it took a bit to find someone to ask for the check. When the waiter finally came back he thought we were asking for more drinks. When I asked for the check, both he and the manager insisted that there was no fee for this meal as an apology for how the evening had gone. 

During the wait to get into the second restaurant, we had the opportunity to speak with the Viking representative Molly. She was of course apologetic and agreed that being one of many groups booked at this hotel was frustrating and unfortunate timing. Many times I see cruise ship passengers advised to google their sailing to see whether there will be a themed group onboard. Hopefully going forward, more groups like Viking who contract with hotels will take the time to ask how many other large groups are staying at the perspective hotel for those same dates. To her credit, Molly stopped us walking through the lobby the next day to ask if things were going better and if there was anything she could do for us. The second night in this hotel, after Molly's suggestion of visiting the neighboring market's deli counter to order subs didn't work out because they closed up by 5pm, we ordered a pizza to eat in the room.