CLAYTON ON THE PARK HOTEL IN ST. LOUIS GOES ALL OUT FOR FAMILY WEEKEND BUSINESS

In a move to increase family oriented weekend leisure business, Clayton on the Park, a 23-story luxury residential high-rise hotel in Clayton, the stylish community that is the business and governmental hub of St. Louis County, is offering a "Family Suite" weekend package that can't be beat for price or accommodations. For $275 plus tax a family visiting St. Louis gets a two bedroom, two full bath suite with a fully equipped eat-in kitchen for two consecutive nights on Thursday through Sunday. That's a per night rate of only $137.50 plus tax. The regular rate for the hotel's two-bedroom suites is $275 per night.

And there's even a complimentary VIKids program. Parents should alert the hotel they're bringing children when they make their weekend reservations and the kids will automatically receive a bag of goodies upon check in, including a kite to fly across the street in Shaw Park or from the rooftop Veranda.

"We love kids. We're the most kid-friendly hotel you'll find in St. Louis," says Micarl Hill, general manager. "Besides, you won't find another hotel in St. Louis, much less a luxury hotel, that can even offer a two-bedroom/two full bathroom suite or at this price if they could," he explains. "On weekends, we're all about kids and families."

Besides the goody bags for children, there's a whole host of family fun things to do in Clayton at Shaw Park.

"Family Suites" package guests are welcome to use the Nutriformance Fitness Center on the hotel's third level, which features state-of-the-art fitness equipment, personal trainers and massages. Across the street in Shaw Park, there's a whole host of family related activities to enjoy from swimming in two outdoor pools (one with a diving tower), to tennis, to walking paths, to kiddie playgrounds, etc.

In addition, hotel guests have access to all the fitness equipment, two indoor pools, a running track, gymnasiums, and a 31-foot climbing wall, at the Center of Clayton, a huge recreation facility located in Shaw Park. 

From the moment family guests step into Clayton on the Park's lobby they know they're in a special place. It's sleek and modern and centered with a 500-gallon saltwater aquarium, which contains St. Louis' largest coral reef. Kids love the multi-colored fish that populate the colorful living reef.

The spacious hotel suites are warm and inviting with residential touches not found in most hotels. All have fully equipped eat-in kitchens with maple cabinets, black appliances, and island cook centers. Dining alcoves have nine-foot floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Shaw Park or Clayton's central business district. 

Other residential touches are a warm and inviting taupe and beige color scheme, a sofa and reading chair in the living room. In the bedrooms, the beds are triple-sheeted and have decorator bedspreads. There are in-suite laundry capabilities and plenty of closet space. 

For computer users, there's high-speed Internet access and Nintendo games for the kids. The bathrooms feature Sunbeam massage showerheads, special hairdryers with a nightlight feature, and illuminated swing-out make-up mirrors.

Besides kite flying, the landscaped rooftop Veranda, with its 360-degree views of Shaw Park and Clayton has four gas grills for family cookouts. Smith & Slay's Restaurant, located on the hotel's second level, prepares Picnic on the Veranda Baskets for guests to cook on the gas grills. Burgers, Barbecue Ribs and Rib Eye steaks with all the fixings are offered at reasonable prices. 

During spring, summer and early fall, Al fresco dining and drinks are served on the restaurant's terrace overlooking Shaw Park. French doors open from the restaurant to the terrace.

Besides Shaw Park, Clayton features boutiques and shops, art galleries, antique stores, and over 65 restaurants and they're all within walking distance of the hotel. The Galleria, the area's largest shopping mall is minutes away by car, as are new-to-St. Louis stores such as Ultimate Electronics and REI, an outdoors store, which also has its own climbing wall.

Clayton is easily reached by car from I-64 and central to many of St. Louis' visitor attractions, such as Forest park, home the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, The Muny, St. Louis Science Center and Planetarium, golf, and tennis. 

Free parking with in and out privileges in Clayton on the Park's attached garage is included in the "Family Suite" package.

Clayton on the Park is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, a global brand of more than 110 of the world's finest independent luxury hotels and resorts. No other St. Louis hotel has ever had this distinction.

For more information about Clayton on the Park's "Family Suite" package call (314) 721-6543 or visit the hotel's web site www.claytononthepark.com.