Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles

This casino resort is often highlighted for its exceptionally spacious rooms and suites, providing a luxurious and comfortable stay for guests. Its signature feature is the integrated casino experience, offering a wide array of gaming options that appeal to both casual players and serious gamblers. The hotel attracts a diverse range of travelers, including couples seeking a getaway, road trippers needing a comfortable stop, and individuals attending events or weddings on-site. Many guests appreciate the overall aesthetic and modern design of the property. While the hotel aims to provide a comprehensive resort experience, potential guests should be aware of possible early check-in fees and are advised to confirm the operating hours of specific amenities like the pool or restaurants, as these can vary. Bringing your own microwave might also enhance your stay, as they are not standard in rooms.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities and amenities, though guest experiences can be mixed. The pool is a significant draw for many, described as beautiful and offering both indoor and outdoor sections; however, numerous reviews indicate it is frequently closed for the season, repairs, or private events, and often has age restrictions on weekends, leading to disappointment. Wi-Fi connectivity is a recurring concern, with many guests reporting weak signals, non-functional internet, or slow speeds, making it challenging for business or personal use. A common point of frustration is the absence of microwaves in rooms, with a notable charge for their inclusion. The integrated casino is a central feature, providing extensive gaming options. While a spa is available and praised for its services, the arcade receives negative feedback for broken games and perceived high costs. Guests also note an $11 resort fee per night, which some find unjustified given the limited availability of certain amenities.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort presents a varied picture. Many guests commend the rooms for being immaculate, spacious, and featuring a modern aesthetic, often highlighting the generous size of the suites with separate living areas. The beds generally receive praise for being comfortable, contributing to a restful sleep. However, a significant number of reviews detail concerning cleanliness issues, including reports of roaches, blood stains on sheets, pubic hairs, hair in the tub, and visible food stains or crumbs on surfaces, leading to unease. Noise is another frequent complaint, with guests experiencing disturbances from hotel room parties, early morning construction noise, and general hallway noise. In-room amenities are sometimes lacking, with guests noting the absence of sufficient glasses, coffee supplies, tissues, or enough bath towels. Additionally, issues with air conditioning not cooling effectively and blackout curtains not fully covering windows are mentioned.

Dining & Food Quality
The dining and food quality at the hotel receive mixed reviews from guests. While some praise the food as amazing and delicious at various on-site establishments like Salted Lime and Copper Whisk, others express significant disappointment. A common complaint revolves around the limited availability of restaurants, with several being closed or having insufficient staffing, leading to long wait times and poor service, even when tables appear open. Many guests lament the removal of the hotel's highly-regarded buffet, which was a significant draw for repeat visitors. Breakfast is not included with stays, and guests report that room service is either unavailable or operates with very limited hours, forcing them to seek food elsewhere or take casino-floor meals back to their rooms. The bars are noted for sometimes having poor service and expensive drinks, with some closing earlier than expected, and a lack of beverage service on the casino floor.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is consistently highlighted as a major positive, with guests appreciating its central position and easy accessibility to various attractions. It is described as being conveniently close to Old St. Charles, making it ideal for exploring the area. For those arriving by car, parking is generally considered convenient and secure, with the added benefit of free valet service being a notable perk for many. However, the parking structure itself can be confusing, and there are specific challenges for oversized vehicles like RVs, which are directed to a less convenient and potentially "scary" area under a bridge, involving a long walk and multiple flights of stairs with no shuttle service. Despite being noted as trucker-friendly for semis, this does not extend to all large vehicles, leading to frustration and even towing incidents for some guests.

Staff & Service
Feedback on staff and service at the hotel is notably mixed, ranging from highly positive to deeply negative. While many guests praise the front desk staff for being friendly, helpful, and providing a painless check-in and check-out process, a significant number report experiences with cold, unwelcoming, and even rude staff who seem unwilling to assist or resolve issues. Housekeeping service also receives varied comments; some guests commend its quick and polite response to requests, while others report a complete lack of daily service, even when requested, or encountering staff with bad attitudes. The valet service is frequently highlighted as efficient and friendly. However, overall service is sometimes described as poor, with a perceived lack of accountability and a focus on revenue over guest satisfaction, particularly concerning issues like non-working amenities or cleanliness complaints.

Additional Information
Several important details frequently emerge from guest reviews that do not fit into other categories. A major point of contention is the early check-in fee, often ranging from $60 to $85, which is charged even when rooms are readily available, causing significant frustration for arriving guests. The hotel also levies an $11 resort fee per night, which many guests find difficult to justify, especially when key amenities like the pool are closed or unavailable. Despite claims of being a non-smoking hotel, numerous reports indicate a pervasive smoke smell throughout common areas and on the casino floor, even in designated non-smoking sections. Guests frequently mention ongoing construction noise, particularly in the early morning hours, which can disrupt sleep. It is also noted that daily housekeeping is not standard and must be specifically requested, or is not provided at all. Furthermore, the hotel does not offer room service or included breakfast, and some guests have experienced issues with vehicles being towed without adequate warning.