For many years, we would go to the restaurant for brunch for our anniversary. A couple who are dear friends married two months after us (same year), so the four of us would go there to celebrate together! They live in south county and we live in North county, so we met in the middle downtown for a wonderful brunch!
Our first-born had recently turned one and my husband and I decided it was time to take some vacation time after a busy first year of becoming first-time parents. However, traveling far and packing all "the things" didn't sound relaxing so we decided on our first ever staycation. The revolving restaurant was something I had always wanted to try so we added it to our list! Our little one was always in motion which made dinners out challenging. However, we had the most kind and understanding server who just did everything to make sure we had a wonderful dinner and a memorable evening. I hope one day the entire St. Louis Metropolitan Area becomes a place worthy of a high-rise revolving restaurant with incredible sights to view again!
Wonder how many others have this story. My then girfriend laid her purse on the wrong side of the rotating floor. Actually, my query should be how often the wait staff had to find the owner of a "rotate-away" purse.
We had moved to St. Louis from Florida in 1989. While exploring the Riverfront, the Arch and the Museum, we fail in love with the Millenium Hotel. We thought the revolving restaurant was a cool feature and a great place to take out-of-town guests. We had many wonderful meals and company gatherings there. In 1995, my 90-year old Grandmother came to visit us. One Sunday, after church services, we had made reservations at the restaurant. We knew she was afraid of heights, so we never mentioned to her that the restaurant was on the 28th floor and certainly not that it was revolving (she was sensitive to motion). We just said we were taking her to a very special place where she could see the entire skyline of St. Louis. We had a fabulous meal and she was very happy to see ‘all’ of St. Louis. At one point, my Grandmother reached down to get her purse where she had placed it on the floor. Only to find out that the purse wasn’t there! She had placed it on the edge ( the part of the floor that didn’t rotate 😀). During the time we had been there, we probably had rotated around about a half rotation. For a moment she panicked! She thought someone had taken it. At that moment, we had to ‘spill the beans’ and tell her what was going on 😀. Needless to say, we had fun, she was very surprised that she hadn’t felt the rotation. Of course the incident made a great story to tell everyone she met for the rest of her life! Thank you for the memories!!!
This hotel will always be remembered for its shape and location next to the Arch in downtown St. Louis.
But, I will always remember staying there with my family. Multiple times in both structures. I always loved the shape of it. It was very unique back in the 90s. The pools were fun, and being right by Busch Stadium made it super convenient. Unfortunately I don’t have any photos.
It was the summer of 1985 and I was wanting to propose to my then girlfriend. I wanted it to be special and memorable. As June was rolling around, I realized the Cardinals would be playing at home during the 4th of July festivities. So I was able to get tickets to the day game on the 4th. Got a room at Stouffer’s for the night before and a reservation at the restaurant on top. The plan was to propose to her at the restaurant, enjoy the fireworks that night and go to the game the next day. Everything was great! She said “yes” and the dinner and the festivities didn’t disappoint either. Great evening. The next day on the 4th, we were able to walk around before going to the afternoon game (I think against the dodgers). Problem was it was extremely hot and humid that day and for some odd reason, I had broke out in a rash while at the game. I had it everywhere and it was miserable! I was able to get my (now) fiancé back to her car in Clayton and I raced home to soak in an oat bath. Was a VERY memorable stay at the hotel for sure!! Always thought that was the neatest restaurant in StL!
Hi! I went to Southeast Missouri State University. My friends and I became friends with some French foreign exchange students. I invited one of the students we became friends with to stay with my family during Spring break. We took him all over St. Louis. I think he enjoyed it, though I remember him saying that the Old Cathedral was just a baby compared to places in France and the rest of Europe. Lol! Well, since we were all college students, we decided to take him to White Castles to introduce him to Whities/sliders. Well, as much as we all love them, he wasn't too impressed. (Sorry, White Castles! We still love you!) So, he told my mom that he wanted to take us to a NICE restaurant. We weren't sure how "nice" of a place he wanted. (St. Louis is a great city for foodies with tons of choices!) He and my mom spent a few hours looking up different restaurants so he could look at the menus and see the prices. He was intrigued when he saw how the Clarion (which I think is what it was called then) had a revolving restaurant on the top floor. So...that's where he took us! It was so nice! That was the first time I had went to the "Top of the Riverfront." I don't remember exactly what I ate, but I remember enjoying it, along with the whole experience! Seeing St. Louis from up there was magical.
I really hate to see the Millennium being torn down, though I know it needed a lot of work and it was time to redevelop the site. The "Top of the Riverfront" was such a unique and cool destination. I know we have the 360 locations, but I really wish we had another revolving restaurant in St. Louis so people could enjoy a nice meal while also taking in the views of our special city.
We stayed at our reception way longer than we should have😂
When we arrived at the Clarion around 1:30am, our honeymoon suite had been given away so they gave us the Presidential Suite instead. We celebrated a few of our anniversaries with a stay and dinner at Top of the Tower restaurant 😊 Our 40th💕 year and we are taking pics of the once majestic tower being torn down while we are rooting for a Cardinals Win❣️
We had our first date at the top floor restaurant. We had an amazing time and have been together for 15 years married with kids. Thanks for the memories.
We had a limited time off work for our honeymoon, so we decided visiting St Louis and taking in a Cardinal game would be a great choice. We stayed at Stouffers because it had a great reputation and it was near all the sites. Memorable!!
My husband and i celebrated our 1 year of dating anniversary there in 2011. I hate to see this hotel and restaurant go. The atmosphere was amazing and you circled around to see the entire city of St. Louis.
I served as the financial controller for the food and beverage division of the Stouffer's Riverfront Inn from 1974-1975. During that year the second smaller tower was opened and the hotel became the Stouffer Riverfront Towers. It was a great experience and the beginning of my finance career with the Stouffer Corporation.
I worked at the Millennium hotel as my first hotel job, they closed shortly after and I got to stay on with security. During this time we got to discover all kinds of things about the building including finding old photographs. This building will always hold a special place in my heart with the BEST views!!
I got to see the progress of the whole arch museum expansion which was very neat to see.
During our senior year of high school (1994), our friend group decided that we shouldn’t let all of our fancy prom attire go to waste after only one night, so we dressed up for dinner at the Regal. These biannual celebrations, nicknamed our Regal Run, were always on the agenda when everyone was home from college in our first year after graduation.
Years later my soon-to-be husband and I enjoyed our own Regal Run as we prepared for our wedding.
I had an amazing time at my Senior Prom in 2014. It was at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis. I was currently attending Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, Mo. All the high school students had a blast.
The first time I stepped into the Millennium Hotel it was then called The Clarion Hotel. One of my teachers took a group of students from an inner city high school to look around and experience something beyond their everyday surroundings. I vowed to make sure that I would be able to come back and dine at that revolving restaurant. Years later after graduating from college and entering my chosen field I was able to take my Mother,Grandmother and Aunt there for Mothers day. I was able to take my Mom at least 3 times and she would always say she couldn't eat another bite, until they offered her homemade ice cream (her weaknesses). They have all passed on but I will always have the memories. Including the time my Mom sat her purse on the ledge and couldn't find it because of the rotating platform, we walked around the restaurant and eventually found it. The Clarion/Millennium Hotel will always have a special place in my treasury of memories.
The evening of May 5, 1991, the night after our wedding we had a great dinner at the rotating restaurant before heading out on our honeymoon the following morning. I believe the restaurant was named The Top of the Riverfront at that time.
I was a Sales Secretary in the late 90's when this hotel was the Regal Riverfront Hotel! This hotel was so beautiful, and it became a favorite headquarter hotel for groups. I always enjoyed delivering banquet event orders because it gave me an opportunity to watch the pastry chefs carve ice and chocolate sculptures. I also loved the view from the Top of the Riverfront Restaurant if only for a few minutes. We had the best employee events, and they encouraged family envolvement when possible. Gary Boyd was the Asst. GM, and he is still one of my favorite people! He was always so warm and welcoming. That is very rare among upper management. I attended my first American Cancer Association Gala in one of the beautifuly decorated ballrooms. That event caused me to realize the importance of philanthropy.
In July of 1988, the Millenium was in the middle of it’s 12 year run as being known as the “Clarion Hotel”. The revolving restaurant on the 28th floor of the Clarion Hotel was called The Top of the Riverfront. It was famous for slowly rotating a full 360 degrees, offering diners panoramic views of the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River, and the downtown St. Louis skyline.
Having met my “Girlfriend” years earlier, we made an annual trip to the VP (Veiled Prophet) Fair, the perfect summer date. Back then it was inexpensive and we could hang out all day. One year we literally “ran out of money”. This was before venders took credit. It did not dampen the day. Neither did the rain. Jody and I, along with 100s of other fun seekers, slid down the Arch Ground hills on pieces of cardboard, provided by the venders that used to set up all over the grounds. Summer time sledding! What fun.
The VP Fair was from Friday July 1st, through Monday July 4th in 1988. I had saved my money for this weekend. Jody’s birthday was Saturday July 2nd. I had purchased an engagement ring months before, and was anxiously waiting for our annual trip to the fair. I had made reservations at Top of the Riverfront restaurant (for 9pm) and did not tell Jody. She really enjoys fireworks and when I was stalling around for our reservation, she was getting nervous about not “finding a spot on the lawn” to enjoy the Fireworks show. I finally told her that for her Birthday present, we were going to eat at the Top of the Riverfront. I had timed it so that we got to see the fireworks show while we had our dinner. Near the finale, I excused myself to go to the Restroom where I attempted to remove the engagement ring from my shorts pocket. I had sewn it in my pocket because I didn’t want to lose it while we played at the fair all day. Imagine my frustration when I couldn’t get the ring out because I had sewn inside the pocket so well. I finally was able to “Bite through” the strings holding it in my pocket. I returned to the table, got down on one knee, and asked my lovely girlfriend to marry me… just as the fireworks finale was going off outside the windows of the Clarion. After almost 5 decades – we are still together and talk about the Clarion fondly! We will miss seeing Her as a symbol of where we committed to each other, almost 50 years ago!
On 12/21/1975, my brother, Kevin, and I took our Uncle Erv and Aunt Colleen to the revolving tower restaurant at Stouffer’s Riverfront Inn, after attending Mass at The Shrine of St. Joseph. Our mother and young sister took care of our 11-month-old cousin, Sheryl, so we could enjoy the outing. While we were dining, we took a picture of the Gateway Arch, as well as a barge which appeared to have broken loose on the Mississippi River.
On 12/15/1984, my husband’s new employer, EDM, held its Christmas Party at the Clarion Hotel. We only danced to two songs that night, but enjoyed visiting with Pete, Ann, Jerry, Kay, Jeff, and Colean, who were seated at our table. We took advantage of the special room rate that night, leaving the party about Midnight. Our American Express charge was $44.75 ($35 room + $3.75 tax + $6 Stadium Garage parking). The next day we enjoyed brunch at the tower restaurant ($24.44), attended Noon Mass at The Old Cathedral, took a Tram Ride to the top of the Arch ($3), and arrived at The Fox Theatre in plenty of time for the 3 PM performance (for which our tickets cost $37.55). The Judds sang for about one-half hour. Roy Orbison sang four songs (including “Pretty Woman”), after which Lee Greenwood put on a spectacular performance (including “Fools Gold”) for an hour.
On 12/13/1997, EDM held another Christmas Party at the same hotel; however, by then it was known as the Regal Riverfront Hotel. The party began at 7 PM, with dinner at 8 PM, followed by carriage (sleigh) rides starting at 9 PM. The sleigh was equipped with blankets, held four people, and took us around Kiener Plaza. We didn’t spend the night that year, as former neighbors Katie and Chad were caring for our 5-year-old child.
What wonderful memories of the times spent at that hotel, and what sadness overwhelms me in knowing that the Millennium Hotel is currently being demolished.
My then girlfriend Jacquelyn resided in Belleville and we often went to St. Louis to the zoo, Cardinals games, and so on. For my thirty-seventh birthday we celebrated at the revolving rooftop restaurant of the Millennium, taking in the beautiful sights of the Arch, Mississippi, and downtown at dusk. At the next table was a rather tartily dressed couple ha ha. The event will always be a special memory of a wonderful time at the dear old Millennium Hotel.
Back in 1988 I took my girlfriend to the then Clarion Hotel to have dinner at the restaurant at the top of the building. It was a nice restaurant with the rotating floor so you could see downtown from every angle. I had a steak/w peppercorn on top and this really nice sauce to balance it out. There was a man playing piano and atmosphere was perfect. It was an unforgettable night!
