I realize the north side of St. Louis needs business, but I was just browsing hotels and I found this place:
2810 N 9Th Street Saint Louis, MO 63147
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 13797&z=16

Not to down North St. Louis. Again, I realize they need businesses, but I can't imagine this place would get much business with this part of the city's reputation. I hope it survives, but it surprised me to see a hotel there.

Bing Maps shows it (or something) under construction. Street View doesn't really show anything. Still, seems like an odd place for a motel, even one that starts at just $76 a night.

Alex Ihnen wrote:^ Right - seems odd. I remember reading somewhere that the hotel expected to get some traffic from the Mississippi River Bridge construction. Perhaps they even have a contract with MoDot or contractors? Then I guess they hope some development happens nearby.

That might have been me. I talked with the owner during construction.

They get a lot of business from truckers serving the industry in the area.

A few years ago I stayed at the Econolodge @ N3rd & Carr during an annual Mardi Gras visit. The price per night was about $39. I went back the next year, after the Lumiere was in full operation, and the price per night had doubled to around $75 or $80. Needless to say, the rooms were equally as tired and dated as they had been the year before.

That Econolodge, which must have been one of the most affordable lodging options in and around downtown, might now be above some travelers' budgets thanks to its proximity to Lumiere Place. Perhaps this has produced a scarcity of very low-cost low-end lodging close to downtown, which this Days Inn location is trying to fill.

Mattnstl has a point that I thinks speaks to the fact that an industrial/manufacturing area in itself needs services and facilities, like a hotel catering to truck drivers or a diner to serve lunch hour crowd. A good example is what was built around the Fenton auto plants. I would hope that industry's willingness to come back to north St. Louis riverfront is at least part of the reason for opening up the hotel. If so, it is one more item that speaks to improvement in the city. In this case, an industrial area bringing back jobs.

That Econolodge by the Edward Jones Dome is now an America's Best Value Inn. Priceline shows it starting at $62 a night.

http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/hote ... H&static=Y