Spa report:
I live in downtown St. Louis, and decided to spend a half day using the spa and workout facilities.
Spa treatments: Deep tissue massage, Vitamin C facial, with scalp massage.
The fitness area is nice with good equipment (machines & free weights.) There was no pull up bar or separate bench press (there was a combo squat/bench press fixed bar apparatus.) Cardio: bikes, ellipticals, treadmills.
The treadmills had TVs & fans built in, and felt nice. The treadmill used a "touch flat screen," which was difficult because it wouldn't always respond to inputs.
Iced water, and bottled water were complimentary. Some apples were in a bowl as well. While working out there was not anyone assigned to the gym area. When someone came through I did ask them to lower the temperature, and then was offered a bottled water.
The view out the gyms 7th floor to ceiling glass was industrial. The view also obligated you to see a stream of folks that looked like day laborers, going into, I assume, the casino Lumiere which is adjacent to the Four Seasons.
The fitness facilities were a touch better than the Westins.
The mens private areas and coed relaxation areas are nicely done and aesthetically pleasing. The vanities, private showers were of top notch quality. The mens area has a sitting area, jacuzzi & steam room. I did notice a slightly dirty steam room floor, and the mens jacuzzi had hair and dirt on the corners of the jacuzzi wall.
The coed area of the spa had 3 areas, one area was a jacuzzi, the other a lounge area where you could relax and order spa cuisine, complimentary juice, water, dried fruit and mini muffins were available, the last was a quiet room. All three of these areas had nice views of the mississippi river and one area had a nice water fountain feature.
The spa treatments were good, but not great. The spa rooms were beautiful with high quality linens, and nice accoutrements to give that added touch. The therapists lacked that smooth, polished touch to give it that great rating. During my facial the therapist let out a wet cough, the music stopped playing and a container fell on the floor. My best facial was at the One & Only Palmilla, where the aesthetician had a wonderful relaxing touch thats just hard to describe. My treatments were $350.00
I did go up to the bar area for a cocktail after I finished the spa. The area has a nice view of the arch & river. The lobby/bar area is stylish with a elongated fireplace and interesting glass stairway.
Overall, I had a good experience. I'm also very glad that the FS is here in St. Louis. I think FS is definitely taking a gamble. I'm still inclined to call it Four Seasons "lite", compared to my stays elsewhere ie. Gresham Palace, George V, Chiange Mai, Bali Sayan, and Whistler. The Westin has a Spa as well, but its not on the same level for sure. Overall, the FS is brand new, has a more polished/refined look and bests the Westin. I'm guessing the FS closest competitor is the Ritz Carlton in Clayton.