The Aloft Hotel in St. Louis' Cortex Innovation Community is just months away from opening its doors to guests. The hotel, which broke ground in July 2018, is the first hotel in the Cortex neighborhood. After two years of construction, the 129-room hotel will open to the public this summer.
The Aloft Hotel Cortex was first announced in 2017 alongside additional developments in the area including an Element Hotel roughly a mile east near the site of City Foundry. Both the Aloft Cortex and Element Hotel near City Foundry are owned and operated by Midas Hospitality. Additionally, both properties are part of Marriott's portfolio of hotels and resorts. However, it's the Aloft Cortex that will be the first to welcome guests later this year.
Originally slated to open in the spring of 2020. Marriott's website originally had the Aloft Hotel Cortex opening in May. Months later, that date was moved to June. Now, according to Marriott's reservations website, the hotel will open its doors to guests on July 1st, 2020.
It wasn't until recently that the Aloft Hotel began to take shape. In March 2020, the Aloft branding was added to the hotel. Now, the building's facade is almost complete. A few rooms appear close to complete with fixtures and decor visible from Duncan Avenue.
It would also appear that the Aloft Hotel Cortex will also feature an outdoor pool, an amenity that was not previously disclosed in earlier announcements.
In addition to an outdoor pool, the hotel will feature a variety of modern amenities. These amenities include kiosks allowing guests to check-in and check-out without the assistance of a front desk agent, 9-foot high ceilings in each guest room, Aloft's signature W XYZ bar, and a 24/7 snack pantry known as ReFūel.
While the hotel is considered a mid-tier or mid-range brand by Marriott, the brand aims to be "an affordable alternative for the tech-savvy, design-forward crowd, with jet-setting style", according to Marriott and Midas Hospitality. The Aloft Hotels brand was originally conceived in the mid-2000s by Starwood Hotels (which merged with Marriott) as a contemporary hotel similar to Starwood's W Hotels. As of April 2020, there are now more than 160 Aloft Hotels worldwide. The Aloft Hotel Cortex is the brand's first property in Missouri.
The hotel, located at 4245 Duncan, will serve the bustling Cortex Innovation Community. Rates start at $167 ($195 with taxes, fees) or 25,000 Marriott BONVOY points. Both the nightly paid and BONVOY award redemption rates are more expensive than what's offered at other Aloft Hotels in North America. However, the Aloft Hotel Cortex is unique in that it would appear to offer a more upscale experience including a full-service on-site restaurant which is still under construction.
While an opening date has been set for the Aloft Hotel Cortex, the Element Hotel near City Foundry will not open its doors until later this fall.