Best Western Plus Granite City Inn

The hotel cluster serving Granite City is technically spread across several adjacent communities — Granite City itself, Pontoon Beach to the north, and Madison to the south — but functionally operates as a single hotel market positioned along the I-270 corridor. Most of the chain hotels in this market are in the Pontoon Beach area near the Pontoon Beach exit from I-270, with several additional properties in Madison and one or two within Granite City proper. The cluster includes Best Western Plus, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, La Quinta, and Quality Inn properties along with several smaller independent motels.

The Best Western Plus property is among the more reliably-praised mid-range options — the Best Western Plus designation indicates a higher-tier Best Western property with updated rooms, full breakfast, and modern amenities compared to the standard Best Western tier. Reviews are generally positive (averaging 4.0+ on the major booking platforms) for cleanliness, breakfast quality, and front-desk service. The Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn properties offer similar mid-range quality at comparable prices.

Price ranges across the cluster typically run $90-$160 per night for a standard king or queen room, with weekend rates and major event nights (St. Louis Cardinals home stands, major concerts at St. Louis venues, and similar events) pushing rates toward the upper end. Off-season weekday rates in January-February or August can dip below $90 at the budget chain properties. The mid-range chain hotel cluster offers genuinely good value compared to similar quality properties on the Missouri side.

The Best Western Plus designation indicates updated rooms with newer furnishings, flat-screen TVs (typically 42-inch or larger), modern bathrooms with walk-in showers, comfortable beds with branded linens, work desks, microwaves, and mini-fridges as standard equipment. Rooms in this tier are larger than the standard Best Western category (typically 300-360 square feet) and notably more comfortable than budget chain alternatives. Wi-Fi is included free of charge.

Standard amenities include the full hot breakfast buffet (waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, biscuits and gravy, cereal, fruit, juice, coffee — the standard Best Western Plus breakfast that's notably better than continental-only chains), free parking, an indoor pool (heated, open year-round), a small fitness center with standard cardio and basic weights, business center with computer and printer access, and 24-hour front desk staffing. The properties are pet-friendly with a fee (typically $20-$50 per stay depending on the specific location).

Some properties in this tier also offer additional amenities — outdoor patios, guest laundry facilities, larger fitness centers, and small meeting rooms. Specific amenities vary by property, so confirming via the booking platform or chain website before booking is the standard approach. The booking process is straightforward via the chain websites or the major travel platforms.

The Granite City hotel cluster is approximately 5-10 minutes by car from the Chain of Rocks Bridge parking lot via local roads (Chain of Rocks Road and U.S. 67 are the primary access routes). For an early-morning walk across the bridge — the recommended timing for the best lighting and the smallest crowds — checking in the night before and walking the bridge at sunrise is a genuinely satisfying experience. Sunrise on the Mississippi from the bridge midspan is one of the more memorable Route 66 photographic moments available anywhere on the Mother Road.

For visitors wanting to access downtown St. Louis attractions including the Gateway Arch, the National Park Service Gateway Arch visitor center, the City Museum, Forest Park (and its included museums and zoo), and Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the drive from the Granite City hotel cluster is 20-25 minutes via I-270 and I-70 westbound. The bridge clearance and traffic patterns are usually straightforward except during morning and evening commute hours (7-9am and 4-6pm weekdays).

For Route 66 travelers continuing north toward Litchfield (50 miles north of Granite City via I-55), the Granite City hotel cluster is the natural southern endpoint of the Illinois Route 66 segment before crossing the river. For Route 66 travelers continuing west across the Mississippi into Missouri, the cluster provides convenient overnight before the Missouri leg. Either direction, the location is well-positioned.

Booking is straightforward via the major travel platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Hotwire) or directly through the chain websites (bestwestern.com, ihg.com for Holiday Inn Express, hilton.com for Hampton Inn, etc.). Direct booking through the chain websites typically provides better loyalty-program point accumulation but rates are usually competitive across all platforms. Cancellation policies vary by rate type — prepaid non-refundable rates run 5-15% below flexible rates but cannot be modified or canceled without penalty.

Peak demand and rate periods correspond with St. Louis-area major events — Cardinals home stands at Busch Stadium (April through September), major concerts at the Enterprise Center or Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, and major business conventions at the America's Center convention complex in downtown St. Louis. Booking 2-4 weeks in advance is recommended for stays during these periods. Off-season weekday rates in November-February typically have the best availability and pricing.

For pet owners, confirming the specific property's pet policy and fees before booking is essential. Most chains in this cluster accept pets but fees range from $20 per stay to $50 per night depending on the specific property and pet size. The Best Western Plus tier generally accommodates pets but some specific properties may have weight limits or breed restrictions.

For travelers willing to pay more for the downtown St. Louis experience, the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Drury Plaza, and several boutique hotels in downtown St. Louis offer rooms in the $180-$350 range with access to Gateway Arch views, riverfront walking, and the full downtown restaurant and entertainment scene. The premium over Granite City pricing is real but the location quality is notably better for visitors prioritizing downtown St. Louis attractions over Route 66 bridge access.

For travelers continuing south or west along Route 66 in Missouri, overnighting in St. Louis itself or in the western St. Louis suburbs near St. Charles allows for an easier morning continuation toward the Missouri Route 66 attractions in Pacific, Stanton, Sullivan, and beyond. The trade-off is missing the symbolic Illinois-side bridge crossing experience that staying in Granite City provides.

For budget travelers, several independent motels and lower-tier chains (Motel 6, Super 8, Days Inn) operate along the I-270 corridor near Granite City at rates typically running $60-$90 per night. Quality varies substantially — some are well-maintained budget options and some are notably tired — and reading recent reviews is essential before booking the budget tier in this market. The mid-range chain cluster represents the best balance of price, quality, and location for most Route 66 travelers.