Saint Louis University’s owned and operated on-campus hotel, the Water Tower Inn, is the required accommodation for overnight guests of the University. This policy applies to all instances of travel to the St. Louis area for visitors, contractors, conference facilitators, prospective employees, new employees, and any others whose hotel/motel costs are to be paid by any department of the University, unless the Water Tower Inn is fully booked during the intended stay. Purchase requisitions or expense reimbursements for external hotels/motels will not be processed or reimbursed for stays beginning March 1, 2002. Exceptions to this policy will require the prior approval of the President’s Office.

Departments placing reservations should call the hotel directly and specify the dates of the stay (arrival and departure dates), the number of rooms, the name(s) of the guest(s), the relationship of the guest(s) to the University, and the desired accommodations. Please provide the name and e-mail address of the contact person in your department. Confirmation of reservations will be sent via e-mail to this person.

After confirmation of the reservation by the Water Tower Inn, the department must immediately complete an On-line Inter-Departmental Order (IDO) that includes the following: the reservation information (i.e., arrival and departure dates, number of rooms, name(s) of the guest(s), relationship of the guest(s) to the University, and desired accommodations), the hotel confirmation number, and the name, phone number, and e-mail address of the contact person. The completed IDO requisition will follow the same electronic approval routing as purchase requisitions generated by your department, with the Water Tower Inn as the final destination. Charges will be recorded following guest departure.

After becoming accustomed to the reservation process, a department may choose to make initial contact with the Water Tower Inn via on-line IDO. Please note, however, that there may be reservation or other issues that are best addressed with a phone call prior to completing the IDO.

For additional information please call the Water Tower Inn at (314) 977-7500, or visit the website at http://www.slu.edu/events/water_tower_inn.html.

Please direct any concerns, guest feedback, or suggestions to the Water Tower Inn at (314) 977-7500 or WTI@slu.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: If the Water Tower Inn cannot accommodate your guests or group, please refer to the attached list of preferred hotels with which we have negotiated discounted rates. Contact Mary Gavach at (314)-977-1455 with any questions.