Clarendale Clayton

Pros

• The Clarendale Clayton facility is described as beautiful and elegant, resembling a high-class hotel lobby.
• Residents appreciate the variety of offerings in floor plans, vibrant activities, and wellness options available at the community.
• The staff at Clarendale Clayton is frequently commended for being friendly, attentive, and providing excellent customer service.
• The dining area is noted for its lovely atmosphere and restaurant-style service with white tablecloths.
• Residents enjoy the bright and thoughtfully designed rooms within the community.
• The rooftop lounge offers a spacious area for entertaining guests and families, adding to the overall appeal of the facility.
• The community allows residents to age in place, fostering a vibrant environment among those at similar stages in life.
• The activities provided by Clarendale Clayton are praised for their variety and engagement opportunities for residents.

Cons

• The food quality at Clarendale Clayton is consistently described as awful, with residents experiencing long waits for service and unsatisfactory meal options.
• Management is criticized for being unresponsive to complaints, particularly regarding food and service issues.
• There are significant additional charges for basic needs and upgrades, which residents feel are unjustifiable given the high rent.
• The community lacks adequate transportation options, with limited availability of the shuttle service leading to missed appointments for residents.
• Despite the appealing building and amenities, many reviews highlight poor staffing levels and inadequate care in assisted living and memory care units.
• The transition between independent living and assisted living is seen as inconvenient, requiring residents to move to a different side of the facility.
• Some reviewers note that despite a vibrant community atmosphere, management practices undermine resident satisfaction and safety.
• Residents express disappointment over leadership changes that negatively impact care standards in memory care units.
• Although the facility has beautiful features, it is criticized for not being designed with elderly accessibility in mind, making it unsuitable for some residents' needs.

Review

Clarendale Clayton is a newer community in Clayton that has generated a mixed bag of reviews from current and prospective residents. On one hand, many visitors have expressed admiration for the facility’s elegant design, variety of floor plans, and vibrant array of activities that promote an active lifestyle. Many reviewers noted the thoughtful construction and detail put into the apartments, as well as amenities such as fitness studios, a movie theater, and even event programs aimed at fostering community engagement among residents. The building itself boasts high-end finishes, large windows allowing natural light to stream in, and communal spaces that echo a high-class hotel rather than a typical senior living environment.

Despite these appealing features, a significant number of reviews highlight serious shortcomings in management and service quality that overshadow the initial allure of Clarendale Clayton. One recurring complaint involves the dining experience; several reviewers characterized the food as subpar at best. Residents reported long wait times during mealtime service, claiming that staff were often untrained or scarce when it came to providing necessary support. Complaints about limited menu options and inadequate wine availability exacerbated frustrations. The requirement for residents to pay for meals—even if they rarely utilize the dining services—added to perceptions of financial exploitation within this high-cost environment.

Financial concerns extend beyond just dining fees; prospective residents have voiced frustrations regarding hidden costs associated with added amenities within their living spaces. Charges for basic modifications—like adding light switches or repainting walls—were seen as excessive by some reviewers who felt these costs should be part of standard living expenses. Moreover, parking fees and additional charges for storage cages have left many feeling burdened by unexpected financial obligations. Such practices paint a troubling picture of how management prioritizes profit over resident satisfaction.

Although Clarendale promotes itself on its ability to allow residents to "age in place," dissatisfaction continues around transitioning between assisted living and memory care facilities within separate buildings—something which some feel detracts from community continuity during later stages of life. Parents seeking advanced memory care reported alarming staffing shortages that could compromise their loved ones' safety and well-being. Many families expressed dismay over leadership changes that led to instability on both operational levels and resident care standards.

While most agree on the beauty of physical spaces and strong community ties among residents themselves—who often describe their living environment as vibrant—the underlying issues with management continue to haunt Clarendale Clayton's reputation. Families expressed concern about declining employee morale due to inadequate leadership; numerous caregivers reportedly resigned due to unfavorable working conditions imposed by management directives.

Ultimately, potential residents considering Clarendale Clayton are urged to do thorough research before making any commitments. While some find great satisfaction being part of an engaging community filled with various activities—and enjoy commendable attentiveness from certain staff members—the myriad complaints raise serious questions about overall resident welfare under current management practices. Multiple reviews emphasized how quickly impressions can shift once initial tours conclude; buyers' remorse stemming from unmet expectations may lead prospective tenants or their families towards alternative communities where they might better receive both care and value for their investment.

This part of Clayton, Missouri offers a convenient and well-equipped neighborhood for senior living. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, including CVS, Walgreens, and Dierbergs, access to medications and healthcare supplies is readily available. There are also a variety of dining options nearby, such as Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and The Capital Grille, providing a range of choices for meals out or takeout. Additionally, the area boasts several parks like Shaw Park and Tilles Park where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely walks. Access to medical care is also easily accessible with University Club Medical Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in the vicinity. Overall, this neighborhood provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking for a vibrant community with essential amenities close at hand.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Dierbergs (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Schnucks (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.6 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.8 miles)
• The Capital Grille (0.8 miles)
• St Louis Bread Co. (1.1 miles)
• MOD Pizza (1.4 miles)
• Arby's (1.8 miles)
• White Castle (2.4 miles)

Parks

• Shaw Park (0.8 miles)
• Tilles Park Neighborhood (1.9 miles)
• Blackburn Park (3.9 miles)
• Francis Park (4.1 miles)
• Willmore Park (4.3 miles)
• Bar K (4.3 miles)
• Wohl Recreation Center / Sherman Park (4.5 miles)

Physicians

• University Club Medical (0.8 miles)
• Southwest Medical Center (4 miles)
• Barnes-Jewish Hospital (4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Esquire 7 (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Blueprint Coff (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.8 miles)

Transportation

• Zooline Railroad The Wild (2.6 miles)
• Metrolink North Hanley Station (5.8 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Old Orchard Church (2.8 miles)
• St Ambrose Church (3.8 miles)
• Christ the King Church (4.5 miles)
• St Raphael the Archangel Church (4.6 miles)
• St Ann Catholic School (5.1 miles)
• St Johns Lutheran Church (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Metropolitan St Louis Psychiatric Center (3.5 miles)
• St Louis Children's Hospital (3.9 miles)
• The Rehabilitation Institute of St Louis (4.3 miles)
• SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center (5.4 miles)
• VA Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Program (5.8 miles)
• St John's Mercy Surgery Center (5.9 miles)