When you walk into The Cigar Club at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, the first thing you notice is its unmistakable sense of luxury—soft lighting, rich wood tones, and the unmistakable aroma of fine cigars. But beneath that elegant atmosphere is something even more foundational: beautifully restored hardwood floors.
Recently, Champion Floor Co., a trusted leader in hardwood floor sanding and refinishing in St. Louis, was invited to breathe new life into this one-of-a-kind space. Our team took great care to restore the character, depth, and sheen of the floors without altering the club’s sophisticated design.
Addressing a Unique Challenge
While hardwood floors are known for their durability, they can show signs of wear over time—especially in high-traffic areas like a private club. During the pandemic, frequent use of hand sanitizer became an everyday necessity, but its alcohol-based ingredients can cause discoloration and dulling on wood surfaces. Over time, these effects became visible at The Cigar Club, creating uneven finishes and dull patches that distracted from the otherwise pristine interior.
That’s where our hardwood floor refinishing process came in. Rather than replacing the flooring, our experts at Champion Floor Co. carefully sanded, repaired, and restained the existing hardwood, preserving the craftsmanship of the original design while revitalizing its warmth and beauty.
Custom Color and Popped-Grain Technique
To achieve the perfect tone for the club’s speakeasy-inspired aesthetic, our team used a custom stain color and employed a popped-grain technique—a method that opens the wood’s pores before staining. This allows the pigment to penetrate deeper into the grain, resulting in a richer color and more dramatic contrast.
The result was a smooth, flawless finish that feels timeless yet freshly renewed. The natural wood texture now gleams under the ambient lighting, adding a touch of modern vibrancy while still honoring the club’s classic design.
Expert Craftsmanship Meets Efficiency
Because The Cigar Club is a private retreat for members, it was essential that our team work quickly and efficiently to minimize downtime. Our site-finished sanding and refinishing process made it possible to complete the project on a tight schedule without sacrificing quality.
Every step—from initial sanding to the final topcoat—was handled by our in-house team of skilled professionals. Their attention to detail ensured the floors were not only beautiful but also durable enough to withstand years of future use.
A Design Worthy of The Ritz
The Cigar Club’s interior was originally designed by Cooper Carry – The Center for Connective Architecture, a firm known for blending architectural precision with emotional warmth. The design reflects old-world sophistication: plush seating, rich paneling, and soft ambient light. After the refinishing, the hardwood floors now play a starring role again, tying together the entire space with a depth and luster worthy of The Ritz-Carlton name.
The finished look is subtle yet striking—a perfect balance of tradition and craftsmanship that complements the club’s refined character.
Elevating St. Louis Spaces, One Floor at a Time
At Champion Floor Co., we believe that great floors tell great stories. Whether it’s the grand elegance of a hotel like The Ritz-Carlton or the everyday comfort of a St. Louis home, each project we take on is a chance to restore not just wood—but warmth, pride, and craftsmanship.
Our team specializes in:
Hardwood floor sanding and refinishing
Floor restoration and repair
Custom stains and finishes
Residential and commercial hardwood projects
We’ve been serving St. Louis homeowners and businesses since 1989, offering expert refinishing and restoration that enhances the beauty and longevity of every floor. From modern lofts to historic homes and luxury hospitality spaces, our goal is always the same: to make your floors look better than ever.
Experience the Champion Floor Difference
If your hardwood floors have lost their luster or suffered surface damage, sanding and refinishing may be all you need to make them shine again. Our refinishing services restore the natural beauty of your wood while adding lasting protection—and often at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
✨ Ready to restore your hardwood floors?
Contact Champion Floor Co. today to schedule a consultation or visit our Maryland Heights showroom to see samples of stains, finishes, and wood species in person.
Discover why we’re St. Louis’s trusted choice for hardwood floor sanding and refinishing—from The Ritz-Carlton to homes across the metro area.
