Thread: MSP Hotel Info

Originally Posted by mrs767er

Wonder who might know this?? hehe

Yeah Spongebue, where can one get a good Juicy Lucy burger?

Hah! I was raised in Bloomington, but never really went into Minneapolis itself all that often. Maybe the neighboring suburbs. Jucy Lucy? I had that idea when I was younger, then found out that it's a MSP specialty that actually has a name. It really didn't help I only had 2 years between getting my license and moving to Wisconsin for school, and I didn't have much money after feeding my 1985 Jeep.

Ahem, anyway. So, there really isn't that much near the airport. You're kind of in a business/industrial area with some hotels mixed in, though many of those hotels do have pretty nice restaurants.

Among those criteria, here's what I've got.

Marriott: That location is right at the junction of 2 major highways, and right near the Mall of America. Practically nothing but MOA within walking distance. But don't discount it just yet. The light rail goes from MOA, and is very cheap and will take you right downtown. Some neighborhoods it goes through are a tiny bit sketchy, but nothing too terrible. If you're reasonably street smart (you don't exactly strike me as someone who has been sheltered all her life ) you should be fine.

Starwood: This could mean one of a few places.
Sheraton in Bloomington. No airport transportation, since it is several miles from the airport, and also surrounded by freeway and office buildings. But one office tower has Kincaid's, a nice restaurant with a lovely happy hour. Met my parents and father-in-law there a month or two ago, actually.

Westin in Edina. Again, no airport transportation, but this hotel is very new. I'm almost positive it's been built since I left for college, probably a while after that. It has easy access to Southdale Mall (a smaller, more upscale mall than MOA. Trust me. It's also the first ever 100% indoor shopping mall), the Galleria (a smaller, more upscale mall than Southdale. Edina is a pretty affluent city), and some other restaurants. There's also a Target nearby and a place that should have wine (next to Cub Foods). This was also one of my more-frequented areas when I was living in MSP. If you are going to resign yourself to finding alternate transportation, I would definitely consider this place.

Four Points: Hey, a free airport shuttle! Mostly chains in the area, but it does have Joy's Pattaya, my favorite Thai restaurant I've had. Coming from someone who has never been to Thailand, mind you. Their Singapore Noodles are totally different from any other place I've had it (everything tastes really fresh, and it's not the typical yellow curry. Wide rice noodles) and are absolutely amazing. Not quite the nice area of the Westin in Edina, though it has improved over the years to be tolerable.

Hilton: All those hotels near the airport are pretty much like I described. Not much around except for airport, MOA, and office buildings. But the Embassy Suites there has a Woolley's steakhouse, which is another place my parents really enjoy that they've taken us to. Classy place, so dress up a little. I'm not sure if they have an airport shuttle or not, but it's only a couple stops away from the airport on the light rail. Eeeeasy access, especially to the Embassy (Hilton is just behind that, though).

Good luck, and let me know what you do! Where are you ultimately headed to? I assume not Minneapolis I would totally have given you a lift if I still lived in the area, wouldn't have been any trouble at all! Why can't you have a layover in DEN instead?

Thanks, Bue! If Delta had a nonstop to PVR, we'd take you up on your offer. Our safari tunred to Croatia, then that fizzled w/logistics (strange shape, that country).
I think we'll use the free Marriott and break down and go to MOA for eats. Apparently, their restaurant is the pits. Never been to MOA and there is a wine place (who knew?). We get in late afternoon. Mayve we can get an early bird special? hehe