I had a wonderful stay over the weekend. The service was top notch and everything was great.

Check in
The check in agent was very friendly and gave me a warm welcome to the hotel. Prior to arrival, I had already been preblocked into a fantastic suite ^ The agent confirmed my stay in a fantastic suite and informed me that they had given me the biggest fantastic suite in the house, the -04 series (~extra 200 square ft) and that I would enjoy it. He offered my Platinum Amenity, late check out until 4pm, told me about all the restaurants and bars in the hotel and sent me to my suite.

Suite
The suite was indeed very spacious with extra tall ceiling. As you can see from the floor plan, unlike the narrow "L shape" -01, -02, and-03 suites, the -04 series was not narrow at all. There was a huge sofa with side tables, an entertainment center with a bar, a large desk, and a large dining table for 4 in a alcove with panoramic view of Minnesota. The master bedroom was also very spacious with fantastic view. The huge master bathroom was inside the bedroom equipped with a separate tub and shower with a view. It was fabulous!



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*All pictures are copyrighted via flickr.com. All rights reserved

*Continued from previous post due to image limit
Click on the image for a larger version

Customer Service
What can I say? W always WoWs me with their customer service. Before I had a full moment to enjoy my suite, the check in agent called me immediately and asked if I liked my -04 series suite and if he could send me anything I wanted (he offered water, bottled of wine, etc free of charge). I declined the generous offer. Everyone I spoke to was extremely courteous and friendly just like what I'd expect from a W ^ Later in the evening, they came to turn down my bed and left me a couple of goodies.

Room Service
I thought the room service items were somewhat lacking, especially for a W. However, most of their items came from their in house restaurant, Manny's Steakhouse, which was excellent. I ordered a tenderloin cooked to perfection, along with truffle hash and snow peas with pancetta (YUM!). It was fantastic. The tuna tartar was also very tasty. After dinner, they delivered a pint of ice cream in an ice bucket so it wouldn't melt ^


Internet
There was free internet in the living room. Wifi and wired internet were both available for a fee

Location/Transportation
Like others have mentioned, the W is located on Marquette between 8th and 9th. To get there by the light rail, simply get on from the airport and get off at Nicolette Mall station, turn left towards the direction of the train on Marquette. You will first see Westin, then keep going for about 5 blocks until you see people dressed in black. That's the W In addition to Manny's steakhouse, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. There is also a target a block away for those items you forgot at home. In the bitter winter, all the buildings are connected via the sky bridge. It's pretty convenient. The Guthrie Theater and the Metrodome are just a couple of minutes away via the light trail which runs 7 days a week. Airport is about 25 minutes away and the Mall of America is 30 minutes away.

Again, I had a fabulous stay at another W property. This time, it's Minneapolis. Where will I go next?


*All pictures are copyrighted via flickr.com. All rights reserved

Thanks a bunch. ^^

Thanks for the heads up on the MSP visit, I'm there almost every week.

Sorry, I've had pictures from the W Minneapolis on my camera for ages now, thanks for finally posting some.

I think the suites are the same size, your pics look exactly like the suite I've stayed in a few times

The -01, -02, and -03 suites are the same size since they have the narrow L shape. The -04, however (at least that's what the agent told me and as shown in the first picture), have about 200 extra square feet. The -04 series basically has 2 extra hallway space that the other suites don't have. That makes the living area a lot bigger (the -04 series have the large L shape sofa where as the other suites have smaller sofas.) The bedroom is also bigger.

Nice report with pictures. I appreciate that you post pictures unlike some folks (cough, cough) tommy (cough, cough)

Thanks BW-yes you did it again!

I know at least one FT'er who will be happy to have a nice place in MPS ^

I have stayed in the larger 04 series and the smaller L shaped suite. The 04 is definitely better, but the others are quite adequate. I have to agree that the staff are all top notch and very nice. The lounge serves excellent cocktails and snacks. I had a tomato soup and grilled cheese small plate. It was considered an appetizer but was plenty for a light dinner.

Alot of great feedback on here! ^

As an FYI, PM me if you have specific questions about the property. I stay at the property 2-3nights a week, EVERY week. Can provide you with all the staff details and specific room #s to ask for. Every floor is different, which thus equates to 52 different room types.

I check in to a different room every time, and have had about 30 so far. By the end of 09, should have the hotel covered. Sad me. TOOOO much time at the property!

Happy Travels to Minneapolis!

You are exactly right! When requesting suites, ask for the -04. For the -01,-02, -03 on the upper floors, the living room is VERY VERY narrow...I actually tripped over the 2 white "coffee tables" as I entered the room! Also, if anyone is clausterphobic, don't stay in the suites on the top floor (28). The windows get progressively smaller as you go up, so by the time you get to 28, they are too small!

Reach out to me if you want more specific details about various rooms...

Great report, but please don't say "sky bridge" to a native Minneapolitan. It's a SKYWAY. :-:

darn right!

Must book by July 20th to score the lowest rates of the summer at the W Minneapolis- The Foshay. Available for arrivals Thursday-Saturday through October 12, this special offer translates to a mere $129 per night

http://traveler.fivestaralliance.com...el-the-foshay/

This does not take you to an SPG/Starwood website (ie this is a third part website), so I assume no stay credit or benefits. Just a thought for those who book via this website.

Keep an eye out for promo rates through Starwood channels. I had a nice stay there a few weeks ago on a $96 AAA rate. Great Plat treatment, excellent staff, and an upgrade to a beautiful Fantastic Suite up top. Highly recommended.

I just checked out of the W MPLS today -- what an amazing stay!

I'm local to Minneapolis and wanted to just do something special for a my big 25th birthday. Checked in at 4pm on a Saturday, it was very busy -- and the line was 7+ people deep. The front desk guys were cool, collected and worked efficiently (some very high maintenance people were checking in). Without any mention of it, the gentleman at the front desk wished me a happy birthday with a big smile and let me know I had been upgraded to a "fantastic suite". Room rate included free valet and $50 Parasole gift card to be used at Manny's the Living Room Bar or the Prohibition sky bar.

I was in suite 2402, the forementioned "L" shaped suite that had eastern and southern exposures. Yes, the living room component of the suite was a little narrow, but the set up was actually quite conducive to entertaining a few friends before heading out for the night. The view of downtown from the soaking tub and rain shower was really cool.

Prohibition Sky Bar is really fun -- great service. If you're looking to do a group event, make sure to call ahead for space blocked off. I've never been this bar when it hasn't been mobbed/SRO. Tip: directly on top of the bar is a little mezzanine level that is first come/first serve for seating. Get there early and stake your claim -- it's just like having a private VIP room above the bar.

I never get the "attitude" that some people seem to mention about W hotels at the Minneapolis location. Just a really good, well-trained staff from top to bottom. The room was great and the bar was fun. Perfect staycation spot for a Minneapolitan.