Have any Platinums stay here since the new breakfast benefits? What do they offer?

I haven't, but my *guess* is that they will offer a credit toward some of the self service continental items (coffee, juice, pastry, IIRC yogurt containers) from the bar top in Manny's, essentially a grab and go breakfast if you wish or you can sit in an area at Manny's or in the Living Room (which offers complimentary morning coffee IIRC).

I think it's creepy, but the hotel has installed some hives for honeybees on their roof. This worries me given that they have the open rooftop viewing catwalk above the history museum on the top floor. If someone isn't expecting the bees and is allergic to bee stings, this could be very serious. Let's at least hope these aren't killer bees.

The stories I found say the bee hives are on the 2nd floor roof. The outdoor observation deck is on the 28th floor of the tower. That's a long way up for bees to fly.

Have completed a few stays here this summer so thought I would write down my impressions.

First, this hotel still seems to have some confusion about SPG benefits--on more than a few stays I had to get a manger involved for upgrades (front desk was straight forward about availability but seemed to think that plats had to use points for standard suite upgrades) and there was major confusion about the breakfast amenity (was originally told it was a $60 credit at Manny's, was then told it was only $30 per person and was finally informed that it actually just consisted of some juice, coffee and rolls). Other than that though the staff is competent and efficient; there just seem to be some growing pains here as this property matures.


Rooms are nice. They certainly aren't the best W rooms I've stayed in (Boston/South Beach) but they're adequate and the suites on the upper floors have great views of the city. I highly recommend Manny's for breakfast--you can escape with a $20 tab and they have awesome bloody marys.

Overall I would return (I'm not deterred by the bees which incidentally are used to produce the platinum welcome gift--locally (very locally) sourced honey), though all things being equal I think Hotel Ivy is a better bet.

Wow, you really are having problems lately.

And, "growing pains here as this property matures"? I've stayed here for years and have never had a single problem. My suite upgrade percentage is close to 100%. And, I've never had to even ask.

(By the way, the Chambers and W are run by the same management company.)

For the record, the W at the Foshay has been open just about exactly four years. IIRC it opened in August 2008, just before the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. A number of other new hotels opened at the same time, including some additional Starwoods, such as the aloft.

I realize that--it's possible the person manning the FD was just new. Also this was shortly after the breakfast benefit was added earlier this year so it's possible that's why they weren't familiar with it yet. Not faulting the property--they straightened things out easily enough.

Oh forgot to add--there's a museum at the top of the Foshay that I saw people paying to get into. Didn't go myself but figure it must be decent if people are willing to pay $10 for admission

It's worth checking out, including the vrooftop viewing deck, but I wouldn't say it' worth $10.

As I recall, admission is either free or just a couple of dollars for guests.

It's indeed free and it's definitely worth checking out!

It's free for guests. IIRC they swipe your room card and you can visit the museum more than once during your stay.

You can also get acces to a narrow outdoor observation deck that runs around the top of the spire. Bring quarters for the coin operated binoculars.

Watch out for killer bees though.