If a Plat has a 4 pm checkout, is the room necessarily cleaned that day, given that the hotel isn't very full and the room has not been assigned for that night?

Just completed a stay at this property over the 4th of July weekend.

We used 3 SNAs and confirmed 4 days out, however when we checked in and went to our room we were given a cool corner room and not a WOW Suite. When I called to inquire they said they had nothing on file so I showed them the email and they found us a suite about 30 min later. Room was a bit tired and could have used a good cleaning and sprayed for spiders, found 2 in my room during the stay.

At check out had to go back twice and show them we had a daily breakfast credit (they claimed it was a one time credit of $40) again had to show an email. 15 min later they wouldn't honor one of the days because one of us ordered a brunch item during the overlap of breakfast and brunch items. Also have to call today because rate included bonus 500 points which have not posted.

I will try out the Westin next time down the road it was exhausting having to fight for the rate and suite we booked and lack of Platinum recognition.

If you were disappointed with the W, wait until you've tried the Westin. Upgrade possibilities are small but you probably won't have to fight for the rate and regular room.

Hi guys -

I'm visiting Minneapolis for the first time on April 5th and I'm staying at the W for a night. Found a great rate on Starwood's website and, being an avid art and architecture fan, I'm excited to be staying at this hotel after studying the Foshay Tower's renovation and conversion into the W.

Any pointers from previous guests as to how to make/get the most out of this place? Anything from upgrades to local dining - all suggestions welcome.

Thanks!

khabah

There is a small museum on the top floor that details the history of the building and a small observation deck IF the weather is pleasant. If you are into architecture it is worth a few minutes and entry is free for guests. We prefer the Prohibtion Bar on the 27th floor to the Living Room, decent happy hour and generally less crowded but still lively. Lots of restaurants nearby, if you are a carnivore (or like Bourbon) try the Butcher and the Boar on Hennepin.

Cheers

I totally agree except for the restaurant suggestions.

The in-house restaurant is a good steak place (SPG points or at least good treatment if the hotel books your table). Another traditional favorite for dead cow is Murrays, although I liked it better before the renovation.

For more modern architecture, visit the Guthrie Theater. When the box office is open, you can go to the top to explore, including the porch cantilevered over the river on the fifth (?) floor, with views of the new I-35W bridge and memorial. It's walkable from the W, and you can also catch the Saturday morning (to about 2 pm) Mill City Farmers' Market and the Mill City museum in the area. On the way, you pass the Depot, a restored train station which is part of the Renaissance hotel. Slightly to the north, at about Nicollet and 3rd street, check out the old Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank "suspended" building and the new downtown public libraary, plus the ned Fed building along the river just north of Hennepin and the historic grain belt beer sign. From the Mill City area, you can also take the historic Stone Arch pedestrian and bike bridge, but try to check out the little lock museum first. Another interesting building is Nicollet Island Inn, which is good for (served) breakfast and brunch/lunch.

In another direction and a longer walk would be the Walker Art Center, also an interesting piece of modern architecture, with its sculpture garden. The historic cathedral is on the way.

The Westin has a good restaurant and upscale happy hour bar called BANK. I haven't yet eaten in the new restaurant in the LM, which is in two historic buildings and has lots of art, including its own small commercial gallery.

Thanks, guys! I'll be sure to roam around as much as I can; I'm travelling alone and primarily plan to be on foot or use the light rail system when necessary. The Depot and Federal Reserve Bank sounds great; definitely plan to see what's on at the Guthrie and a few visits to the Walker/Sculpture Garden are inevitable. I'm a healthy eater but a definite carnivore, so I'll check Manny's at the W out at some point... Nicollet Island Inn sounds great!

I'll be transferring to Le M�ridien Chambers on the sixth to give them a try for a few nights. As an artist, I was drawn to its art emphasis and their gallery downstairs/all the art they have scattered around the hotel. Good reviews seem to be a thing there too, so I'm looking forward to it. I'll post in the hotel's thread in a bit.

An important question: what's the weather usually like in the first half of April? Cold? Wet? Unpredictable? Lovely?

Thanks again for everything!

khabah

Weather? any/all of the above, plus a chance of snow that melts fast still in April.

Your LM keycard is good for free admission to the Walker, under the LM brand unlock art program, so try to go there after you check in at LM. Another unique art museum if the (private) Museum of Russian Art, located in a residential neighborhood between downtown Minneapolis and the airport. There's also the Swedish Institute (in a historic mansion not far from the Minneapolis Institute of Art) which is more decorative arts than actual art, but their current show is about the Nobel Prize.

In addition to the Guthrie, the Twin Cities area has lots of live theater performances of all types. Many Broadway shows do an early tryout here, plus there are some smaller venues that offer more experimental theater performances. There are several large theaters very close to LM, including the historic State Theater (gorgeous restored old building, but also check out the Art Deco mall attached to it) and one right across the street from LM.

Unfortunately Solara closed its doors for good last month. It was a very stylish martini bar and upscale tapas restaurant on the corner across from LM.

Some of the trendy/top rates restaurants (that haven't been mentioned above) include The Bachelor Farmer (fine dining from local ingredients, owners have political connections so Obama had a very well publicized meal here, also a fashionable bar in the basement), 112 Eatery (Italian peasant, many chefs go here for food after work as it stays open late--the same people do Bar La Grassa restaurant in the north loop warehouse district), Hell's Kitchen (a breakfast and cheap/casual place, almost in the basement of the W), Alma (James Beard fame, fixed price four seasonal course menu with about five choices for each course and an Iberian-emphasis wine list), La Belle Vie (nouvelle French style, including fois gras preparations, modern restaurant in a historic coop apartment building), the place in the Guthrie (IIRC called Sea Change now for fish and seafood, including raw bar stuff served at the bar but sadly their good Spanish wine list is gone), Masa (nouvelle Mexican?), Porter & Frye in the Ivy (SPG LC) Hotel (but watch out for all of the tables in the basement), Vincent (French). For fish and seafood, I like Blue Point Oyster House in Wayzata (far western suburb). Some like the casual Stella's Fis Cafe on "Eat Street" (a neighborhood with lots of casual restaurants and bars). There are also the downtown fish and seafood chains McCormick and Schmicks and Oceanaire. We also have the obligatory Ruth Chris, Capital Grille, and Fogo de Chao.

I worked briefly for the non-profit side of the Historic State and Orpheum Theatres. Both theatres are beautiful and Minneapolis is lucky that they were saved and restored. The nearby Pantages Theatre was renovated after I left.

It looks like Annie will be playing at the Orpheum Theatre (3/31-4/5) while you are there, khabah. That's the original musical...not the recent movie mess.

http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/

Random fact: With the exception of New York City, the Twin Cities have more theatre seats per capita than any city in the US.

You guys are AWESOME - you've positively spoiled me with more tips than I'll know what to do with in the four days I've got in Minneapolis!

I'm all about wine and craft beer, so I'll be frequenting a few of these places during the day/night [the beauty of vacations and daytime drinking...]; I know LM has a nifty happy hour at Marin with three dollar craft beers. Breakfast at Hell's Kitchen will definitely happen while I'm at the W and 112 Eatery is on - it's bound to be special if chefs eat there - I like the selection concept at Alma and Eat Street will be on my list.

I know I brought my being alone in town up - is MSP a good place to roam/dine out alone or will I negatively stick out? All up for socializing and making friends while I'm there, so I hope the city is friendly!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the continued tips and support!

khabah

I'd also like to say thank you, I'll be in Minneapolis for a weekend in June and I needed dining suggestions ^

Any update on the Plat breakfast offering here? Or is it still better to choose the points?

*bump

Completing a local 2-night Platinum Mattress Run. Taking full advantage of the "Take Two" promo.
Platinum amenities at check-in: 500 SPG pts, local amenity (which I'm told is some type of W drinkware w a local beer), or $15 breakfast credit ea for up to 2 in Manny's.

I opted for the $15 breakfast credit. Most items on the menu are around $16; so breakfast for 1 (2 egg special, coffee, and gratuity) ended up around $11.00

Parking - - they have valet; however I used the Spothero app and found a $5 overnight parking spot only a block away

W Insider left a nice Platinum amenity in my room. I'm assuming she must've had access to my former SPG Ambassador file, cause she knew some of my "favorites".

Was upgraded to a Cool Corner Room; my higher floor CCR wasn't ready, so they gave me a lower floor CCR on the 5th floor. Not really any spectacular views, but it's always nice to get a bit larger room.

And also, I enjoyed getting free access to the Observation Deck. You should really go up there and check it out - -great views! And was also interesting to note that there are only about 1/2 dozen open observation decks in the States.

I hope you also spent a few minutes in the little museum on the history of the building on the way to the observation deck.