Recommendations for Twin Cities Stay?
Feb 3, 2009, 1:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Starwood, UA, American
Posts: 83
Recommendations for Twin Cities Stay?
Hello again FT!
I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for places to use an award stay during May in the Twin Cities area.
So, any advice on hotels to seek out, or just as valuable, to avoid?
Thanks!
Dan
I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for places to use an award stay during May in the Twin Cities area.
So, any advice on hotels to seek out, or just as valuable, to avoid?
Thanks!
Dan
Feb 3, 2009, 2:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,470
Might want to be more specific as to whether you prefer to be in a particular area. and what activities you are planning, etc.
Feb 3, 2009, 3:07 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Starwood, UA, American
Posts: 83
Good call!
I'll be heading up for just a Friday night stay. The most important thing would probably be the quality of the hotel (and potential for plat upgrades!), good (nice) dinner restaurants in the area, and nightlife, in that order. We are trying to stay in the St. Paul area, or as close to St. Thomas University as possible. Really just looking for the best night stay since most of what I saw was Cat 4 and cost the same amount of points!
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Dan
I'll be heading up for just a Friday night stay. The most important thing would probably be the quality of the hotel (and potential for plat upgrades!), good (nice) dinner restaurants in the area, and nightlife, in that order. We are trying to stay in the St. Paul area, or as close to St. Thomas University as possible. Really just looking for the best night stay since most of what I saw was Cat 4 and cost the same amount of points!
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Dan
Feb 3, 2009, 5:37 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
www.marriott.com/mspcc - has lots of suites so plats are usually upgraded, in the heart of downtown Minnie so great restaurants around and a good nightlife (Minnie's nightlife is much larger than St Paul's) and there's great shopping within steps of the hotel too
Feb 3, 2009, 8:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,470
www.marriott.com/mspcc - has lots of suites so plats are usually upgraded, in the heart of downtown Minnie so great restaurants around and a good nightlife (Minnie's nightlife is much larger than St Paul's) and there's great shopping within steps of the hotel too
Feb 4, 2009, 7:06 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Starwood, UA, American
Posts: 83
Great. Thank you both!
Feb 4, 2009, 11:27 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MSP
Posts: 19
My daughters and I stayed at the Mpls downtown Marriott on a Friday a couple of months ago and very much enjoyed our stay. Mr travelbls called the hotel and as a Plat was able to arrange for an upgrade to a two story suite, and it was great. I think this hotel has been renovated fairly recently. I did ask for and received breakfast coupons, and the buffet was excellent. It's in a perfect location for restaurants, shopping and nightlife. We self parked, and the entrance when you do that is a little convoluted.
Feb 5, 2009, 7:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
Posts: 1,844
Agree with all the positive comments. One possible drawback if you're traveling with teenagers or younger kids is the lack of a pool. Otherwise, its a great choice. Lots of shopping/dining/nightlife within walking distance. The two story suites are great for "spreading out" and regular rooms are comfortable and well-appointed as well. (Mrs. Cyberdad and I spent a New Year's eve there once and had a fabulous view of fireworks over the river).
Feb 6, 2009, 4:34 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
Feb 6, 2009, 4:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
Another vote for the Marriott City Center. I haven't stayed here since I stopped traveling for work in 2007. At the time, the rooms had been remodeled and they had just started work on the lobby and restaurant. The CL had also been remodeled and as I recall was very nice, but unfortunately that won't be open on the weekend.
The suites really are pretty neat. The building is a triangle, so if you get a suite that happens to be on one of the three corners of the triangle, you'll have huge windows on two walls of the room - great views of the Minneapolis skyline.
Also, as an aside, if you like steak, dinner at Murray's (on 6th behind the hotel) is very very special.
The suites really are pretty neat. The building is a triangle, so if you get a suite that happens to be on one of the three corners of the triangle, you'll have huge windows on two walls of the room - great views of the Minneapolis skyline.
Also, as an aside, if you like steak, dinner at Murray's (on 6th behind the hotel) is very very special.
Feb 8, 2009, 10:42 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PE, SPG PE
Posts: 180
I agree, it's a great hotel and you simply can't go wrong. It's connected into the skyway system which is pretty cool as well if you've never had the chance to see it.
Oh yea, very special indeed. I've found lots of 9's and a few really good 9.5's out there too. But you can only have 1 place that gets the 10 and in my book, it's Murray's.
Oh yea, very special indeed. I've found lots of 9's and a few really good 9.5's out there too. But you can only have 1 place that gets the 10 and in my book, it's Murray's.
Feb 9, 2009, 7:36 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Programs: Hilton-DIA, IHG-Plat Amb, Hyatt-DIA, SPG-Plat & 3 star, Marriott-Gold, Nat'l-Exec, NWA-Sil
Posts: 100
ANy rec's closer to the airport? I'll be there wednesday
Feb 9, 2009, 3:57 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HH Diamond, Delta Base, AA Base
Posts: 514
The airport has a Marriott (Bloomington); it's an older property, but ok - walking distance to the MOA or free shuttle, too. A short ways away are the road is Courtyard and Residence Inn.
Feb 9, 2009, 4:38 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Starwood, UA, American
Posts: 83
I've booked the rooms at MCC...Thanks for all of the insight. After hearing about all the good stuff around (in Min? Who knew!) I've booked an additional night.
Thanks all!
Thanks all!
Feb 10, 2009, 12:47 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Northern VA, MSP
Programs: Marriott Platinum, US Silver
Posts: 49
Let us know how your stay goes. I can also echo the wonderful comments about the City Center Marriott. As a Gold, I was upgraded to King Corner Suite and as a platinum, I've been upgraded to the Bi-Level Suites on the top floor. It's a very nice suite/view.