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Where to Stay

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cute kids in a swimming pool

FOR WEARY TRAVELERS seeking a restful respite after a long day of business meetings, site-seeing or museum touring, Minneapolis-Saint Paul and the extended metro have an abundance of accommodations to suit your needs. Whether your travel itinerary has you stationed in the suburbs or sticking close to downtown, you’ll find a plentiful mix of unique boutiques and price-competitive national chains everywhere you look.

It may be called the City of Lakes, but Minneapolis is a cosmopolitan city boasting first-rate dining and shopping in addition to outstanding hotels. Eight miles of skyway system offer visitors climate-controlled, stoplight-free foot travel between a multitude of stores and restaurants, as well as access to the Minneapolis Convention Center, Target Center and Hennepin Avenue Theatre District. More than 3,500 hotel rooms are connected to this sidewalk in the sky, allowing you to get from your hotel to your downtown destination without ever stepping outdoors. From the classic glamour of the Grand Hotel to the swanky, state-of-the-art features of Graves 601 Hotel, downtown Minneapolis suites are sweeter than ever.

Cultural opportunities abound in downtown Saint Paul, and the range of hotel options is also just as plentiful. Saint Paul’s own skyway system warms your walk to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, or the Science Museum, Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Xcel Energy Center or the Landmark Center. Whether you seek the historic luxury of the Saint Paul Hotel, the business traveler amenities of the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel or family-friendly fare at the Holiday Inn RiverCentre, you are sure to sleep easy in Minnesota’s capital city. In January and February, visitors come from far and wide for a chance to be a part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival—“the coolest celebration on earth.” With more than 1,500 rooms within walking distance of the festivities at Rice Park, you can enjoy the intricate ice sculptures and then make an easy retreat to the comfort of your nearby hotel room.

Today, visitors can splish-splash and swim year-round at one of three indoor water parks in the metro area: The Grand Rios Indoor Water Park Hotel, The Depot Hotels and the new Grand Lodge Hotel, adjacent to Water Park of America. Each features its own uniquely themed indoor water park, open to hotel guests as well as the general public. Beyond comfortable beds and spacious rooms, the wet-n-wild fun waiting to be had is reason enough to make reservations at one of these kid-tested, parent-approved locales.

Bloomington Hotels

If shopping is what you crave, check into one of the 33 hotels in Bloomington, ranging from the convenient Country Inn & Suites to the French-inspired Sofitel Minneapolis, or the all-new Grand Lodge, adjacent to the equally new Water Park of America. If you’re one of the 40 million annual visitors to the Mall of America, or seek the Swedish wares at Ikea, both are located in this visitor-savvy southern suburb. Most area accommodations offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the mall as well as the MSP International Airport. And thanks to the light rail line, with a station in the lower level of the mall’s east parking ramp, you can keep connected to the energy and excitement of downtown Minneapolis shopping without having to worry about driving directions or parking meters. Check the Bloomington listings in this section for accommodations options, or visit www.bloomingtonmn.org for more details.

BLOOMINGTON

AMERICINN AIRPORT/MALL OF AMERICA
1200 E 78th St, Richfield, 55423
(612) 869-8600
Located less than a mile from Mall of America and three miles from the airport, the AmericInn is centrally located for all Twin Cities destinations.
www.americinnhotel.com

COUNTRY INN & SUITES MALL OF AMERICA
2221 Killebrew Dr, Bloomington, 55425
(952) 854-5555
Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America is located directly across from Mall of America and just minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

CROWNE PLAZA BLOOMINGTON
5401 Green Valley Dr, Bloomington, 55437
(952) 831-8000, (952) 831-8426,
sales@cpmsp.com
Experience the newly redesigned European-style Crowne Plaza Bloomington. Conveniently located just minutes from the Twin Cities International Airport and Mall of America with complimentary transportation. Complimentary wireless Internet throughout. Amenities include junior olympic pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, fitness center, business center, restaurant, lounge and meeting space. Redefined. Elegance. www.cpmsp.com

GRAND LODGE HOTEL
1700 E American Blvd, Bloomington, 55425
(952) 854-8900
Just next door to the all-new Water Park of America is Grand Lodge-—a lovely, 400-room hotel offering guaranteed admission to the water park, three restaurant options, a full-service spa, family convenience and much more. Visit www.waterparkofamerica.com for more details.

HAMPTON INN BLOOMINGTON
AIRPORT AREA
4201 American Blvd W, Bloomington, 55437
(952) 835-6643, (800) HAMPTON,
MSPBA_Hampton@hilton.com
Free hot breakfast, free wireless Internet access, free local calls, 24-hour shuttle to and from Mall of America and the airport; 24-hour restaurant attached with lounge next door.

SOFITEL MINNEAPOLIS
5601 W 78th St, Bloomington, 55439
(952) 835-1900
Just 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the Mall of America, the Sofitel Minneapolis features a redesigned modern interior atrium lobby, 276 spacious rooms, six suites and award-winning restaurants. www.sofitel.com

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