Bloomington's BEST Hotel? (Edina & Minneapolis Nearby!)
The Bloomington Buzz: Can the (Supposedly) BEST Hotel Really Deliver? (And is it worth the drive from Minneapolis?!)
Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from a… experience at what they're calling Bloomington's BEST hotel. That’s a mighty claim, especially when you're battling the Minneapolis-Edina hotel scene. I'm here to spill the tea – the lukewarm, almost-gone-cold tea that might be available in the in-room coffee maker. (More on that later.)
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- Keywords: Bloomington Hotel Review, Minneapolis Hotel, Luxury Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Spa Hotel, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Restaurants, Wi-Fi, Business Travel, Family Friendly, Near Mall of America, Edina, Minneapolis, Hotel Deals, Best Hotel Bloomington
- Description: Honest review of a Bloomington hotel near Minneapolis, highlighting accessibility, amenities, restaurant options, and overall experience. Includes pros, cons, and a healthy dose of real-world observations.
The Arrival: A First Impression Shuffle
Finding the place was easy enough. Big plus! It's right there, smack dab in the middle of everything (presumably, that's the point). Getting inside however, was a slight… dance. I’m not exactly a marathon runner these days, and those automatic doors seemed determined to close just as I reached them. Sigh. Still, accessibility is important even for someone relatively able-bodied. The lobby itself? Slick. Polished. Almost too polished, like the kind of place you’re afraid to breathe on. And yes, there’s a serious lack of that warm, welcoming "I'm home" vibe. More like, "Welcome to… a very expensive museum."
Accessibility: The Good… and the “Needs Work”
Okay, let’s talk accessibility. This is a big deal, and one of the main reasons I chose this spot. They advertised it as accessible. The good news? Wide doorways, elevators, and wheelchair accessibility seemed largely present. The rooms – well, they claimed to have accessible rooms, and I'm going to assume they do, even if I didn't test one. The bad news? Some of the hallways felt a bit cramped. And the real issue? The dining room experience. The tables, while generally spaced, could feel crowded. Navigating with mobility aids might be tricky during peak hours. Seriously, this hotel can't be the BEST unless every single person CAN get around without a struggle.
Rooms: Luxury-ish… or a Fancy Box?
My Room? Nice. Clean. The free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver, and it really was fast and reliable. I needed to be online for work. *Free Wi-Fi in *all* rooms!* Praise be!. (No dodgy Wi-Fi in the public areas either!). The Air conditioning worked… thankfully. The details? Blackout curtains (bliss!), bathrobes (luxe!), and complimentary bottled water (appreciated!). The refrigerator was small but helpful for storing those overpriced snacks I bought at the convenience store downstairs. The extra long bed was comfy! The Soundproofing seemed to do its job, but I'm a light sleeper and I still heard… something… at 3 am. I think someone dropped a suitcase? The mirror was conveniently located, the desk was adequate. So, 8/10 on the room - and that’s only because of the damn coffee. Yeah, it's true… the coffee/tea maker was a sad, sad little thing. And the daily housekeeping had to be asked for.
Dining: From Buffet Bonanza to… Disappointment Salad
Restaurants: They have Restaurants… plural! A bar, coffee shop, salad in restaurant, soup in restaurant, and restaurants. They even claim to have Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant.
Breakfast: The breakfast [buffet] was a buffet in restaurant; I went. It was decent, but the “Asian breakfast” options seemed… questionable. Honestly, I think the Western breakfast was more their speed. The breakfast takeaway service was a nice touch.
The Sad Salad Story: One evening, I tried the restaurant. Let's just say my "salad" was less a culinary masterpiece and more a collection of wilted greens and vaguely recognizable croutons. The desserts in restaurant weren’t particularly inspiring either. It was a "meh" eating experience. I really wished I'd ordered room service instead. The 24-hour room service is a lifesaver! I did however, see an excellent happy hour with very high-end people.
Relaxation & Recreation: Poolside Dreams?
- Swimming Pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was… fine. Clean. But it didn't exactly have a "view," unless you count the parking lot. The Pool with view… was a mirage.
- Spa: The Spa was… promising. They offered Massage, Body scrub, and Body wrap. I managed to squeeze in a massage, which was decent. Not life-changing, but helpful. They also have a Gym/fitness area… I walked in and promptly walked back out. I'm on vacation, people!
Cleanliness & Safety: A Tale of Two Halves
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Apparently, they use them.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Promising.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it!
I had a brief moment where I worried about a lack of doctor/nurse on call. Is that paranoid? Maybe! But the First aid kit was a reassuring sight. The Hygiene certification plastered on the wall felt a bit forced, but at least they were trying. The Cashless payment service was smooth as butter, which I appreciated. I really felt like they were taking it seriously.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things (That Add Up)
- Concierge: Helpful, but a little… robotic.
- Laundry service: Convenient, but pricey.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes! Love that.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They have them. Useful for business travelers, I suspect.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Overpriced, of course.
- Daily housekeeping: See room section above.
- Doorman: Appreciated, sometimes.
For the Kids: (Because, let’s be real, some of us ARE parents.)
- Family/child friendly: Yes, in general.
- Kids meal: Available, which is helpful.
- Babysitting service: Offered. Nice!
- Kids facilities: I saw a game room, I think? Honestly, I didn't hang around the kid stuff.
The Verdict: Best?… Maybe… (With Caveats)
Is this hotel the absolute BEST in Bloomington? That’s a tough call. It’s definitely a solid option; particularly if you’re here for business and the proximity to the mall is a factor. The free Wi-Fi is a huge plus! The accessible aspects are commendable, but need some refinement, and the dining experience, while passable, could use some serious love. I’d give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s a modern, clean hotel with most features. But it has a long way to go before it earns the title of "best," especially when compared to the genuine warmth and soul you can find elsewhere. Still, if you're looking for a convenient, relatively luxurious spot near Minneapolis, it's on my list. Maybe bring your own coffee. And possibly a decent salad dressing. (Or, you know, just skip the salad.)
Oshkosh Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Quality Inn!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. We're going to Minneapolis, baby! And we're doing it… my way. Or at least, the way I think I want to do it. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind halfway through and just hole up in the hotel room with a bag of chips. Let's see how this unfolds.
Destination: Best Western Bloomington Edina - Minneapolis Bloomington (MN)
(Because, honestly, where else are we going to sleep?)
Day 1: Arrival & That Whole "Settling In" Thing (Ugh)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: ARRIVAL. God, airports. Don't even get me started. The usual chaos of baggage claim, the phantom limb sensation when you swear you left something in that overhead bin, the existential dread of realizing you're probably carrying all your worldly possessions in a suitcase. But hey, at least I made it! Found the Best Western. It's… well, it's a Best Western. Clean enough, I guess. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. (Or maybe it's just the pool.) Check-in: uneventful. Except for the moment I almost forgot my ID. Mortifying.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Unpack, survey the room. I'm in a non-smoking room. Good. My mental health couldn’t handle a smoky situation in a hotel room where I'm supposed to feel relaxed. The bedspread… questionable, but the sheets look clean. (I secretly judge the cleanliness of hotel sheets more than I'm willing to admit.) Find the remote! Vital. Test out the TV. Ah, the sweet, sweet hum of CNN. Everything is going to be just fine. (Famous last words, I'm sure.)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: A quick stroll. Ugh, the shopping mall, or a nearby park. It's whatever. Might need to grab some snacks for the room. Gotta build the "I-should-be-socializing-but-I'm-watching-TV-in-my-pajamas" reserves. I'm not sure exactly what I crave yet, but I know it's salty and crunchy. And maybe a little bit sweet. (The eternal travel dilemma.) This is the part when I start to feel the twinge of loneliness and begin to consider all the potential regrets of taking a trip by myself.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Indecision. Dinner. Oh, the agony of choice! Do I brave a restaurant? (Social interaction! Terrifying!) Or, the sweet, sweet comfort of takeout? (My comfort zone! Glorious!). I'm leaning heavily towards takeout. Probably some kind of… what's good in Minneapolis? Meat on a stick? No, that's not it. OK, I'll do research.
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Dinner (Takeout, probably). TV. Regret. Remorse. Wondering if I should have just skipped the trip altogether (no). Maybe some light reading. Maybe a phonecall to someone who is not here (maybe). What if I was a writer? Maybe I could use this trip for inspiration. Maybe I'm already going to waste it.
- 10:00 PM - Bed. Sleep. Praying not to wake up in a cold sweat at 3 AM.
Day 2: Mall of America… and Existential Dread
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. (Success!) Shower. Contemplate the day ahead, primarily the Mall of America. (It's a giant mall, what more can you possibly say?!) I'm half-excited/half-terrified. The sheer scale of it is overwhelming. I feel bad for the poor employees working there.
- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: The Mall of America: An Odyssey. This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. I've heard whispers of roller coasters INSIDE. Roller coasters! Inside a shopping mall! (My adrenaline is starting to pump) I must see this. I'll probably get lost. I'll definitely spend too much money on something I don't need. I'm calling this the "Zone of Excessive Spending." Wish me luck.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch at the Mall of America - I'll try to find something reasonably priced and not overly greasy (Yeah, right). Probably get lost again, finding a place to eat.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back to the Mall. Maybe I will see something pretty and get inspired. Maybe I will just get burnt out. Perhaps I'll simply walk around, observing humanity in its natural habitat. (AKA, the actual reason I travel). This is when the cracks in the facade of "organized traveler" start to show. I might also just want to go lay down.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Return to the hotel. Nap (maybe?). Decide I hate shopping. Decide I love the mall. Decide I need more snacks. Begin the inevitable mental battle with myself, about whether it's too soon to start drinking.
- 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Dinner. (Leftovers from lunch? Definitely a possibility). More TV. Maybe a walk around the hotel. Get a terrible night's sleep.
Day 3: The "Culture" Day? (Or Trying to Fake It Till You Make It)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. I am a bit tired.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Art Gallery. (This is my attempt to appear cultured). It's always a gamble whether I'll actually enjoy this. It's a high-stakes game of "pretending to understand art." Wish me luck.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. I'll need a quiet place to reflect on the art, or just to recharge. (Probably the second one.)
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Another museum. Maybe the Science Museum of Minnesota? (If I'm feeling ambitious.) If not, I might just end up back at the hotel. It's okay.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Explore something in Edina or Minneapolis. Walk around. Take photos. (Or, you know, text my friends and complain).
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Perhaps at a local restaurant. (Attempt to embrace the local culture. Or at least, eat something that isn't a chain).
- 7:00 PM - Onward: Pack (sigh). Stare out the window, contemplating life. Wondering if I made any good choices. The usual.
Day 4: Departure & The "So What Did You Learn?" Debrief
- 10:00 AM: Check out. (Praying I don't leave anything behind… again). Grab a coffee. Or maybe a pastry. Or both.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Airport. The dreaded "waiting" game begins. (Read: scrolling through social media). Look longingly at the duty-free shops, knowing full well I don't need anything.
- 12:00 PM: Fly home. Reflect on the past few days. What did I learn? Did I find myself? Did I at least eat well? Did I manage to avoid having a complete meltdown? (The jury's still out).
- Onward: Begin immediately planning the next trip. Because, let's be honest, travel is the only real escape from reality. And even if it's messy and imperfect, it's still… something.
Important Considerations:
- Snacks: Absolutely essential. Must acquire.
- Phone Charger: Don't forget this.
- Sense of Humor: Vital. Especially when things go wrong. (And they will.)
- Flexible Expectations: Prepare for things to deviate from this, and don't get bent out of shape. That's half the fun.
So there you have it. My "itinerary". Wish me luck. And please, send snacks! This solo trip could use all the help it can get.
Charleston's French Quarter Inn: Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Bloomington's "Best" Hotel (Edina & Minneapolis Adjacent!) - The Unofficial FAQ (Because Let's Be Honest, They're Probably Lying)
Is this *really* the "best" hotel in Bloomington? Like, *really* really?
Okay, let's be brutally honest here. "Best" is subjective, right? Depends on what you're after. If you want a sterile, corporate experience where everything is perfect and all the staff are robots programmed to smile, well... maybe. But if you want something... *memorable*? Something with a *soul*? Then maybe, just maybe, this place MIGHT be a contender. I mean, it's better than that *other* place down the street with the questionable carpet stains, right? I walked through the lobby there *once* and it felt like stepping into a time machine... back to 1987. Ewww.
Look, it has its quirks. We'll get into those. But "best"? Let's just say it's *interesting*. And that's often more entertaining, isn't it?
Alright, alright, fine. What's actually good about the hotel? Like, beyond the marketing fluff?
Okay, positives. Let's see... location. Yeah, it's actually pretty decent. Near the Mall of America (if that's your thing, which, let me tell you, is a *thing*), and close enough to Edina and Minneapolis that you're not stranded in some desolate hotel hellscape. The staff… they’re usually trying. I mean, they're not *all* perfect. I had one check-in experience where the poor woman looked like she'd been wrestling alligators, but hey, she still managed to get me my key and (eventually) my rewards number. Bonus points for effort, am I right?
And the beds... *they're pretty comfy.* I'm a sucker for a good bed. Honestly, sometimes I check in just for the sleep. I may or may not have considered faking a minor illness to get an extra night once. Don't judge me.
What's the deal with the "nearby" Minneapolis and Edina? Are we talking walking distance?
Oh, honey. No. Walking distance? Absolutely not. Unless your idea of a fun weekend is a marathon through suburban purgatory. "Nearby" in Minnesota is a relative term. Think "a short drive" or "a reasonable Uber ride." Edina's closer, for sure. Maybe a quick 10-15 minute drive. Minneapolis? Depends on traffic. Could be 20 minutes, could be an hour if you hit the wrong time and the gods of highway construction are angry. Seriously, Minnesota drivers... are a breed apart.
I once tried to bike to Minneapolis from the hotel. Big mistake. *Huge*. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're training for the Tour de France. Or have a strong masochistic streak.
Let's talk about those "quirks." You mentioned quirks... spill the tea.
Okay, quirks. Here’s where things get interesting. First off, the elevator situation. Sometimes… it's a *thing*. I swear, it has a mind of its own. One time, I was stuck between floors for a good fifteen minutes. Panic set in. I mean, I'm claustrophobic! I pressed the emergency button and all I got was elevator music playing on loop! Finally, some maintenance guy (who looked like he'd just rolled out of bed) banged on a panel and it magically started working again. He just shrugged and said, "happens all the time." Charming. Absolutely charming.
And the breakfast buffet? Don't get me started. It's… serviceable. But don't expect Michelin-star quality. The scrambled eggs are usually a shade of yellow that defies nature. The coffee... well, let's just say it's a *strong* start to your day. And I swear I saw a tiny, rogue child’s hand reaching across to the bacon once. I quickly grabbed some more and went back to my table.
The breakfast buffet... deeper dive?
Okay, okay, buckle up. Breakfast. The *heart* of the hotel experience. Look, I've seen some things in my time. I've seen buffets that bring tears to my eyes (in a good way), and buffets that… well, let's just say they haunt my dreams. This one? Lives in the middle ground. The in-between. The… *existential* space of breakfast.
The "fresh fruit" selection is a mystery. You get what you are given. I've seen apples that look like they've been through a war. Bananas are either rock-hard or the consistency of baby food. Sometimes, there's a sliced orange. If you're lucky, they're not all slimy. The cereal? Basic. The oatmeal? A congealed, beige blob. I did once find a rogue, half-eaten blueberry muffin in the oatmeal. I’m *still* not over it. It was… unsettling. Let it be known I had to get a continental breafast after that, in my room.
However... I *will* say that the waffles are (usually) pretty decent. If you can master the waffle iron without completely incinerating your breakfast, you're in for a treat. The bacon? It varies. Sometimes crispy, sometimes… soft. But look, at the end of the day, it's fuel. And isn't that really what a hotel breakfast is all about? Fuel for your adventures… or, in my case, fuel for another day of staring at a laptop screen.
My advice? Go in with low expectations. Grab a waffle. And pray you don't encounter any rogue muffins lurking in the oatmeal. You, my friend, have been warned.
Parking? Expensive? Nightmare-ish?
Parking isn't *terrible*. It's not free, of course. Nothing is free anymore, is it? The going rate isn't highway robbery, but it's definitely something you need to budget for. The actual parking situation? Usually okay. I've only had extreme difficulty finding a spot once or twice, and that was during a massive convention. Otherwise, you should be alright. Just be prepared to walk a bit if you get there late. And try to remember where you parked. I’ve spent a good hour wandering around the parking lot looking for my car more than once. It’s a skill, really.
Would you recommend it? Be brutally honest.
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would *I* recommend it? That depends. If you'Hidden Stay
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