HotelChatter

Radisson Blu Hotels / Hotel Hype / Mall Hotels / Minnesota Hotels / → All Tags

Radisson Blu, is Like, Going to the Mall, For Sure

Last month, there were rumblings that Radisson Blu would be opening in the Mall of America in Minnesota and now it's been confirmed--Radission Blu Mall of America will open in late 2012. The Star-Tribune reports:

The $115 million, 501-room hotel will anchor the south side of the Bloomington mall, between Macy's and Bloomingdale's, and will be the first to be connected to the mall via skyway.

Don't think you can wait until 2012 to experience a Radisson Blu and its free WiFi? The brand's first U.S. hotel will actually open in Chicago in fall of 2011.

Now, we're super excited for Radission Blu, a rather savvy European hotel brand, to continue its expansion into America. We just hope they consider other places than the Midwest.

[Photo via The Star Tribune]

Hotel News / Hotel Construction / Minnesota Hotels / Mall Of America / Radisson Blu Hotels / Sheraton Hotels / → All Tags

Could a Radisson Blu open in the Mall Of America?

There are already at least a dozen hotels a short shuttle bus ride away from the Mall of America, bus is that enough? No, sir! After all, the mall itself has over 520 stores—and more are in the works. The hotel is part of that expansion plan, which—if all goes well—will add an additional 5.6 million square feet to the massive temple of consumerism.

The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reports that the 501-room hotel will no longer be a Renaissance property, with Marriott International pulling out of the project as funding efforts stalled. Now, Radisson Blu and Sheraton are said to be the top brands tipped to manage the hotel.

more ›

Hotels / Hotel Amenities / → All Tags

Hotel Sofitel and the Hard to Find Ice Machine

Where: 5601 West 78th St [map], Bloomington, MN, United States, 55439

We recently offered you an idea for a more affordable jaunt in Southern France.

But for those who need something more affordable still, you can always go the French route in America and what better way to do that than in a Sofitel in the Mid-West.

The Hotel Sofitel Minneapolis is actually located in a southern suburb not too far from (get excited) the Mall of America.

Small French details ring throughout the four-star property, such as "Poussez" listed on the door rather than "Push".

And the hotel restaurants feature some of the best authentic French cuisine that can be found in the Twin Cities.

If that's not enough for you Francophiles, there's a giant Eiffel Tower tapestry hanging in the lobby, a gift shop that sells mini versions, and true to French culture, ice cubes are not to be found unless really searched for as warned by a past guest:

The ice machine was through a closed door in a hallway

That's right people, in France they drink their colas room-temp, so deal with it. And maybe the warm soda will help you forget you are in Minneapolis.

Related Stories:
· Hotel Sofitel Minneapolis Reviews [Trip Advisor]

Hotels / → All Tags

One Of These Hotels Is Doing Its Own Thing

Where: 5401 Green Valley Dr. [map], Bloomington, MN, United States, 55437

Minnesota's Mall of America is full of pre fab strip mall bullshit. Thus, as you can imagine, within a couple square miles of the mall you can find every boring brand name hotel on the hit list.

It goes without saying that most of these hotels are extremely run-of-the-mill, however, one Holiday Inn attempts to buck the vanilla trend.

The Crowne Plaza Minneapolis went boutique, and according to the NY Times, this hotel is able to pull it off.

The rooms are with usual boutique fare, but the big surprise is that this hotel provides a depth of services at an affordable price. Free WiFi, free in-room coffee (via coffee maker), cheerful room service, and an affable staff make this Crowne Plaza not only stand out amongst the cookie cutter mall motels, but also amongst boutique hotels nationwide, which sometimes forget to offer some of the nice-to-haves for free.

Related Stories:
·   Bloomington, Minn: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis [NY Times]
·   Crowne Plaza Minneapolis Reviews [TripAdvisor]