Romantic hotel suggestions?? (Minneapolis, Stillwater, Nicollet: hotels, home, theater)

[labmom1]

Hubby & I will have our first weekend free of kids in 5 years - yahoo! I have some business in Minneapolis and we are looking to make a weekend of things. Any suggestions for a cool hotel or Bed & Breakfast? Someplace sans children??? My meetings are at the U of M West Bank Campus - not that we need so be close by, but something within an easy commute would be good.
Also - any interesting events happening the weekend of Jan 16? Thanks!

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by labmom1

Hubby & I will have our first weekend free of kids in 5 years - yahoo! I have some business in Minneapolis and we are looking to make a weekend of things. Any suggestions for a cool hotel or Bed & Breakfast? Someplace sans children??? My meetings are at the U of M West Bank Campus - not that we need so be close by, but something within an easy commute would be good.
Also - any interesting events happening the weekend of Jan 16? Thanks!

Not sure exactly what you're looking for, but my wife and I enjoyed our time here: FantaSuite Hotels Home Page - Suites With A Unique Fantasy Theme

[golfgal]

How far are you willing to drive? There are some great Bed and Breakfasts in Stillwater as well as the Lowell Inn there.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by labmom1

Hubby & I will have our first weekend free of kids in 5 years - yahoo! I have some business in Minneapolis and we are looking to make a weekend of things. Any suggestions for a cool hotel or Bed & Breakfast? Someplace sans children??? My meetings are at the U of M West Bank Campus - not that we need so be close by, but something within an easy commute would be good.
Also - any interesting events happening the weekend of Jan 16? Thanks!

The Nicollet Island Inn is a reused historic building that sits on the only inhabited island on the Mississippi. The area is a historic district, has plenty of things to do and is less than ten minutes to the West Bank.

[Kebinminn]

Originally Posted by golfgal

How far are you willing to drive? There are some great Bed and Breakfasts in Stillwater as well as the Lowell Inn there.

A couple things about the Lowell. We were there on our anniversary and the room was nice BUT the beds were extremely soft, it was like laying in marshmallow fluff and the toilet was open to the hottub which was odd. Some rooms have the toilet in a private spot but ours didn't and there was no real shower, just a spray nozzle in the whirlpool.

It was very romantic but it sucks to have a hard time moving around on the beds on a romantic weekend.

[MplsTodd]

I'd recommend staying downtown. There are lots of new upscale hotels that probably offer deals due to the state of the economy:

Among them are:
W : the historic Foshay Tower was converted into a upscale hotel. You're right in the skyway system (which is nice in the winter) and one block from 9th & Nicollet, which is close to dozens of great restaurants and attractions (check out jazz at The Dakota or concerts at Orchestra Hall). There's also lots of theater to look into: The Guthrie (on the River) or whatever's on at The Orpheum, Pantages, Illusion or State).

The Ivy: a few blocks further south, but still close to the South Nicollet Mall area (check out Brits Pub for a pub environment or Masa or Vincent for upscale dining).

[labmom1]

Thanks for the info so far - we are leaning to staying downtown and catching a show along with a good meal.

W - sounds interesting as well as The Ivy...I've also looked at Chambers, Graves 601, aLoft.....how do all these compare? We are looking for something that is different from the standard Hyatt et al.

I'm checking out the Nicollet Inn as well - that sounds fun too.

Thanks!

[MplsTodd]

Any of the hotels you mentioned would be better than your standard Hyatt or Marriott. Of the hotels you mentioned, the Aloft is more removed from the heart of downtown, although there are several interesting restaurants nearby (along with the Guthrie Theater and the riverfront, but the river's a better amenity when its not winter) and you'd be closer to the West Bank.

The Chambers is very funky and small. They have an ice bar in their courtyard plus the red, white and mod cut blue bar on the fifth floor. It's in the midst of the Theater district and not too far from the Nicollet Mall restaurants and bars, plus pretty close to the Warehouse District clubs and bars. The 601 Graves is also very close to the Warehouse District (which attracts lots of people in their 20s, while places along Nicollet tends to be people in their 30s, 40s and up).

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by labmom1

Thanks for the info so far - we are leaning to staying downtown and catching a show along with a good meal.

W - sounds interesting as well as The Ivy...I've also looked at Chambers, Graves 601, aLoft.....how do all these compare? We are looking for something that is different from the standard Hyatt et al.

I'm checking out the Nicollet Inn as well - that sounds fun too.

Thanks!

The W and the Ivy are brand new, but not necessairily unique or especially romantic. The Graves 601 is the closest to nightlife, but I have never been fond of it. If I got a free room for any hotel, I would probably go to the Chambers.
The Saint Paul Hotel is another favorite, and may make up for having to spend the night in Saint Paul . The hotel is a historic property on a lovely city park.

[labmom1]

How about the Grand Hotel? Anyone stayed there??