Foshay Tower Grand Opening? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: hotels, garden, move)

[AllCity RayofMinneapolis]

When does the newly renovated Foshay Tower hold it's grand opening?

I can't wait to see that Sky Bar!

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I thought I saw somewhere that it was August 18th.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I think that was a good move for Manny's also.

[ozzie679]

Is it going to be called the W Hotel?

[Thegonagle]

Yes, it's a "W" hotel (W is a division of Starwood), and AFAIK, the hotel opened for business last Thursday. I'm not sure when the bars will be open (if they're not open already).

I hope that the observation deck will be open to the public again, not just to hotel guests. I love observation decks and high balconies.

I've read about the extensive restoration work they did inside the building, especially to the original ceiling inside the main lobby. That should be cool.

I should have a chance to check it out soon.

[ozzie679]

Is there a shortage of high end hotels in MSP?
What are some of the highest end hotels in the cities? I've stayed at the downtown Hilton several times and I'm not impressed. I'm guessing the W will make the Hilton look like a Holiday Inn.

[Guero]

Friend of mine works there so I will be checking it out sooner or later!

The FOSHAY letter lights are back on!

[Kingsnkali]

I'm old enough to remember when the Foshay Tower was the biggest building in Minneapolis.

And then they built that wonder of all wonders....IDS.

[Guero]

Originally Posted by Kingsnkali

I'm old enough to remember when the Foshay Tower was the biggest building in Minneapolis.

And then they built that wonder of all wonders....IDS.

Me too!

A while back, someone posted a pic of Mpls. right after the IDS was completed. Hilarious.

[Thegonagle]

Originally Posted by ozzie679

Is there a shortage of high end hotels in MSP?
What are some of the highest end hotels in the cities? I've stayed at the downtown Hilton several times and I'm not impressed. I'm guessing the W will make the Hilton look like a Holiday Inn.

The Hilton is what it is... Big.

Highest-end hotels (in Minneapolis--I'm not familiar with St. Paul) are Ivy, Graves, Westin, Grand, and the new W. Maybe Chambers, too, but their rooms are pretty small for what they charge. I'll throw the Marquette into that list, too, because they're steadily remodeling all the rooms, the location is great, and rock stars occasionally stay there.

The older hotels are going to need to step it up a notch. They've been remodeling, but not quickly enough to keep up with all the brand new rooms Starwood has introduced to the city.

We now have four Starwood hotels, whereas two years ago, we had none. Also, the Hotel Minneapolis (by Doubletree) just opened a few weeks ago, the Normandy (Best Western) just remodeled the oldest part of their building and opened 30-40 new suites last year, and the Hilton Garden is on track (it won't be ready in time for the RNC though).

Embassy Suites seems to be winning the new race to the bottom ever since the Ramada closed. (Actually, they're nowhere near as bad as the Ramada, and probably couldn't sink that low, but they need to do some serious updating.)