16. Radisson University
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (612) 379-8888
Address: 615 Washington Ave. SE
Description: The Radisson University is set on the University of Minnesota–Minneapolis campus. A short walk from U of M sporting venues and Dinkytown—the main college-kid hangout—this is a great place to catch most of the sports action in town, college or otherwise. The hotel offers amenities including an on-site Applebee’s (if, indeed, that counts as an “amenity”), a gift shop, a Starbucks, and a Great Clips salon. Guests receive free access to the university’s Sports and Recreation Facility next to the hotel, complimentary shuttle service to any destination within 5 miles of the hotel on an appointment basis, and free high-speed wireless Internet access.
17. Residence Inn Minneapolis Downtown At The Depot
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (612) 340-1300
Address: 425 South Second St.
Description: This relatively inexpensive hotel is connected to the restored Historic Depot Complex in downtown Minneapolis near the riverfront and the new Guthrie Theater. The hotel, built in 2000 and last renovated in 2006, features an indoor water park and free deluxe continental breakfast, as well as suites with in-room kitchens, fold-away sofabeds, and high-speed Internet access. More basic rooms are also available. All rooms are nonsmoking.
18. W Hotel Minneapolis
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (612) 215-3700
Address: 821 Marquette Ave.
Description: The opening of the historic Foshay Tower as a luxury W Hotel in 2008 was a major event in the Twin Cities, a return to glory for the 1929 art deco landmark. The 230-room hotel offers plush accommodations and serves as a social hub for stylish and well-heeled (especially the latter) travelers and locals alike. Dining options include the decadent extravagance of Manny’s Steakhouse and, with less table linen but equally big portions, Keys Café. There is a comfortable bar on the hotel’s 1st floor and on the 27th floor, Wilbur Foshay’s boardroom has been converted into the ’30s-themed Prohibition Lounge. Numerous other amenities are at your fingertips—it is, after all, a luxury hotel.
19. Wales House
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (612) 331-3931
Address: 1115 SE Fifth St.
Description: Since opening to the public in 1994, this 10-bedroom bed-and-breakfast has been providing the charm of a home for faculty, staff, and other visitors to the University of Minnesota for extremely reasonable rates. Hundreds of visitors from more than 68 countries have stayed in this antiques-furnished turn-of-the-20th-century home. The living rooms, which are open to guests, include a four-season porch, large front parlor, fireplace room, lounge, dining room, and kitchen. Outside, guests can use the front patio. Amenities include free continental breakfast, free wireless high-speed Internet access, a furnished guest kitchen, on-site laundry, and a cleaning service. The bed-and-breakfast is nonsmoking throughout.