Bloomington's BEST Hotel Near MSP Airport: Holiday Inn Review!
Bloomington's BEST Hotel Near MSP Airport: Holiday Inn Review! (Prepare for a Rollercoaster!)
Okay, so, let's talk about the Holiday Inn near the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Seriously, I've just spent a whirlwind few days there, and I'm armed with enough opinions to fill a small airport carousel. This isn't going to be your typical robotic review. Brace yourselves for the real deal, folks.
Accessibility: A mixed bag… mostly GOOD.
Right off the bat, the Holiday Inn kinda gets it. The basics are there, which is a huge plus. They boast wheelchair accessibility, which is a must-have these days. I checked, and yes, the elevators actually work. The elevator is a godsend when you're lugging your luggage and a travel weary body. The facilities for disabled guests are pretty decent. They also offer facilities for disabled guests. Just a heads up – call ahead and confirm specifics. Nobody wants a surprise when they're already tired from travel.
Let's Talk Cleanliness & Safety: Phew! I felt safe!
Honestly, this is where they really shine. I was practically giddy with the precautions. The entire place felt surgically clean. They're all in on Anti-viral cleaning products and that's evident. They used Professional-grade sanitizing services, and I saw staff constantly wiping down surfaces. Even the air felt cleaner somehow (probably the lingering smell of cleaning products, but hey, I'm not complaining!).
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes, they do this, and it shows.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Spot on.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere – you couldn't escape it if you tried… which I loved!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They knew their stuff.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried. It's a hotel. It's hard.
- Cashless payment service: Another win in my book.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Good for peace of mind and easy to grab and go.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I appreciated the option, but really, I was all in on the clean!
- Safe dining setup: Table were spread out, and staff were careful.
Rooms: Pretty Standard, but Comfortable Enough
Alright, the rooms… they're what you expect from a Holiday Inn. Clean, comfortable, and not exactly bursting with personality. The non-smoking rooms were, thankfully, actually non-smoking (unlike some hotels I've been to – shudder).
- Air conditioning: Worked like a charm. Necessary because it was super hot outside and humid.
- Free Wi-Fi: YES! And it was pretty reliable. Essential.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for sleeping off jet lag (or just, y'know, sleeping in).
- Extra long bed: Nice touch.
- Wake-up service: It worked perfectly.
- Coffee/tea maker: Instant coffee. It's there, but you’re still better off going down to Starbucks.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Fridge: A lifesaver for storing snacks and leftovers!
- Daily housekeeping: My bed was made, the bathroom was clean, and I was happy.
- Bathroom phone: Who even uses these anymore? But it's there, I guess.
My One Great Experience – The Gym! (And Nearly Dying)
Okay, look, I'm not a gym rat. But I had an early morning flight, and felt the need to at lest attempt to burn off some of the travel bloat. The fitness center… well, it was surprisingly decent. The Fitness center was quite a gym! It had a decent number of treadmills and weights… and I went for it. I was the only one there. It was quiet and had the perfect setting to get into my groove, so I went hard, and, oh boy, do I love a well-designed gym. I worked up a sweat, and I can honestly say it saved me from all of the stress of travel.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Hit or Miss
The restaurants and bar were… okay. Let's be honest, hotel food is rarely gourmet.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I'm a sucker for hotel breakfast. The Breakfast [buffet] was okay. Nothing to write home about (unless "slightly warm scrambled eggs" is your jam). There were alternative arrangements made and a breakfast takeaway service if you're in a hurry.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: At least they had coffee.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver after a long day.
- Snack bar: Convenient for a quick bite.
- Poolside bar: Nope.
- Happy hour. Yes.
Services and Conveniences: Pretty Solid!
- Free parking: A HUGE win, especially near an airport!
- Airport transfer: They offer it, which is a lifesaver.
- Concierge: Friendly and helpful.
- Laundry service: Needed this after a long trip.
- Dry cleaning: Also needed.
- Convenience store: Perfect for grabbing those travel essentials you inevitably forgot.
- Business facilities good with Meeting/banquet facilities.
For the Kids: Meh…
I don't have kids, so I can't personally attest to the experience. But they have SOME stuff.
- Family/child friendly: Apparently.
- Babysitting service: Didn't use it.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy!
- Airport transfer: Yup, they got ya covered.
- Taxi service: Available.
- Car park [free of charge]: Huge bonus! Free parking near an airport is gold.
The Final Whine (or Whisper) and Recommendation!
Look, the Holiday Inn near MSP isn't perfect. It's a solid, reliable choice, and sometimes that's exactly what you need. It's Cleanliness and safety are top-notch, and for me, that’s a huge selling point. Is it the most luxurious hotel? No way. Is it the BEST for the MSP airport? Potentially.
Here's my take: If you value cleanliness, convenience, and a stress-free travel experience, book it. You won't be blown away, but you'll be comfortable, safe, and ready to face whatever your trip throws at you.
My Compelling Offer: Book Now and Get Peace of Mind!
Tired of worrying about cleanliness and safety while you travel? Book your stay at the Holiday Inn near MSP NOW and experience:
- Unbeatable Cleanliness: Relax in the knowledge that we have the highest standards. Our commitment to safety means YOU can be worry-free.
- Convenience at Your Fingertips: We are minutes from MSP airport with fast & easy access. Free parking, airport shuttle, and delicious dining options – everything you need for a smooth trip.
- Comfortable Rooms: You'll find everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
- Special Offer Book your stay for over 3 nights and receive a complimentary meal at the Hotel Restaurant.
Click here to book your stay and enjoy a worry-free travel experience near MSP!
Hanoi's Hidden Gem: Chic Boutique Hotel on Hang Gai (95)!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're talkin' reality, baby. Holiday Inn Bloomington, Minnesota, by the MSP airport… let the chaos commence!
Operation: Midwest Melt-Down (In a Cozy Way)
Day 1: Arrival and Airport Amnesia
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Descent of Craziness: Landed! Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes (and apparently, a whole lotta wind). Trying not to be too overwhelmed by baggage claim. My suitcase is practically an extension of myself at this point, full of hopes, dreams, and enough snacks to survive a zombie apocalypse. Found myself squinting against the bright airport lights like a vampire. Are these… real people?
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Shuttle Shenanigans & The Lobby Labyrinth: Okay, the Holiday Inn shuttle. Praying it arrives before my sanity departs. Oh, and the airport parking, dear God! The parking is crazy. Found the shuttle. Success! The driver is a chatty Cathy. Love her. The lobby… it's… clean. A little too clean. Makes me suspect there might be a secret cleaning army lurking. Check in. Attempting to remember my name, room number, and breathing. This is all a blur, I swear.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance & Initial Panic Assessment: Keycard acquired! My room. It's… functional. Maybe the curtains aren't quite "sunshine yellow" but they'll do. Quickly scout the room for emergency escape routes, decent WiFi signal (vital, people, vital!), and acceptable coffee situation. Realized I forgot my phone charger. Cue the internal scream.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Great Coffee Quest & Pre-Dinner Snack Attack: Mandatory coffee run. Praying the hotel coffee isn't the instant-death kind. Found a tiny little convenience shop. Score! Buttery goodness from the bakery. The caffeine is kicking in. I'm starting to feel human again. Started fantasizing about the hotel's breakfast buffet.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Evening's Inception: Okay, let's plan dinner. Is the hotel restaurant even good? I googled, but the reviews were… mixed. Maybe I should just order pizza. Or perhaps I should venture into the Minneapolis unknown. I don't know. Feeling indecisive. Then, I remembered I have some granola bars. The snacks are the real MVPs, after all.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner Roulette & Bedtime Bliss: Okay, I caved. Pizza it is. Ordered delivery. Was it gourmet? Hell no. Was it delicious? Absolutely. (I am ashamed to say I ate the whole damn thing.) Now, time to decompress. Flip on that bland TV. Scroll through social media, while my mind just drifts and drifts in a mindless loop, like a hamster on a wheel.
Day 2: Mall of America Mayhem and Minor Disasters (Potential)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet Binge (or Bust): Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, some say. The buffet calls! Fingers crossed for fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. Okay, it was decent. Nothing to write home about, but filled the void (of hunger). Coffee quality: still questionable.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: The MOA Mob and Mental Preparation: Mall of America. The behemoth. The mecca. The place where dreams… and credit cards… go to die. Taking a deep breath. Gathering my courage. I hear it's a maze, and I'm not a huge fan of mazes. Mapping out my strategy. (Probably not.)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Mall-A-Rama - The Retail Rumble: Okay, here we go. Walking into the belly of the beast. I'm immediately hit with a sensory overload. My inner child squeals with glee at the rollercoasters. I lose my way, of course. The sheer volume of people is mind-boggling. Found a great t-shirt in a store I can't actually remember. It was on sale!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunchtime & Regret: Lunch. Deciding what to eat in MOA is another crisis. Settled on… a food court. Let's just say I won't be winning any Michelin stars. Regret is setting in.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More Shopping, and The Loss of Self (Possibly): Browsing everything. The stores are a kaleidoscope of colors and scents. I almost bought a ridiculously expensive scarf. My bank account is breathing a sigh of relief. I'm getting lost in the crowds. I wander aimlessly, half-dazed by the sheer size of the place.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Emotional Recovery & Exit Strategy: Escape is a must. Slowly making my way back to my room, I'm exhausted from the sensory and social overload . I feel like I was stuck in a human hamster wheel. Seriously. I have shopping bags. I realize I forgot to call my mom. And my dog!
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Relaxation & Reflection: Back in my room. Taking a shower! My savior. I ordered takeout. This time, something a little more sophisticated… maybe. I've learned that the best part of travel is being able to retreat to your own little oasis. And the freedom to just be.
Day 3: Departure and the Aftermath
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Last Breakfast Gamble & Packing Panic: One last breakfast run. This is it. The end. Is there a coffee I haven't tried yet? Probably not. Packing is always a stressful experience. I tend to realize I've brought way too much (or way too little).
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Hotel Checkout & Airport Orientation: The check-out. Success! The hotel staff actually laughed at my corny jokes. Navigating the airport. Security, here I come.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Airport Agony & Take Off: The airport madness begins. Lining up, getting sniffed by dogs, taking off my shoes, etc. Oh, and getting stuck behind an entire family with like, 19 pieces of luggage. I have a book. I’m ready. My flight is delayed. Surprise, surprise. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Finally, the plane. The sweet relief of leaving begins.
1:00 PM Onward: The Journey Home & Post-Trip Trauma Therapy: The plane! Leaving with my suitcase. Reflecting on the trip. Did I accomplish anything? Did I see anything? Did I eat too much? Maybe. Probably. This is where the real fun begins: unpacking, laundry, and the slow, agonizing process of readjusting to reality. And, you know, planning the next trip!
Bloomington's BEST Hotel Near MSP Airport? Hold On, Let's Talk About The Holiday Inn (and My Sanity)
Okay, is this Holiday Inn REALLY the best hotel near MSP? Seriously? Because I need sleep. Desperately.
The shuttle service! Is it actually reliable? Because missing my flight is NOT an option this time…
What about the rooms? Are they… clean? I'm not asking for sterile, but I don't want to meet any new, unwanted roommates.
The pool! Is the pool a chaotic mess of screaming children? Or a relaxing oasis? Or somewhere in between, and should I pack a scuba set just in case?
What about the restaurant? Is it edible? Because food is life, you know?
Okay, let's get specific. ANY REALLY BAD experiences? (Dish the dirt!)
The "free" breakfast – worth it? Or should I Uber Eats?
