He Traveling with Rob - Marquette Hotel, Minneapolis
Some of the links in this post go through an affiliate. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I might receive an affiliate commission which does not affect your prices at all, it isn't a lot but it helps me get more places posted. All opinions remain my own

The Marquette, Minneapolis

Having recently re-achieved my long languishing Diamond status at Hilton Hotels, there was a property in Minneapolis I had been looking at since 2008 as a place I really wanted to review. I got a one-bedroom suite in 2021 and in 2022 the opportunity that I couldn't refuse arose with the presidential suite, which now is a double room post for the Marquette Minneapolis, and it was so worth it.

Arrival

I drove up I-35W into downtown, navigating the maze of one-way streets to Marquette Avenue, and then parked in the heated underground garage (this is worth whatever it costs when the winter temps dip to -18F).
I took the elevator from the first floor of the parking garage to the main lobby, which is on the 1st floor.
Comfortable waiting spaceAnd expansive, you can get drinks here when the bar is open

The Rooms

Being upgraded on both visits, I will start with the Premium King Suite, a very nice spacious suite next to the elevators on most floors.
Big bedroom, no chance of bumping into things as the space is largeFairly standard type bathroom except with much more room allowing a shower, getting ready and going to the bathroom without interfering with others in thereThis is a very large living area for a 'standard' one room suite
The view is kinda nice here, especially at night with the Foshay lit up
Now on to what you probably are more interested in, the Presidential Suite, a one of a kind room on the top floor spanning the entire western end of hotel. So incredibly comfortable and removed from the rest of the property that I did not want to leave, for anything!
Understated entrance to a different worldMassive bedroom, two chaise lounges, floor to ceiling wardrobe with entertainment center, and the corner view of the IDS center
What a great place to sit and enjoy a cocktail in your roomCrazy big, and what are there?  7 bath towels?  Wow!A jet tub and shower combo, yes it does work, fill it up high for the sensors in it to turn on
I don't even know if I have enough friends to fill up this areaThis gives you a better sense of how large the room is, the pictures on the hotel site are not adequate to impart that to you
As snow falls during the night on the cityThe Foshay is a little easier to view from up hereThe northwest corner of the hotel's view

Covid Service

So with the variability of Covid, there were nights the lobby level bar and restaurant were not open at the hotel (people sick mainly). The restaurants close by are pretty stellar also, so options exist in spades. I really liked the 801 Chophouse. Breakfast was open every day though at the Jolliet House on the 3rd floor. Buffet on weekends, individual order on weekdays.
This is what is available to order during the week.  Something for everyoneFrom the buffet on the weekend, I had to taste it first to make sure it was worth sharing...Weekday breakfast
If you sweet talk Jan, you can get an omelet made although it's not expressly on the menuThe entry to Jolliet House, very stark and purposeful difference in decorThe weekend buffet spread, above your average one, decent selection
Looking out along the entranceAs they transition this back into a full restaurant, this will be such great seating in the evening.  Expect to see me here
Ground level dining is currently where you get full service food experience in the eveningThe bar!  The wings here (of course in a separate post) are yummy

Amenities

The gym, while small, has all the required items for workouts. Most people are seemingly just on the treadmills these days or yoga balls anyways. The ice "machines" are actually freezers with bags already filled for you; just take one and go. This is so cool.
Not the biggest room (actually the same size as a king suite) but covers the needs of several hotel guestsLook at that, I mean come on, isn't that just awesome presentation and convenience?
The business center is open should you need those last-minute dinner searches or to print a boarding passAnd many meeting rooms, if you are doing a family reunion, utilizing one of these for a private breakfast gathering seems like a grand idea

Summary

Listed as a 4 star hotel, it is blurring the line towards a 5 star. Such a great and restful place, but connected via the skyway to the entire city, also dead center location to everything downtown in every direction. I really enjoy staying here with service provided by the employees that was exceptional.

The suites are truly great rooms at this hotel and worth the extra cost over a regular room.

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated, so they will be posted after approval


Related blog posts

Wings at the Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis - Posted: 2021-09-01
Minneapolis Institute of Arts - Posted: 2022-08-11
Rob's travel status explained - Posted: 2022-12-29