Marriott Minneapolis City Center
Arrival
I had wanted to spend the weekend in Minneapolis and not have to worry about driving home after going out with an old friend, and also I had remembered that the Marriott City Center in Minneapolis had some bi-level suites that looked interesting. I booked a room and threw some Marriott Suite Nights at it hoping for that particular upgrade.Well, 3 days before the stay, I indeed did get an email letting me know I'd be staying in that room! The Marriott website does not do the room (or the hotel in general) justice, so here, I will.
The Room
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
The Floorplan for direct room click access.
Dining
Aurora is the restaurant and the bar, and it's difficult to see the delineation betwixt the two. Pretty standard Marriott fare with a couple of gems on the menu, but well, as a Titanium Lifetime member, I'm never one to neglect checking out what the M Lounge has. (I did have a drink with my lawyer friend at the bar, and it's quality).Amenities
Ok, so it's downtown, and a swimming pool is a rare luxury that very few hotels have here. But the gym is very functional.M Lounge
An M Lounge, the Marriott's executive lounge, which can be variant based on the property. This one is very good. The breakfast buffet is shared with the restaurant, so I was a bit indecisive where to place it, but it's going in here.
The layout of the room is not clear as the 2nd floor isn't seen here
The 'This Works' brand which is actually pretty good. I had low expectations first time I saw it, but it's a nice on
Not to be discounted by it's generic look
Cardio crazy, but, has the things I need for that Daniel Craig type look
Large public spaces in the lobby to work, wait, drink
Need your sundries? And MN gear? Here ya go!
Right on the lobby floor, easy to find
Large lounging area
The food area (yeah the lounge has some really good space)
Breakfast! Shared with the restaurant. In all fairness, good for the lounge but a little light if you paid for it
Yeah... I was hungover, this is the food I could handle
Summary
I love being in the energy of a city downtown, and being able to stage from, and retreat to, an exceptional room. Well, that just makes it better for me and my friends. Hell, this room could just be the party itself (I had considered it but I don't have a lot of friends).Lounge access upgrade pick? Hmmm. Coin toss. For most, probably not really what you need to do here. Yes it's good, but it's not "absolutely required" in my opinion.