OverviewLocated about a 20-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis just north of Interstate 494, the Sofitel Minneapolis is geared towards business and vacation travellers who prefer a pet-friendly hotel with meeting/banquet facilities, on-site dining and easy highway access.
This non-smoking hotel has 282 air-conditioned guest rooms and 11 suites, each offering free limited Wi-Fi (extra bandwidth is an additional $9.95 per day), cable TV, a bathrobe and slippers, an in-room safe, an iron and ironing board, a hair dryer and a desk.
Standard rooms offer two double beds or one king bed, while suites with a separate bedroom and living room are also available. Suites may also offer additional amenities, such as a mini-fridge and coffeemaker.
The hotel is wheelchair-accessible and up to two pets of 50 lbs or less are permitted per room free of charge.
Hotel amenities include a fitness centre, massage services, meeting/banquet facilities, a business centre, a bakery, guest laundry, a gift shop and on-site dining at Colette Bar and Bistro, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Fred Richards Golf Course is roughly a 5-minute drive northeast of the hotel, while the Mall of America is a 10-minute drive east. The University of Minnesota is about a 15-minute drive northeast and Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a 15-minute drive eastward. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free limited Wi-Fi, free parking, up to 2 pets of 50 lbs or less permitted free, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: July 31, 2013)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with much praise going to the hotel's staff, rooms and location.
Many reviewers praised the hotel's staff, finding them to be courteous, professional, efficient and accommodating.
Numerous lodgers were pleased with the hotel's accommodations, describing their rooms as clean, well equipped, quiet, and spacious, with very comfortable beds and linens, good Wi-Fi and strong water pressure. It should be noted, however, that a few guests had complaints about their rooms (see below).
The hotel's location was complimented by several guests. They described it as close to the airport, highway access, the Mall of America, restaurants, car rental, walking trails, parks and golf courses.
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were a few common complaints about the rooms.
Although numerous lodgers were pleased with their clean and comfortable rooms, a few guests had complaints. They reported worn decor and furniture, small-sized rooms, no in-room coffeemakers and musty smells.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 4.5 out of 5 with a 95% recommendation rate from 977 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #
8 of 38 Bloomington hotels with a 4.5 out of 5 average rating from 570 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviews rated the hotel 9.1 out of 10 from 17 reviews.
The author called the hotel on July 31, 2013 to verify some information.
