Element by Marriott Bloomington Mall of America

Nicole at the front desk was a highlight of our Christmas Eve stay. She helped with check-in, gave recommendations, and explained the hotel amenities. James also made my day with something especially sweet. Our room was comfortable and clean, and breakfast was excellent, with several gluten-free and dairy-free options we appreciated. The low-flow shower was a bit frustrating, but we had a wonderful stay and a lovely Christmas Eve.

Breakfast had a good range, and I especially loved the options: eggs cooked to order in cast iron skillets, freshly made scrambled eggs, potatoes with bacon, plus the usual yogurt and bakery items. It was clean and quiet, within walking distance of Mall of America and two restaurants next door. We also used the pool and hot tub, which were relaxing. The hot tub holds 6, and luckily neither was busy when we went.

The room felt modern, with useful technology, filtered water, and a lighted closet. It was clean and had nice lighting, and the shopping and dining nearby are very convenient. Just know that planes start taking off at 6am and will wake you. The doors are loud too, so you'll hear neighbors coming and going.

The room was spacious and worked well for our family of 4. After a full day of walking and attractions, the kids enjoyed winding down in the pool. The hotel was a great base for exploring Mall of America, which we could walk to even with the snow. Breakfast had plenty of variety, including breads and pastries, yogurt, fruit, eggs, and more. Service was very good, and they offered to let us leave the car there after checkout for a second day at the Mall. The only issue we had was a noise from the ventilation system in our room, maybe from the cover above it. We knew the hotel is near the airport and planes start flying early, but I'd recommend getting up early and heading to the attractions at opening time, when there are fewer people.