AmericInn Hotel & Suites Mankato — Conference Center

The indoor pool and hot tub were clean and just the right temperature for our kids. We also found plenty of breakfast choices, and a sign said gluten-free and dairy-free options could be provided. Our room was comfortable and clean, and the lobby felt spacious, welcoming, and, most of all, clean. The front desk staff were wonderful.

The evening cookies were a nice touch, and the EV charging was a welcome bonus. Sentry mode did catch quite a few people who didn’t look too good trying to steal a charge. We were in Mankato for the light display and had a quality stay. The staff made chocolate chip cookies at night, the breakfast was decent, and both the room and pool were clean. Towels were available at the pool.

We checked in around 12:30 a.m. after doing the advance registration through a link the hotel texted me. I had my key and was on my way to the room within five minutes of walking in. I’d booked through Travelocity and had no reservation trouble. The staff were friendly and helpful. We were there from Wednesday of Thanksgiving week until Friday midday. I expected holiday rates and a fuller hotel, but the price was much lower than I’d thought, and it didn’t seem crowded based on the cars and guests I saw. My guess is that campus activity brings many of the guests, and university campuses tend to be quiet over the holidays. The hotel is clean and well maintained, and our room was comfortable and in very good shape. Breakfast included bacon, scrambled eggs, the usual cereal, toast, bagels, fruit, coffee and juice, plus two machines for fresh hot pancakes. We also enjoyed the nostalgia of being next to Minnesota State University at Mankato. When we attended in the early 1980s, it was called Mankato State University. Some buildings and street names were familiar, though a lot has changed in more than 40 years.

The one big drawback is that there’s no elevator. The rooms are also a bit small, though ours had a little recycling bin, which I loved since we usually have to take our recycling home. It’s a clean, modern, well-kept hotel in the heart of the University of Minnesota -Mankato campus. The pool and hot tub were nice, and the free breakfast had a great range of food.