LivINN Hotel St Paul East / Maplewood

We found the lobby pantry really handy when we wanted a late night snack, and the hot breakfast was good too. The hotel looked brand new and was super clean. Best hotel bed we’ve experienced, so I definitely recommend staying here.

The rooms were clean, and the fridge and microwave were a decent size. The outlet setup was awkward, though: four plugs on one nightstand and none on the other, plus one by the door and one in the bathroom. It was hard to keep everyone’s phone and laptop charged. Our room was also supposed to include a desk, which we needed for work, but it didn’t, so the upgrade was money wasted. The place was loud, with arguments in the hall and even the neighbor’s bathroom noises coming through. Every now and then a poop smell came into the room. I’m not sure if it was sewer gas, and it smelled like marijuana all the time. The area didn’t feel great, there wasn’t much nearby, and a group of men were always hanging out in the parking lot.

The continental breakfast was just average, but the stay itself was as good as I could ask for. The spot right off the highway was convenient, and there was no chance of getting lost. After I checked out, I thought I’d left a small bag behind. A staff member, whose name I wish I’d gotten so she could receive credit, searched everywhere she could and called to say it wasn’t there. That helped me think of another place to check, where I found it. That kind of care matters, especially after I was no longer a customer.

I stayed several days and had a pleasant time. My room was comfortable, reasonably roomy, clean enough that it never felt icky, and the internet worked well enough. The microwave and fridge shared a power strip that shut off when the microwave ran, so I had to plug it into the wall to use it. Otherwise, no big issues. Staff were good, amenities worked, and I didn’t have noisy neighbors. Breakfast was fine, with rotating hot foods, pancakes, yogurt, juice, milk, bread, bagels, cereal, and the usual continental choices. Not amazing, but there was plenty. Coffee, tea, and hot water were almost always available when I checked after breakfast, from after 10 a.m. until nearly 5 one evening. I’m sure I could have asked the front desk for more coffee. There were two PCs in the business center, though I didn’t use them. It was mostly quiet during my stay, and I didn’t hear traffic outside. I heard some construction in a room across the hall one day while working remotely, but it wasn’t loud or disruptive and took place during work hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other than that, I only heard a loud neighbor when I was in the hall or someone was right outside my door. The hotel is right off the highway and convenient, though a bit tricky to reach. There’s not much in walking distance, but with a car there are plenty of places a short drive away in Minnesota, including a Costco about 10 minutes away. Dennys is next door, but I never went. This is a value-focused, functional hotel, and some guests may be here because it’s the best option available to them. Everyone I encountered was polite and kept to themselves. It’s not a “den of drug dealers” or a “slum.” I’d stay again. Long review, but the hotel is fine and a great value.