Aloft Minneapolis

The rooms were spacious and comfortable, though a bit lackluster, and there was some noise from slamming doors and street traffic. Still, it’s a nice hotel in a pretty good location, especially if you’re going to a Viking game or a concert at us bank stadium.

The pool area was very clean, and the hot tub felt great after a cold walk. The gym was large and clean, though the music was blasting from the speakers and I couldn’t figure out how to turn it down. Staff were friendly, the lobby had a lively feel, and the beds were comfortable. It was very clean and in a good location. I chose this hotel because it was close to the US state Stadium for the Vikings game. Parking is nearby but pricey. I couldn’t check in before the game, but they let me leave my bags at the front desk.

They didn’t mention when I booked that parking would cost $30 per night, and there wasn’t a dresser for clothes. The woman at the desk rattled off the amenities so fast that I just said okay and figured I’d learn as I went. A bit irritating, but I’m only here for a fun time, not a long time, as GS says.

The bartender was really friendly, and there are games in the lobby, though it was too busy for us to get a chance to play. The pool is small, and no one told us the hot tub was out of order. Breakfast was slow and expensive for the little food provided. For what this hotel costs, I’d stay somewhere else. We chose it because it’s close to US Bank Stadium and makes it easy to walk downtown. But the check-in signs were confusing and hard to spot, and the front desk staff were matter-of-fact rather than friendly. We asked about parking and were basically brushed off. The little information they did give us was wrong, and we were charged $45. Several parking prices listed on the website also turned out to be incorrect. The room was small and noisy, and we could hear everything in the hallway. Although the TV had an option to connect our own device, it was locked down so we couldn’t. The bed frame was so smooth the mattress slid off easily, and the toilet paper holder was broken.