Hewing Hotel

That rooftop hot tub with a bar serving cocktails by the pool is what makes this place hard to replace. I first came for Valentine’s Day last year and returned another six to eight times during the year. We thought about staying somewhere else in Chicago this Valentine’s, but I couldn’t find another hotel offering that setup. I own a business, so it’s a real relief to come here and switch off for a while. The service has been consistently great. Yesterday I called and heard they were full, which was a letdown. I asked them to call if someone cancelled, without really expecting it to happen. They did call when a room became available, which says a lot about how attentive they are. The on-site food selection is my one small gripe, though I’m pretty particular. There are very good places to eat right across the street, so it’s not much of a problem.

Dinner for our group of four felt special thanks to the warm décor and the easygoing buzz from the nearby tables. The staff and service assistant were friendly and knew the menu well, answering all our questions. We tried several dishes, and every one came through. You could see the care in the cooking, with each plate having its own character and creative touch. Compliments to the chefs. Earlier, brunch was just as memorable. Nic was an incredible server, one of the best we’ve had, and took care of every detail. Drinks stayed topped up, the timing was spot on, and they encouraged us to try the range of thoughtful regional dishes. The French toast with sauce stood out, as did the Eggs Benedict and breakfast sandwiches. Those crispy potatoes were simple and so good we kept reaching for more. The stay, brunch, and dinner all made for a great time with family and friends.

The rooftop pool is the main thing this hotel has going for it, and even the hot tub is so crowded that getting to enjoy it can be a challenge. It’s open from morning until midnight, but it’s usually packed. Downtown Minneapolis does have plenty of restaurants and things to do, and I can see why people like the location. Still, based on my stay, I’d point people with this kind of budget toward Drury Plaza in downtown Saint Paul, about a 20-minute drive away. It costs less and includes parking, breakfast, and buffet lunch. Here, after paying over $700 for three nights, parking and meals were extra. My room had a little fridge that wouldn’t chill my drinks, including the ones for sale inside it. By my second night, those drinks were barely cold. I set the temperature to 75, but the room still wouldn’t warm up, so an employee came by and brought me a space heater. There wasn’t any toothpaste in the room either, and I had to go downstairs to ask for some. Weekend overnight valet parking costs $55, while the lot next door charges $10 for overnight parking on weekends. I also got the impression it’s mostly an adults’ hotel. I didn’t see any kids during my stay, and the rooftop hot tub is definitely for adults. Sometimes reviews can give you the wrong idea about what a place is really like. Go to Drury Plaza instead, and your partner, kids, and other family will thank you.

The hotel has a pleasant northwoods look, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We’d already heard the restaurant would be closed for remodeling, which we could live with, though it was a shame on Valentine’s Day. The stay was okay, but I expected more for what we paid. The shared areas didn’t seem clean. A toilet brush sat in the hallway the whole time, and there were overflowing garbage cans elsewhere along it. The floor by the pool entrance looked dirty when it opened at 7 a.m., so I assume it hadn’t been cleaned overnight. Worse, the pool itself had visible hair and debris floating in it, like its filter wasn’t working. Towels and other rubbish were still scattered around from the previous night. I don’t understand why the hotel hadn’t cleaned up before opening the pool.