RE: COMMON in Minneapolis - affordable hotels..

As much as we all hate to whine... 

The listed rate for the conference Holiday Inn Express is $99/night.
Assuming one could save $30/night by staying out of downtown would that
be worth the $200 non-conference hotel fee?  Heck the Downtown Hilton is
the highest priced at $143/night.

I personally wouldn't recommend taking your vehicle downtown unless you
really think it's worth it.  Per the Holiday Inn Express it costs $12.00
per night to park there.  The light rail does run from the Airport or
the Mall of America and although it is about eight blocks to the
convention center from the Government Plaza station you can hit a
skywalk within a block and walk indoors the rest of the way.

As my Grandfather always said, "Work hard and save your money!"

Regards,
 
Scott Ingvaldson
iSeries System Administrator
GuideOne Insurance Group



-----Original Message-----
date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 07:46:54 -0800 (PST)
from: Jen Raihala <jen_raihala@xxxxxxxxx>
subject: Re: COMMON in Minneapolis - affordable hotels..

Well, define affordable. There are several hotel/motel/no tells in the
immediate area. 
  
  If you want to "Motel 6" it, you may have to go as far out as Vadnais
Heights on the St Paul side or Columbia Hieghts/Fridley area on the
Minneapolis side.
  
  I have a cousin who swears that the only way to motel it for a week is
one of those "extended stay" efficiency style apts that are linked to
Fairfields (a Marriot partner) or Holiday Inn (he also has 6 kids and a
dog which may figure into his decision).
  
  Personally, I like the Embassy Suites near the Mall of America (only
149.00 a night but it includes a nightly manager's reception from 5-7
pm (free drinks and munchies) and a free breakfast (from omelettes
cooked on the spot to cold cereal and toast) AND a free St Paul
newspaper)
  
  Only thing would be getting across to Minneapolis during rush hour
(does that Metro Rail thing run to Mpls?).
  
  

Don <dr2@xxxxxxxx> wrote:  Richard,

Once had a $$marriott$$ quote me a price like that for a room...I told
them 
what had better be alongside that mint on my
pillow for that rate...or bringing me my coffee in the morning...   They

didn't like my sense of humour... :)

Don in DC