Bloomington Airport's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn South Mall Review!
Bloomington Airport's "BEST" Hotel… Or Just a Place to Crash? A Holiday Inn South Mall Review
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I'm about to unleash my truth about the Holiday Inn South Mall near the Bloomington Airport. Forget the fluffy travel blog jargon – this is the real deal, warts and all. My stay wasn't perfect, but it did have its moments. Let's dive in, shall we? And let's get this SEO party started…
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- Meta Description: Honest and detailed review of the Holiday Inn South Mall near Bloomington Airport. Covering accessibility, amenities, dining, service, and overall experience. Read before you book!
The Arrival: (Accessibility - First Impressions Count!)
Coming in hot off a red-eye, the first thing I needed was access. And, thankfully, the Holiday Inn South Mall gets off to a decent start. Wheelchair accessible? Yep, checked that box. Ramps, elevators, all that jazz. Finding the right door wasn't always intuitive, and I swear I walked past the "accessible entrance" three times before actually finding it. That's room for improvement, people!
Accessibility - The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
- Elevator: Worked, thankfully. Smooth ride, didn't break down, so that's a win.
- Corridors: Wide enough, easy to navigate.
- Rooms: We'll get to those. Let's just say the bathroom situation wasn't quite the accessibility dream I'd hoped for. Details below!
- Overall: They try. But there's a subtle sense of "Oh yeah, we have to have this" rather than a genuine commitment to making it easy for everyone.
Inside the Room: (Wi-Fi, The Essentials, and My First Panic Attack)
Okay, the room. The room. First things first: Free Wi-Fi - Hallelujah! You’d think that's a given these days, but I've stayed in hotels charging a small fortune for internet that would make dial-up blush. Kudos, Holiday Inn. The signal was strong and consistent, which is crucial when you're trying to work (or, you know, scroll endlessly through TikTok).
- Comforts: Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? Check. Coffee maker? Double-check. These are the essentials.
- Ah, the coffee. It was okay, nothing to write home about, but it did the job… mostly.
- The Bathroom: Right, so this is where things got… interesting. While the promise of an accessible room had been made, the reality left a little to be desired. The roll-in shower was the saving grace. But, the grab bars felt like a sad afterthought, positioned slightly off-kilter, and the low-hanging sink cabinet…well, I'll just say getting ready in the morning was a bit of an acrobatics endeavor. Sigh.
- Bed: Actually, a pretty decent bed. Not too hard, not too soft. Just right for a good night’s rest (once I'd wrestled with the AC).
- Soundproofing: Surprisingly good. I couldn’t hear the drone of airport traffic, which was a serious blessing.
Dining and Drinking: (Buffets, Bars, and Bellyaches)
Alright, let's talk food. Restaurants, restaurants! The Holiday Inn South Mall boasts several eating options.
- The Buffet: I am not a buffet person. But I'm also a hungry person, and a buffet is convenient. The breakfast buffet was your standard hotel fare – scrambled eggs that tasted faintly of cardboard, questionable sausage, and a surprisingly decent selection of pastries. The staff kept things pretty well stocked and the area was usually clean.
- The Bar: I'm not sure I'd call it a lounge. It was more of a dark corner where you could grab a beer or a cocktail. The beer selection was limited, but the bartender (a very patient woman, bless her) was friendly.
- Room Service? Yep, available 24-hours. Perfect when you're too tired to go down to the buffet and eat the aforementioned questionable scrambled eggs.
- It had a Coffee Shop: Did not visit…
- Happy Hour: I missed it; I am definitely regretting this oversight now.
Cleanliness and Safety: (COVID-19 and My Inner Germaphobe)
Listen, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, and post-pandemic, you need to be extra vigilant. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yes, I saw it. Hand Sanitizer everywhere? Yep. The staff, were all rocking masks, which was comforting. I did opt-out of having my room cleaned during my stay… because, well, I'd rather control the chaos.
- Rooms Sanitized Between Stays: I certainly hoped so!
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Assuming so. The place looked clean, at least.
- Shared stationery removed? Yup. No pens left on the desk. BYO pen, people!
- Cashless Payment Service: Good. Touchless is the way to go.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: (Fitness, Pool, and the Promise of Pampering)
Okay, so… Gym/fitness? Yes, they had a fitness center. I saw it. Did I use it? Let's just say my idea of exercise involved walking to the buffet. Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes! It looked promising - but I was too busy working, sleeping, and eating to get in it.
- Spa/sauna? I had some high hopes for the spa, but it was merely a promise on their website.
- Sauna? Nope.
- Fitness center: Well, there was the gym. You know, the thing I meant to use.
- Pool with a view! Didn't see one. It was close to the parking lot.
Services and Conveniences: (The Little Things That Matter)
Here's where the Holiday Inn shines, sometimes:
- Free Parking, Baby! Yes, a true gift from the heavens. Especially at an airport hotel.
- Airport Transfer: Absolutely. The shuttle runs frequently and is efficient.
- 24-Hour Front Desk: Always a plus.
- Concierge: Didn't use it.
- Cash withdrawal: Nope.
- Dry cleaning/Laundry service: Available.
- Convenience store: Limited selection but handy for those last-minute essentials.
For the Kids: (Family-Friendly? Maybe, Partially…)
- Family/child friendly: Maybe.
- Kids meal: I didn't look into this.
- Babysitting service: Again, I didn't check.
Getting Around: (The Airport Shuttle is Your Friend)
- Airport Transfer: Essential. The shuttle was quick, efficient, and the drivers were friendly. A major win.
- Taxi service: Didn't use.
- Car park [free of charge]: The free parking made my day easier.
My Final Verdict: (The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh")
Look, the Holiday Inn South Mall near Bloomington Airport isn't perfect. It's a bit rough around the edges in terms of accessibility and the spa that never was, but it's clean, generally well-maintained, has decent amenities, and is very convenient.
- The Good: Free Wi-Fi, the airport shuttle, the comfy bed, clean room, helpful staff.
- The Bad: Spotty accessibility in the bathroom.
- The "Meh": The buffet. The bar. The spa.
Would I stay there again? Probably. It gets the job done. But I'd definitely, definitely, try to upgrade my room next time to get more accessibility. 3 out of 5 stars.
Pontoon Beach Getaway: Your Dream Days Inn Awaits!
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a real human's attempt to navigate the Holiday Inn at the Bloomington Airport, South Mall Area. And frankly, just the thought of it already has me craving a questionable airport pretzel. Here we go…
The Bloomington Blitz - A Holiday Inn (and Mall of America-adjacent) Adventure
Day 1: Arrival, Disappointment, and the Quest for Decent Coffee (Possible) - AKA, "The Luggage Labyrinth"
- 1:00 PM (ish): Arrive at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Okay, so my flight actually landed at 12:47, but let's be real, getting out of the airport feels like escaping a minor prison. The real battle starts when you try to find the damn shuttle for the Holiday Inn. Last time, I swear I circled Terminal 1 like a confused pigeon. This time? Praying for a better fate.
- 1:45 PM: Shuttle arrives. (fingers crossed) Okay, Success! So. Much. Success.
- 2:15 PM: Check-in at the Holiday Inn. Here we go… Deep breath. Praying my room key actually works this time. Last trip, the key card felt like it was a personal vendetta against me. You know that feeling when the front desk person starts to say "Oh, let me get that re-keyed for you…" You just know you're in for a struggle.
- 2:30 PM: Room Assessment: Is the air conditioning a deafening roar or just a gentle whisper? Is the bed a swamp of questionable springs, or merely uncomfortable? (Important questions!) I will give the mattress a good bounce, just to test the waters. And the bathroom? Gotta check for mysterious hair clumps from the previous guests. I have a strong aversion to other people's hair.
- 3:00 PM: Coffee Crisis. This is crucial. The airport coffee was…well, it was coffee. And now I need FUEL. Holiday Inn coffee is usually a gamble. Praying someone knows the secret to a decent brew. This might involve foraging the surrounding area for a Starbucks…a long hike perhaps?
- 3:30 PM: If coffee is a bust, it's back to the room. Maybe a quick nap? That's always the plan and a coin toss. Or some travel planning. Sigh.
Day 2: Mall of America Mayhem and Pretzel Regret
- 9:00 AM: Attempt breakfast at the hotel. "Attempt" being the operative word. Holiday Inn breakfast is a mystery wrapped in a…well, let's face it, it often involves questionable eggs of indeterminate origin. Will I brave the "scrambled" eggs? The sausage links? Probably. I'm a sucker for a free (or included) meal.
- 10:00 AM: Mall of America! Time to unleash the beast (me). Walk the entire length of the mall, take in the sights and sounds of this giant shopping temple. Oh, the glory! But first…the sheer scale of this place! The last time I was here, I got lost for a solid hour. Seriously. It's like navigating a small country.
- 11:00 AM: First store, first purchase: a pair of novelty socks. Because who doesn't love a good pair of socks?
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Food court chaos. The sheer pressure of choice! Pizza? Burgers? Asian noodles of questionable origin? The indecision paralysis is setting in.
- 1:00 PM: Theme Park Adventure! Some rides, maybe a roller coaster. Or just stick to the carousel. My stomach is fragile.
- 4:00 PM: Shopping continues, or I'm collapsing in exhaustion, depending on the level of retail therapy.
- 5:00 PM: SNACKS. Oh God, the snacks! Trying to avoid a complete sugar overload before dinner.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner somewhere in the Mall, or maybe I’ll risk a venture outside.
- 7:30 PM: Bedtime is a distinct possibility. Exhaustion is a real feeling.
Day 3: The Minnesota Farewell (and Airport Survival)
- 9:00 AM: The last breakfast attempt. Pray for edible food, pray for a coffee miracle.
- 10:00 AM: Check out of the Holiday Inn. Did they charge me for that mysterious mini-bar item? Or a "view" from the window? (It was a parking lot). The checkout process is now what matters most to me.
- 10:30 AM: Airport Shuttle - Another roller coaster of hope. Will it be on time? Will the driver be friendly?
- 11:00 AM: MSP airport - The last hurdle. Security, the pre-flight jitters.
- 12:00 PM: Depart. Goodbye, Bloomington! Goodbye, questionable hotel coffee! Goodbye, vast shopping mall!
- 2:00 PM: Arriving back home. Sweet, sweet Home!
Post Itinerary Rant (AKA The Honest Truth):
Look, this isn't a perfect plan. Things will go wrong. I'll probably lose my debit card, get hangry, and spend way too much money on something utterly stupid. That's life. I'm not looking for perfection, I'm looking for a story, a little bit of chaos, and hopefully, to survive a trip to a Holiday Inn near the Mall of America without a complete mental breakdown. Wish me luck! Oh, and if you see me wandering around the food court, looking bewildered, send help. And maybe a pretzel.
Colorado Springs Getaway: Unbelievable Super 8 Deal!
Holiday Inn South Mall - Bloomington Airport: The REAL Deal, Or Just Another Sleepy Stay? Let's Get Messy!
Okay, spill. Is the Holiday Inn South Mall ACTUALLY the BEST hotel near Bloomington Airport, or is that just marketing fluff?
Ugh, the *marketing fluff*. We've all been there. "BEST!" "LUXURY!" Look, let's just say "best" is subjective. It's like, “best” in a “I needed a bed and a place to not get eaten by mosquitoes” kind of way. Honestly? For airport hotels, it's… decent. Clean-ish. The proximity to the airport is a huge win. Dragging your suitcase through a blizzard (because, Minnesota) is never fun. And the shuttle? Bless their hearts, those shuttle drivers work HARD. They're like the unsung heroes of weary travelers.
But "best"? Nah. Unless "best" includes slightly dated decor and the occasional faint whiff of chlorine from the pool (more on THAT later…).
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they… tolerable?
Alright, the rooms. Okay. Let me think… I stayed there last month after a red-eye. My brain was scrambled eggs. The room… it was a room. You know? A bed, a TV that probably still had a tube (okay, maybe not *that* old), a slightly scratchy blanket. The air conditioning worked, thank GOD. Because Minnesota humidity in the summer? It's a force of nature. And the bathroom? Functional. Emphasis on FUNCTIONAL. The water pressure? Adequate for washing off the despair of delayed flights.
I will say, the bed was… okay. I’ve slept on worse. Much worse. And the little complimentary toiletries? Standard hotel fare. Nothing to write home about, but hey, I appreciate the gesture. The one thing I remember vividly? The faint, lingering smell of… something. Maybe cleaning product. Maybe the ghost of a previous guest's cheap cologne. Who knows? It didn't *bother* me, per se, but it was definitely *there*. It's part of the charm... of a slightly-less-than-perfect hotel stay.
Speaking of the pool… what's the swimming pool situation? Because I'm picturing myself relaxing…
Oh, the pool. Okay, brace yourself. My expectations were low. (Smart move.) And, I'm just going to be honest, it was a little… rough around the edges. The water? Clean-ish. I saw a handful of kids gleefully splashing, which, good for them! They weren't bothered by the slightly faded tiles or the general "lived-in" vibe. The chlorine smell? Yeah, it's there. Stronger than a politician's promise. It's the kind of smell that clings to your skin for hours. I went swimming, hoping to soothe my travel weariness and I swear, I saw the lifeguard cleaning a bit of what looked like...uh... a floating "something" with a net. I think the kids might not have been too happy with the situation. Definitely a situation.
Overall, the pool experience was emblematic of the hotel: functional, but far from luxurious and left me with a desire for a long, hot shower to wash off more than just the day. My advice? If you're a pool purist? Maybe skip it. Or, bring your own hazmat suit. Joking! Kind of.
What about the breakfast? Does the free continental breakfast at the Holiday Inn South Mall stand up?
Breakfast. Ah, the breakfast. The great hotel breakfast debate. Here's the skinny: It's the quintessential hotel breakfast. Expect the usual suspects: stale croissants (or at least, ones that *look* stale), sad little muffins, a waffle maker that's seen better days, some slightly overripe fruit, and the lukewarm coffee that fuels the world. It's… fine. It'll fill the hole in your stomach. It's not going to win any culinary awards. Don't go in expecting haute cuisine. Expect basic stuff, like juices, toast, and cereal. I did see a guy at the waffle station looking completely defeated. I related. I think we all related.
My tip? Grab a waffle (it's the law, right?), douse it in syrup, and mentally prepare yourself for your next flight. And for the love of all that is holy, avoid whatever mysterious "fruit" they're offering. You're welcome.
Is the location convenient? Especially for someone flying in and out of the airport?
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn South Mall *actually* shines. Location, location, LOCATION! It's right there. Close enough to the airport that the shuttle is a breeze. Seriously, it's a game-changer. Imagine this: you've just landed, you're exhausted, you're battling a mild case of airplane brain. Knowing you can hop on a quick shuttle, crash at your hotel, and collapse into bed? Worth its weight in gold. No long, agonizing drives. No frantic attempts to hail a cab. Just sweet, sweet relief. It's a total win for convenience. And, hey, you might even be able to grab some food nearby. There's a variety of restaurants in the area.
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Hmm… would I? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? It depends. If I needed a quick, convenient, and fairly affordable place to crash near the airport? Yes, probably. Because let's be real, sometimes convenience trumps all. Especially when dealing with the soul-crushing realities of airline travel. I mean, the shuttle alone is worth it.
But if I were seeking a luxurious, pampered, and utterly flawless hotel experience? Absolutely NOT. This isn't the Ritz. This is a solid, dependable, and slightly imperfect airport hotel. It won't blow your mind, but it'll get the job done. And sometimes, that's all you need.
Anything else I should know before booking? Any hidden gems or quirky details?
Okay, a few things. First, the staff. They're generally pretty friendly. They're doing their best. Be polite. It goes a long way. Second: The convenience store. It's got the hotel-specific essentials. Third, I'm going to double back to the pool. Because, it’s something I'll never forget. I was there, and this wasn’t just a casual swim. I was attempting to *relax*. My flight was delayed, and I just wanted to forget my worries. Then, there it was. This floating… thing. And, it wasn't just one thing. It multiplied and had to be fished out by the lifeguard. It shook my core. It was beyondHotel For Travelers
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