Unbelievable St. Paul Getaway: Holiday Inn Downtown Deals!

Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown By IHG Saint Paul (MN) United States

Unbelievable St. Paul Getaway: Holiday Inn Downtown Deals!

Unbelievable St. Paul Getaway: Holiday Inn Downtown Deals! (Or, At Least Mostly Unbelievable) - A Rambling Review

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe some lukewarm coffee – more on that later) on my recent stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown St. Paul. "Unbelievable Getaway," they advertised. Well, let's just say my definition of "unbelievable" is more akin to "I can't believe I spent that much on a room with a slightly wonky showerhead." But hey, let's dive in, shall we? This is gonna be a long one; I'm a rambler by nature.

First Impressions & Accessibility (The Good, the Okay, and the "Hmm…")

Driving up, the Holiday Inn looks… well, like a Holiday Inn. Solid, dependable, a bit beige. No fireworks display, no trumpets blaring – just a perfectly functional building that looked ready to house weary travelers. I’m someone who appreciates accessibility (my aunt uses a wheelchair, and I’m always mindful of things like this for her, and for all travelers). The good news? The elevator was working (phew!), and the front desk seemed readily equipped to assist with any accessibility needs. I didn’t personally test it, but the elevator was clearly labeled, and the lobby seemed open and easy to navigate. They ticked the boxes for facilities for disabled guests, which is always a relief to see.

Now, here’s a minor gripe: the signage. It could have been clearer. I’m all for minimalist design, but sometimes you need a little bit more – especially for folks with visual impairments. A few more contrasting colors or larger fonts wouldn’t hurt.

Cleanliness and Safety – The Pandemic Palooza

Okay, let's get serious for a second. I, like everyone else, am hyper-aware of the germ-o-rama that is the post-pandemic world. Did they take it seriously? Mostly, yes. The daily disinfection in common areas was evident. There was definitely a heightened sense of cleanliness. I saw staff wiping down surfaces constantly. They had hand sanitizer stations everywhere – which is a big thumbs up in my book. And they had anti-viral cleaning products visible. The staff were trained in safety protocol, and it showed.

Now, about the room sanitization. They said the rooms were sanitized… and I hoped they were. I did notice they had the option to room sanitization opt-out available, which, honestly, I thought was a neat idea. Made you feel like the guest had choices. So, I felt reasonably safe.

Rooms – The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Mediocre

My room… eh. It was functional. It had a desk, which was crucial since I was trying to get some work done. Also a coffee maker (essential, because, coffee!). I also checked for the free Wi-Fi, and it was indeed as they promised: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and it was reasonably fast. They provided Complimentary tea and free bottled water, which is a nice touch. I also had a refrigerator, which was handy.

Here’s where things get a little… meh. The decor was, shall we say, "classic Holiday Inn." Beige and brown, safe and uninspired. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver – I needed those for sleeping in. The TV had a few channels, including satellite/cable channels but I only watched one movie: on-demand movies. I didn't see slippers, or a bathtub.

Now, let's talk about the shower. Ah, the shower. It was… temperamental. The water pressure was a bit weak. AND the showerhead was a little wonky causing the water to spray sideways. Nothing like a slightly damp bathroom after a long day, right? The towels were clean and soft. Thank God.

They had the standard stuff: air conditioning, an alarm clock, a hair dryer, and a safe box. All present and accounted for. They offered daily housekeeping, but frankly, I skipped a day. I just didn't want someone in my space.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Culinary Adventure (Kinda)

Ah, food. This is where things get… inconsistent. They have a (kinda) restaurants and a bar.

The breakfast [buffet] was included. A Western breakfast and an Asian breakfast (a nice touch!), but it was a typical buffet – scrambled eggs that had seen better days, some sad-looking sausage, and the aforementioned lukewarm coffee. I really wanted to like the coffee. Honestly, I really did.

They boasted a coffee shop, but it seemed like it was mostly just there to sell overpriced pastries and pre-made sandwiches. There was a poolside bar, which I didn’t try, and a snack bar – I’m guessing that was the convenience store.

The menu in the restaurant offered international cuisine in restaurant, the desserts in restaurant were, well, desserts, and soup – you could find a salad in restaurant too. They offered vegetarian restaurant options, which is always appreciated. I'd love to see this section improve – the food was pretty average. I think having a bottle of water in the room was essential.

Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Or, the Pursuit of Zen (Maybe)

This is where things get interesting. They had a pool with view – but I didn’t get the chance to go. There was a Fitness center, and I admit, I did take advantage of that. They had a basic gym/fitness set-up, and it was clean and well-maintained.

They also had a spa – but I didn't indulge, or massage. I am pretty sure they also had a Steamroom and a Sauna. I am not sure if they had a Body scrub, or a Body wrap.

There wasn't a whole lot of outdoor space to relax.

Services and Conveniences – The Perks and the Pitfalls

Okay, the nitty-gritty. They had a concierge – but I didn't need to use them. They offered daily housekeeping, which I already mentioned. Laundry service? Check. Dry cleaning? Check. Currency exchange? Check. Car park [on-site]? Check.

But… the devil is in the details. The Wi-Fi for special events was not in the event I needed it. It seemed they had everything you'd expect, but nothing truly exceeding. They offered an airport transfer. There was a Convenience store. They had a safety deposit boxes. They had a Meeting/banquet facilities, and they had a Meeting stationery, and they were able to host Seminars.

For the Kids – Family Friendly?

I saw zero kids. I actually appreciate places that welcome families and offer a few extra perks to amuse children.

Getting Around – Parking and the Like

Car park [free of charge] – YES! Free parking! Always a win. They also had Car park [on-site] that was easily accessible. They don’t mention Airport transfer, or taxi service, or a bicycle parking, but this may be offered, so I cannot confirm it.

In Conclusion (The TL;DR Version)

The Holiday Inn Downtown St. Paul is… fine. Solid. Functional. It’s not a luxurious getaway, but it is a place to sleep, shower, and get your bearings in St. Paul. The cleanliness and accessibility were the biggest wins. The food… well, let’s just say I wouldn't write home about it. I'd probably revisit, but maybe not for a "getaway." More like a layover.

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• Title: Unbelievable St. Paul Getaway: Holiday Inn Downtown Deals! - A Rambling Review
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I hope this review was helpful and entertaining! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pour myself a much-needed cup of good coffee. :)

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Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown By IHG Saint Paul (MN) United States

Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your sanitized, pre-packaged travel brochure. We're doing this the real way. Here's my attempt at a stay at the Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown, with all the glorious, messy, and utterly human bits thrown in. Prepare for a rollercoaster.

The "Attempt to Plan, But Mostly Wing It" St. Paul Adventure: Holiday Inn Edition

(Disclaimer: I'm a human. Plans are aspirational. Actual execution may involve forgetting to set alarms, excessive coffee consumption, and existential crises in the hotel mirror.)

Day 1: Arrival and the Great Coffee Quest

• 1:00 PM - The Landing: Arrive at the Holiday Inn. Ugh, the parking situation. Seriously, why is finding a decent parking spot such a brutal, soul-crushing experience? My inner monologue is already screaming, "IS THERE A GOD OF PARKING?" Anyway, finally wrestled the car into a space. Check-in. Hopefully, the room isn't facing the dumpster. Please, oh, please.
• (Reality Check: The front desk staff is surprisingly chipper. Maybe too chipper. Are they robots? No, they just seem genuinely happy. Huh.)
• 1:30 PM - The Room Reveal (and a Deep Sigh of Relief): Okay, the room isn’t facing the dumpster! Score! Window view… of a brick wall. Well, it's a clean brick wall. And the bed… looks promising. Gotta test the "bed-bounce factor" immediately. Bounces. Solid. Approved.
• 1:45 PM - The Coffee Catastrophe: Okay, the in-room coffee situation looks… pathetic. This instant stuff? Are you kidding me? I need actual coffee. This becomes the primary mission. Survival hinges on this, people. The hotel's lobby cafe is supposed to have something. Pray for me.
• (Realization: The "cafe" is a glorified coffee-vending-machine-of-doom. Tears. Real tears. The quest for quality coffee continues.)
• 2:30 PM - St. Paul Exploration - A Gentle Start (and a Side of Existential Dread): Okay, fueled (barely) by a lukewarm cup of something that vaguely resembled caffeine, I decide to venture out. Walking around downtown St. Paul is always an experience. The architecture is pretty impressive - it's a beautiful city, but the juxtaposition of old and modern is always there. The sky is actually blue, which is a win. I walk past the Minnesota History Center. I think about going in but then I get a weird wave of "history fatigue." Maybe later.
• (Quirky Observation: I swear I saw a squirrel judging my choice of footwear. Not cool, squirrel. Not. Cool.)
• 4:00 PM - Recovery and Chill Time with the TV: I retreat to the hotel. My feet are tired, my brain is officially fried. Time for some mindless TV. Maybe a true crime doc? Or one of those food challenge shows. Whatever requires zero mental effort.
• (Emotional Reaction: The comfort of the hotel room is comforting. It's quiet. Clean. I'm finally starting to unwind. This is good.)
• 7:00 PM - Dinner Dilemma: So, where to eat? Yelp gives me a headache. Too many options. I see a diner down a few blocks and decide, why not? Diner vibes are comforting. I'm in the mood for something that feels like a hug on a plate.
• (Anecdote: The diner waitress is a firecracker! She calls everyone "hon" and tells the best stories. My plate of meatloaf is perfection.)
• 8:30 PM - Evening Wind Down and "Pre-Sleep Meditation" (ha!): Back at the hotel. I lay on my bed, trying to meditate. My mind is racing about the day, and I just wish I had a clear mind. I take a deep breath, turn off the lights, and I go to sleep.
• (Imperfection: Kept scrolling on my phone. Dammit.)

Day 2: Culture Shock and Art Appreciation (and Possible Coffee Redemption)

• 7:00 AM - The Early Morning Struggle and The Epic Coffee Hunt Part 2: Wake up and face the same horrible instant coffee situation. There are people in the lobby, looking equally defeated by the state of the coffee. I decide to be social and start conversations - I end up having these amazing discussions with people.
• (Rambling Thought: Why is good coffee so hard to find? Seriously, it’s one of life's necessities!)
• 9:00 AM - The Cathedral Experience: Okay, the Cathedral of Saint Paul. It's massive. The architecture is insane. I'm not that religious, but the sheer scale of it is awe-inspiring. I spend a good hour just wandering around, trying to comprehend the sheer dedication and artistic vision that went into building this place. It's humbling, and kind of overwhelming.
• (Opinionated Language: If your soul doesn't feel a little bit lifted after seeing that, you might be dead inside.)
• 11:00 AM - Art Appreciation Time: The Minnesota Museum of American Art comes in. Beautiful space. And the art… some stuff is amazing, some stuff I don't understand, and other things I just don't care for. That's the beauty of art! I get lost in this huge room.
• (Stronger Emotional Reaction: Some pieces make me want to weep. Others make me want to throw a chair at the wall (not literally, of course!). Art is such a direct line to the soul.)
• 1:00 PM - Lunch, and The Case of the Hangry Traveler: I'm officially starving. Finding a lunch spot turns into a frantic, hangry search. The first place is packed. The second place looks sketchy. Finally, I find a tiny, charming cafe with AMAZING sandwiches. Crisis averted.
• (Messier Structure: Okay, I'm so full from my lunch, I don't know what to do. I think I'll sleep. Maybe a walk in the park? Should I go back to the hotel? Or a bookstore? Or… ugh, decisions.)
• 3:00 PM - The Great Bookstore/Park/Hotel Debate…and the Hotel Wins, Again Okay, fine. Back to the hotel. The siren song of the comfy bed is too strong.
• (Opinionated Language: I'm a sucker for a good hotel nap. Don't judge me.)
• 7:00 PM - The Evening - Food and Music: I go out for some live music, then I get back to the hotel, and eat my leftovers.
• (Anecdote: The musician was so talented. The music was amazing, but I could barely stay awake.)
• 9:00 PM - Bedtime. My mind is mush. Maybe I'll listen to a podcast to drift off to sleep.

Day 3: Departure and the bittersweet goodbye to the hotel (and the city).

• 7:00 AM - The Final Coffee Quest (And Possible Success!): Okay, so, this time? I’m packing my own damn coffee maker. I'm not doing this again.
• (Reality Check: The in-room coffee maker is, in fact, a sad, single-cup contraption. Well, I tried.)
• 9:00 AM - Final walk, check out time: A final walk to the park, enjoying the fresh air and the sun. I say goodbye to St. Paul, I loved my time.
• (Emotional Reaction: This trip was so fun!!!)
• 11:00 AM - Check Out and Farewell: Check out. Goodbye, slightly-above-average Holiday Inn. Thanks for the clean sheets and generally pleasant stay. Until next time, St. Paul!
• (Quirky Observation: The parking situation still sucks. But I'll survive.)
• 11.30 AM - Drive off. I just realized, I can't wait for my next trip.

So, there you have it. My messy, honest, and occasionally hilarious (I hope!) attempt at a Holiday Inn adventure in St. Paul. It's not perfect, it's not "polished," but it's real. And that's the best kind of travel, isn't it? The kind you can't quite predict, the kind that leaves you with a few good stories and a longing for your next escape.

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Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown By IHG Saint Paul (MN) United States```html

Unbelievable St. Paul Getaway: Holiday Inn Downtown Deals! ...A Messy Q&A

Okay, spill the beans. Is this *really* a "getaway" or just a slightly nicer night in St. Paul?

Ugh, good question. Let's be honest, "getaway" is a loaded word. It's like, the *promise* of escaping the grind. And yes, St. Paul, bless its heart, *is* still the Twin Cities. But, I’d say, *technically* yes. If you're coming from, say, a cramped apartment with a screaming toddler (I'm looking at *you*, Brenda!), then a Holiday Inn, even in downtown St. Paul, feels like the Plaza. Okay, maybe not the Plaza. Maybe more... like a slightly upscale, slightly less sticky version of your living room. But hey! A change of scenery is a win! Especially if someone else makes your freaking bed. That *alone* is justification for calling it a "getaway."

What's the actual deal with these "deals"? Are they actually good? Cause I've been burned by "deals" before... *cough* timeshare *cough*

Okay, *timeshares*. Shudder. I feel you. Listen, I checked, because I am nosy. And honestly? The Holiday Inn Downtown St. Paul deals *can* be decent. Keep your eyes peeled, though! The fine print is your friend, and I've got a story... Once, I booked a "deal" that included a free continental breakfast. Sounded great! Turns out, "continental" meant stale danishes and instant coffee. Ugh, the *horror*. So, read the details! Free parking? Huge win. Late checkout? Even huger win. Look for those sweeteners. And yeah, compare prices with other hotels. I’d say they’re *usually* competitive. Sometimes, you get lucky! Sometimes, you get the stale danishes. That's life.

So, the *room*... what's it like? Is it...clean? (Asking for a friend... who is me.)

Alright, the room. This is *crucial*. It’s a Holiday Inn, people. Manage expectations! Generally, yes, *usually* clean. I've had some real horror shows in my life, and thankfully, my St. Paul Holiday Inn experiences haven't involved any...*living* creatures. Emphasis on *usually*. Check the bed! Pull back the covers! I once found a rogue sock under a pillow at a *different* hotel. A sock! Who leaves a sock?! Anyway, the St. Paul ones I’ve seen are usually...okay. Not the Ritz, but also not the Bates Motel. Think comfy enough for a weary traveler. Which is, you know, probably you, after driving here from... wherever. And there's *always* a remote control that looks like it’s been through a war. You know the drill.

What is there to *do* in downtown St. Paul, besides, you know, being in downtown St. Paul?

Okay, this is where things get interesting... and potentially a little... *awkward*. It depends! Me? I love the Science Museum of Minnesota. It's amazing! Dinosaur bones! Interactive exhibits! I'm a total kid at heart. Plus, the view of the Mississippi is pretty cool. Then there's the Xcel Energy Center for concerts. Or, during the summer, catching a Saints baseball game. It's *charming*. Honestly, the vibe is pretty mellow. Plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance – or a short, freezing, walk depending on the season. Okay maybe not *charming* if you can't feel your toes. And don't forget the Cathedral of Saint Paul. It's magnificent! A total must-see. So yeah. Lots to do, as long as you’re, you know, *into* some of the things St. Paul has to offer. Compared to a big city, it’s... manageable. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes a quiet evening at the hotel, reading a book, and avoiding people is the *real* win.

The all-important question: Is the hotel restaurant any good? Because I am *hungry*.

Oh, the hotel restaurant. Ah, the *drama*. Okay, here's the thing: it *depends*. The experience can range wildly! Some Holiday Inns have really decent places, others? Well...let’s just say I’ve had meals that haunt my dreams. I went to one, and the breakfast buffet looked suspiciously like the same stuff I'd seen on the buffet the night before. I’m not exaggerating! I *think* I saw a rogue, slightly wilted sprig of parsley from the salad bar on both occasions. Anyway, read reviews! See what other people say! Don’t go in expecting Michelin star quality. And if you’re truly hungry and adventurous, wander out and explore the local options. You might find a hidden gem. Or another slightly wilted piece of parsley, you never know. But if you're too tired? Room service *can* be a guilty pleasure.

What's the parking situation like? Cause I am *terrible* at parallel parking... and I'm mildly terrified of downtown traffic.

Honey, I feel you! Parking is a *major* consideration. Does the "deal" include parking? GOLD. If not, check on that before you go. Downtown parking can be expensive! And yes, St. Paul traffic, while not as soul-crushing as, say, Chicago, can still be annoying. My advice? Embrace the parking garage. Even if you’re a bad parker (like me!), garages are usually safer than trying to wrangle a parallel parking spot on a busy street. Plus, they offer some protection for your car! The last thing you want is a dented fender to put a damper on your "getaway." Okay, so it’s not ideal, but it's a trade-off I'm usually down with because I just *panic* trying to parallel park. Okay, deep breaths...

Okay, let's talk about *pools*. Does this Holiday Inn have a pool? And if so, is it... *clean*?

The pool! Ah, the siren's call of the chlorinated waters. Okay, so *some* Holiday Inns have pools. Some... don't. You have to check the specific property! Does it matter to *you*? For me, a pool is a *must*. Even if it ends up being a tiny rectangleScenic Stays

Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown By IHG Saint Paul (MN) United States

Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown By IHG Saint Paul (MN) United States

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