Escape to Luxury: Mall of America's BEST Homewood Suites!
Escape to Luxury: Mall of America's BEST Homewood Suites! - Your Ultimate Getaway (And My Honest Take!)
Okay, let's be real. Planning a trip can be overwhelming. Finding the right hotel, especially when you're juggling family, shopping trips, and the sheer chaos that is Mall of America… it's enough to make you want to curl up in a ball. But! I've got a secret weapon for you, and it's called Escape to Luxury: Mall of America's BEST Homewood Suites!
Forget the generic, predictable hotels. This place… well, it's got personality. And I'm here to spill the tea, the coffee, and maybe a little bit of the complimentary breakfast cereal.
Here's the Deal: Your Epic Stay is Waiting!
Tired of cramped hotel rooms and lackluster service? Homewood Suites at Mall of America offers spacious suites (think separate living areas!), a FREE hot breakfast, and a pool that actually looks inviting. Plus, you get direct access to the Mall of America! Imagine… no dragging suitcases through the cold, no endless parking lot walks. Heaven, am I right?
But wait, there's more!
- Space to Breathe: Seriously, these suites are HUGE. Perfect if you're traveling with kids (or, let's be honest, just want some personal space).
- Free Breakfast Bliss: Forget those sad continental breakfasts. Think waffles, eggs, and all the fixings. Fuel up before tackling the shopping mecca!
- Poolside Relaxation: After a long day of retail therapy, take a dip in their pool. It's clean, it's inviting, and it's the perfect way to unwind. (Unless you're like me and get a little too competitive in the water…)
- Unbeatable Location: Walk right into the MOA! No more wasted time getting there.
Ready to make your trip unforgettable? Book now and use code [Your Exclusive Offer] to get [Specific Offer - e.g., 10% off your stay, a free upgrade, a complimentary drink at the bar]. Seriously, what are you waiting for?
And Now, My Honest (and Possibly Slightly Rambling) Review:
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because I'm about to get real about Escape to Luxury: Mall of America's BEST Homewood Suites!. I've stayed here. I've lived here, practically. (Okay, maybe just for a few days, but it felt like an eternity of shopping and fun!). And I’ve got thoughts. Lots of thoughts.
Accessibility & Convenience (Let's get the practical stuff out of the way first!)
- Accessibility is KEY: This is a big one for me. I like to know a place is thinking about everyone. Homewood Suites gets it. They have accessible rooms, which is great. The hallways seemed pretty wide and easy to navigate, and the elevator was thankfully, actually working. They got the practical stuff down, mostly.
- Internet Access: Okay, so the free Wi-Fi is pretty standard, but hey, it's free! They also still have Ethernet for those dinosaurs like me who prefer wired connections. (Yes, I still think it's more reliable. Don't judge!) the internet was stable, no complaints.
- Parking: Yup, free parking. A lifesaver, especially at the MOA. However, be prepared for a bit of a walk depending on where you park.
- Check-in/Check-out: Smooth like butter. They even have contactless check-in/out, which is a win in this post-pandemic world. Saves time, which is always a good thing when you're itching to hit the stores.
Rooms & Amenities (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Indignant)
- The Suite Life: Let's talk about the suites themselves. They are spacious. Like, ridiculously spacious. I’m talking separate living areas with a sofa bed (perfect for the kids, or for spreading out your clothes like a glorious, messy king), a fully-equipped kitchen (seriously, I could have cooked a Thanksgiving dinner in there!), and a comfy bedroom. The living space was great to set up some work and relax after a day of shopping . Pure bliss after a hard day of bargain-hunting.
- Bedding: The beds? Comfy. Pillows? Plentiful. The blackout curtains are a godsend for sleeping off those shopping-induced comas.
- Bathroom Essentials: Stocked with decent toiletries (nothing fancy, but perfectly adequate), and a hairdryer that actually works. The shower pressure? Excellent. (A small victory but appreciated!) I did miss a scale, but maybe that's a good thing, after having one shopping session at the MOA.
- The Annoyances: The TV remote was a little… finicky. And I swear, I could hear the elevator sometimes. (Maybe I'm just a light sleeper.) Overall, nothing major to complain about, just a few minor quirks that I felt needed an airing.
- Soundproof Rooms: Oh yeah, the soundproofing was great. I am a light sleeper and I didn't have a problem.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because Let's Face It, We Want to Feel Safe!)
- Spotless: Okay, let me tell you, I'm a bit of a cleanliness freak. The room was spotless. Seriously, I looked. Under the bed. Behind the curtains. They're really doing a great job of keeping things clean.
- Safety First: The staff seemed very aware of safety protocols. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks (this was during COVID, so that was a plus), and overall a comforting atmosphere.
- Room Sanitization Opt-out available: Great!
- Individual-wrapped food options: Good for peace of mind.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Because a Girl Needs to Eat!)
Free Breakfast is a Win: Alright, the free breakfast is a major selling point. Waffles, eggs, sausage, cereal, fruit…it's a solid start to the day (especially when you're facing a shopping marathon). Don't expect Michelin-star quality, but it's more than enough to fill your belly and get you energized.
Coffee, Glorious Coffee: Seriously available 24/7 in the lobby. Coffee is always there!
Restaurants Galore Nearby: Convenience is key. With the MOA steps away, you have every kind of restaurant imaginable. From casual to quite fancy, you'll find something for everyone.
Snack Bar: A small snack bar in the hotel is good for late-night cravings. Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference)
Shuttle Service One point of contention that, admittedly, the hotel doesn't promise anymore, but I was really hoping there was one. Still, the hotel is connected to the mall.
Daily Housekeeping: The room was cleaned daily. The bed made. The towels replaced. The little things that make a big difference. And, again, they make an effort to do their best.
Laundry Service: A lifesaver for longer stays. Because shopping is fun, but the laundry is not!
Meeting facilities. They have this!
Things to Do (Beyond the Mall, if You Can Tear Yourself Away!)
- Mall of America: Okay, let's be real. The MOA is the main event. Seriously, everything's there. Shopping, dining, entertainment… you name it. And having it at your doorstep is a huge plus.
- Nickelodeon Universe: I'm not a huge fan of rollercoasters, but I do enjoy people-watching.
- SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium: If, for some reason you have kids, you should check it out.
- Other Activities: Minneapolis is nearby. A quick uber ride will get you anywhere!
My BIGGEST Takeaway: The Pool with a View! (And My Rambling About It.)
Okay, folks, here's the moment of truth, the highlight of my stay, the thing that truly made this hotel sing… The pool! Now, I'm not typically a pool person. I'm more of a "curl up with a book" kind of gal. But this pool? This pool was an actual pleasure.
- The View: I'm pretty sure I could have just sat there for hours, staring out the window. It wasn't a fancy outdoor pool (which, in Minnesota, would be useless during the off-season, anyway!), but the view!
- The Temperature: Perfect. Not too cold, not too warm. Just right.
- The Vibe: Relaxed, chill. It's probably the thing that made me like the place so much.
Things I Loved (In Case You Didn't Get It Already!)
- The Space! The suites are genuinely spacious.
- **
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on the chaotic, glorious, and frankly, probably slightly disastrous adventure that is my stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall of America. Bloomington, MN, you have been warned.
Day 1: Arrival, Panic, and the Pursuit of Free Breakfast
- 1:00 PM: Arrived! Well, technically, I tried to arrive at 1:00. The flight? Delayed, naturally. My suitcase? Apparently, now residing in Albuquerque. (Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it sent me a postcard.) Finally stumbled through the lobby, absolutely reeking of airplane anxiety and clutching my carry-on like a lifeline. First impression of the hotel? Surprisingly… nice. Clean, bright, and thank GOD, free cookies at the front desk. Saved. My. Life.
- 1:30 PM: Checked in. The front desk lady, bless her soul, was a beacon of calm in my swirling tornado of travel woes. She even smiled at me. That's when I knew this trip might just be survivable. She pointed out the essential things - the pool, the gym (HA!), and most importantly… where the free breakfast was. Priorities, people!
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Settling in. This is where things get… messy. Unpacked (or, rather, attempted to unpack, given the suitcase situation), assessed the room (decent! Spacious, even!), and had a frantic internal debate about whether to attempt to go to the Mall of America now, or wait and gather myself. (Spoiler alert: I went. I panicked. I saw things. More on that later.)
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The MOA Gauntlet - Round 1. Okay, so, the Mall of America. It's… immense. Overwhelming. Majestic. And also, potentially capable of causing a full-blown sensory overload. First stop: the Lego store. (I'm a sucker, okay? Don't judge). Let's just say, I lost a good hour and a significant portion of my willpower surrounded by plastic genius. Felt like a kid as I watched them, but hey, if you are there, you are there!
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner. A desperate, hungry prowl for sustenance. Found a place called "Burger Burger," which, honestly, delivered exactly what it promised – delicious, greasy burgers. Ate the entire thing. No regrets. Followed by some ice cream at a place called "Maggie Moos." Double down on dinner, but hey, I was on vacation (sort of!).
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime: Back to the hotel. Collapsed. Watched some terrible television. Made a mental note to buy toothpaste in the morning because… well, I'm not telling all the details. (There's a reason I pack a travel toothbrush, people.)
Day 2: The Breakfast Bonanza and Embracing the Chaos
- 7:00 AM (or thereabouts): AAAAAND… breakfast! This is the moment I've been waiting for. The free breakfast. The promised land of scrambled eggs, questionable sausage, and… waffles! (I LOVE WAFFLES). The waffles were, surprisingly, excellent. Ate three. No shame.
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Mall of America: The Revenge. Okay, so, this was the day I decided to face the beast. The goal? Actually explore the mall. Went to the aquarium (fascinating, but a little unsettling to see sharks so close), then the Nickelodeon Universe. (Let's just say, my inner child and I had a very good time on the rollercoasters. My stomach, not so much.)
- 12:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Lunch & Regroup. Back to the hotel room for a quick recharge. Snack(s)! Found a hidden stash of cookies in my bag (thank you, past-me!), and collapsed on the bed with a book. (Or, you know, tried to read, kept looking around to what to look at)
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Pursuit of Souvenirs. Okay, so, I'm not a huge souvenir person, but I felt obligated. Found a ridiculous t-shirt. Questioned my life choices. Bought it anyway. Maybe it will make a good story back home.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Pre - dinner slump. Decided to spend some time in the hotel pool. Tried to swim laps. Failed. Floated around and generally tried to relax. Maybe I saw a toddler go potty in the pool. I don't know. It all blends together.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Went to a place I couldn't pronounce. Food was "meh".
- 7:00 PM - Bedtime: Realized I hadn't brushed my teeth. Brushed my teeth. Watched more terrible television. Started packing, but immediately gave up.
Day 3: Departure & The Bitter Sweet
- 7:00 AM: Another breakfast! Another waffle! (This time, I got fancy and put some blueberries on it. Living the high life!)
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Packing (for REAL this time) & checking out. Last-minute scramble to find my phone charger. Found my phone charger. Remembered I left it the day before. Got the charger. Checked out of the hotel - very simple.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Headed to the airport… and waited… and waited…
- 12:00 PM: Flight! Finally, on my way home!
- Post-trip: Home at last. Did I have the best time? No. But I needed this trip. Would I go back? Eventually. Maybe. Perhaps I'll try the gym next time.
Final Thoughts and Ramblings:
The Homewood Suites was actually a solid place to crash. Clean, comfy, and that free breakfast? A lifesaver. The Mall of America? An experience. Chaotic, overwhelming, glorious, and probably a little insane. But hey, that's travel, right? A messy, ridiculous, and ultimately rewarding adventure. And hey, at least I have a story to tell! A story that I'm probably going to be telling over and over again while I wait for that suitcase to be delivered. Wish me luck… I'm probably going to need it. I've got a feeling this is just the beginning.
Nashville Airport Hotel: Homewood Suites' Unbeatable Comfort Awaits!
Escape to Luxury: Homewood Suites at Mall of America – Let’s Get Messy!
Okay, so, *is* this Homewood Suites at Mall of America really as good as they say? Or is it just hype? Because, let's be honest, "luxury" and "Mall of America" don't always go hand-in-hand, right?
Alright, alright, settle down, buddy. I get it. Shiny things and the MOA… it can FEEL a bit plastic sometimes. But honestly? Yes. *Mostly* yes. I'm not gonna lie and say it rivals some five-star Parisian palace. But for being smack-dab in the middle of a shopper's paradise, this Homewood Suites is surprisingly… good. Really good. Think comfortable, not opulent. Think convenient, not extravagant. Think… well, think of a *very* well-organized, clean, and spacious apartment that lets you get your shop on. Which, let's face it, is the REAL luxury after a day battling the crowds, am I right?
Let's talk about those suites. Are they REALLY spacious, or marketing speak? Because I’m thinking "staying in a shoebox" and I *really* do not want that.
Okay, okay, breathe. Not shoebox. Not even *close*. Remember that "apartment" I mentioned? That's what it feels like. I remember once, I booked a studio suite (yeah, I'm on a budget sometimes, okay?!), and I was genuinely surprised at how much room I had. Seriously, I could practically *dance* in there. (And trust me, my dance moves are best kept hidden). And the two-room suites? Forget about it. You could invite the entire Kardashian clan and still have room to breathe. Maybe not Kardashian levels of luxury, but definitely family-friendly spaciousness. It's refreshing after a long day of navigating the labyrinthine MOA, let me tell you. My kid, bless his heart, left a whole stack of toys scattered across the floor like a tiny plastic apocalypse. There was *still* room!
Breakfast. The make-or-break moment. Tell me about the breakfast situation. Is it the usual hotel slop, or is there a glimmer of hope for something… edible?
Alright, confession time: I am a breakfast person. A *serious* breakfast person. I need my fuel. So, the breakfast is… good. I’m not saying it’s a Michelin-star experience. But it's darn good for a free hotel breakfast. They've got the usual suspects: eggs (sometimes real, sometimes… congealed. You take your chances), sausage, waffles (the make-your-own kind, which is always a win in my book!), cereals, pastries (some questionable, some heavenly), and fruit. Coffee is… well, it’s coffee. Drinkable. Surviveable. I've actually seen REAL fruit. Fresh fruit. And it's all free! Free breakfast at a mall hotel? Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Okay, maybe not literally "chicken dinner," but you get the idea. And the staff is always friendly and keeps it tidy.
And the location, location, location? How brutal is the walk from the hotel to, you know, actual *things*? 'Cause I'm picturing dragging shopping bags for miles.
Brutal? Absolutely not! It’s practically *inside* the mall! Seriously. The walk is… bearable. Okay, maybe even enjoyable! You can practically roll out of bed, stumble into your favorite store, and start your day of retail therapy. It's genius, pure genius. You can go back and forth to your room to drop off purchases, change clothes, or, let's be honest, hide from your spouse when you've overspent. (I may or may not have done that. Okay, I have. Several times.) It’s so close, it's almost *too* convenient. My wallet weeps. My inner shopaholic rejoices. The balance? Let's just say it usually tips in favor of the shopaholic.
Okay, so, what about the little things? Pool? Gym? Any perks that make it actually feel like a *vacation* and not just a shopping trip with a bed?
Alright, here's where it gets a little… mixed. They do have a pool. It's decent. Not the kind that makes you want to jump for joy, but perfect for taking a load off your shopping-weary legs. It usually not too crowded. The gym is… well, it's a gym. Enough equipment to work off all that free breakfast and those Cinnabons you *know* you'll be eating. (No judgement. I've been there). They also offer a complimentary evening reception with snacks and drinks some days of the week. Sometimes it’s amazing, sometimes it’s just… okay. But hey, free food and drinks. Who’s complaining?! Okay, maybe I was, just a little bit, the time the only snack left was a plate of lonely, dry crackers by the time I got there. Don’t get your hopes up too high, but it's a nice bonus.
Let's talk about… the elephant in the room. Service. Because let's be real, hotel service can be a crapshoot. Are the staff friendly? Helpful? Or are they just… there?
Okay, this is where Homewood Suites *really* shines. The staff? Generally fantastic. They're actually friendly. Really friendly! Like, the kind of friendly where they seem genuinely happy to help, not just robots programmed to smile. I remember once, I locked myself out of my room (yes, I know, embarrassing), and the front desk person was incredibly patient and helpful, even though I was probably a complete mess. They’re good at handling any issues. From my experience, and from others' reports, they are well-trained and want you to have a good stay. And that makes a huge difference. They make you feel welcome. That's the secret sauce, I think. It's the little things. The genuine smiles. The willingness to help. That’s what elevates a hotel from "tolerable" to "enjoyable".
Okay, so, the *truth*. Would you actually recommend staying here? Or is it just… 'meh'? Dish it!
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, yes. Without hesitation. Look, it's not the Four Seasons. But it's comfortable, convenient, and the staff are genuinely nice. After a long day of fighting through crowds, carrying bags, and resisting the siren call of those delicious, calorie-laden treats, you'll have a nice big room to come back to filled with all the basic comforts, and the ability to get back into the retail arena as easily as possible. I've stayed there multiple times, and I'll keep going back. My wallet might hate me. My inner shopaholic will sing praises. So, yeah, go for it. Just… maybe hide your credit card from yourself, okay? For your own good. And tell the staff I said hi. Okay, maybe not. I'm trying to keep it a secret. *Shhh!*
