1. The building that is now the AAA Four Diamond-rated Kimpton Grand Hotel Minneapolis was originally constructed in 1915 as the Minneapolis Athletic Club—a high-end athletic and business club. The Grand Hotel opened in 2000 after a major renovation, and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants took over management in 2010 and underwent a full renovation that completed in 2011.
2. While it’s no longer an athletic club, the on-site 60,000-square-foot LifeTime Athletic Club maintains the spirit of the building’s history. Guests have free access to the state-of-the-art facility, which includes a six-lane lap pool, cycling/aerobic studio, racquetball courts, gymnasium and running track. In fact, General Manager Mike Hill was formerly the operations manager running the Minneapolis LifeTime Athletic Club.
3. Well-being is a focus here, with its fullservice LifeSpa and Salon in the hotel and yoga mats in every room. Complimentary bikes are available at the front desk to get guests exploring the bike-friendly city.
4. Coffee and tea are self-served in the hotel lobby every morning. There’s a hosted wine hour from 5-6 p.m. in the lobby as well, which is something all Kimpton locations do. The wine hours were started when Bill Kimpton would have his sales meetings in the lobby every day at 5 p.m., prompting guests to inquire about the occasion. The tradition has since evolved into a social hour that now allows guests and staff to mingle over a glass of red or white wine.
5. The design of The Grand was inspired by its history of athletics, looking something like a modern-day Gentlemen’s Club. Dubbed an urban retreat, The Grand lives up to its name with its décor. The subtly masculine touches scattered through the hotel, from the stag pillow and silver tree end table in guest rooms, are elegant and channel a sporting spirit.
6. There are about 6,500 square feet of event space at The Grand that can accommodate both business meetings and social gatherings. There are three ballrooms (Lake Harriet, Cedar Lake and Lake Calhoun) and three boardrooms (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi and 3 Mississippi).
7. Not included in that stat is The SIX15 Room, the hotel lounge located on the first floor off the lobby. The intimate space, which features a variety of seating from sofas to arm chairs, can be rented out to host cocktail-style functions for 75 to 100 guests. It’s not just for social mixers; lunches can also be hosted here. The VIP Room and Red Room are semiprivate spaces that can host 15 and 30 people respectively.
8. Executive Chef Kris Koch, a Minnesota native, heads The SIX15 Room, creating dishes with locally sourced ingredients from independent farmers. The shared-plate menu is comprised of items with a Midwestern twist on classic lounge favorites, including walleye tater tots, pretzel pups and the SIX15 Spiced Nuts that feature six types of nuts and 15 types of spices. Cocktails are made with Koch’s homemade infusions. There’s a daily happy hour starting at 3 p.m. and ending at 6:15 p.m., appropriately.
9. There are 140 guest rooms and 21 suites. The 3,500-square-foot Presidential Suite, located on the 12th floor, features four rooms, a full kitchen, dining table for 10, fireplace, grand piano, and an oversized bathroom with a soaking tub.
10. Pets are welcome sans an extra charge or deposit. Amenities are extended to furry companions, including beds, food and water bowls, and mats.
