Friday, March 29, 2024
Home MN Places MN Venue Report Kimpton Grand Hotel Minneapolis Salutes Both Its Guests & Its History

Kimpton Grand Hotel Minneapolis Salutes Both Its Guests & Its History

By M+E Staff

Staying at a Kimpton hotel is a brand-new experience every time. Each property is expertly-curated to match its host city’s atmosphere and the Kimpton Grand Hotel Minneapolis is no exception. As described on the hotel’s website, “Midwestern hospitality and elegant sophistication meld” in this downtown Minneapolis boutique hotel. 

Originally constructed in 1915 as the Minneapolis Athletic Club, the hotel has stayed true to its roots and most of the design of The Grand was inspired by its history of athletics. Little details from the Minneapolis Athletic Club can also be found around the hotel like the original U.S. Mail slots still present in the elevator lobbies and the nods to tradition don’t end there. All Kimpton locations are known for their complimentary coffee and tea service in the mornings and wine hours in the evenings, a tradition that dates back to founder Bill Kimpton. Each day he would host his sales meetings in the hotel lobby at 5 p.m., prompting guests to inquire about the occasion and prompting the hotel to create the longstanding social hour.

Guests staying in one of the 140 rooms are treated to a variety of amenities that create an elevated hotel stay more accustomed to VIP visitors, but are actually commonplace for the Kimpton brand. Yoga mats are placed in every room, complimentary bikes are available to rent, pets are welcome at no extra cost, and staff is available by text message to meet every need. My stay at the hotel was no exception. After being upgraded to a Premier King Room, I walked in and was greeted with a bottle of wine, a cheese plate and a personalized note from the hotel staff. After unpacking and realizing I had forgotten to bring toothpaste, I texted the front desk and a few packets of Colgate were brought right to my door. 

While my one-night stay didn’t allow me to use the 60,000-square-foot LifeTime Athletic Club or LifeSpa and Salon (both onsite), I did get to tour the facilities and will be back in the future to take advantage of all they have to offer. I did, however, enjoy a few glasses of wine and appetizers in The SIX15 Room, the hotel lounge located on the first floor off the lobby. The space can be rented out to host cocktail-style functions for 75 to 100 guests and offers everything from small bites to entrees that celebrate the hotel’s emphasis on simplicity and sustainability. I can personally attest that the Grand Club sandwich is delicious and the pretzel pups are a fun snack to share with a group. 

For more information on The Kimpton Grand Hotel Minneapolis, specifically all they have to offer for meetings and events, click here

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