Need hotel help from Twin Cities MN folk!

[yoopermom]

Going to be there first weekend in June 07 for a horse seminar at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St Paul, but the nonhorsey family members want to stay close to the Mall of America since we'll only have one vehicle. Hotel has to have very nice pool area or preferably waterpark/holidome. Wrapping it all up as a package for my dad's Xmas present, so help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Terri da Yoopermom

 

[corie161]

The newest hotel with Waterpark by the MOA is:

http://www.waterparkofamerica.com/

I haven't stayed there, so have no idea of what it's like.

Otherwise, I have stayed at Country Inn and Suites which has 2 normal size pools and the Days Inn with has an atrium, with a pool and hot tub. Both of these are directly across the street from the MOA.

 

[yoopermom]

Thanks, Corinne, DS12 would LOVE the waterpark I'm sure! Going to be a busy weekend, with shopping and swimming!
Terri

 

[marciemi]

DON'T stay at the Travelodge near MOA! I posted this on my review of MOA last month on this board, but we had a lot of problems here. It sounded really good on paper, but in person was a whole different issue. Billing problems, black scum on whirlpool, leaking fridge, ripped mattress, "breakfast" was packaged muffins, etc., etc. Just suffice it to say that the cheaper prices should have been a tipoff!

Also just a warning about the waterpark. When I priced that originally, it took me a while to realize that (at least on the website I was using), the prices didn't include waterpark wristbands, which were either $15 or $20 more per person per day, which suddenly made the $149 stay I was considering $249! Check this out first to avoid an unpleasant surprise! I have heard good things about this hotel on these boards however, so it sounds like a good option if the price is right!

 

[LynnTH]

Well, if you could wait a few years there should be a hotel with a waterpark attached to the mall. At least that is what the latest news that has been on all the news stations. They plan on expanding MOA to I think double the size it is now. Hotel (with Waterpark I think), a place to hold concerts, a Bass Pro Shop and lots more. They are also planning on revamping the amusement park and adding in a pretty big rollercoaster. Plans are supposed to start middle of next year with a total completion in 2010. I can't wait. I love going over to the MOA and just dinging around.

Have you ever been to our State Fair before? It is also a lot of fun and very huge. It's a pretty big deal here.

 

[golfgal]

If you want to stay at the Grand Lodge, the waterpark at MOA hotel, expect to spend about $500/night if you want to actually USE the waterpark. It is a VERY nice hotel and grossly expensive. There is a Days Inn that advertises a waterslide but I don't know where that is exactly (somewhere in Bloomington). I don't THINK it is the Days Inn behind the MOA but it could be. We have stayed at the Country Inn and Suites behind the MOA and that is a great place to stay.

The other options would be too far away to make it convienent to either MOA or St. Paul.

 

[corie161]

The Days Inn by the MOA, last I stayed there did not have a waterslide. It possibly could have been added, but not that I'm aware of.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

No water slides, but we have enjoyed our stays at the Hilton and Embassy Suites. ES has an great breakfast buffet and the rooms looked new.

 

[yoopermom]

After talking it over with DS, we've decided just a really nice hotel with a good pool (more than knee deep!) would be fine. We've stayed at Country Inns before, and liked them, but DSM (who's financing it) travels for business and is used to something classier (like maybe the Hilton). $500 waterpark is definately out, I could BUY a horse for that kind of $$!

Thanks again!
Terri

 

[marciemi]

I tried pricing out the Grand Lodge (waterpark) for you for that weekend and got a base rate of $169 a night for 2 adults in a room, including waterpark passes (this was a AAA rate) or $109 without the passes. It says extra people are $25 pp per night. So if there are the two of you and one child, that would be $194 a night with passes for all of you - not quite $500 and the hotel seems to have really good reviews. Sounds like it might be on level with a Hilton, but obviously will have a lot more kids running around!

 

[golfgal]

I tried pricing out the Grand Lodge (waterpark) for you for that weekend and got a base rate of $169 a night for 2 adults in a room, including waterpark passes (this was a AAA rate) or $109 without the passes. It says extra people are $25 pp per night. So if there are the two of you and one child, that would be $194 a night with passes for all of you - not quite $500 and the hotel seems to have really good reviews. Sounds like it might be on level with a Hilton, but obviously will have a lot more kids running around!

REALLY???? Are you sure they included waterpark passes? Double check that because the waterpark passes are $25/person/day.

Ok, I just looked and the AAA rates do include the waterpark passes. When we went to the waterpark this past summer I looked for a room rate thinking it would be less expensive to reserve a room and get the park passes with that but at the time the rooms with park passes were around $450+ tax. They must have dropped their rates because no one was staying there????

 

[ginna74]

My VERY best hotel is the embassy suites Airport just a few miles from the MOA. We go there every year a few times. It has a HUGE breakfast and a FRESH one at that. MANY MANY MANY choices on what you want to eat. FREE drinks along with soft drinks in the evening 530-700. The rooms are big. two tvs, fridge, microwave. I REALLY reccomend it to anyone. it is only about 139 a night too. Good Luck

 

[GinaMattsMom]

REALLY???? Are you sure they included waterpark passes? Double check that because the waterpark passes are $25/person/day.

Ok, I just looked and the AAA rates do include the waterpark passes. When we went to the waterpark this past summer I looked for a room rate thinking it would be less expensive to reserve a room and get the park passes with that but at the time the rooms with park passes were around $450+ tax. They must have dropped their rates because no one was staying there????

Did you find rooms available?
Just curious...

 

[angel_bright05]

If you want to stay at the Grand Lodge, the waterpark at MOA hotel, expect to spend about $500/night if you want to actually USE the waterpark. It is a VERY nice hotel and grossly expensive. There is a Days Inn that advertises a waterslide but I don't know where that is exactly (somewhere in Bloomington). I don't THINK it is the Days Inn behind the MOA but it could be. We have stayed at the Country Inn and Suites behind the MOA and that is a great place to stay.

That Days Inn doesn't have a waterslide. We were just there. Decent pool and continental breakfast though.

 

[GinaMattsMom]

I have a link to MOA/bloomington coupons, but I have to post 2 more times

 

[GinaMattsMom]

Okay here they are:
http://www.bloomingtonmn.org/ASSETS/EEBE6B287DBE44FBA373773B444B0C6D/FINAL Coupons1.pdf

 

[marciemi]

Thanks - I'll try to see if any of those get me a better rate for our visit next month! I was looking at the Quality Inn so I'll call them.