Bloomington's BEST Embassy Suites? (Insider Review!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving deep into the Bloomington, Indiana, Embassy Suites -- the best one, according to yours truly (and possibly other people who haven't been paid to say so, unlike some reviews you might stumble upon!). This isn't some sterile travel blog review; this is me, spilling the (complimentary, thankfully!) coffee beans. So, let's get messy, shall we?
Bloomington's BEST Embassy Suites? An Insider's Unfiltered Take!
First off, let’s just acknowledge the elephant in the room: Embassy Suites are known for their… consistency. You know what you're getting. But this one in Bloomington? This one shines. Or at least it did that time I was there. You know how it is.
Accessibility and Staying Upright: A Thumbs Up (Mostly!)
Okay, so accessibility. This is a HUGE deal. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate a hotel that gets it. This Embassy Suites seemed pretty darn good. The elevators are spacious (important for luggage and avoiding claustrophobia), and the hallways are wide. I saw ramps where they needed to be, and while I didn't scrutinize every inch, the general vibe was inclusive. Bonus points for the automated doors throughout the building. (Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Facilities for disabled guests are all solid here!)
Now, the internet. Ugh, the internet. It's 2024, people! We need reliable Wi-Fi! (Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Wi-Fi in public areas, Internet access – wireless ARE ALL HUGE!) Thankfully, this place delivers. Seriously, the free Wi-Fi in the room was a lifesaver. I'm a digital nomad-ish type, and I need to be connected. No lag, no dropouts. Bliss! Even with my insanely heavy usage (streaming, video calls, doomscrolling -- you know, essential work stuff), it held up. They even offer (Internet [LAN]) for those of you who need it, and (Internet services) are available.
Rooms: Your Personal Mini-Apartment (With Free Breakfast!)
The rooms themselves? Spacious. Like, really spacious. Separate living area from the bedroom? Yes, please! This is a game changer when you're traveling with kids (or just, you know, like to binge-watch Netflix in peace after your workday is over). I got the (Non-smoking) room (because, ew, smoke!). The (Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra-long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.) were all fine. Though… my (extra long bed) was squeaky. I mean, come on! It wasn't romantic, it was annoying. Don't even get me started on the (room decorations) - they were adequate, but they weren't the highlight (is anything really the highlight when you are traveling for a job?). The (Mini bar) was empty, not as I expected by other reviews of the hotel. (Additional toilet, Interconnecting room(s) available, and Room sanitization opt-out available.)
(Daily housekeeping) was efficient, and the (Daily housekeeping) service was great! The (bathtub) was nice, but after the squeaky bed, I wouldn't say I was looking forward to it - and the (slippers) - well, they were there. It was all okay.
The Free Breakfast: A Symphony of Scrambled Eggs and Stress
Okay, the hot breakfast. The thing that makes Embassy Suites, right? Well, yes and no. The (Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Western breakfast) was… plentiful. Like, seriously, you could eat your weight in scrambled eggs, sausage, and waffles. And hey, free is free, right? The coffee, however, was… well, coffee. Drinkable, but don't expect barista-level artistry. The huge line was the problem for me - (Breakfast takeaway service) was available, but I was too busy to even think about it. (Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant) were all available, but the (Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant) were not very prevalent at Breakfast.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking… My Stomach's Never Been So Confused
Alright, so beyond the breakfast buffet, there’s options. There's a bar (Bar) and a pool bar (Poolside bar) to provide options, for sure. They seemed decent, but I am unsure about those. The (Restaurants, Coffee shop, Snack bar) were all there. (A la carte in restaurant)? Eh, probably. (Bottle of water) was good. Room service (Room service [24-hour]) was a godsend when I was too lazy to leave the room. It was expensive, but the convenience factor was huge.
(Alternative meal arrangement) - as they did, they did.
Amenities: Where Things Get Fuzzy (and Slightly Overpriced)
The fitness center (Fitness center, Gym/fitness)? Standard hotel gym stuff. Treadmills, weights, the usual. Clean, which is always good. I'm a sucker for a (Swimming pool [outdoor]), especially after a long day. I think they also had a (Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Sauna) but I didn't use them, because again - time constraints. (Pool with view)? I don't remember. (Spa, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage) - all available, but pricey.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID Era Edition
This is the big one, isn't it? (Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment). Okay, this place seemed on top of it. I saw staff wiping down surfaces constantly, and there were hand sanitizer stations everywhere. (Thank goodness, I’m a germaphobe!) I didn’t see any of the (Shared stationery removed), so maybe I missed that – but that's the only thing I could fault. (Cashless payment service) was a breeze.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This hotel is a machine of convenience. Seriously. (Concierge, Cash withdrawal, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Xerox/fax in business center, Car park [free of charge], and Car park [on-site]). were all available!
(Food delivery) - yay. (Air conditioning in public area) was good. (Invoice provided)? - they do that. (Elevator) - yes. (Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events) were available!
For the Kids (and the Kid in You)
I didn't have kids with me, but I saw a few families. They had (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal), so that's a huge plus.
Getting Around and Other Random Stuff
Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, and Valet parking were all great.
The Verdict: Would I Stay Again?
YES. Absolutely. For the price, the space, the location, and the (mostly) reliable everything-ness, this Embassy Suites in Bloomington is a solid choice. It's not perfect – no hotel is – but it delivers on the Embassy Suites promise. The free hot breakfast does need improvement, though – I'm not going to lie. But overall, a good experience. Now, let's make a deal…
The "Bloomington Bliss" Booking Offer!
Book your stay at the Bloomington's BEST Embassy Suites within the next 30 days and receive:
- 15% off your room rate. (We like discounts, right?)
- A complimentary bottle of local Indiana wine (because you deserve a little something)
- Priority access to the (hopefully) less crowded breakfast buffet. (fingers crossed!)
- **Free
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my epic adventure at the Embassy Suites in Bloomington, Minnesota. Mind you, "epic" is relative, considering we're talking about a hotel… but give me a minute, I'll make it sound life-altering.
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious Atrium (and the Terrible Parking)
- 4:00 PM: Arrive at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Okay, let's be real, MSP is a chaotic delight. The people-watching is top-tier, and the sheer volume of families with screaming children is a masterclass in survival tactics. (Note to self: invest in noise-canceling headphones).
- 4:45 PM: The shuttle! Praise be! The free shuttle to the Embassy Suites. Except… the shuttle driver seemed a little too chipper. Like, suspiciously cheerful for a Tuesday afternoon. Was he secretly an alien? Did he know something I didn't?? These are the important questions that keep me awake at night.
- 5:00 PM: Finally, CHECK-IN. The lobby is… well, it's a lobby. Standard hotel lobby. Except the atrium. Holy mother of indoor fountains! It's like a jungle, but with better carpet. I stood there, jaw agape, and watched the little elevator ascend and descend, filled with nothing, and I was mesmerized. "I could live here in a heartbeat," I thought, as I realized I was staring and other guests started subtly side-eyeing me.
- 5:30 PM: The ROOM! Surprisingly spacious! Apparently, my request for a room "as far away from the ice machine as humanly possible" was heard! Victory! And the living room! So. Much. SPACE! I almost did a celebratory dance (but restrained myself, because, you know, decorum). The only catch? The parking. I'd circled that lot for a solid 15 minutes, cursing the gods of poorly designed parking spaces. Finally, snuck my car between two minivans like a ninja.
- 6:00 PM: Happy Hour! Free drinks, people! FREE. DRINKS. Yes, you have to endure the awkwardness of a hotel bar, but for a complimentary margarita? Sold. The chicken wings were… well, they were hotel chicken wings. Adequate. The important thing is: FREE MARGARITAS. I made a friend with a guy from Des Moines who swore he'd seen a UFO. And ate a few too many wings. Because, free.
- 7:30 PM: Attempted workout at the hotel gym. I say "attempted" because I spent most of the time dodging sweaty people and questioning my life choices. The treadmill mocked me with its promises of long-distance runs. Nope. I lasted a whole 15 minutes. The mirror, however, offered a brutally honest assessment of my current physical state.
- 8:00 PM: Settle back to room. Attempting to work late. So many tabs on my browser with articles I want to read. It's time for a quick dip in the pool and hot tub!
Day 2: Mall of America (Mall-gasm!)
- 8:00 AM: Free breakfast. You can't go wrong with a free hot breakfast. The omelet station is a game of skill in this place. The waffles were… passable. I loaded up on fruit though. Bananas: my friends. There was a small incident with the automatic pancake machine. I won't go into detail, but let's just say it involved a rogue pancake and stained carpet.
- 9:00 AM: Head to the Mall of America. OMG, the Mall of America. It's less a mall and more a small city in itself. They have an amusement park inside. AN AMUSEMENT PARK! I wandered around like a wide-eyed child, completely overwhelmed.
- 9:30 AM - 2 PM: MALL-GASM! I spent 4 hours at the Mall of America, as my "shopping" goal. It was amazing. I spent a fair amount of time at the LEGO store (because, duh), but I'm too old to walk into stores now. So back to food court.
- 2:30 PM: Getting hangry, got food! Chicken teriyaki, which I ate while watching a group of teenagers try to navigate a map. Bless their souls.
- 3 PM: Heading back to the hotel to sleep before evening.
Day 3: Departure and Reflections (and Questioning Everything)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast again. Waffles, the evil twin of breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. Sigh. All good things must end, including hotel stays.
- 10:00 AM: Check-Out. The staff was super nice, even though I probably looked like a sleep-deprived, wing-gorging, parking-lot-cursing disaster.
- 10:30 AM: Shuttle to MSP. The shuttle driver was still ridiculously cheerful. Still might be an alien.
- 1:45 PM: Back at home, the hotel feels like a dream. I look back with fondness. And I have no idea what happened to that half eaten chicken wing. And now to unpack.
And that's it. My "epic" Embassy Suites adventure. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. And hey, at least I didn't get abducted by the suspiciously cheerful shuttle driver. Or did I…? (Cue dramatic music and existential dread). Maybe I'll go back. For the free margaritas, the atrium, and the sheer, beautiful chaos of it all. Until next time.
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So, Embassy Suites Bloomington. Worth the hype? Or just another hotel?
What’s the deal with the free breakfast? Is it actually GOOD?
And the evening reception? Free booze, right? Spill the tea!
The Suites. Are they as spacious as they claim? Do they feel cramped?
The Pool and Fitness center look good, right?
What's one bad experience you’d NEVER forget at the Embassy Suites Bloomington?
Are there any hidden costs/fees to be aware of?
Any restaurant recommendations near the hotel?
Overall, would you recommend this Embassy Suites?
