Nicollet Island Inn, Minneapolis, MN

Originally published May 6, 2009

If you are looking for a getaway and are heading through the region of the Twin Cities then you should certainly check out the Nicollet Island Inn in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nicollet Island used to be a rough and tumble neighborhood filled with grain mills and rail yards. Today Nicollet Island is a quiet oasis on the Mississippi River where you can find respite from the city and plenty of history to visit. Nicollet Island Inn is one of the attractions on the island thanks to the river views from the rooms or the restaurant. If you are heading to see the Twins, visit the Mall of America or get married at the Nicollet Island Pavilion you should book a night or two at the Nicollet Island Inn in Minneapolis, Minnesota for a very nice time.

The Nicollet Island Inn was formerly the Island Door and Sash Company when it was first built in 1893. From there it became the home for the Salvation Army as used by the area mill companies. In the 1970's Larry Abdo and his wife Jill turned it into a 24 suite boutique hotel complete with bar and restaurant on the main floor.

The Nicollet Island Inn is looking to take you back in time when you visit the Mississippi River and the area of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Walking into the lobby you are greeted by the friendly staff at the desk to your right, the restaurant straight ahead and an antique glass elevator complete with operators chair to your left. The Nicollet Island Inn is decorated in gold tones with rich texture on the walls. As you walk in the to Nicollet Island Inn just after driving over the Mississippi river you could imagine that you were once one of the elite stepping off the river boat and heading in for a great night and party.

The room that my wife and I stayed at while visiting the Nicollet Island Inn was similar to that of any hotel you would see. Lately we have been reviewing Bed and Breakfasts across the country and I now see clearly the difference in style of an antique home preserved to high detail and a hotel. The accommodations provided in our room at the Nicollet Island Inn included Aveda hair, body and face products, an iron and ironing board, one robe, flat screen television housed in an antique style armoire, desk, side chair, basket of treats for purchase and king sized Select Comfort Sleep Number bed. The Select Comfort Sleep Number bed was the highlight to our stay for my wife as she could play with all the buttons and change the feel of the bed. Interestingly enough my wife and I are the same number.

You can tell a lot about the feel of a hotel from the staff and the owner. At some places like the Four Queens Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas you get a tour of the facilities if you wish and learn the history and future of the place by people who are very excited to be there. At some places like the Thomas Lamboll House in Charleston, South Carolina you are free to explore the grounds and the neighborhood and get a sense of the place by the manner of the hosts and the grandeur of the home. At the Nicollet Island Inn the feel that the place is very busy and very much run like any of the name hotels is the feel I got. The staff was nice, but was not there because they had a passion for the Nicollet Island Inn. The rooms were nice, but not because they were reflective of the era that the building was erected, they hinted at it but all was kept very streamlined. All in all the Nicollet Island Inn was nice.