Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport

With its location near the airport and the Mall of America (and free shuttle service to both), this value hotel stays busy with business travelers during the week and couples, families, and groups of friends visiting the mall on weekends. Opened in 2007 and renovated in 2014, the property is clean and well maintained and offers nice extras like a pool and gym. The open lobby is the center of activity, with the spacious lounge and breakfast area immediately to the right of the wood front desk that greets arriving guests. In the breakfast area, long, granite-topped tables and bright drum-shaped pendant lights offer a clean, contemporary look, and light wood floors throughout brighten the space. It's unmistakably a chain hotel, but it delivers on brand standards, making this a comfortable option.

This Hampton Inn & Suites is located in a commercial area just off Interstate 494, surrounded by other airport hotels and office complexes. The hotel operates a free 24-hour shuttle service to the airport, Mall of America, and light rail station that is less than two blocks away. It is a 12-minute light rail ride or 10-minute drive or shuttle ride to Terminal One at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The Mall of America and its hundreds of shops, restaurants, and other attractions is about one mile away -- a three-minute drive or shuttle ride (or about 12 minutes by train). The Waterpark of America is a three-minute drive and Fort Snelling Golf Course is a 10-minute drive. The hotel is somewhat removed from Downtown Minneapolis, about a 20 minute drive or 45 minute train ride, depending on the specific destination.

Rooms are spacious and fresh from a 2014 renovation and while decor is generic, it's tasteful and nicely maintained. Cream walls and crimson accent walls are paired with rust-and-black patterned carpeting, dark brown drapes with rust accents, and dark wood furniture. Upgraded rooms might add leathery ottomans, armchairs, and sofas, plus kitchenettes with sinks, and vanities placed outside the bathroom. Bathrooms are standard with neutral beige color palettes, combo showers and tubs, and granite-topped wood vanities. 

Each room includes a microwave, mini-fridge, electronic safe, coffeemaker, 32-inch flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. Despite being close to the airport, rooms are relatively quiet throughout the six-story complex, especially those rooms farthest away from the airport. Some rooms offer views of the airport complex or Mall of America. 

This hotel offers lots of freebies geared toward busy airport travelers and Mall of America shoppers. There's free 24-hour shuttle to the airport, Mall of America, and nearby light rail station, and free parking is offered on a surface lot. (Heated, underground parking costs an extra fee, as does long-term parking.) While there's no on-site restaurant or bar, the free hot breakfast spread is nice, with standard fare plus eggs, pancakes, and a waffle station. A 24/7 convenience store sells sundries, snacks, beverages, and frozen, ready-to-microwave entrees, too. The heated indoor pool area has several lounge chairs and tables as well as an adjacent whirlpool, plus there's a small fitness center with several cardio machines and free weights. The hotel offers computer stations with internet access and printers, 1,560 square feet of meeting and event space, and free Wi-Fi. For guests traveling with children, the hotel has loaner playpens, cribs, and high chairs.  Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available, and coin laundry facilities are on-site. A safe deposit box is at the front desk, which is open 24 hours.