Escape to Paradise: Minneapolis' Hidden Gem Awaits in Maple Grove!
Escape to Paradise: Minneapolis' Hidden Gem Awaits in Maple Grove! (Or, My Whirlwind Romance with a Hotel)
Okay, so I'm back. Back from a weekend escape to… well, Maple Grove, Minnesota. Sounds glamorous, right? Let me tell you, it was. I'm talking about a hidden gem, Escape to Paradise, they call it. And honestly? They're not totally wrong. Let's unpack this glorious mess of a stay.
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First things first: Accessibility. This is crucial for me. And Escape to Paradise? Solid. Wheelchair accessible? Yep, and thankfully, the ramps weren't those terrifyingly steep inclines that usually make me feel like I'm about to tumble down a mountain. Big thumbs-up. They also had facilities for disabled guests, which is always a relief. They get it!
The Room - My Fortress of Solitude (Mostly)
Let's talk rooms. I snagged a "non-smoking" room, which, believe me, is a necessity. It had everything. Or, at least, everything you expect in a nice hotel room. Air conditioning (thank God, because Minnesota in summer can be brutal), a comfy bed with blackout curtains (I appreciate the commitment to sleep), and a desk that was actually usable for, you know, working. The bathroom was clean and had all the essentials; good water pressure is a must, folks. Plus, they had a hair dryer (thank you, hotel gods!). The wi-fi [free] was actually fast, which is HUGE. And the slippers were a nice touch (even though I wore them outside the whole time. Judge me later.).
But here's a moment of honesty: the alarm clock, I wrestled with it. It beeped at me at 3 AM for some reason. Who sets an alarm for 3 AM? I suspect mischievous hotel ghosts. Whatever its origin, I finally managed to silence it, and the rest of my stay was bliss.
Dining, Drinking, & That Pool View (My Kryptonite)
Okay, let's get to the good stuff. Restaurants? Yep, plural. They've got a decent buffet in restaurant for breakfast (which, naturally, I stumbled into far too late one day). They had a Western breakfast which was great. The coffee shop was a lifesaver. I lived at the poolside bar. The pool itself was gorgeous. A Pool with view! I spent hours there, just staring at the scenery. Absolute bliss.
The food was also really good. I went for the A La Carte in restaurant one night - I had the steak - AMAZING. And those desserts! I may or may not have eaten two. There was an Asian cuisine in restaurant, which I didn't explore (my loss, I'm sure).
I wish I had the mental fortitude to capture my exact meals, ingredients, pricing – but who remembers that when you're relaxed?
Spa & Relaxation – My Personal Oasis
Oh, the spa. Truly, the highlight. I’m not usually a spa-goer. I’m more of a “Netflix and sweatpants” kind of person. But this place? It sold me. The massage (I think I snored. Don't judge me!) was heavenly. The sauna was a sweaty, cleansing experience. And the pool and steamroom… perfection.
I got a body scrub and a body wrap. And when it was over, I truly fell into a space of pure relaxation.
Cleanliness and Safety – The COVID-19 Circus (Thankfully, Well-Managed)
Let's face it: we're living in a strange time. Escape to Paradise took cleanliness and safety seriously. They had professional-grade sanitizing services. They provided hand sanitizer everywhere. The staff all wore masks, and they even had room sanitization opt-out available.
And the breakfast takeaway service was a great option when I was too busy to sit down like a human!
Getting Around – The Easy Part
Car park [free of charge] is the best news. The city's a very car-dependent country. I love that.
Services & Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter
They have doorman, dry cleaning, and laundry service, which I didn’t use, because who travels with too many clothes? They do have daily housekeeping, which is amazing. The front desk [24-hour] was helpful for my questions. They have a concierge, daily housekeeping and a safe.
For the Kids (In Case You Have Them, Unlike Me)
I didn't utilise them, but I did see the Family/child friendly. They have a Babysitting service, which is a nice touch.
Bottom Line: Should You Go?
Absolutely. Escape to Paradise isn't just a hotel; it's an experience. It's a haven, a respite, a place to actually relax. There were minor quirks, sure. But the overall experience? Fantastic. Would I go back? Without a doubt. In fact, I'm already planning my next escape. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a way to recreate that pool view in my backyard…
Portland's BEST Downtown Courtyard Hotel: Convention Center Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's pristine travel itinerary. We're heading to the… checks notes … Courtyard Minneapolis Maple Grove/Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove, MN. Yeah, that sounds… exciting? Let's see if we can inject some actual life into this bland-sounding adventure.
Day 1: Maple Grove Mayhem (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Outlet Mall – Maybe)
10:00 AM: Arrive at MSP. Okay, first hurdle. Flights? Smooth(ish). Luggage? Praying it made it. The existential dread of not having my toothbrush is real, people. Uber/Lyft to the Courtyard. This is where things get hazy. The lobby… it’s… a lobby. Beige. Standard. Perfectly functional. Where's the drama? Where's the spark? I’m a little disappointed. But eh, a bed is a bed, right?
11:00 AM: Check-in. The front desk person seems… pleasant. Too pleasant? Am I being cared for or programmed? Deep thoughts. Settle into the room. Unpack (or awkwardly shove everything into a corner). Assess the damage. Is this a "clean sheets, free coffee" kind of vibe, or a “dust bunnies and questionable stains” situation? Fingers crossed for the former.
12:00 PM: Lunch at… thinking … probably something close by. Gotta fuel up for… the event. I think there is a food court in Arbor Lakes Mall? I mean… a food court is all I can muster. I need a burger. A big, messy, unapologetic burger. And fries. And sweet tea. I'm feeling the need to carb up for the retail onslaught.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Arbor Lakes Mall. Oh, the mall. A veritable sea of stores. My mission: conquer the outlet mall. Find the perfect sweater (because I clearly need another one). Maybe some clearance jeans that are, fingers crossed, the right length. Prepare for the real challenge: trying on pants. The lighting, the small dressing rooms… it's psychological warfare, I tell you.
4:00 PM: HOLD UP. RED ALERT. I FOUND IT. A discount book store. I can't believe I didn't know about this. Books, glorious books. I may actually lose myself in here. I am going to buy some of everything. I will go broke but I will not regret a single purchase. I'll probably spend the next three hours lost in the aisles, sniffing the pages and muttering poetry under my breath. God, I love books. This is a win already. The entire trip is worth it just for this.
6:00 PM: Dinner. Probably the mall food court. Deep breaths. I've earned a cheat meal, right? Maybe a greasy quesadilla? Or a pizza slice big enough to cover my face? I'm getting a little anxious, or is the book store excitement wearing off?
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Unwind. Back at the hotel. Maybe watch some terrible reality TV. Is there a pool? I have no intention of going in it, but the idea of a hotel pool is comforting, somehow. Let the shopping highs and lows wash over me. Journaling. Maybe ordering a late-night snack that I'll regret later.
9:00 PM: Crash. Sleep. Survive. Tomorrow is another day… of shopping, I presume.
Day 2: Maple Grove, The Sequel (or, More Retail Therapy and Possibly a Mental Breakdown)
8:00 AM: Wake up. Did I sleep? Can't remember. Coffee! Huge mug of industrial-strength hotel coffee. Fuel for… whatever comes next. Breakfast? The hotel's "continental" offering. (Translation: Sad muffins and slightly stale bagels.)
9:00 AM - Noon: Target run! Because you can't go to Minnesota and not hit a Target. Embrace the red and the giant shopping carts. Is it touristy? Yes. Do I care? Absolutely not. I need things. Snacks. Toiletries. Possibly a decorative llama for my desk. Anything is possible.
Noon: Lunch. Okay, I'm officially mall-ed out. I could really go for a sandwich. And maybe a quiet place to sit. Maybe a park? I will make that decision when the lunch is in front of me.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More shopping… ugh.
4:00 PM: I've hit my shopping wall. I can't. I won't. I'm done. I may need a massage. Or a very very large cocktail. Seriously… I need to do something that doesn't involve spending money.
6:00 PM: Dinner. Find a local place. I am in a big pickle because I have absolutely no actual knowledge about the local cuisine. Maybe Google Maps will give me some answers.
7:00 PM: Attempt to relax. Maybe read. Maybe actually get to the pool. Maybe just stare out the window and question all my life choices.
9:00 PM: Early bedtime. My retail-addled brain needs to recover.
Day 3: Departure and Reflections (Or, Did I Even Enjoy This? Who the Heck Knows?)
8:00 AM: Pack. Resist the urge to buy the extra suitcase for all my purchases. Sigh.
9:00 AM: Checkout. Smile at the front desk person, because you're a good tourist.
10:00 AM: Goodbye, Maple Grove! Return to the airport. And the real world.
Throughout the flight: Reflect on my trip. Did I have fun? Probably. Did I spend a lot of money? Most likely. Will I remember any of this in a week? Doubtful. But hey, at least I got a sweater. And a llama. And a book. Worth it.
Post-trip: Unpack everything I bought in Maple Grove and be amazed at all the things I thought were necessary. Sigh. I have learned nothing. I will do it all again, perhaps on a future trip to Maple Grove. Or maybe not. Maybe I'll pick somewhere with, I don't know, character next time. Regardless, it was what it was.
Escape to Paradise: Your Maple Grove Staycation Questions (Finally, Answered...Maybe)
Okay, so "Paradise." Really? In Maple Grove? Don't you kind of mean, like, *slightly* nicer than, say, a Super 8?
Alright, alright, settle down with the accusations! Look, "Paradise" might be a slight exaggeration. My inner cynic initially scoffed too, I confess. But here's the thing: after a week of staring at spreadsheets, the kids screaming, and the dog using the rug as a… well, you get it… any place *without* those ingredients is paradise in my book.
My actual expectations started at "clean, quiet, and maybe a decent coffee maker." Thankfully, it smashed those. The pool area? surprisingly lush and tropical-vibe-y. Less "desert island," more "indoor oasis, with surprisingly decent margaritas." So... Paradise-ish? Yes. Actual, bona-fide, "swim with dolphins and eat mangoes all day"? No. (Although, the kids *did* act like they were swimming with dolphins in the pool...loudly.)
What's the deal with the pool? Seriously, spill the beans. Is it a chlorine swamp?
Okay, the pool. The *pièce de résistance*, right? I'm a germaphobe, so I approached with caution. I'm happy to report it wasn't a chlorine swamp, though my partner, bless his casual soul, did say, "Ehhh, tasted fine!" (Ew.) But seriously, the water was clean, there were *actual* lounge chairs that weren't broken, and the little splash park thingy? Genius for the under-5 set. I *may* have also snuck off for an hour with a trashy novel and pretended I was in the Maldives. Don't judge. It was glorious.
My only gripe (and it's a small one) was the sheer volume of toddlers. They're cute, I love kids, but… relentless. Maybe a designated "adult swim" time? Just a thought, Management. Just a thought.
Food! Eating is a thing people do. What's the grub situation like? Restaurant on-site? Decent options nearby? Because I *need* to know.
Food! Ah, the fuel of life, the source of joy (and sometimes, serious regret...). The hotel had a restaurant, and honestly, it was… fine. Solid. Don't go expecting a Michelin-star experience, but the burgers were passable, and the kids' menu kept the little monsters somewhat sated.
The *real* win, though? The proximity to… well, *everything*. Maple Grove has become a foodie paradise. We demolished some amazing tacos at a place called "Taco Loco" (which wasn't loco at all, just delicious). There's a brewery (because, Minnesota), a great little Italian place that made me forget, briefly, that I was wearing sweatpants. We even found this amazing bakery that served something they called a "croissant-donuts", which almost brought tears to my eyes. Seriously, food is a reason to go to Maple Grove in itself.
The only downside? My waistline. Worth it. Totally, absolutely worth it.
Is there anything to do *besides* swim and eat? My kids get bored faster than a goldfish in a glass of tap water.
Oh, yes! Don’t you worry. The hotel itself had a decent arcade (that I *may* have spent far too much time in, playing a racing game that was far too loud). But Maple Grove… Maple Grove is a secret playground. There's the Elm Creek Park Reserve, with hiking trails, playgrounds (more playgrounds!), and all sorts of outdoor adventures. We spent a whole afternoon just running around, pretending to be explorers. (Again, I'm also prone to pretending, you know).
Plus, within a short drive, you’ve got shopping, more restaurants, and even a movie theatre (if you can handle the sticky floors and screaming teenagers. I can't, but my husband, apparently, enjoys the chaos). Basically, boredom is not an option, unless you actively try to achieve it. Which, let's be honest, I considered for a solid ten minutes when the kids were arguing over who got the last chicken nugget.
Okay, look. Did you *actually* relax? Be honest, did the stress of everyday life just follow you to Maple Grove?
Alright, the truth? Partially. My kids, bless their sweet, chaotic souls, are masters of stress-inducing techniques. There was the epic lost-sock incident, the near-meltdown over which ice cream flavor was picked, and the continuous stream of, "Are we there yet?".
But...yes, surprisingly, yes. It was the type of break I didn't know I needed. The change of scenery did wonders; the pool, the food, the time spent NOT doing dishes or laundry. I even managed to read an entire book (a feat I haven’t accomplished in years). The little imperfections, the chaos, the tiny blips... they just became part of the charm. Maple Grove isn't a cure-all. It's... well, it's an escape. And sometimes, that's enough. It’s about remembering to laugh, taking a deep breath, and realizing that even in the midst of a toddler tantrum, you can still find a little bit of paradise. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm craving a croissant-donut.
Any hidden gems or insider tips? Spill the beans!
Okay, okay. Here's the real tea. First, pack extra socks. You'll need them. The kids will lose at least three pairs. Second, the breakfast buffet is *worth* it, even if the scrambled eggs look suspiciously yellow. Third, bring a book, a good book, because you *will* find time to read it, even if it’s only for ten glorious minutes while the kids are distracted by a rogue bouncy ball. Fourth: don't over-plan. Let the day unfold. Let the chaos happen. Embrace the imperfection. And fifth, and most importantly… find that croissant-donut place. Seriously. Thank me later.
Is it worth it, overall? Would you go back, despite the potential for toddler-induced madness?
Absolutely. No hesitation. Yes. Even the thought of the lost socks, the endless "I'm bored!" declarations, the fact that I somehow managed to gain five pounds in three days... none of it detracts from the overall experience. Sure, it's not an actual tropical escape. But when you're desperate for a break from reality, from the same four walls, from the same routines, Maple Grove'sStay By City
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