Escape to Comfort: Microtel Inn Inver Grove Heights - Your MN Getaway
Escape to Comfort: Microtel Inn Inver Grove Heights - A Review From Someone Who Actually Stayed There (Woof, Let's Do This…)
Alright, hold on to your hats, folks. I just crawled back from a stay at the Microtel Inn in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The marketing materials promise “Escape to Comfort.” Let’s see if that delivered. Honestly, I’m still unpacking – both literally and figuratively – so bear with me. This isn’t your slick, sanitized travel blog review. This is real life, people. This is after-the-hotel-buffet-and-three-cups-of-coffee me, spilling the beans.
Meta-Madness (Gotta Do It, Right?)
Keywords: Microtel Inn Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota hotels, accessible hotels, free Wi-Fi, pool, breakfast included, hotel review, spa, fitness center, on-site dining, non-smoking rooms, parking, pet-friendly (supposedly, though the website is coy), Inver Grove Heights lodging, family-friendly hotels, business travel.
SEO Snippet: Looking for a comfortable stay in Inver Grove Heights, MN? My hands-on review of the Microtel Inn covers everything: accessibility, amenities like free Wi-Fi and a pool, dining options, and even a little bit of "me" time (if you can sneak it!). Check-in, kick back, and get the REAL scoop!
Accessibility – It's Important, People!
Okay, good news first. The Microtel seemed to make a genuine effort at accessibility. I say "seemed" because I wasn't personally using a wheelchair or relying on any mobility aids. But the information suggests a focus on this, in the form of wheelchair accessibility throughout, along with potential facilities for disabled guests, and I definitely saw an elevator so that's a plus. The exterior corridors also made getting places easy. I’m not a perfect judge in this area, but the signage and layout suggested inclusivity. HUGE thumbs up for them even trying. More hotels, please!
The Wi-Fi Saga (Because, Seriously, It's 2024!)
They boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And the blurb says Internet!! Which, yes, it has. Thank god. And hey, the internet access wasn't a complete disaster! I need to stay connected. So, in the rooms, it was great. The Wi-Fi in public areas was a bit patchy. Fine for quick emails, maybe a little choppy on streaming. Look, sometimes a girl just needs to binge-watch something on a rainy Minnesota afternoon, and I can't always get a stable stream when I want to dive in, so I have to be honest about that, I would say that this kind of internet, is, more, like the internet found.
Room Rundown – The Good, The Okay, and the “Hmm…”
The room itself was… decent. Non-smoking rooms are a MUST for me, and thankfully, they delivered. I could see a room, because I hate walking into a hotel room that smells like an ashtray. The air conditioning blasted (maybe a little too much, honestly, but at least it worked). I had an alarm clock, a desk (essential!), and a coffee/tea maker so I can start my day right, with a bit (or a lot) of caffeine.
- The Good: The blackout curtains were amazing. Slept like a baby (once I adjusted the AC). Free bottled water a welcome touch. Daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly.
- The Okay: The bed was comfortable enough. Not the cloud-like experience I’d dream of, however, it was better than a lot of hotels. Satellite/cable channels were plentiful, but the picture quality was… well, let’s say it wasn’t IMAX.
- The “Hmm…”: The bathroom was functional. Toiletries were the standard, generic hotel-brand stuff. Everything worked, just nothing to write home about. The bathtub, however, could use an upgrade.
Eating and Drinking – Fueling the Adventure
Alright, let's talk food. This one's a mixed bag.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet], yes. Breakfast [buffet], yes. I repeat, Breakfast [buffet], yes! Asian breakfast options were available, as were Western breakfast. I'm not going to lie, I went for the bacon and eggs. I do remember seeing some breakfast takeaway service, which is a nice touch. The food was standard, it was good and it filled me.
- The Restaurant: A bit limited, to be honest. Some restaurants are very helpful. Maybe I am just picky.
- Snacks: If you have a craving, try the convenience store!
Things to Do – Chillin' or Grillin'?
This is where the Microtel tries to step up its game.
- The Pool and Sauna: They have a swimming pool, which is absolutely crucial, in my book. The pool with a view was there (a slightly blurry view of the parking lot, but hey, it's Minnesota!). I'm a sauna person. The spa/sauna was a great facility.
- Fitness Center: A small gym/fitness area. I didn't hit it (I was too busy… relaxing, obviously), but it looked… functional.
Cleanliness and Safety – Crucial Concerns
This is where I have to give Microtel HUGE props. In these days, with all that is going on, cleaning is important. They do anti-viral cleaning products! They do Daily disinfection in common areas! Hygiene certification! The staff seemed genuinely committed to making sure things were clean and safe. This, to me, is a huge selling point.
The Emotional Rollercoaster (Because, Let's Be Real)
Okay, I'm winding down now, and letting loose on how this experience made me feel
- The Good Vibe Moments: That feeling of pure, unadulterated relaxation after a hot sauna. That joy of finding a clean, comfortable bed to fall into after a long day. The staff was nice, which definitely makes things easier.
- The "Meh" Moments: The occasional patchy Wi-Fi. The slightly generic hotel breakfast.
- The "Ugh" Moments: Nothing I would say was really ugh, but I would say that you should expect that some things are "meh".
The Verdict: Escape to… Okay, Maybe Not Paradise, But a Solid Choice
Would I recommend the Microtel Inn Inver Grove Heights? Yes. It’s a solid choice for a comfortable stay. It's not going to be the most luxurious experience of your life, but for the price, it gets the job done. It is clean, the wifi is good, they have a gym. The bottom line? It's a good, solid hotel, you won't regret.
Final Score: 7.8 out of 10 Cozy Slippers
I am satisfied.
P.S. If you're wondering, I did not find a proposal spot. I'm guessing that's not really their target demographic. They do have exterior corridor which made all the rooms easy to get to.
Escape to Jasper's Majestic Forest Park Hotel: Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the inside, slightly-burnt-around-the-edges look at my trip to Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Specifically, the Microtel. Sigh. Let's be honest, it's not exactly the Four Seasons, but hey, it's a roof over my head. And trust me, after the drive I just had, a roof is a luxury!
Day 1: Arrival, Mild Panic, and Questionable Pizza
- 1:00 PM: Theoretically, I should have arrived. Reality? I'm running late. Traffic on I-35 was, to put it mildly, a nightmare. Seriously, people, can’t you MERGE properly? I swear, the collective IQ of the road dipped about twenty points. Ugh. Anyway, finally, I'm pulling into the Microtel parking lot. It's… well, it's a parking lot. Nothing to write home about, unless you’re writing a scathing review about the almost-nonexistent shade.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. The front desk person seemed… tired. Understandable, honestly. I'm pretty sure I look like a crumpled map myself. "Welcome to Microtel!" she chirped, bless her heart. Found my key card, and the elevator really sounds like it should be condemned.
- 2:00 PM: Room exploration. Okay, the room is, predictably, beige. Beige walls, beige carpet, beige… everything. But hey, clean! That's a win. The bed looks inviting. The tiny TV looks… well, tiny. I immediately tested the remote and had the satisfaction of finding basic cable. I’m still getting over the trauma of my last hotel stay where they only had religious channels.
- 2:30 PM: The dreaded “what do I eat?” dilemma. I’m starving. Absolutely ravenous. I briefly entertained the idea of leaving the room, but then thought, "Nah. The bed." Ordered pizza from a place that delivered. "Mama Mia's Authentic Italian Cuisine". Authentic. It arrived. Let's just say the authenticity stopped somewhere around the cardboard crust. I ate it anyway. Shameful, I know.
- 4:00 PM: The eternal debate: nap, or unpack? Nap won. Always. I think I slept for like, 3 hours. I'm talking the deep, "snoring so loud you wake yourself up" kind of nap.
- 7:00 PM: Found a place called "The Wicked Shamrock" (of course, it's an Irish pub). Didn't expect much, but the fish and chips were actually pretty darn good! The Guinness was cold and refreshing. I might have made a friend or two at the bar.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the Microtel. Watched some TV, attempted to not think about the fact that tomorrow I have to actually do something.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Praying for a better night's sleep than last night.
Day 2: "Let's Do Something" (AKA, A Visit to the Mall of America, and the Subsequent Emotional Rollercoaster)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Feeling slightly less like a zombie! The free breakfast at Microtel… well, let's just say the word "breakfast" is used loosely. It was what it was.
- 8:00 AM: I drove over to the Mall of America. The Mall of America. I’ve heard legends. I’ve seen pictures. I wasn't quite prepared for the sheer scale of the thing. It's… enormous. So large, so overwhelming.
- 9:00 AM: I wandered around, completely bewildered by the sheer volume of people. The energy! The noise! My anxiety spiked a little. But I pressed on, mostly because the idea of turning around and facing the parking garage again was even more daunting.
- 10:00 AM: Found myself in Nickelodeon Universe. The sheer volume of screaming delighted kids filled my ears. I watched, with a mix of awe and horror, as small children plunged down rollercoasters. I ate an overpriced, but surprisingly delicious, giant pretzel.
- 11:00 AM: The shops. The sheer quantity of shops. I get lost in the stores, and then, I got really lost.
- 12:00 PM: Hunger, and I decided to eat at a sushi restaurant. I like sushi. My body might not like sushi.
- 1:00 PM: After a stressful shopping experience, I had a really bad moment. The crowds were getting to me. I started to feel claustrophobic. It hit me: I was lonely. So I went straight to the nearest place I know I can feel better: Cheesecake Factory, sat down at the bar, and ordered a big slice.
- 3:00 PM: Managed to navigate my way out of the mall. Victory!
- 5:00 PM: Back at Microtel. Reflected on my day. The mall experience was… an experience. It was a lot. Too much? Maybe. But I survived!
- 6:00 PM: Ordered takeout from a local Chinese place. Better than the pizza.
- 7:00 PM: Bed.
- 8:00 PM: Slept.
Day 3: Departure, and the Aftermath of a Weekend
- 8:00 AM: Tried the Microtel breakfast again. Still… breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. The front desk person seemed a little less tired today. Maybe they had a good weekend?
- 9:30 AM: The drive home. I’m somehow both exhausted and strangely refreshed.
- Ongoing: The aftermath: Still thinking about that cheesecake. Still slightly traumatized by the Mall of America. Feeling strangely optimistic about my next trip, wherever it may be. Probably not to the Mall of America. Maybe.
1. So, like, is this place actually *comfortable*? Because 'Escape to Comfort' is a bold claim...
Alright, let's be real. "Comfort" is subjective, right? Like, my idea of comfort pre-coffee is a world of pain, but post-coffee, I'm basically a fluffy cloud. Microtel? Honestly? It *tries*. The beds…they're…fine. Not the cloud-like experience of, say, a Ritz-Carlton, but definitely not a rock-hard prison bunk. Think "decent enough to get a solid night's sleep after a long drive." I've slept on worse, that's for sure. I’d give the bed a solid 6 out of 10. The temperature control worked, which, in Minnesota, is a HUGE win in, like, literally any season. I once stayed in a place where the AC was stuck on "arctic blast" in the middle of summer, and I nearly froze to death. So, Microtel? Comfort *adjacent*. Escape? maybe, but only if compared to a particularly rough day at the office.
2. What's the breakfast situation like? Because I'm a hangry monster in the morning.
Okay, listen up, breakfast-fiends. Breakfast at Microtel… it’s… free. And, it's… breakfast. Think continental. Think… well, I’ll be honest, I don't remember specific details, but I'd imagine they had waffles, and maybe some fruit. It *probably* had the usual suspects: cereal, pastries that may or may not have been a day old (don't judge, I'm easily pleased in the AM), coffee that probably wouldn't make you weep with joy, and maybe, just maybe, a sad little scrambled egg situation. Honestly? Pack some protein bars. Just in case. It's a convenient starting point, though, not the apex of culinary excellence. I'm all about the *convenience* when I am *hungry.* The breakfast buffet's a life-saver, though, after a long day driving. I felt a little guilty about eating that many waffles, but hey, I'm on vacation!
3. Is there a pool? Because, you know, water is my friend.
YES! The Microtel in Inver Grove Heights *does* have a pool! And, for a motel pool, it's… well, it's a pool! I believe it was indoors, and that, frankly, is a HUGE bonus in Minnesota. You know, it's not the crystal-clear, infinity-edge dream of a luxury resort, but if you are someone who, like myself, enjoys a refreshing splash, then you're in luck! So yes, water. The temperature was actually pretty good. Not freezing, like some hotel pools I've endured. There seemed to be chlorine smell, so I felt extra clean afterward. My kids loved it. I might have even did a little cannonball, just to be a good parent, you know? (Don't tell anyone).
4. Okay, but what about the location? Is it actually good for... anything?
Ah, the million-dollar question! The location…is… decent. It's in Inver Grove Heights. Which, let's be honest, isn't exactly the epicenter of the universe. However, it's close to some things, like, you know, the Twin Cities! (Minneapolis and St. Paul). I THINK there's some shopping nearby. Restaurants? Yeah, there are definitely restaurants. Nothing super fancy, mind you, but you won't starve. Convenience stores? Oh, yes. You're in the suburbs, so you get all the suburban perks. It's easy access to highways. It's not a bustling cultural hub, it's not a vibrant nightlife mecca. But it's a practical base of operations if you're exploring the area. Frankly, it worked for me. I wasn't expecting Michelin-star dining!
5. What's the deal with internet? Because no Wi-Fi means a grumpy me.
Ah, the curse of the modern traveler: INTERNET. Yes, Microtel *should* have Wi-Fi. And for the most part, it *worked*. I can't vouch for the speed if you're planning on live-streaming the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in 4K, but for checking emails, browsing the web, and maybe, *maybe* a bit of Netflix, it was… adequate. There may have been an instance where the signal was a little temperamental, but I'm talking about *minor* grumbles. I mean, it's not like I was attempting to run a business conference from the hotel room. So the wifi was passable. I’m guessing I'd have complained if I'd actually been working, but thankfully, I was on a mission to de-stress!
6. So, overall, would you recommend this place? Be honest!
Hmm. *Overall*, I'd say… it depends. If you're looking for a budget-friendly, relatively clean, and convenient place to crash for a night or two while exploring the Twin Cities area, then yes. Absolutely. It is a decent hotel -- and it's not the worst place I have ever stayed in. The staff were perfectly friendly. It's not some luxurious haven. If you're expecting a five-star experience, you’re in the wrong place. If you want a comfy bed, a free (albeit basic) breakfast, a functioning pool, and a place to park your car, then Microtel in Inver Grove Heights is *totally* fine. Would I go back? Probably, yeah. Because, hey, sometimes you just need a place to sleep, shower, and maybe eat a waffle. Ain't nothing wrong with that.
7. Anything else I should know? Any hidden gems or major disappointments?
Okay, here's the real, raw truth. The *real* hidden gem? The lack of pretension! Seriously. Microtel isn't pretending to be something it's not. It's honest about what it offers. And for me, that's a HUGE plus. I hate hotels with fancy promises that never deliver. The major disappointment? The *hotel-sized elevator*. It felt a little claustrophobic, and, on more than one occasion, it took a *while* to arrive. That might have been the only real beef I have. Other than that? It does what it says on the tin. Expect a no-frills experience, and you won’t be disappointed. I was glad to escape to comfort for a couple of days.
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