Rochester's BEST Hotel Near Mayo Clinic? (Indigo Hotel Review!)

Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic Area By IHG Rochester (MN) United States

Rochester's BEST Hotel Near Mayo Clinic? (Indigo Hotel Review!)

Indigo Hotel Rochester: Close to Mayo, But Does It REALLY Shine? (A Rambling Review)

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unload on the Hotel Indigo Rochester, the so-called "best" hotel near the Mayo Clinic. Now, I've stayed in enough hotels to know a good one, and I've spent far too much time near Mayo, so I'm practically a local expert on needing a comfy bed and a decent cup of coffee after a day of… well, you know. This review spills the beans, warts and all.

Accessibility: A Solid Start, But…

Okay, let's kick things off with what matters: Accessibility. Important note for all you folks traveling with mobility issues – the Indigo claims to be aces. They've got the elevator, the roll-in showers (I peeked!), and the ramps. BUT, and this is a big but… actually, no, scratch that, let's skip all the "big but" intro. One specific issue I remember: some of the automatic doors felt a bit… sluggish. A minor issue, sure, but when you're dealing with a walker or wheelchair, every second counts. They need to do better with door speed and the responsiveness of the automatic doors. Overall, though, it's way better than a lot of places.

On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Yes, yes, and yes again!

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes!

Internet Access: The Tech Tango

• Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Bless. The. Heavens. This is a must. I needed it. You need it. The internet was pretty solid, no complaints here, just solid internet.

• Internet [LAN]: I didn’t even bother with the LAN. Like, who uses that in 2024, right? My millennial mind can't compute it.

• Internet Services: All the usual suspects, nothing groundbreaking.

• Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Actually, pretty good in the lobby and by the bar. Good for people-watching and, you know, doomscrolling.

Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams, Reality Checks

• Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, so the brochure paints a picture of pure bliss. And the truth? The spa… okay, so they have a spa. And, yes, a sauna. And a pool… inside. No pool with a view. Sorry, that was a false dream fueled by my need for a vacation. I’m not sure if they had the outdoor pool, because everything was closed do to the weather (that was cold and nasty). To be honest, I had high hopes for the spa. I needed a good rubdown after the stress of… well, everything. I didn't get it in the end, although I did see a tiny gym.

Cleanliness and Safety: Masks and Mayhem, or the New Normal?

• Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, 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, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Let’s just say they tried. Everything smelled vaguely of bleach, which, honestly, is a comfort after COVID-19 times. My room seemed clean, and the staff… they were masked and ready to go. No complaints (or major disasters) here.

• Room sanitization opt-out available: A nice thing, but I think it was a bit late. They were already cleaning everything.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious… Food?

• A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: I'm going to go on a little rant here. The dining situation was… messy. A buffet breakfast… that looked like something out of a disaster movie. The eggs were… well, they weren't great. The coffee, however, was pretty good and it was served at the table. The restaurant had a decent menu, but it was nothing to write home about. Just be prepared for some standard hotel fare and lower your expectations. Room service was a life saver, especially when you’re feeling down, but sometimes it took a bit.

Services and Conveniences: The Perks… and the Lack Thereof

• Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Here’s where the Indigo shines a little, but there were some hiccups. The staff, particularly the concierge, were genuinely helpful and friendly. Contactless check-in was smooth. The elevator worked (thank goodness!). The convenience store was a lifesaver for snacks. However… my room didn't have an iron. And no, I'm not using my face as a makeshift ironing board. (Okay, maybe in desperation… but it's not ideal.)

For The Kids: Maybe Not Their Top Choice

• Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Not really the family-oriented resort type of place. It's more designed for adults. Just in case you are bringing your child with, don't expect too much.

Access: The Nitty Gritty

• The usual – CCTV, fire alarms, express check-in/out (mostly, but not always), 24-hour desk… you get it.

Available in All Rooms: The Must-Haves

• Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, 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: Okay, look, the fundamentals were there. The bed was comfy. The air conditioning worked. Blackout curtains were a godsend. The bathroom, clean. The coffee was available in the room, which, seriously, is a necessity in the morning.

The Verdict: Worth the Stay?

Here's the deal: the Indigo is a perfectly decent hotel. The location near Mayo is fantastic, and the staff mostly tries their best. But it's not perfect. It's got its quirks. The food is… fine. The spa is… I'm still not sure what it is.

Honestly, the Indigo is a solid bet if you're looking for a convenient, clean place to stay near the Mayo Clinic. Just don't go expecting a luxury experience. Go with an open mind, pack your own iron (just kidding), and hope for the best. It's a good basecamp for dealing with difficult things, and sometimes, that's all you need. The imperfections? Well, they just make it feel… human. And after everything, sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

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Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic Area By IHG Rochester (MN) United States

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your meticulously planned travel diary. This is the chaotic, beautiful, and slightly embarrassing truth of a trip to the Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic Area by IHG, Rochester, MN. Prepare for rambles, opinions, and the distinct possibility of me losing my car keys.

Hotel Indigo Rochester: My Mayo Clinic Misadventure (or How I Survived on Coffee & Hope)

Day 1: Arrival & The Bathroom Battle (or "Why Did I Forget My Conditioner?")

• 1:00 PM: Arrived in Rochester, MN. Landed at the airport. That airport (I'm bad with names, but the Rochester airport I think), and it was… well, it was an airport. I could almost taste the recycled air. The Indigo was a short ride away, and the city looked surprisingly… green? Apparently, trees exist outside of my laptop screen.
• 1:30 PM: Check-in. The hotel staff was nice. Overly nice, perhaps? Like, "Welcome to Rochester! We hope your medical appointment goes well!" Nice. Probably not the most comforting greeting, considering I'm here for something. Let's call it "investigation of the internal workings."
• 2:00 PM: Room reveal! And… it’s nice. Modern, clean. The usual. But oh, the bathroom. First impression: "Huh, okay, that's a small shower but it’s perfect when you need to get ready and run." Second impression: "WHERE IS MY CONDITIONER?! I’m going to look like a dandelion in a hurricane." Honestly, the lack of conditioner felt like a personal betrayal by the universe.
• 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: I unpacked, and the room and bathroom are nice and I was still in the "holy-crap-I-forgot-conditioner" phase. I had to re-think shower strategies or try to convince my hair to cooperate.
• 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Exploring the hotel lobby, I have to admit, it's stylish. Definitely Instagram-worthy. The art, the furniture, the whole vibe screamed "chic medical professional.” I grabbed a coffee from the little cafe downstairs. Was it good? Actually, it was decent. Needed caffeine, so I just went with it.
• 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Wandered the neighborhood, trying to find anything. Which I did! The downtown looked a lot like any other generic downtown. I'd imagine Rochester would be charming with some snow.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food was… fine. The service was friendly, but a little slow. I think the waiter could tell I was a little (read: a lot) rattled. He asked if I needed a to-go box. I was still in the denial stage. "No, no, I'll be fine! I'm a trooper!" (Proceeds to eat the rest of the slice of bread).

Quirky Observation of the Day: The elevator music in the hotel sounded vaguely like a spa. Every time the doors opened, I half expected to be greeted by someone offering me a cucumber water and a silent prayer.

Day 2: The Clinic & The Coffee Conundrum

• 7:00 AM: Wake up. Hair is… okay, I guess, not awful.
• 7:30 AM: Found some kind of coffee at the mini-mart located across the street. It was the thickest, darkest, most caffeinated liquid I've ever encountered. It tasted like tar, but it also woke me up. Needed the coffee.
• 8:00 AM: The appointment. The actual reason for being here. I'm not going into details, let's just say there were a lot of doctors, a lot of waiting rooms, and a lot of (understandable) nerves.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at the Mayo Clinic's food court. The options were overwhelming. I picked something that looked vaguely healthy. It tasted like hope. Was it good? I have no idea. I was too busy processing everything.
• 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More clinic stuff. The waiting, the tests, the small talk with other patients. Everyone looked tired. Everyone looked worried. I clutched my coffee-tar like a lifeline.
• 4:00 - 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Collapse on the bed. The sheer exhaustion of the medical world is a real thing.
• 5:30 PM: Head down to the hotel bar, for one drink. The bartender was great at making small talk. Got some good tips and suggestions. Was offered a free second drink. I got chatty.

Emotional Reaction of the Day: Okay, I may have shed a tear or two during the clinic visit. It's hard not to feel vulnerable when you're facing things. But I'm also incredibly grateful for the care and expertise. And the sheer determination of the people working there? Inspiring.

Day 3: The "I Need Retail Therapy" & Goodbye

• 8:00 AM: Repeat morning routine. Found some coffee and decided to get a real cup of coffee.
• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: The plan was to do some shopping. I walked around, and walked around, and walked around. My feet started to hurt. Found a gift shop and bought a ridiculously expensive, utterly useless (but cute!) souvenir for myself. Retail therapy: engaged, kind of.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch. At a place that the bartender suggested. It was good. Felt like a real, normal meal.
• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Check out. The staff was lovely again. Asked if I'd enjoyed my stay. Yes, I did. In the way one "enjoys" a medical stay. Clean hotel, decent coffee, got what I needed.
• 3:00 PM: Drove to the airport. Thinking back on the trip, I thought 'I needed to have a moment to myself'. I was glad to go home, and the entire trip felt surreal.
• 4:00 PM: On the plane home. Contemplating conditioner.

Imperfect Conclusion: Rochester, MN, is not exactly a "fun" destination. But it's a place where you find resilience. A place where you realize, maybe, that human connection, good coffee, and the occasional useless souvenir are enough to get you through anything. And, next time, I’m bringing my own conditioner. Just in case.

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Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic Area By IHG Rochester (MN) United States```html

Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic: The Unfiltered FAQ (Because Let's Be Real)

Is Hotel Indigo *really* the best hotel near Mayo Clinic? Seriously? Don't lie to me.

Okay, so, "best" is subjective, right? Like, what's "best" for me, a sleep-deprived wreck trying to find a decent coffee at 6 AM, might be totally different for, say, someone with a fancy-pants travel budget. But... here's the messy, real-world deal: **Hotel Indigo is *damn* close.** It's consistently ranked high. Location? Killer. Right across the street, practically spitting distance. That's HUGE when you're dealing with appointment schedules and potential panic attacks (ask me how I know). And honestly? The decor is a nice break from the sterile, hospital-adjacent vibe. I felt, at least temporarily, like I wasn't living in some weird medical drama. (Side note: I still get the feeling that the wallpaper is *judging* me. It’s the Rochester thing.)

Let's talk location. Is it REALLY that convenient? I’m talking REALLY.

Convenience is the *name of the game* when you're dealing with Mayo. And yes. YES. It's mind-blowingly convenient. Like, I could practically roll out of bed (if I had a bed that cooperated, which I don't) and be in the Gonda building in, like, two minutes. Maybe three, if I dawdle. Which I might, because sometimes I need to mentally prepare myself for the day. Also, there are a ton of little shops and cafes nearby. This is HUGE. The hospital cafeteria, while practical, is… well, it's a cafeteria. Having the option to *escape* to somewhere, even if just for a quick latte, is golden. Seriously, location is a 10/10. A solid A+. Maybe even an A+ with extra credit. (Okay, I'm done.)

What about the rooms? Are they actually nice? Or just, y'know, "hotel-room-ish"?

Okay, the rooms... are a *relief*. Honestly. They're not just "hotel-room-ish." They have a modern, slightly quirky vibe. Stuff that actually *looks* pleasant. The colors, the artwork... it's designed to be soothing. Which is important, because your life is probably feeling anything but soothing. I remember one trip where my anxiety was through the roof. Just *walking* into the room felt like a deep breath. Bonus points for the decent coffee maker (the emergency caffeine factor is real). I’ve stayed in hotels where the coffee was basically brown-colored water. No bueno. The only real downside? The bathrooms, while clean and functional, are a little… compact. If you're tall or a bit… shall we say, ample, you might feel a bit like you're wrestling a small bear in there.

The gym? I need to know about the GYM! (Or the lack thereof)

Alright, gym rats, here’s the truth. The gym at Hotel Indigo is… adequate. Let's call it that. It's got the basics. Treadmills, ellipticals, free weights. It exists. It's not a state-of-the-art fitness palace. It's more of a "get a quick workout in before your appointment" kind of situation. Which is fine. Honestly, most of the time I was too stressed to even think about the gym. I was more concerned with locating the nearest chocolate bar. Which, thankfully, the hotel *did* provide, right? (I hope so. They better.) Don't go in expecting a fitness Mecca, and you won't be disappointed. But If you're a serious gym-goer, you might seek out other options. (Or, you know, bring your own weights. No judgement.)

The Restaurant? What’s the food situation like? I’m hungry. Always.

The hotel restaurant, "Chester's Kitchen and Bar", is surprisingly good. And I say "surprisingly" because, let's be real, hotel restaurants can be a crapshoot. But Chester's is decent. The food is well-prepared, often using local ingredients, and the atmosphere is pleasant, and I'm talking more than just 'good for a hotel'. Plus, the proximity to the hotel is a huge bonus. You're already there. You're already exhausted. You don't have to walk miles in the cold to find food. And let's be honest, a little comfort food in a familiar setting can be genuinely therapeutic when you're going through something at the Mayo Clinic. The service can be a bit slow, so factor that in when you're calculating your time. Order now, wait later is the motto... and don't be afraid to flag down your server.

Speaking of Chester’s... Any horror stories? Or triumphs? Dish it!

Okay, so, *here's* my Chester's story... and it's a doozy. I was there on one of the worst days of my life. Waiting for test results, completely freaked out. Could barely eat. Ordered a burger. And the waiter, this *sweet*, genuine guy, saw I was a mess. He didn't ask intrusive questions. He just brought my burger, kept my coffee cup filled and... left me alone. But not in a bad way. He let me sit and just... breathe. And when I finally ate the burger, it was the best damn burger I'd ever had. Simple things, right? But in that moment, it was like a tiny act of kindness. Seriously, it wasn't even about the food (although, that burger was amazing. Seriously, they need to bottle that flavor!). It was the *feeling* of being cared for in a small way. And that's what you need when you're at Mayo.

Are there any downsides? Gotta get real, here.

Absolutely. No place is perfect. The parking situation can be a *nightmare*. Especially during peak season. Be prepared to valet park, which is an extra expense, or potentially wander around the block searching for a spot. This is a Rochester thing overall, honestly. And as mentioned before, the bathrooms can be a bit cramped. The price, well, it's a bit on the pricier side, but, hey, location, location, location and… convenience! You are paying for the location and the ease. So factor that into your budget.

Is it kid-friendly? I'm traveling with the tiny humans...

This is a tricky one. TheBook For Rest

Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic Area By IHG Rochester (MN) United States

Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic Area By IHG Rochester (MN) United States

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