Review: InterContinental Minneapolis St. Paul Airport (MSP)

Given the number of guests under 10 years old (or thereabouts) I saw when I stayed at this property thanks to inclement weather cancelling a connection with DL, the sign in the elevator makes a lot of sense...

You don't have to take the shuttle, it's a 5 minute walk outside to the airport bus station which then connects to the rest of the airport indoors. They don't do a good job of advertising that though, it's much faster than the shuttle.

@ Jesse -- Interesting, because I asked at the front desk if there was any practical way to walk (I'd always rather walk than take a shuttle), and they told me no.

I stayed here last year, my final year as an IHG diamond and Intercontinental ambassador. I received no upgrade and no welcome amenity. They just flat out said at check-in they weren't providing it and would pay me the required compensation. I didn't even ask for the upgrade or amenity. I guess it's cheaper than honoring the benefits required of them.
The hotel itself was average. Rooms were nice, but there's no club lounge and the continued closure of a dedicated entrance to the terminal is annoying.

"Maybe the owners just don’t think they get a revenue premium for that outbound checkpoint, or something."

The airport owns the hotel.

According to the hotel's website, the TSA checkpoint on Level 3 is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., but only for guests traveling with carry-on baggage. Guests with checked baggage will not be able to enter through this checkpoint. However, guests with checked bags can take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service, and as Jesse stated, it's a very short walk to Terminal 1 anyway.

@ Les -- Hmmm, interesting. Either it just reopened, or that website isn't correct. When you go to the hotel's IHG website, it still indicates that the checkpoint is closed, and I would think that page would be more accurate:
"TSA Checkpoint currently closed by Department of Homeland Security. Guests who need transportation to the airport should reserve a time with the front desk."

Curious which is correct...

Franchised hotel that won’t pay IHG to update the website.

I've stayed here a half dozen times. It has been convenient to arrive on a Delta Connection flight, go up the jetway, and see the skyway from the gate. I've stayed there when I can get it in the $200 range as to me $30-50 over an off airport hotel is worth not taking the extra time when I have a late arrival or early flight.

I did research the checkpoint.... it is basically the local TSA Federal Security Director who doesn't want to do it. The hotel would have to pay for the staffing (in a reimbursement to TSA) which is permissible - the private suites terminals at LAX/ATL pay a small fortune for this - but has to have agreement of TSA's local Director to staff it. They don't want to move staffing, and don't want to deal with the regulatory oversight.

I have found it irritating as a IHG Diamond that they won't even give me a bottle of water. The last few times they told me I was welcome to buy one from the coffee stand, and as it was after hours the front desk could ring it up. They offered two free alcohol vouchers for the restaurant - which I don't drink so useless to me. They told me alcohol only, not even sodas (the bartender the one time I did end up eating there did some accounting magic and I got a discount which I probably made up for in a larger tip, because he really did a great job for everyone I could see).

Rooms are decent and I've found the shuttle drivers good. I've had once or twice where I left there on Groome Transportation shuttle to somewhere else and the IC driver dropped me right where those vans leave from to save me having to walk back across.

You can (or could) walk from the Silver Ramp/public transit station area to the hotel. They used to publish a map on their website. It involved walking around the post office and across an access road. Officially that way is closed and there is a sign or something discouraging one of the crossings, but you can still make it. I probably saved the map... if I find it I'll email it to you.

The hotel officially says that you can't walk. They used to publish a map on their website... I found it as I had saved it on my phone a couple years ago. I think there's an obstruction or sign if I recall correctly somewhere along the path where you exit the parking deck and have to walk across a road (or maybe they removed the official crosswalk to the post office) but it's possible.

It's definitely possible. Even grading on the curve that is "walking between airport infrastructure", this is not the most pleasant walk. But far from the worst. What you really can't do at MSP is walk off the property. Once you have walked to the light rail station though, you can take the light rail one or two stops either north (Fort Snelling) or south (American Blvd 34th Ave), and there is great access to hiking or running in Fort Snelling State Park or the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. The Wildlife Refuge trails are accessible from any of the numerous off-airport hotels in Bloomington, but no hotels really proximate to Fort Snelling. For people that have the time, and enjoy the combination of nature *and* planes flying overhead, it's kinda fun

What if u arrive to MSP on an international flight, rather than a domestic one? Are u forced to take the hotel van ?

If you go down to street level and exit the lobby, there is a sidewalk-level route that takes you along the east side of the garage/post office that will ultimately lead to the south side of the rental car facility/bus station - enter from the west side and you can then take the rental car train to terminal 1. The walk is about 5-7 minutes. I've done this many times, as well as just taken the shuttle.

It is a shame they cannot rework the skyway to the airport.

@NedsKid,

You are correct about the walking option. Cross the street directly across from the lobby, follow the sidewalk towards the bus/rental car building, and it takes all of 5-7 minutes. You are doomed to a dead end and frustration if you try to cut across the parking garage above street level.

Sorry about the water denial. I am also an IHG Diamond and IC Ambassador. Each time I've arrived at the lobby to check-in, it's been after 10:00 PM and I've been offered free water (bottled) every time I can recall.

Every Intercontinental uses Bal D'Afrique and my only complaint is the tiny lettering at the bottom denoting it as hair conditioner, hair shampoo, or body wash. I'm old! And in the shower! No glasses, water on my face hair and body! I wish the description were in a larger font size!

They should set it up similar to the way the Sheraton and other hotels in AMS with the sky bridge but no special security lane. Using the shuttle for across the street seems annoying. If I have to take a shuttle anyway then there is no need to stay there. The point of staying in such a hotel is the fact that it is right at the airport and there is no need to take the shuttle.

Two summers ago I stayed at that hotel when my late inbound flight from INL caused me to miss the final connection of the day back to MCO. I walked over to the hotel to ask how much the last minute rate would be for a stranded passenger and was prepared to hear an ungodly high number. No, only $89 + tax. Wow, grabbed that! And my credit card terms reimbursed me.

Ah, now it's starting to make sense. Still, you have to wonder about the deplorable parental skills of some people when they can't make their little darlings NOT jump up and down in a lift. And I don't accept 'being tired' as an excuse from any parent.

Hi Ben, your roving reporter just happens to be spending tonight at this hotel, where the front desk clerk confirmed that the hotel's TSA checkpoint in fact reopened last Sunday, and will be open each day from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM. That is also posted near and on the hotel elevators.

The security checkpoint at the IHG MSP has reopened but only in the morning as of last week

That's the most pathetic $25 omelet and hash-brown breakfast I've ever seen...amazing any chef would send it out and the cashier ring it up.

We just had the oatmeal and the yogurt parfait. Both were delicious and separately enough for 2 people.

We just went through the newly opened TSA station, quick and convenient. Drops you off at the C gates, then a short walk and tram ride to the other Terminal 1 concourses.

I'm local and stayed at the hotel the night before for an early morning flight. I did the walk and it was -19F that morning.

Incorrect - some use different Byredo scents such as the IC HKG.

@NedsKid The hotel's official website shows the walking route at the bottom of this page: https://www.intercontinentalmsp.com/discover/tsa

Hotel is beautiful and comfortable. Ice is at cafe on first floor. We had room service, very quick and arranged nicely. Crab.Noodles were excellent, BLT was meh. Very quiet rooms considering you are at the airport. Direct access to airport from hotel is open 5-11am, but hours can change right? But very helpful,no TSA lines; must have boarding pass in hand (front desk will print).
All considered 4.5 out of ten.