To kick off my transatlantic Airbus A321XLR adventure, I spent a night at the 291-room InterContinental Minneapolis St. Paul Airport, prior to my Aer Lingus A321XLR flight. I’d consider myself to be a bit of an airport hotel aficionado (I know, glam!), and I always like finding the best airport hotels. I was looking forward to this stay, as I had heard great things about this property.
The InterContinental MSP is definitely an above average airport hotel, with comfortable rooms, two full-service restaurants plus a coffee shop, a decent gym, and excellent airport views. That being said, the hotel’s most compelling feature when it opened back in 2018 — direct access to the airport — is only sort of still available.
I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again, as it’s no doubt the best hotel at the airport. Then again, I don’t often find myself overnighting here, so…
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Booking the InterContinental Minneapolis Airport
I booked my one night stay at the InterContinental MSP using an IHG free night award, which I got for having the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review). You’ve gotta love credit card free night awards, as they can often more than justify card annual fees, not even accounting for other perks.
As a point of comparison, the hotel would’ve cost $240 if I had paid cash, so I’d say that’s quite a good value.
InterContinental Minneapolis Airport location & transportation
The InterContinental is connected directly to MSP Terminal 1, so it’s the only hotel connected directly to the airport. You can’t beat the hotel’s proximity to the airport… in theory.
The hotel is connected to the airport by a skyway. The entire skyway that you see below is actually in the airport’s sterile area, meaning it’s past security.
Back when the hotel first opened, it had its own dedicated security checkpoint, meaning you could use that skyway for arrivals and departures. At the start of the pandemic, the hotel’s private security checkpoint was shut down, and it has never reopened.
That means that you can access the hotel on arrival via the skyway, but on departure, you can’t use this facility. That means you have to take a shuttle to the terminal… even though the hotel is technically connected to the airport.
So when I arrived at MSP, I followed the signage in the direction of the hotel. While staying airside, I proceeded toward gate C25, which is right by the entrance to the hotel.
Across from that gate, I spotted the escalator, and then took that up to the skyway, which let me walk straight to the hotel.
At the end of the skyway, there are two sets of double doors you walk through, essentially intended to ensure that this is only used for one direction of travel.
As you can see, the facility is closed in the other direction.
So to get to the terminal, you need to take one of the shuttles. Service is offered 24/7, every 20 minutes, to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
While this was convenient enough, I’ve gotta say, it’s kind of a pain to have a direct connection to an airport, but to not use it. I’m not sure if the private TSA checkpoint never reopened because the hotel simply wasn’t willing to pay for it, if the TSA wasn’t willing to allocate the staffing, or what.
But this setup no doubt takes away from the convenience that you’d expect when staying at a hotel connected directly to the terminal. Maybe the owners just don’t think they get a revenue premium for that outbound checkpoint, or something.
InterContinental Minneapolis Airport lobby & check-in
The skyway lets out on level three, so that’s where I first arrived. I then took the elevator down to level one, where the lobby is located.
I’ve gotta say, it’s not a very welcoming vibe when the first sign you see is about not jumping in the elevator, how it could take up to two hours to get out of the elevator, and how fines will be imposed. I’m a little confused — does the hotel have some special issues with its elevators, or why aren’t these kinds of threatening signs more common?
The hotel’s lobby is a good size, and feels modern, with cool lighting. There’s quite a bit of seating in the lobby, in addition to the cafe and two restaurants.
I arrived at the hotel very late at night, way past my bedtime. While I wasn’t looking for a welcome celebration for my arrival, the night auditor was so brief in her interactions that it bordered on rude, as we must have exchanged a total of 10 words.
InterContinental Minneapolis Airport guest room
With keys in hand, I headed to the elevators, to get up to my room. The hotel has a total of 12 floors, and I was assigned room 1127, on level 11.
Based on what I saw in the IHG app, I had been upgraded to a runway view room, presumably on account of my IHG Platinum status. These rooms are marketed as being 375 square feet, so that’s a pretty standard size for a hotel room.
The room felt relatively modern and luxurious. It featured a king size bed with a very comfortable mattress and pillows, a couch by the window, a desk with a chair, and a wall-mounted TV.
In the far corner of the room, there was a Nespresso coffee machine and a selection of tea.
There was also a mini-fridge, but it wasn’t stocked with anything.
The bathroom was back toward the entrance, and featured a sink, a walk-in shower, and a toilet in the corner.
Toiletries were in reusable containers and from BYREDO.
The best part of the room was the views, as my room had awesome views of the apron and runway. It was especially nice to be so high up, since I almost felt like I was in an air traffic control tower.
Wi-Fi in the room was fast and free, and the room felt clean. That being said, it also had some wear and tear, clearly reflecting that the hotel hasn’t undergone a significant renovation since it opened back in 2018. For example, the curtains were all ripped, but it was only obvious when you got close to them.
InterContinental Minneapolis Airport gym
The InterContinental MSP has a gym on the third floor, which is open 24/7, and on the same level as the skyway. The gym is sufficient, with a decent selection of cardio and weight equipment — it’s nothing special, but it does the trick.
When the hotel first opened, it had a spa and thermal pool on the third floor. However, the owners clearly wanted to monetize this space more, and it has now been turned into meeting rooms.
InterContinental Minneapolis Airport restaurants & bars
The InterContinental MSP has three different food & beverage outlets, which is fairly impressive for an airport hotel. They’re all located on the lobby level.
La Voya Brasserie is the hotel’s signature restaurant. It’s open daily from 6:30AM until 1PM, and on Tuesdays through Saturdays, it’s also open from 5PM until 10PM. The restaurant is described as serving “traditional French dishes infused with Minnesotan influences,” and you can find all the menus here. The restaurant is a charming and fairly intimate space, nicer than you’d expect for an airport hotel.
While it wasn’t included, I had breakfast in the restaurant, and you can find the menu below.
To drink, I had a cup of coffee, and then to eat, I ordered the La Voya Omelet, which came with mushrooms, shallots, and gruyere, along with a side of hash browns. The omelet was certainly tasty, but they went heavy on the cheese, so I couldn’t finish the whole thing.
Bradstreet Crafthouse is the hotel’s other main restaurant, and it’s open daily from 1PM until 11PM. It’s described as a gaming hall with gastropub favorites, craft cocktails, and a wide selection of beer, and you can find the menu here. I didn’t eat anything here, but it’s certainly quite a themed space.
Last but not least, the hotel has Coffee Bar, which is the coffee shop located in the lobby. It’s open daily from 6AM until 8PM, except Sundays and Mondays, when it closes at 2PM. This has everything from barista coffee, to pastries, to sandwiches and salads, and more. I always appreciate when a hotel (especially an airport hotel) has a coffee shop like this, as it’s a useful amenity when on the go.
Bottom line
The InterContinental MSP is a solid airport hotel, one of the better ones in the United States. It has great airport views, is relatively luxurious, and has a decent selection of dining. That being said, there’s no denying that the hotel isn’t quite as good as it was when it first opened.
Specifically, the biggest selling point of the property was the skyway, offering direct access to the airport. With the hotel’s TSA checkpoint now being “temporarily closed” for years, you need to take a shuttle to the airport.
Ultimately this is still a good airport hotel, and it was a great use of my IHG free night certificate. I’d recommend this property if overnighting at MSP.
What do you make of the InterContinental Minneapolis St. Paul Airport?
What if u arrive to MSP on an international flight, rather than a domestic one? Are u forced to take the hotel van ?
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...
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.
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.
"Maybe the owners just don’t think they get a revenue premium for that outbound checkpoint, or something."
The airport owns the hotel.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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
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.
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...