Having stayed at the Nicollet Island Inn years ago, my wife and I were looking forward to returning to the inn for dinner and lodging. A recent Groupon enticed us to take advantage of a reasonable dinner/evening at the inn. Our experience ended up being much different during our one night stay at the inn.
Arriving close to our dinner reservation, the welcoming desk staff quickly checked us in and gave us our room key. The inn has a great location on the river in downtown Minneapolis. We had a third floor room facing Main Street in Minneapolis. We both noted the rooms are showing wear including dark spots in the shower, cracks in the sink bowl as well as a gross/black water emergency drain hole, worn carpet and areas that needed paint.
We headed to dinner hoping our experience would improve. Staff in the dining room is excellent but the food was average for the price point. Cheese starter had common cheeses, including blue cheese. Onion soup was good but the parsnip and apple soup is served cold which the menu and server did not advise. Our steaks were OK but for $39, I was expecting a finer piece of beef. Sides of potatoes were undercooked.
We skipped the Sunday brunch so cannot comment on this once elegant menu. Hotel guests have free coffee and pastries on Sunday morning and they were excellent.
Based on our experience, the Nicollet Island Inn will not be on our list of local get-a-way properties in the Cities.

We did not stay at the hotel but went there for Sunday brunch as part of a weekend long family celebration. I do not know
how I had not heard of this place before!!
We were greeted by the hostess and walked though the quaint restuarant to our table. We were then orientated to the menu by our fabulous waiter. We were made to feel welcome, put at ease to take our timee and enjoy a leisurely dining experience. We drank our mimosas and copious amounts of coffee and juice served to us by one of the most attentive waiters we have ever experienced. The five course meal was excellent and matched the ambience.
I would go here for brunch again and would recommend it to anyone I know. I think I would like to go back and try the dinner menu.

We stayed here for a combination birthday present and place to see the awesome Minneapolis Aquatennial closing fireworks. The building is over 100 years old, and sits on an historic island in the middle of the Mississippi River. The rooms were very comfortable, and there are Sleep Number beds in each room. There are less than 30 guest rooms, so the inn is very quaint, and despite its location in the heart of the city it seems a world apart.

The oldest part of Minneapolis, St. Anthony Main, is a short walk from the inn, and there are tons of parks with walking and biking trails in addition to the area bars and restaurants. There is a kiosk to rent bikes a block or two away. If a more urban adventure is what you're looking for, the bright lights of downtown skyscrapers are just across the river the other way. There are also museums and theaters close by.

We also had the Sunday brunch. It's a 5-course affair that has enough choices to appeal to most any appetite, except for maybe children. The $36 cost may throw off a few, but the food is delicious and worth the splurge. It also includes unlimited coffee, orange juice, champagne and mimosas. The view from the restaurant, of a wooded channel of the river, is exceptional as well.

The bar prices were a little steep. I paid $16, not including tip, for two drinks after the fireworks. I'm sure the bars in St. Anthony Main would have been more reasonable, but we wanted a nightcap to take back to our room.

Overall, this place was delightful. The inn was clean and comfortable, the food was great, and the location can't be beat. It's not cheap, but it's worth a splurge.

Stayed here for 10 days or so for business, enjoyed it very much. They have good coffee for free in the lobby, and they made it early for me a few days when I had to get an early start. Large room, good bed, nice staff.