I stayed at the Crown Plaza for a League of Minnesota Cities Conference. I had a great all around experience. My room was everything I needed it to be. It was clean, quiet, comfortable (outstanding bed!), and well-equipped. The conference facilities were very good as well. The rooms were perfect temperature (too hot/cold is a common issue at conferences), were well-equipped, and easily accessible. The in-house meals and snacks provided between sessions were wonderful. Every staff member I interacted with was very friendly and eager to help. The only thing I would mention as a drawback is the parking. They have ample parking, but most of it is a long walk from the entrance and rooms. There are about 15 parking spots close to the entrance, but they fill quickly. Valet parking is offered. I am not sure how expensive it is, but may be too much for some. The temps were below zero for my stay. I have no ambulatory issues and I dress warmly, but there were others that struggled with the cold long walk during my time at Crown Plaza. There's not much they can do about this issue. I only include it here to inform those that stay during extreme weather and people with ambulatory issues.

Stayed here for one night. Check in was fast and friendly. I had a king bed room and the interior of the building and the room were dated. The room was functional and small. Plenty of outlets built into lamps. A wholly unremarkable stay except for the health club. I went to use the weightlifting room and being from Chicago, I was wearing a mask which is required to use gyms in Chicago. There were several people in the gym exercising without masks. I do not know what the mask requirement is for gyms but I cut my exercise short and left the gym.

The front desk, Elise, did the check in. She was efficient, capable, courteous. Honored IHG membership with a welcome gift. Clean spacious lobby, hallway, and elevators. Quiet at night. Great breakfast with great restaurant service staff, but apples and oranges were spoiled. Negatives: 1. Parking can be an issue, very limited parking outside the lobby/entrance area. There is a parking structure and a parking lot further away with a ramp. The elevators there doesn't connect to the lobby floor, which can be inconvenient for moving luggage or unloading/loading. 2. Can be noisy in the morning - There is a major highway behind the hotel and behind the trees. 3. Long wait (30 minutes) for the missing amenities to be delivered either in the evening or in the morning. Elise promised to bring over but changed saying she would send an engineer to deliver them. Don't know how an engineer's role in this, when internet connection or WiFi isn't the issue. 4. Ran out of Kleenex in the morning, called the front desk and asked for more and explained that I needed it before heading out. Bree, the morning front desk staff, told me she's the only one at the front desk that's why the Kleenex couldn't be delivered, she asked if I could go downstairs to get it. Bree did not practice active listening because I just told her that I needed it before heading out. She then said she would ask the housekeeping to bring me a box now. 15 minutes later, still no show. I called agan, Bree said they haven't delivered to you? She then called again and they brought over a box in 5 minutes. Later when I checked out, there were at three other staff at the front desk. They were chatting in the back office. What she said she's the only one in the front desk and was super busy isn't true. The hotel was slow during the time I was there. Other info: 1. There are minor issues found in the room that didn't impact the stay but should be fixed, showed Elise, she took note of it. 2. They offer salad, snacks, and drinks in the mini market next to the lobby. 3. This hotel is a large complex, suitable for conventions or large meetings. Room cleanliness is great. Housekeeping did a good job. The night shift staff, namely, Elise, was good. Bree the morning shift seems to be less responsible and responsive to customer's needs/requests. Cleaniness was great, the service was average (Elise was good, Bree was mediocre).