Anyone from Rochester, MN area or familiar with it?

[bernse]

.. and would like a recomendation for a hotel. Would pefer somepleace with underground/covered parking if possible. Any hotels in the area offer that? If not, something patroled if that isn't normal.

Appreciate any ideas. We'll be going to the Mayo for probably the 1st week of October.

Thanks!

 

[bernse]

^Anyone?

 

[Cheetah8799]

I don't know much about the hotels down there, sorry. Rochester isn't that big of a city, but they do have some gang issues the last few years. I guess if you pick a hotel that's in downtown, you'll get some underground parking. Downtown is really small there though...

This site should get you started though:
http://www.rochestercvb.org/visitors/accomodations.asp?subcat=Hotels+and+Motels

 

[Tifababy]

I live in Rochester, MN. I'd recommend the Radisson. That's where my wife's co-workers always stay when they fly in from out of town.

150 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904
800-333-3333 or 507-281-8000 (phone)

 

[bernse]

Thanks - the Raddison is one I defintely looked at but it didn't appear to have covered/underground parking... but I suspect its patrolled so thats probably the best we could realistically hope for. Do any have underground parking though?

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: bernse
Thanks - the Raddison is one I defintely looked at but it didn't appear to have covered/underground parking... but I suspect its patrolled so thats probably the best we could realistically hope for. Do any have underground parking though?

unless its a very high-end hotel, no. you'll be stuck leaving your car outside

 

[bernse]

I kinda figured that.. and I'm not against a high-end hotel... but it doesn't appear that there is much higher end then the Raddison there.. so I guess I'm probably SOL.

 

[Vertimus]

Why exactly do you need underground parking?

I know minnesota snows a lot, but it's the figgin middle of august

 

[halik]

i was just there last weekend visiting my girlfriend. I have no idea where to stay, but they have one good greek restaurant

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: Vertimus
Why exactly do you need underground parking?

I know minnesota snows a lot, but it's the figgin middle of august

Oh, I'm aware of that, but we're driving and taking the wife's car and she's paranoid of it getting stolen or vandalism (we're going to be a long way from home.. we're from Western Canada) and she feels more secure with underground parking. But, I think as long as it's patrolled (which I think most, or all of the mid-higher end hotels do) it'll probably be OK.

 

[Ares2600]

I live in Rochester too. Radisson has an attached covered above ground lot and valet if you want to use it. I've stayed there a few times. If you're bored and want to grab a drink or something PM me... always happy to be hospitable. =) For food try Redwood Room for something nicer.. John Hardy's or Roscoes for bbq. Victoria's for Italian.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Ares2600
I live in Rochester too. Radisson has an attached covered above ground lot and valet if you want to use it. I've stayed there a few times. If you're bored and want to grab a drink or something PM me... always happy to be hospitable. =) For food try Redwood Room for something nicer.. John Hardy's or Roscoes for bbq. Victoria's for Italian.

Heh. I have a jar of John Hardy's "Bad Boy Hot" BBQ sauce in the fridge. It pwned me. First hot stuff that was manlier than I was. Yeeeouch that stuff stings.

 

[UNCjigga]

I didn't even know it existed until I accidentally bought a plane ticket there. That would've been bad if I didn't catch my mistake!!

<-- currently in the REAL Rochester, Rochester NY!

 

[Ares2600]

Yeah bad boy hot will put hair on your chest. I use the 'hot', but I can stomach the 'spicy hot'... just don't enjoy it as much. There's still Big Boy Hot and Bad Boy Hot above that.. and I like spicy stuff too. They go pretty nuts.

jigga -- I get that alot. I was only a state away and I hadn't heard of it until I got a job here, but we have the Mayo Clinic and a huge IBM facility here, so it's actually pretty well known in general.

 

[bernse]

Might take you up on your offer, Ares. Any other motels/hotels you can recomend? Preferebly within walking distance of Mayo? I understand some hotels are connected to the Mayo via a walk-system. That would be nice.. but not necessary if they have shuttles or stuff.

 

[Ares2600]

The Ramada is nice too.. same deal with parking I believe. There's a Holiday Inn right next that, but I haven't heard much about it. I'm generally not a fan. There's a smaller Hilton up the street too, but the size has always made me wary. I think the nicest hotel is supposedly the Kahler Grand, but it's older too. http://www.kahler.com/ -- that's probably the one with the most character and service.

Edit: also.. all of these are downtown right by the Mayo, as I figured that's most convenient. I think that's where all the non-motel/budget places are anyways.

 

[Soccerman06]

Originally posted by: Tifababy
I live in Rochester, MN. I'd recommend the Radisson. That's where my wife's co-workers always stay when they fly in from out of town.

150 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904
800-333-3333 or 507-281-8000 (phone)

I live in Rochester, MN. Sh!t do I know you? you live like 5 min away from me.
I live up in Greystone, 1711 32nd St SW 55902

DEFINATLY TRY JOHN HARDY'S. Freakin best bbq ever.
2cd vote for Victoria's
Michaels is good for steak (probably the most upper class steak place in Rochester)
Redwood Room is good but if you dont like live music, dont bother
um where else... Hubble House if you can find it (in some small town outside Rochester)

Avoid:
The Hanger (unless you like burgers)
Krispy Cream
JM
Aquarius

 

[Vertimus]

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: Vertimus
Why exactly do you need underground parking?

I know minnesota snows a lot, but it's the figgin middle of august

Oh, I'm aware of that, but we're driving and taking the wife's car and she's paranoid of it getting stolen or vandalism (we're going to be a long way from home.. we're from Western Canada) and she feels more secure with underground parking. But, I think as long as it's patrolled (which I think most, or all of the mid-higher end hotels do) it'll probably be OK.

Just buy a lockbar.

 

[mindmaniac]

Rochester is fine, I'm going there this weekend to shop and visit the hospital. You don't need to worry about your car.

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: Vertimus

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: Vertimus
Why exactly do you need underground parking?

I know minnesota snows a lot, but it's the figgin middle of august

Oh, I'm aware of that, but we're driving and taking the wife's car and she's paranoid of it getting stolen or vandalism (we're going to be a long way from home.. we're from Western Canada) and she feels more secure with underground parking. But, I think as long as it's patrolled (which I think most, or all of the mid-higher end hotels do) it'll probably be OK.

Just buy a lockbar.

Yeah, 'cause those make your car invincible to vandalism and theft.

I am sure the car will be OK, just to make my wife more comfortable is all. Thanks folks.

 

[Vertimus]

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: Vertimus

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: Vertimus
Why exactly do you need underground parking?

I know minnesota snows a lot, but it's the figgin middle of august

Oh, I'm aware of that, but we're driving and taking the wife's car and she's paranoid of it getting stolen or vandalism (we're going to be a long way from home.. we're from Western Canada) and she feels more secure with underground parking. But, I think as long as it's patrolled (which I think most, or all of the mid-higher end hotels do) it'll probably be OK.

Just buy a lockbar.

Yeah, 'cause those make your car invincible to vandalism and theft.

I am sure the car will be OK, just to make my wife more comfortable is all. Thanks folks.

AFAIK, rochester is one of the safest cities in the nation. I'm not sure if it really has a bad district.

Wasn't it rated "best city" in like 5-6 different rankings?

 

[bernse]

Sounds good enough for me. I really doubt there would be any problems either. Probably end up @ the Raddison though I suspect. A little more a night, but seems really nice. Might look at the Ramada too.. but I really like the skyway idea to the Mayo. I looked up the Kahler as well, man, some people sure shot that place down. Not really highly rated. Too bad.

 

[bwnv]

I spent 7+ months out there @ IBM about 7 years ago. I would also suggest the Radisson. Right off the bar is the walkway that goes to the Mayo clinic, has like a 4 story parking, they are going to charge you 4 or 5 bucks a day to park, so just valet it. There was an awesome restraunt a couple blocks away that served (brain fart here) it's a filet mignon wrapped in pastry. Don't know if it's still there? Also, if you can get into IBM they have an awesome cafeteria, dirt cheap and real good food. Have fun

 

[Ares2600]

Hahah... never quite heard our cafeteria explained that way. I've only been here 3 years, so maybe they've downgraded drastically. =) The restaurant you're probably thinking of is Micheals. They have a cool lounge there too with live music on the weekends.

Too bad to hear about the Kahler.. that's defintely the 'ritzy' place to stay, but i wouldn't be surprised if it's got bad reviews since it's not part of a huge hotel management company.

Rochester has been top 5 places to live in one of the 'important' lists for a few years now. I definitely like it here, but it's not home.

 

[bernse]

Well, it's officially now the week of Oct 3rd.. got the appointment booked. Just to figure out the hotel now. I like the Radisson.. but it'll be a toss up with the Ramada. Have to wait to speak to the wife. Any decent shopping nearby the Radisson?