How old is daughter? The Residence Inn or Courtyard by the Depot both have access to an indoor ice skating rink and water park. Doubletree Guest Suites is right off the Nicollet Mall, convenient for shopping. My son and I have gotten rooms at these locations through Priceline and were pleased with them.
Downtown has a lot of restaurant choices. There's a Buca (Italian), Rock Bottom Brewery (great salmon), Key's Cafe has excellent breakfasts.

The previous poster has good advice but I also like the Radisson Plaza Hotel which is right by the stores and shopping and also enjoy the Marquette. It kind of depends on what you want to do. I do like the skyway system in downtown Mpls. as it makes getting around in any kind of weather very easy. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for your suggestions--she is 30--going to grad school there--thanks again jan

The Vista Marquette (a Hilton Hotel) is very convenient for downtown stuff. It's also very nice----I stayed once at the Radisson and that room was nice too.
As for downtown restaurants, I'd suggest for Italian D'amico Cucina, the Palomino (neat atmosphere, good wood-fired pizzas as well as other wondrful food), Brit's Pub (right on Nicolette mall), Morton's of Chicago for steak, Oceanaire for seafood (in the Hyatt-Regency), and Manny's is also good for steak in the H-Rgncy. Have fun!

Jan-
I moved up here when I started grad school at the U and despite the cold cold cold, find myself still living here after 6 years! It's a great area (except for the cold!) and now, I'm engaged so I'm definitely "stuck" here for a while

Le Meridien is opening in Mid April so it looks like you will not be able to stay there. I like the Marquette for location in downtown but also Nicollet Island Inn may be a nice option for you too- on the Missippi, across the river from downtown- it also has a wonderful Sunday brunch. www.nicolletislandinn.com I would stay away from teh Hyatt Regency as a hotel option (although Oceanaire and Manny's are excellent)- the rooms are pretty drabby and showing their age.

Favorite downtown restaurants- while I like the places blpar recommended, Buca and Rock Bottom are chains may not give you the true MN experience. I like Vincent's (French), Aquavit (Scandinavian), King and I (Thai), Nami (sushi/Japanese), and Cafe Lurcat (eclectic)...all a little spendy but very yummy! Good luck!
Jane

If you want to be close to shopping and the center of town, choose either the Marriott City Center, the Radisson Plaza or the Marquette. I've never stayed at any of them, but have been to meetings and or eaten at the restaurants in all of them. I have never heard a bad review of any of them. The Marriott is probably the most convenient to shopping, but the Raddisson and Marquette are right across the street.

As for restaurants: For a taste of Minnesota go to Aquavit (Swedish) or Nicollet Island Inn (walleye & wild rice). I also really like Palomino's (Mediterranian). And I highly recommend that you lunch one day at the Oak Grill at Marshall Fields (12th floor). It's also one of my favorites - they serve everyone a HUGE popover before the meal. Love those popovers!

Thank you all for your advice-we're off to Minneaplis this Thursday and will try your suggestions.Jan

Thanks for all of your help. We ended up staying at the Radisson Plaza and were most pleased--they are just finishing a huge renovation adn the rooms were very upscale--great thick towels--feather beds and duvets--plis breakfast included--the people were extermely nice and helpful. OUr daughter had the flu--so my husband and i only had one dining experience--one we had booked b4 we left--a seim-vegiterain organic bistro--Cafe Brenda--which turned out to be very good--even tho we are not vegeterians--they did have fish and chicken dishes-loved theRadisson and the people we met-- thanks a lot jan