shadowpig

Our first option would be a suite hotel walking distance to great, fun shops and food.
Anywhere between Albertville and MOA, as we plan to go here but we don't need to stay right here.
Just walk out the door and find alot of fun shops
Ideas?
What is Arbour Lakes at Maple Grove?

Thanks!

mustlovezebras

I have not been to Arbour Lakes at Maple Grove, however it looks to be the standard stores you will find at MOA. (But likely in smaller form.) My recommendations for a little more unique/boutiquey stores are:

-50th and France: www.50thandfrance.com Very fun shops and pedestrian friendly area. Sweet Potato fries at Edina Grill, lovely. I can't find any accommodations, but try their chamber of commerce?

-Shops at West End: www.theshopsatwestend.com This location will get you much closer to downtown and, even better, Chain of Lakes. (Literally lakes, not stores.) The homes in that area are worth a driving tour.

TC

Its a long way between Albertville and MOA -- about an hours drive or more. There is also massive road construction as you head north on 94 to Albertville which really slows the traffic -- sometimes to a complete stop.

There really is no place to stay that will give you "walking out the door" fun AND be close to either of the other locations.

I live in Maple Grove and shop Arbour Lakes often. You won't see anything there that you won't find at the MOA.

Your best bet for fun walking around would be to stay on the Mall in downtown Minneapolis, then drive (or take the light rail) to MOA. Personally, I'd skip Albertville. Its the typical "outlet mall" and the prices are no better than a sale price anywhere else.

julies

Agree with the above posters as far as location to stay. Albertville is just your typical outlet mall. And, I am not a particular fan of MOA either.

The problem is hotel with fun shopping right out the door is not something you'll find. Smaller neighborhoods like those mentioned above are your best bet for truly interesting shopping. What I'm suggesting below puts you almost into the shopping areas suggested above. I presume you'll have a car.

Check this out. You can walk (some within a couple blocks some closer to a mile) to the the above mentioned suggestions. And, the lakes neighborhoods are very fun with lots of small interesting restaurants--not your typical suburban chains.

http://www.vrbo.com/269040

These are both in a great central neighborhoods, but if your goal is stores right outside your door, this isn't it. http://www.vrbo.com/153387
http://www.vrbo.com/194173

I've rented houses when my female friends and I have gone away for a brief trip. It is a much nicer solution than hotels.

julies

I did just think of a hotel that might work. This is in the center of your typical shopping area in an upscale suburb of Minneapolis and connected to the most upscale of the various parts of this shopping area. You're maybe 3 or 4 miles to MOA and 2 miles to the other areas of SE Minneapolis mentioned earlier. Restaurants are your typical suburabn fare for the most part although there are a few interesting ones. There is also another shopping area a few blocks away centered around a man-made lake that you can walk around--Centennial Lakes. And, Southdale shoppoing center is right there, but once again it is a shopping center and not nearly as interesting as the places we all mentioned earlier.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin...ropertyID=1799