Labor Day in Minneapolis and Starwood’s Hotel Ivy

Offer: 3^rd Night Free rates at 70 Luxury Collection Hotels around the globe.

Starwood Hotels Luxury Collection Promotion Link.

Starwood Hotels has offered a 3^rd night free deal for several years.  The primary disadvantage of the 3^rd night free is the condition of prepaid and nonrefundable rate. Whether the 3rd night free deal is a good value will depend on the specific hotel dates of stay. My findings over the past couple of years has shown 3rd night free is often a great deal for paid hotel suites compared to other available published rates.

The 3^rd night free offer used to be a hit or miss reasonable deal. Usually I find a better AAA rate or lower rate special offer.

In continuing my week-long survey of hotel rates around the USA for Labor Day weekend, Loyalty Travler takes a closer look at the Starwood Hotels Luxury Collection Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis. The 3rd night free offers some good rate savings, but not the best deal unless you book a higher category room.

Hotel Ivy – Minneapolis  (Hotel webpage link)

(SPG Category 4 hotel also available using points for 10,000 points  or $60 + 4,000 points per night)

Hotel Ivy is a downtown Minneapolis luxury hotel associated with the historic Ivy Tower and offers 136 guest rooms including 21 suites. The rooms are larger than your average hotel room.  Grande Deluxe and Junior Suite rooms are sizeable at over 500 square feet. A Starwood Platinum member can expect a room upgrade and will get a significant elite value bump if placed in a one room suite or Executive Suite category room.

Hotel Ivy is an example where the 3^rd night free rate is not the best deal for lowest category rooms at the Superior and Grand Deluxe room types.

Hotel Ivy has an even better value rate for these low category, high style rooms with the Holiday Package special offer including:

1.       free valet parking,

2.      4pm late checkout, and  

3.      day before arrival cancellation policy.

Once you get to the Junior Suite and higher categories there are savings with the 3^rd Night free offer, but remember these rates are prepaid and nonrefundable.

Superior King $498 for 3 nights = $166/night with the 3^rd Night Free rate.

Room Features: 380 square feet, Deep Sunken Tub/sep Shower, Down/feather Pillows, Armoire Closet, High Ceiling

The Holiday Package special rate is a better deal and saves $30 per night for this room category. The Holiday Package can be booked for less than 3 nights.

$139 per night for Superior King or $417 for 3 nights using Holiday Package rate includes valet parking.

$189 Grand Deluxe (Holiday Package)

Room Features: 550 square feet. Contemporary Decor with Art Deco. Hardwood Floors Lead Into Bedroom, Deep Soaking Tub With Separate Shower.

LT comment: 550 Sq Ft. is a large hotel room and will feel spacious.  This is fine urban living.

$239 Junior Suite King Holiday Package rate

Room features: Contemporary Decor With Art Deco, Hardwood Floors In Foyer. Separate Working Area With Chaise Lounge. 538 Sq Ft.

LT comment: The Grande Deluxe is $50 lower rate than junior suite for a smaller room?

Loyalty Traveler called SPG and checked 50% rack rates for Hotel Ivy available for 1,000 Starpoints. There were no savings found using 50% rack rate offer.

Other Starwood hotels in Minneapolis also have some really low rates if a city getaway is more your style than an outdoor living Labor Day weekend.