The W Hotel chain, part of the Westin empire, does a marvelous job of creating painfully hip hotels and hotel lobbies. And usually, as part of that mix, they throw in a cool bar or two. I've now stayed at two W's (one in New Orleans and now one in Minneapolis).
The W Hotel in Minneapolis is located in the circa 1929 Foshay Tower. Full of an interesting history (Great Crash financiers, jail, financial insolvency - hmmm ... much like today!) the hotel conversion was well done.
Here's the Minneapolis report:
The Living Room Lounge
There isn't a traditional lobby at the W Hotel - The Foshy, in Minneapolis. Instead, there's a "Living Room". It sure doesn't look like my living room, but it could pass for one, somewhere. Well, if you're living room was also doing some sort of fashion shoot with a passel of models as it was on my visit.
Full of a variety of couches, chairs, a really interesting center of the room fireplace and a long black, chrome, glass bar, it was a nice place to drop in after a day in the April snow of Minneapolis.
The wait service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. True, the drinks were a bit on the expensive side, but the Hendricks martini with a choice of muddled or on the side cucumbers, was among the best I've had.
On my arrival, on a Saturday night, the Living Room was packed with the trendiest of Minneapolis nightlife and loud pulsing music. Made for quite a party I'm sure!
Prohibition
Meanwhile, on the 27th floor of The Foshay, is a fabulous bar and lounge, Prohibition.
You hit the bar as soon as you step out of the elevators and are greeted with more of the W's friendly, helpful staff. It was a quiet weeknight at Prohibition, so I took my drink (Hendricks martini) for a stroll around the series of small rooms and looked out over the nighttime cityscape of Minneapolis.
Some colleagues arrived while I was on my tour and we took a small table by the window for a quiet conversation.
Though both the Living Room and Prohibition were quite nice, I think I would return to Prohibition. The view and small, interesting spaces made for a cozy atmosphere.
W Hotel - The Foshay
Meal: Drinks
Rating: *****
Date: 6 & 7 April 2009
Address: 821 Marquette Avenue · Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Website: http://www.WHotels.com/Minneapolis
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