The most important thing for a hotel is "location, location, location." By that standard, this plain Jane hotel has at least three things going for it; another is the low price. Take advantage of the savings to go on a shopping spree at the nearby Mall of America. Many of the rooms have a comfortable work space. There are also three whirlpool suites.

This hotel has excellent views from its setting near the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Besides the country atmosphere, it is the closest full service hotel to the airport and is only a quick jaunt from the Mall of America. The rooms are extra spacious and are jam packed with typical modern amenities. Executive accommodation is also available.

Though this hotel has the look and feel of the Victorian era, every aspect of it is modern. All rooms include voice mail, fax and a second telephone line in the bathroom. You will not have to go far for a good meal, either. The hotel offers the SkyWater restaurant for an evening of casual dining and Barron's Brew for a caffeine fix. Orchestra Hall, Nicollet Mall, and the Minneapolis Convention Center are just a short walk away.

Located in the heart of downtown, this is one of the city's posh destinations for those either on business or with a bottomless wallet. But with the price comes the typical Hyatt luxuries. The hotel is well connected to Minneapolis's skyways that allow one to traverse downtown without ever having to venture outside. It is close to everything including the convention center and the famous Guthrie Theater. Many of the rooms, especially on the upper floors, offer excellent views of the surrounding region.

Linked to the IDS Center and the rest of downtown by climate-controlled skyways, Minneapolis Marriott City Center offers many special features for travelers, including rooms specially designed for those on business. The hotel's two restaurants are Allie's American Grille and Gustino's, which is open for dinner. Minneapolis Marriott City Center serves as an ideal business center due to its state of the art facilities and world class services. Check website for details.

If you adhere to the "shop till you drop" credo, no doubt you have not only heard of the Mall of America, you're planning a pilgrimage to it. If that is the case, you should consider staying at this Marriott-it is right next to the great Mall. You do not have to be a die-hard shopper to stay here. In fact, 123 of the 460 rooms are specifically designed for the business traveler and it's only minutes away from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport.

It is not just the chateau-like structure that makes this hotel stand out from the other hotels in downtown Minneapolis-its rates are cheap, too. With rooms starting at very affordable rates, it is a great choice if you want to be in the heart of it all, but do not want to pay for the location. The hotel is close to the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Metrodome and Nicollet Mall. Rooms are relatively spacious and many feature ample workspace for the business traveler.

Staying in this hotel is an experience you will not soon forget. Beyond the white marbled lobby is the Comfort Suites's trademark, a six-story atrium filled with lush tropical plants. Each suite has two separate rooms, a galley kitchen, coffee maker, two phones and two televisions. The hotel's location couldn't be better. While convenient to the business center in downtown Minneapolis, the hotel is blocks from the Warehouse District (full of art galleries, nightclubs and every kind of cuisine).

The signature of Embassy Suites is its lush tropical atriums, which during a Minnesota winter might come in handy. The warm climate, waterfalls and babbling brooks in the atrium serve as a setting for numerous activities including the nightly cocktail hour. Though many hotels can boast about being near the airport, this one is the closest; its free shuttle makes getting back and forth from the airport a breeze. The trademark two-room accommodations are perfect for small meetings.

The location of this hotel makes it a standout. The St. Paul Lowertown Art District is only a quick turn-of-the-century trolley ride away, and the Minnesota State Capitol is right across the freeway. As always, guests at the Embassy Suites stay in two-room suites and receive a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, as well as a cocktail hour in the evening. If you have forgotten anything, you can pick it up at the Suite Shoppe off the atrium. Enjoy a drink in Cork's Pub or dinner in Woolley's Restaurant.