ST. PAUL — It was just a quick trip: An overnight to St. Paul to attend a friend’s son’s wedding. We left the kids with family and took off for about 30 whirlwind hours. My husband booked a cheap flight and looked around for a good deal on a hotel near the wedding venue. He quickly found an introductory rate on one that looked promising: Hyatt Place St. Paul/Downtown. It looked easy on the eye and on the wallet, so he booked it.
It was immediately clear to us that he’d stumbled onto something special. As soon as we walked into the lobby, we wished we were staying longer. The 17-story building is St. Paul’s former Eugene McCarthy Post Office and is now divided into the Hyatt Place hotel and residences, called the Custom House apartments. It was built in 1933 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and many historic features remain, including original doors that have been reused in ornamental ways. The hotel was truly brand new when we stayed in late September: We were there on a Friday; the ribbon-cutting had just happened on Wednesday.
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It was our room that impressed us most. The windows are 13 feet tall, and the height of the ceiling is breathtaking. The decor is modern, the bed comfortable, the bathroom spacious and stylish. We wished we weren’t staying just one night. Next time we’re in St. Paul, we won’t make the same mistake.
HYATT PLACE ST. PAUL/DOWNTOWN 180 Kellogg Blvd. East, St. Paul, 651-647-5000, stpaul.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/our-hotel.html. Rooms from $149; includes breakfast and Wi-Fi. Valet parking for $22 a night.