Our Visit to Hotel Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka, MN

A work trip brought us to Minneapolis several weeks ago for a concert and movie screening. Good friends of ours live right outside the city have a boutique hotel, Hotel Excelsior. I remember them telling us about the this hotel project just after they had acquired the building and we were excited to visit and experience Hotel Excelsior in person!

I am a hotel and historic house/building nut! When these two things overlap, I am beside myself. Our friends told us about this town and building and how they were renovating this historic building into luxury suites with the main level being a coffee shop called “The Lobby. It it not disappoint!

We arrived at MSP that afternoon and it was an approx. 30 minute drive for us to Excelsior on beautiful Lake Minnetonka. I grew up in a lake town in Wisconsin and this felt very similar to me. We came through town just as the sun was setting and the Christmas lights were lit up, it was just magical. The town was quiet and peaceful and felt like we had stumbled into a town from a movie.

I only wish that we had been able to extend our trip, we considered it, but we were flying out Monday mornign and had a jam packed schedule to get back to. We would have loved to explore the town, see the lake and do some shopping (I heard amazing things about Faribault Woolen Mills.) We stayed to the very last minute, then walked downstairs to The Lobby to get coffee before driving to the airport.

Hotel Excelsior: Our Room – St. Albans Bay Suite

Named after part of Lake Minnetonka, The St. Albans Bay suite at Hotel Excelsior overlooks Water Street and we were lucky enough to be able to see the Christmas lights twinkle all night (there are shades, if you prefer.) Our suite was a luxurious loft with exposed brick, tall windows and ceilings, and hardwood floors. It was beautifully decorated by a local designer.

This suite is perfect for a couple with a king bed or small families with a pull out couch. Hugo was perfectly happy to set up there and watch a Christmas movie.

I loved having a full kitchen and if we had stayed longer I would have stocked groceries and snacks. The easy access to coffee and hot tea was so convenient (for an early bird like me who is up before the coffee shop is open.)

Hotel Excelsior: Amenities

• Beautiful view of Water Street in downtown Excelsior
• Bathrobes!
• Luxury bathroom with heated floors stocked with Public Goods bath products.

• Comfortable beds with high-end linens and custom wool blankets.
• Full kitchen with everything you need to prepare a meal.
• Keurig coffee maker with coffee and tea.
• TV, coffee table books and a serene location.

Hotel Excelsior: What to Expect

Upon booking you will receive a unique room key code and will have access to your suite. Each suite is uniquely decorated, including The Bankers Suite which in a 2-story, 2 bedroom suite at their sister building a half block away (it would be perfect for families or for bridal parties.)

Hotel Excelsior is extremely private and quiet, you will feel tucked away from the world. There’s no front desk or room service, instead you will have be given a number to call if you need anything during your stay (we called at 11pm because a fuse had blown and our call was answered!)

One of the coolest features is The Lobby! As you walk down the stairs to the building’s main level, there is a beautiful cafe. In the morning, it was absolutely hoping with locals working and drinking coffee. They even offer gluten free pastries and smoothies! Later in the afternoon/evening it turns into a cozy bar and with hot flatbread pizzas until 6:30pm.