Lodging and Dining
Attention Teams, Mentors, Volunteers and Visitors. This year, there are several Twin Cities hotels offering special rates to help make your competition an even better experience. Please follow directions indicated here.
Radisson University
The Radisson University has given FIRST special rates on a block of rooms. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Rates are $129 single/double; $149 triple, and $169 for a quad. The rates quoted include parking and (2) Continental Breakfasts per room night. In addition, there is a tax rate of 13.4% on all the rooms. The cut-off date for this group is March 1, 2010.
Please make sure you request the “FIRST Robotics Regional Competition” group in order to receive the group rate and be placed in the block.
The registration steps are:
-Go to www.radisson.com/univ_minneapolis
-Click on "More Search Options" in the Room Reservation Section
-Enter Dates of Stay
-Under Promotional Code enter: FIRST
Or For Reservations by Phone, call (612) 379-8888 or (800) 333-3333 and ask for FIRST Robotics Regional Competition.
Marriott Courtyard – Mall of America
Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis/Bloomington is pleased to offer the FIRST Robotics 2010 Regional Competition teams discounted group rates for this year’s competition. Rates start at $69.00 * (see note below) for a room with a single king bed and pull-out sofa, or a room with two queen beds. Group rates including breakfast are also available upon request.
Courtyard Bloomington is one mile from the Mall of America and just four miles from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, with complimentary shuttle service to both locations. Courtyard Bloomington also features amenities including the on-site restaurant and lounge Jake’s, serving a full-hot breakfast buffet each morning and dinner each evening. Guests also have access to an indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, complimentary Internet access, complimentary on-site parking also equipped for motor coach parking!
Courtyard also will provide a complimentary room for the team’s coach with a minimum room requirement of 10 paid guest rooms. Also, ask for the discount on your bus driver’s room if you are traveling on bus or motor coach. Teams will also be blocked close together, and have an express check-in to go right to your rooms.
For a group quote or to request more information, please contact Heidi Sohn, Sales Manager, at (952) 876-4221 or email at hsohn@csmcorp.net.
Should you prefer something closer to the U-M Campus, Courtyard also has other sister properties and will make referrals. Contact Heidi to complete your group’s hotel accommodations for this year’s FIRST Robotics Competition. Best of Luck!
Please note: *Rates do not include applicable taxes and are based upon availability at time of booking through the sales department. Offer not valid with other discounts or promotions and groups must book through our sales office for this group rate.
Comfort Suites-Minneapolis
Comfort Suites Minneapolis-Downtown, is pleased to offer a Robotics Group rate of $74.00/night. Spacious two-room suites, including a pull-out sofa bed in the living room, refrigerator & coffeemaker. Complimentary hot breakfast, WI-FI and other amenities. Skyway connected. Located at 425 South 7th Street, the Comfort Suites is 2 blocks to the Lightrail station with service to the Airport and Mall of America. Please contact Bernadette Schindel, (612) 373-2188.
Hilton Garden Inn-Minneapolis
The Hilton Garden Inn, 1101 4th Avenue South, Minneapolis, is offering a FIRST Robotics Group rate of $84/room. Each of these blocked rooms can hold up to four people. Please request the FIRST Robotics rate when calling to make a reservation, (612) 339-6633, or enter the code FRO if making an online reservation,http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MSPCNGI.
Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown Hotel
Sheraton Midtown, located at 201 Chicago Avenue South, offers FIRST teams an $89.00 group rate, based on occupancy of four/room. For teams traveling by bus, the Sheraton offers complimentary bus parking.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1546.
Contact: Lynn Wiliams, Sales Manager, 612-821-7604
Lodging
There are several hotels and motels within a 3-mile range of both FIRST Minnesota Regional competition arenas.
Williams Arena (10,000 Lakes)
1925 University Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Mariucci Arena (North Star)
1901 4th Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Holiday Inn Metrodome
1500 Washington Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-333-4646
Website: http://www.metrodome.com
Reservations Only: 1-800-448-DOME (3663)
Map: http://www.metrodome.com/location/map.cfm
Notes: About 1.5 miles to arenas, approximately 5 minutes driving
Skyline views; fully equipped fitness facility, whirlpool and sauna; Grill Room Restaurant (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Marriott Depot
225 South 3rd Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-375-1700
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mspdd-the-depot-minneapolis-a-renaissance-hotel/
Reservations 1-800-HOTELS-1
Map: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/mspdd-the-depot-minneapolis-a-renaissance-hotel/
Notes: Approximately 2.5 miles from competition arenas, about 7 minutes driving distance.
Built as a railroad station over 100 years ago, the Depot has now been beautifully restored featuring stylish guest rooms and luxurious historic suites, exceptional meeting and event space, an award-winning waterpark.
Days Inn
2407 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-623-3999
Website: http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=08225&brandInfo=DI
Reservations: 1-800-329-7466
Map: http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/search_results_directions?id=08225
Notes: Located at the corner of University Ave SE & Washington Ave., about 0.8 miles and 3 minutes driving distance to both arenas Complimentary continental breakfast, shuttle service to and from the University of Minnesota Campus, free off street parking, good value.
The Normandy Inn and Suites (Best Western)
405 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404-1026
612-370-1400
Website: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=24091
Reservations: 800-372-3131
Map
Notes:Decent downtown location, old English style, 2.9 miles, 8 minutes to arenas. Inviting garden atrium features a heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna. Complete fitness rooms. Parking is available for $7.00 per night, unlimited access privileges with parking voucher.
Minneapolis Dining
By no means a complete listing, the restaurants listed here are walking distance from Williams Arena. Also this year, teams have the option of placing pre-event orders for pizza and/or sandwich Box Lunches, provided by University Catering. Click here for information and order form.
Dinkytown
Fast Food
McDonald’s
407 15th Avenue Southeast
612-331-6590
Potbelly Sandwich Works
326 14th Avenue Southeast
612-331-0191
Jimmy Johns Gourmet Subs
404 14th Avenue Southeast
612-331-8000
Subway
1412 5th Street Southeast
612-331-6716
Erbert’s & Gerbert’s Subs and Clubs
1500 4th Street Southeast
612-623-9485
Piccoli: Italian Café & Catering
1316 4th Street Southeast
612-242-6748
Burrito Loco
418 13th Avenue Southeast
612-746-5626
Restaurants
Annie’s Parlour
315 14th Avenue Southeast
612-379-0744
Loring Pasta Bar
327 4th Street Southeast
612-378-0208
Bruegger’s Bagels
319 14 Avenue Southeast
612-623-9522
Caribou Coffee
1500 4th Street Southeast
612-378-7524
China Express
409 14th Avenue Southeast
612-379-6374
Dinky Dome (A food court, across from the University gates)
1501 University Avenue Southeast
Taco John’s 612-378-2408
Espresso 22 612-378-9555
Yiannis Pizza 612-379-3393
Hong Kong Express 612-623-9380
Little Taj Mahal 612-331-3389
Boka Boka 612-623-9381
Shuang Cheng
1320 4th Street Southeast
612-378-0208
Steak Knife
612-378-4730
Stadium Village
Across from the Radisson Hotel.
Bruegger’s Bagels
720 Washington Avenue SE
612-378-7827
Milio’s Sanwiches
219 Oak Street SE
612-331-7827
Chipotle Mexican Grille
800 Washington Avenue SE
612-378-7078
Village Wok
610 Washington Avenue SE
612-331-9041
Dairy Queen
716 Washington Avenue SE
612-331-3093
Big Ten
608 Washington Avenue SE
612-378-0467
At Coffman Memorial Union
Minnesota Marketplace
A food court with a variety of options including Bene Pizzeria Einstein Bros. Bagel, Famous Dave’s and Starbucks.
West Bank of the University of Minnesota Campus
Not quite walking distance, but a short bus ride away.
Noodles & Company
233 Cedar Avenue South
612-659-7777
Davanni’s
2500 Riverside Avenue
612-332-5551
Quizno’s
1851 Washington Avenue
612-338-7845
K Wok Restaurant
1813 Riverside Avenue
612-338-4238
Jewel of India
1427 Washington Avenue
612-339-0002