InterContinental Hotel Opens at MSP Airport

New lodging, restaurants, spa, gym, and skyway update the MSP Airport experience

It’s a bit of a head scratcher to think that MSP International Airport is the 16th busiest airport in the country and yet we’ve never had a hotel connected to the terminal.

Well, things just changed in a major way. On July 17, the InterContinental at MSP Airport opened its doors to guests. The 12-story property has 291 rooms and 30,000 square feet of event space. Total cost for construction of the hotel and the adjoining skyway came in at $91 million. (Minneapolis-based Graves Hospitality helped develop the project, previously known for the Graves 601 Hotel in downtown Minneapolis and the Moxy in Uptown.)

The InterContinental boasts amazing views of both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. You’d think you would hear at least a small rumble from the planes during takeoff nearby—but not so! During my tour, we witnessed many planes taking off and landing on the runway, and never once did we hear even a pop, or a snap, from these high-flying machines. The hotel uses a state-of-the-art acoustical design system to eliminate noise.

On July 20, two restaurants officially open here, as well: La Voya, a French-inspired brasserie serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Bradstreet Craftshouse, serving small plates and craft cocktails.

Guests and travelers passing through can now access the InterContinental and the airport through a new skyway system that includes a security checkpoint for travelers with carry-on luggage. During extended layovers, such easy skyway access lets flyers book rooms at a half-day rate to refresh before continuing their travels. Visitors can also access the 3,000-square-foot Elevation Spa and fitness facility. If your extended layover was not a planned stop—or perhaps your luggage made it to your destination before you did—and you want to get in a workout but have no gear, no problem. Elevation Spa has a complete line of rentable gear, including disposable swim trunks.

Have you ever gotten that phone call from a traveling friend who has a short layover and wants to meet for a cocktail? What do you do? Pick them up, drive someplace on Highway 494, and hope you make it back in time? You can now drive to the InterContinental, meet in the lounge, have a beverage, and share a bite to eat, with parking validated up to two hours.