By Charmaine Hibbert

After a near 3-hour journey back from Madden’s Resort we pull up outside the Westin Edina Galleria Hotel, it’s not too dissimilar to many hotel entrances – I did like its modern feel and design – but it’s when you walk into the hotel that you get a great feeling of space. A nice touch was the little wine tasting bar set up just to the left of the spacious lounging area – where you can meet friends, family or clients – which after my 3-hour journey is a godsend.

Now American hotels do like to use a lot of browns and beiges in their hotels, but I have to say I am impressed with the way the Westin have used these colours in a more modern palette and style. Entering my room the first thing I notice is that it isn’t the biggest room I have stayed in on this trip, but what makes it stand out was again the way they have used the colour palette to give the room a nice modern feel, the bathroom is perfect, you can’t beat a nice big shower with stone tiling and standing under the large square shower head with the hot water just washing away the long journey well, I could just stand under here for hours it feels that good.

One place you have to make sure you visit, especially for breakfast is McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood and Steak restaurant which you can walk to through the lobby area. I have the Classic eggs Benedict with Canadian Bacon and English Muffin. I also want to try the Cinnamon French Toast with fresh berries and bananas – the healthy option right! I only want a slice so my waitress suggests the kids portion – good thinking on her part – well until I see the size of the kids portion, I can feed another two adults with that, but boy oh boy was it worth it and the three other people I shared it with think so too

Retail Therapy

Those of you who read my reviews will know I am partial to a spa treatment or two, I did miss my spa pampering on this trip, but boy did the shopping make up for that loss. Who needs a spa when you can be out shopping (words I never thought would pass my lips!) but once you get to experience the Edina Galleria Shopping Centre (center in the U.S) you will understand exactly what I mean.



Back in the UK I do most of my shopping online but I am in my element here, and if you are coming over to watch the Ryder Cup matches next year or just visiting the beautiful state of Minnesota, you need to make some time to shop here.

I am hoping to be out here during the Ryder Cup and I know my partner is already getting excited about the matches - I promise I am too - *ahem* but as a non-golfer it’s just a different level of appreciation for the sport!

Walking round the Edina Galleria Shopping Centre I can’t help but just soak up its relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere, which for me just adds to the shopping experience here. Plus the Minnesotans are really, really friendly people, I got lost in conversation with a few locals during a much needed lunch break – shopping really does help you work up an appetite!

But boy did the day fly by, there are 70 local and national retail stores at my fingertips and I must have had a peek in them all – I did question my sanity many times on the merits of leaving my credit card in the safe back at the hotel, well that was until I got to Tiffany & Co. then I knew I had made the right decision, well sort of!

Westin Edina Galleria Hotel
3201 Galleria
Edina
MN 55435
United States

T:: +1 952-567-5000
W: marriott.com