Emmanuel Lawrence
Google
Checking into the JW Marriott at Mall of America turned out to be far more complicated than it needed to be. We arrived through the mall, coming off the train, only to find the usual entrance through the restaurant on Level 1 was closed. We were told to try the Level 2 mall entrance instead, but that door required a room key. Without one, we had no way in and had to call the hotel for help. The call went through their automated AI system, which was surprisingly good, but still not ideal when you’re just trying to get someone to let you in. It was frustrating and honestly took away from the arrival experience. For anyone arriving through the mall, especially via public transit, this part needs to be much smoother.
Once we got settled, the stay itself was mostly great. The room was spacious, clean, and worked well for three people. There was a mild musky smell when we first walked in, but it wasn’t overwhelming. The bathroom products were high-end and really added a nice touch. What brought things down again was checkout. When we went to retrieve our luggage from the bellhop, the staff member just stared at us like we didn’t belong there. It was uncomfortable. After spending the kind of money this property charges, you don’t expect to feel out of place. The hotel has a lot going for it, but the access issues and some of the staff interactions just didn’t match the luxury brand it’s trying to represent.