On a beautiful corner lot in the heart of Minneapolis, a historic building houses Alma, a café by day, a fine dining restaurant by night, and a boutique hotel for locals and visitors alike.
With only 7 rooms, Hotel Alma may be small but the guest experience is as mighty as the Mississippi River which is just steps away. At check-in, guests receive antipasti and wine as a welcome to the property. Want to enjoy it in the café right then? Sure! In your room later in the evening? That’s fine, too. It’s up to the guest and it’s also the first peek at the culinary delights that are in store.
The rooms are lovely and drenched in natural light, which is complemented by the light-colored bedding and minimalist décor. Pops of color and character come in the form of pillows, throws, beautiful rugs, interesting art, and handwoven baskets. The bathrooms are meticulously tiled and brushed gold fixtures add a touch of luxury. Robes are left hanging by the shower and have a fun pattern and tassels at the bottom, a nice change from the standard (and a bit boring) white robe often found in hotels. While each room is essentially a single space, the layout creates the feeling that there is a designated working space at the desk, relaxating space in a cozy, corner chair, and sleeping space. The bed, draped in a fluffy duvet and dotted with pillows, will undoubtedly lure you in.
Hopefully, you sleep in and enjoy the cloud-like pillows beneath your head. But if you’re anything like us, the excitement of room service breakfast might pull you from bed earlier than expected. The smell of freshly baked pastries and hot, brewing coffee told us it was almost time, and a light, unobtrusive rap on the door let us know breakfast had in fact been delivered. The breakfast sandwiches were deliriously good – we got the Up South (eggs, pimento cheese, buttermilk biscuit) and the Corner Store Classic (buttered roll, eggs, American cheese, bacon) – along with a basket of pasties, juice and coffee. Needless to say, it was a deliciously decadent start to the morning.
Whether you’re a local in need of a staycation, a couple visiting the Twin Cities and looking for little romance, planning a girls night, or a here on business, Alma is truly the perfect property at which to stay. Much like a chameleon, Alma seems to change to fit the needs of each guest. I stayed one night with my 5 year old daughter, stayed the next night gloriously solo and enjoyed a romantic dinner at the restaurant with my husband; each experience felt delightfully different. But you don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to enjoy the property.
Downstairs, the casual café serves a beautiful array of pastries, warm breakfast dishes, copious coffee choices and a myriad of lunch options. Think creative egg sandwiches, yogurt, and croissants in the morning, then salads, soups, and griddled sandwiches for your midday meal. The café and sidewalk seats are almost always packed with locals who popped over for breakfast, lunch, or a bit of shopping. The café sells a wonderful selection of goodies from cocktail shakers and candles to house-made Bloody Mary kits and spice blends. It’s the perfect spot to grab a gift for literally anyone on your list.
The cherry on top of this whole production is the fine dining restaurant, simply called Restaurant Alma. The elegant space is both industrial with the exposed bricks and beams and inviting with the dark blue accents and woven pillows tucked neatly along the booths. The combination crates an upscale vibe while not being the slightest bit pretentious.
Open for dinner Thursday-Sunday, they offer an elevated prix fixe menu which changes seasonally. The current menu features things like Grilled Sugar Snaps and Watercress Salad and Chickpea Griddled Cake to start, Duck Two Ways, Meyer Lemon Orzo Pasta as mains, and Sarsaparilla Panna Cotta for dessert. The optional wine pairing was the perfect accompaniment to this unforgettable meal and we loved that everything on the menu is included. The only decision you have to make is what to wear to dinner.
Truly, you need not leave this corner lot to have a day of incredible dining experiences. The hotel is much like the city it calls home; the people are kind, the food – amazing, and the space, completely cozy and welcoming with a dusting of luxury. It’s the perfect hotel for those seeking a slower pace, a feeling of home away from home, and the ability to completely unplug and let others take care of you for a change.
Compass + Twine was a welcomed guest of Alma and thanks them for a wonderful stay and an incredible dining experience. As always, all opinions are our own.
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