A Wedding Guide to Hotel Room Blocks in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, MN

Wedding

Planning Your Guests’ Hotel Stay

Once your wedding and/or reception venue(s) are booked, arranging lodging for you, your family, and guests traveling from out of town is the next step. Westopolis can simplify the process, and our services are free of charge!

July 18, 2025

Understanding Hotel Room Blocks

A hotel room block consists of rooms reserved for your group at a negotiated rate. Blocks generally begin with 10 rooms. Since the rooms are being reserved together, the hotel will often negotiate a special rate for your guests.

Timing Your Room Block

After you have a reliable estimate of the number of guests, you can begin arranging the block. Ideally, start 6-8 months before the wedding date.

Should You Choose One Hotel or Two?

Some bridal websites advise creating 2-3 hotel room blocks so guests have more choices. For most weddings, however, we suggest selecting 1 or 2 hotels unless your celebration is particularly large and includes many out-of-town guests. A larger block can make a hotel more inclined to discount the room rate and/or add amenities.

Selecting the Right Hotel

There are 9 convenient hotels in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, each offering different features. Additional information is available for every property. All of these hotels are an easy drive from venues in the area.

When comparing properties, think about:

• How many guest rooms should the block include?
• Will guests primarily need a room for the night of the wedding, or will they stay for a longer period?
• Do you have a preferred hotel chain, such as Marriott, Hilton, IHG, or Wyndham?
• Would an on-site bar/restaurant be useful?
• Would you like guests to be able to walk to restaurants/bars?
• Should the property include a swimming pool / hot tub?
• Would you rather have standard rooms or an all-suite hotel?
• Is free breakfast from the hotel important to you?

Hotels North of I-394

Four of our hotels sit on the north side of I-394:

• Minneapolis Marriott West
• Courtyard Minneapolis West
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Minneapolis Golden Valley
• Ramada Minneapolis Golden Valley

Hotels South of I-394

Five hotels are on the south side of I-394, within walking distance of the vibrant West End:

• AC Hotel by Marriott Minneapolis West End
• DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Park Place
• Homewood Suites by Hilton
• SpringHill Suites Minneapolis West (slightly less walkable)
• TownePlace Suites by Marriott (slightly less walkable)

Why Choose Westopolis?

Westopolis can take on the search for the right room block, helping you and your guests save time and effort. We have contacts at each of our hotel properties. After receiving your essential wedding details—date(s), number of rooms needed, hotel preferences, and similar information—we will ask the hotels for room-block quotes on your behalf. You can then work directly with the property you select.

Important Room-Block Details

Your hotel will create a courtesy room block, so no deposit is required. The block remains available until a “cut-off” date, which is usually 3-4 weeks before the wedding. Any rooms that have not been reserved by that deadline will be released, and you will not be financially responsible for them.

Make sure guests hear about the block by adding the details to your wedding website and/or invitations.

Parking

Free parking is plentiful throughout St. Louis Park and Golden Valley. Most of our hotels also offer parking at no cost; only a few charge modest fees of $10 or less per night.

Hotel Shuttle Service

Hotel shuttle offerings have changed substantially since the pandemic. Most hotels cannot provide free shuttles for guests, though they may recommend transportation options. If your block includes enough rooms, some hotels may offer a transportation credit. This policy changes frequently, so we can request the hotel’s current shuttle information when seeking a bid.

When complimentary shuttle service is available, it generally covers guests within a 5-mile radius. Service is typically first come/first serve and does not include scheduled wedding drop-offs or pick-ups.

Additional Questions

Is a free bridal suite available?

Possibly. With a sufficiently large room block, a hotel may offer a complimentary or deeply discounted room, or provide an upgrade, but it is not obligated to do so. A free room is more likely when the reception is also held at that hotel.

Can the hotel arrange a hospitality suite?

Yes. For a fee, most hotels can arrange a hospitality suite where your family can gather or get ready.

Can the hotel host a rehearsal dinner?

Yes! Most of our hotels offer meeting spaces that can be arranged for a rehearsal dinner and can provide catering. These spaces may also work for post-wedding brunches and gift openings.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us at [email protected] or call 952-426-4047.