Let’s go to the mall

I was feeling lazy tonight and wanted to post a simple trip. Something easy. Something not crazy expensive.  HAwaii seemed easy. Who doesn’t want to go to Hawaii. Hawaii was bound to be expensive, but I couldn’t even stomach how expensive. Comb through the airfare sales. Flying to Minneapolis seems like a cop-out. Who flies there? It is only a 6 hour drive.

But it’s on sale.

If I booked this trip. I’d spend the next 2 months fretting about the inevitable snow delay that would ruin it.

Wed, Jan 20 from Milwaukee Midwest Airlines
YX1449 08:45am Milwaukee, WI (MKE) to 10:03am Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP)

Sat, Jan 23 from Minneapolis/St Paul Midwest Airlines
YX1380 01:45pm Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) 02:52pm Milwaukee, WI (MKE)

Passenger(s)     Adult
Base Fare     $81.86
TAX: U.S. Domestic Percentage – 7.5%     $6.14
Subtotal     $88.00
Passenger Facility Charge     $7.50
Segment Tax     $7.20
U.S. Security Fee     $5.00
Total Per Passenger     $107.70
Number of Passengers     2
Total Fare Amount     $215.40 (for both of us!)

I was drawn to Minneapolis and the Mall of America by an ad for the Sofitel near the mall. And that is a lovely deal. If we were driving, it would be the deal.

Sofitel Minneapolis
5601 West 78TH Street , 55439 BLOOMINGTON,  USA
SUPERIOR ROOM – 1 King size bed
400sqft 37 sqm. 25inch flatscreen TV (isn’t that small?), bathtub with glass screen (oooh), Sofitel MyBed, , internal and external view (what does that mean?)
$80 a night
Total $274.27

But no Mall shuttle. No free breakfast. Hmmm.

And rental cars (Hotwire couldn’t even help) were more expensive than the price difference to go to a hotel closer to the mall, with a shuttle, and free breakfast.

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Bloomington at Mall of America
2221 Killebrew Drive  Bloomington, MN 55425
Check In:     Wed Jan 20, 2010     Rooms:     1
Check Out:     Sat Jan 23, 2010     Guests:     2 (2 Adults, 0 Children)
“Hot Deals – Two Rm Ste – Free breakfast & HSIA”
ROOM DESCRIPTION:
Two Room Suite Includes: King Bed and Sofa Sleeper
-Free High Speed Internet
-Microwave, Refrigerator
-Complimentary Breakfast
-Hair Dryer, Coffeemaker, Iron and Ironing Board

Room Cost     $357.30 USD
Estimated Taxes and Fees $51.02 USD
Total Estimated Cost $408.32 USD

That might be a really long time to be at the mall, riding up and down the escalators. In January. For a grand total of $623.72 for 3 nights/4 days. For 2. Is it romantic enough? Is it fun enough? A curious problem.

bon voyage