Hotel 340

Occupying the top three floors of a 1927 building that also houses the private Saint Paul Athletic Club, the Hotel 340 is a quiet and classy property. It attracts couples who prefer staying at unique hotels with character, as well as small groups taking advantage of its proximity to the Xcel Center and other downtown performance venues. Business travelers are also drawn here, particularly for the free access to the massive on-site athletic club complete with an indoor lap pool. The two-story lobby makes a grand statement, with marble columns, coffered ceilings, majestic chandeliers, and marble floors. Fine leather and upholstered sofas and chairs frame antiques, including an impressive marble-top table resting in front of an ornate tile fireplace. A piano sits next to the fireplace, and the nearby, solid oak reception desk is recessed into the wall and surrounded by original wood paneling. Like the hotel itself, the enormous lobby exudes a quiet yet warm atmosphere that is a delightful departure from typical chain hotels.

The Hotel 340 is well situated within walking distance of many Saint Paul attractions downtown. It is a one-minute walk to the Central Station and Platform, making light rail connections easy to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (21 minutes by train or car), Mall of America (38 minutes by train/bus or 19 minutes by car), and attractions in downtown Minneapolis such as the Target Center (45 minutes by train or 17 minutes by car). The Xcel Center is a 10-minute walk via a covered skywalk. The hotel is walking distance to other attractions including the Fitzgerald Theater (eight minutes), Saint Paul RiverCentre (11 minutes), Minnesota Children’s Museum (seven minutes), and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (seven minutes). The Minnesota State Capitol is a five-minute drive or a 10-minute train ride, and the Cathedral of Saint Paul is a nine-minute train ride or a five-minute drive. It is approximately a five-minute walk to the Mississippi River, which is about one block away. Several restaurants are within one to three minutes walking, and several more are within a 10-minute walk. 

Compared to the public spaces, guest rooms are far more modest both in terms of decor and in terms of size. Rooms come in several categories including snug Efficiency Rooms that are quite small yet functional with double beds and rather large desks wedged in so closely, the black leather office chairs can't be pulled out completely. Like all room categories, Efficiency Rooms feature lovely cherry hardwood floors and black granite-topped cupboards that hold toasters, microwaves, mini-fridges, and one-cup coffeemakers. Standard Rooms add a bit more space and sinks, but no seating apart from desk chairs. Suites add even more room and armchairs, and Deluxe Suites have enough room for separate sitting areas with sofas. There also are Two Bedroom Suites with two bathrooms. 

Common bedroom decor includes light yellow or white painted walls, white linens, and dark wood furniture including headboards. The furniture is of good quality, but it doesn’t always match. All rooms include a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and free bottled water. Suites include robes. Similar to the bedrooms, the bathrooms can vary in size, configuration, and features regardless of category. For example, an Efficiency Room may include a tile framed shower, while a Standard King Room may offer an acrylic shower insert. Some rooms have a pink marble-lined shower. But most sport simple white tile floors, light tan tile walls, and shower stalls. Bathrooms in the Suites can be quite spacious but even so, they still feature walk-in showers and small wall-mounted or pedestal sinks with no vanity space. All offer magnifying mirrors. Past guests have consistently praised the rooms for being clean and quiet with comfortable beds. 

For many, the true highlight of Hotel 340 is the free access guest receive to the 68,000-square-foot Saint Paul Athletic Club in the building, which includes free yoga and other group exercise sessions. The expansive club houses a large indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, a yoga studio, and a full range of exercise equipment. Another perk: There is event space for up to 400 people through the hotel’s partnership with the Saint Paul Athletic Club and University Club of Saint Paul. Apart from ample meeting space, business travelers can use the business center, which has tables for meetings and computer stations with internet access and printing, scanning, and faxing capabilities. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property.

On the downside, dining options here are quite limited. A free continental breakfast is included in the room rate, but that’s the only on-site meal provided, although free coffee and tea are offered in the lobby. The hotel does have a quaint lobby bar that is open each afternoon and evening, complete with a billiards table. Other helpful perks include free self-serve laundry facilities, free daily newspapers, a safe deposit box at the front desk, and concierge services. Parking is located off-site about one block away in a covered garage connected to the hotel via an enclosed skywalk.