3-Sterne-Hotels in Dakota County

Our friend was getting married, and the wedding was held at the Riverfront Marriott. We stayed two nights in room 142, on the ground floor in the wing furthest East. Our room was on the South side, which gives you a parking lot view. Odd-numbered rooms on the North side face the river and Sioux City beyond, a much better view. We had no expectations of the view, however, so we were very happy with this clean and comfortable room. Muted earth-tones provide a calming decor, and there are several over-the-bed lighting options (soffit lights, bedside table lamps, and wall-mounted reading lights). The bathroom has a well-lighted mirror, sliding glass shower door, and shower controls on the opposite end of the shower wall from the shower head. Downsides to the bathroom: No ceiling fan, and a barn-style sliding door that cannot be locked or even latched. The towels and provided toiletries are very nice. A large armoire holds the desk, television, dresser drawers, and mini-refrigerator. A separate shelf unit holds the coffee-maker with a mirror above, so it looks like a vanity, but things are up too high to be used that way. I was puzzled about the thought behind that unit. You will find a full-length mirror on the backside of one of the closet doors. The air-conditioning thermostat was quirky. We couldn't get it to hold a consistent temperature; we were always too hot or too cold. It didn't seem to matter what temp you set it at; it just did its own thing. Our friends in other rooms say that it was the same for them. The hotel itself is lovely; very comfortable contemporary. If you're in the wing further East, there's a second, closer lobby to make your luggage-lugging easier. The outdoor pool was beautifully situated, close to the river with an awesome view. The hot tub was closed for repair while we were there. The fitness center was a glass box, also with river views. An outdoor patio between the pool and the hotel, with a fountain, provides good relaxation space. Ground floor rooms on the North side of the building have sliding-glass doors and mini-patios. There are also many tables and chairs outside for guest use. The on-site restaurant is very good--see my separate review for it. One evening I left something on in the car, and the battery died. The hotel maintenance man had already left for the day, and the security guard claimed that his car battery was weak, so he wouldn't be able to do it. (I question the sincerity of his claim; just my gut feeling.) One of the restaurant cooks gladly helped me. Room rates are about $220 on weekends, around $170 weeknights; a bit pricy. If they had provided breakfast, I think it would have justified the pricing better. Yes, we would return to this hotel, but we would also comparison-shop with others nearby.