May 20–Hilton's new budget-friendly hotel brand, Tru, may soon have its first Minnesota location near the Mall of America.
An entity associated with Maryland-based developer Baymont Hotels has submitted plans for a dual-brand hotel at 2435 E. Old Shakopee Road, kitty-corner from the mall's southeast corner.
If approved, this would be Bloomington's first dual-brand hotel — which is a single structure under the same ownership offering two different hotel brands. One half will be a Home2 Suites, Hilton's more affordable extended stay brand, while the other half will be a Tru, Hilton's newest option for the cost-conscious traveler.
This is the latest in a series of new hotel brands introduced to the Twin Cities market.
The nation's first Radisson Red hotel recently opened in downtown Minneapolis, and AC Hotel by Marriott recently opened locations in both downtown Minneapolis and next to Mall of America. Plans for a Canopy by Hilton and a Moxy by Marriott — both also new brands — are in the works.
According to Hilton's website, there are only a handful of Tru hotels in the U.S. with several at various stages of development. Last March marked the groundbreaking for the first Tru hotel in McDonough, Ga. Oklahoma City saw the brand's second groundbreaking one year ago.
Hilton describes its new Tru brand as "vibrant, affordable and young-at-heart," as well as "energetic, yet relaxing and comfortable." There's complimentary continental breakfast and an emphasis on technology and convenience.
There are 188 Home2 Suites across the U.S., including three in the Twin Cities metro, one of which is in Bloomington at the intersection of Penn Avenue S. and American Boulevard W. Unlike Tru's bright colors, Home2 Suites presents a more subdued aesthetic with in-room kitchens and pet-friendly policies conducive for longer stays.
The proposed site for this dual-brand hotel concept is across E. Old Shakopee Road from a Homewood Suites, Hilton's higher-end extended-stay brand.
The city of Bloomington's planning commission will consider the proposal next Thursday. If approved, this will be the developer's first Midwest property.
