HIPPEST HOTEL:Â The Commons Hotel
Hipsters rejoice! Eat, drink, sleep, read leather-bound books and play board games-it’s chic to be a geek at The Commons, cleverly located on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The hotel oozes a nerdy brand of sophistication, featuring a book butler service, sudoku puzzles delivered with breakfast, and décor highlights include illustrations of invention patents, archived U of M photography and chandeliers resembling atoms and molecules. Even the in-house gastropub, The Beacon Public House, sticks to the geek-chic theme with Words with Friends Wine Hours, Retro Bar Bingo and alchemist mixology lessons. Plus, the hotel has 20,000 square feet of event space, including two ballrooms, 10 individual meeting rooms and two outdoor patios all on one floor-room enough for conferences up to 500 and spaces cozy enough for quaint board meetings. Group gatherings just feel smarter at The Commons, where you won’t get bullied for having a high IQ. You’ll fit right in. commonshotel.com -Bobby Hart
SWEETEST VENUE: Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau
What if we told you a modern-day Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory awaits your next event? Would you break into song? Would you be terrified? Not to worry, no Oompa Loompas or bratty kids in sight at Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau in St. Paul; just a 10,000-square-foot, four-story Victorian mansion (built in 1888 and renovated in 1996) chock full of event space-and chocolate. Educate guests on a secondfloor space dedicated to the history of chocolate, and party on a thirdfloor space that features 33-foot-tall vaulted ceilings and an elegant chandelier above the dance floor. If weather cooperates, you can even take gatherings for 100-plus outdoors to the Chocolate Garden. And don’t forget to stop by the first-floor shop to indulge your sweet tooth. No golden ticket required. drchocolate.com -Bobby Hart
BEST RENOVATION:Â Millennium Hotel Minneapolis
The massive renovation at neighboring Hyatt Regency Minneapolis made this a tough choice, but we had the privilege of seeing Millennium’s transformation first-hand from a hard-hat tour to its opening in April, and it was impressive. Four months and $22 million later, Minneapolisbased RSP Architects created a whole new hotel. Upgrades to all the guest rooms, lobby, pool and a new North 450 Restaurant and Bar were sure nice, but we were most interested in the revamped 22,000 square feet of event and banquet space, which received new carpet, wall coverings and lighting package. The iconic 14th-floor dome overlooking the city was even touched up with new carpet and a new chandelier. millenniumhotels.com -Bobby Hart
BEST NEW VENUE (OPENED OCT. 1, 2012-OCT. 1, 2013): A’BULAE
With the slew of new venues that opened up around the state last year, picking the hottest new place to party was a tough one. But, for us, one gem stood out above the rest. A’BULAE’s loft-style venue shocked and awed us with its stunning views of St. Paul on the rooftop terrace and the many glittering chandeliers. Boasting capacity for 500 seated, more than nine different room configurations and 15,000-plus square feet, there’s space for groups of all kinds. With its scrumptious food offerings from Mintáhoe Catering & Events, on-site parking garage and floor-toceiling windows, we almost wanted to call this place home. abulae.com -Brittany Trevick
PLANNER’S BEST FRIEND: The Event Gallery
The days of running all across town to meet with different caterers, photographers and more ended with the arrival of The Event Gallery. This one-stop, year-round shop allows planners and other visitors to meet with and learn about potential vendors in one large, modern warehouse. Located in Uptown, guests can peruse the space at their own pace (for free!) while using an app with a smartphone or tablet to research vendors at the gallery. Appointments with those vendors can then be made easily through the app so you can discuss your inspiration at a later date. Each vendor has decorated their own space within the warehouse to showcase their offerings. The gallery includes wedding cakes, tablescapes, photography and more, just like a real-life Pinterest. the-eventgallery.com -Brittany Trevick
