Thanks for the insight. Still working on this trip. My travel dates are actually 8/25-8/28, but it looks like I'll have better luck booking each day separately. (I have a cancellable room near the airport/Mall of America that I booked months ago as a backup, but now I'm trying to find a deal and save some cash or upgrade for the same price.) That being said, since we always stay at the Commons,
I'm tempted to splurge Thursday night on the 4.5* Downtown hotel listed for $94. FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Golf nearby, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower. Maybe the Radisson Blu? Though the W and Le Meridien have similar amenity sets.
For 8/26 I found a 3* in the downtown east area for $59. Free Internet, Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Indoor pool(s), Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Self-service laundry, Internet access, Children's activities, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower. Those amenities sound like the Aloft.
I start all my searches, etc. with the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links here. As always, thanks!