Restaurant: Mary Wells Dining Room, Wellsboro, PA

Restaurant: Mary Wells Dining Room, Penn Wells Hotel
Web Site: http://pennwells.com/main/dining/
Address: 62 Main St. Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (800) 545-2446

This was a really nice find in a part of the state where there isn't a whole lot other than diner food.  Mary Wells Dining Room is in the Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.  Penn Wells is a historic hotel (1869), and its a nice step into a time machine when you walk in.  The high ceiling of the lobby, large fireplace (with the smell of being used recently), and dining room off the lobby make it easy to be in another place and time - at least until you see cell phone use by the patrons.

The menu and presentation were a big step up from most of what's available, and at reasonable prices.  The parmesan crusted haddock was a little crispier then desired, but this is a more personal preference.  The accompanying vegetables were perfect, and the caprese salad with local tomatoes was a great summer choice.  Everyone else seemed very happy with what they had, and the service was friendly, efficient, and non-intrusive.




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Hotel: Westgate Inn, Coudersport, PA

City: Coudersport, PA
Chain: N/A
Property: Westgate Inn
Address: 307 ROUTE 6 WEST, COUDERSPORT, PA 16915
Phone Number: (814) 274-0400

Check Out: August 2013 ($99)

This part of the country doesn't have a lot of options for hotels and restaurants; what its dense with is state parks, great drives through wooded valleys, and the occasional little hamlet every 10 miles or so along route 6 in northern Pennsylvania.  Coudersport is in the middle of Potter County, PA, self-proclaimed "God's Country", and is a small town of population 2700.  The Westgate Inn is on the west side of Coudersport.

The facility is very clean, and the staff working here were very nice (as was true for everyone we met in this part of the country).  The decor was somewhat sparse, but the rooms had plenty of space and were comfortable.

No food services, although they do have a breakfast buffet in the morning.  There are a few dining options nearby, mostly diner food.  Of most concern, very few things are open on Sunday, and not many dining options on Monday, so plan appropriately.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
• Dining: 0
• Bar: 0 
• Internet: 1 (free for Hilton Honor)
• Wireless in Common Areas: 1
• Work Space, Power: 1
• Shower: 1
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
• Common Areas: 1

Total: 7





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Hotel: Holiday Inn, St. Paul NE Lake Elmo, MN

City: Lake Elmo, MN
Chain: Hilton
Property: Holiday Inn St. Paul NE Lake Elmo
Address: 8511 Hudson Blvd, Lake Elmo, MN
Phone Number: 651-714-8068

Check Out: April 2013

Not quite sure why across the street its "oakdale".

The hotel has changed from when I stayed there - it was an independent hotel prior to its being a Holiday Inn.  Clean, smallish exercise room, but a nice running path across the highway up past a golf course.  Restaurant attached to the hotel that was OK.

Very close to 3M main campus and easy Interstate access to the airport, probably about a 35 minute drive or so with no traffic.  Staff was super nice and helpful, which is a requirement to live in Minnesota.







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Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn St. Paul/Oakdale

City: Oakdale, MN
Chain: Hilton
Property: Hilton Garden Inn St. Paul/Oakdale
Address: 420 Inwood Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota, 55128, USA
Phone Number: 651-735-4100

Check Out: August 2013 ($120, corporate rate)

The basic Hilton Garden Inn experience, similar to Marriott Courtyard.  This facility seemed somewhat new or recently refinished.  Everything was very clean and stylish - the main lobby was a relatively tall, glass space with seating areas, dining areas.  There was also space outside for people to hang out, it was occupied when we came in (and this was rather late - 10PM-ish) with people sitting around having a smoke or a beer or something.

Very close to 3M main campus and easy Interstate access to the airport, probably about a 35 minute drive or so with no traffic.  Staff was super nice and helpful, which is a requirement to live in Minnesota.


Rating:

• Safety: 1
• Dining: 1
• Bar: .5 (you can get a beer in the lobby store)
• Internet: 1 (free for Hilton Honor)
• Wireless in Common Areas: 1
• Work Space, Power: 1
• Shower: 1
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
• Common Areas: 1

Total: .5





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