Finding a place to crash in the Twin Cities suburbs usually feels like a game of "spot the difference" between endless beige hallways. But the Sheraton St Paul Woodbury Hotel Bielenberg Drive Woodbury MN is actually a bit of an outlier in that regard. It’s tucked away right off I-94, and honestly, if you aren't looking for it, you might miss the turn into the Bielenberg Drive corridor, which is basically the heartbeat of Woodbury's business and sports scene.
It's a hub. It’s where visiting hockey teams from across the Midwest collapse after a long day at the M Health Foundation Sports Center. It’s where corporate consultants from 3M or Target HQ grab a drink because they don't want to deal with downtown St. Paul traffic.
Woodbury has changed a lot. Ten years ago, this specific patch of Bielenberg Drive was a lot quieter, but now it's surrounded by high-end shopping at CityCentre and a ridiculous number of restaurants. The Sheraton somehow manages to feel like the "grown-up" in the room amidst all the new development.
What’s the Real Vibe at 676 Bielenberg Drive?
Most people expect a cookie-cutter experience. You get your key, you find the elevator, you hope the coffee is drinkable. But the Sheraton St Paul Woodbury Hotel Bielenberg Drive Woodbury MN has this massive atrium vibe that hits you as soon as you walk in. It’s open. It’s airy.
The lobby isn't just a place to check in; it’s a communal workspace. You’ll see people hunched over MacBooks at the "Link@Sheraton" stations or huddled in the booths at Red Rock Grill. It’s got that specific "business casual" energy where nobody cares if you’re in a suit or a sweatshirt.
Wait. Let's talk about the Red Rock Grill for a second. Usually, hotel food is a desperate last resort. You know the drill: a $22 burger that tastes like cardboard. Here, it’s actually decent. They do this walleye—because, obviously, it’s Minnesota—that people from the neighborhood actually show up to eat even if they aren't staying at the hotel. It’s weirdly localized for a global brand.
Location Logistics and Why Bielenberg Drive Matters
If you’re looking at a map, you might think you’re out in the sticks. You aren't.
- Proximity to St. Paul: You are roughly 10 minutes from the Xcel Energy Center. If there’s a Wild game or a big concert and the downtown hotels are charging $400 a night, people flee to Woodbury.
- The Sports Connection: The Bielenberg Sports Center is basically in the backyard. This is huge. If you’ve ever been a "hockey mom" or a "soccer dad," you know the value of being two minutes away from the rink when the 7:00 AM puck drops.
- Retail Therapy: Woodbury Lakes is right there. It’s an open-air mall that feels more like a fancy village than a shopping center.
The Sheraton St Paul Woodbury Hotel Bielenberg Drive Woodbury MN benefits from being at the intersection of "I need to get to the airport" and "I need to be at my kid's tournament." It’s a tactical choice for travelers who value sanity over being in the middle of a noisy downtown core.
The Room Situation: Expectations vs. Reality
Let's be real: hotel photos are always a bit of a lie. They use those wide-angle lenses that make a closet look like a ballroom.
At this Sheraton, the rooms are exactly what you expect from a Marriott-family property, but they’ve kept up with the renovations better than some of the older Twin Cities spots. The "Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience" beds are legitimately comfortable. Not "okay for a night" comfortable, but "I’m actually going to sleep through my alarm" comfortable.
They have the standard desk setups, plenty of outlets—because we all have too many devices—and the bathrooms are clean. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it reliable? Absolutely. For the business traveler, reliability is the only metric that actually matters. You want the Wi-Fi to work, the shower to be hot, and the room to be quiet.
One thing to watch out for: if there’s a major youth sports tournament in town, the hallways can get loud. That’s just the reality of a hotel near a major sports complex. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room on a higher floor away from the elevators.
Business and Events: More Than Just a Bed
A lot of the local Woodbury companies—think engineering firms, medical tech, and insurance—use the meeting spaces here. There’s about 6,000 square feet of event space.
The Oakdale and Woodbury ballrooms get a lot of use for weddings and corporate retreats. It’s a smart play because parking in downtown St. Paul is a nightmare and a half. Here, you just pull into the massive lot and walk in. No $30 valet fee. No circling the block for twenty minutes.
For someone planning a mid-sized conference, the Sheraton St Paul Woodbury Hotel Bielenberg Drive Woodbury MN offers a level of convenience that’s hard to beat. They have the A/V tech on site, the catering is managed by the Red Rock team, and there’s a certain "all-in-one" simplicity to it.
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The Club Lounge Factor
If you have Marriott Bonvoy status, or if you just decide to pay for the upgrade, the Club Lounge is worth mentioning.
It’s one of those perks that feels a bit "old school" but still works. Free breakfast in the morning, snacks throughout the day, and a quiet place to take a call that isn't your bedroom. It’s located on the top floor and gives you a pretty decent view of the Woodbury skyline (which is mostly trees and suburban sprawl, but it’s pretty at sunset).
Addressing the Common Complaints
No place is perfect. If you read reviews, you’ll see people complaining about the price during peak weekends. Because Woodbury is an affluent suburb, the rates can spike.
Some people find the layout a bit sprawling. If you’re at the end of a long hallway, it’s a bit of a hike to the lobby. And, like many hotels post-2020, daily housekeeping is sometimes by request only. You’ve gotta tell them if you want your towels swapped out every single day.
Practical Insights for Your Stay
If you're heading to the Sheraton St Paul Woodbury Hotel Bielenberg Drive Woodbury MN, keep these things in mind to make the most of it:
- Check the Sports Calendar: Before you book, see if there's a massive tournament at the M Health Foundation Sports Center. If there is, expect crowds and higher prices. If you want peace, pick a different weekend.
- Eat Locally: While the hotel food is good, you’re a three-minute drive from places like Punch Pizza or CRAVE. Woodbury's food scene has exploded recently.
- Airport Commute: Give yourself 25 minutes to get to MSP Airport. It’s a straight shot down I-494, but traffic at the "Fishstick" interchange (where 494 and 694 meet) can be brutal during rush hour.
- The Fitness Center: It’s actually better than your average hotel gym. They have decent cardio equipment and enough free weights to actually get a workout in, not just stare at a single 5lb dumbbell.
- Mobile Check-In: Use the Marriott app. Being able to skip the front desk and go straight to your room with a digital key is a lifesaver when you arrive late at night.
This hotel isn't trying to be a boutique art-house experience. It knows exactly what it is: a high-quality, dependable home base for people who have things to do in the East Metro. Whether you're there for a wedding, a corporate meeting, or a grueling weekend of youth hockey, it delivers the basics with a bit of extra polish.
The location on Bielenberg Drive puts you exactly where the action is in Woodbury, without the headache of being in the middle of a dense urban center. It’s a solid, predictable, and comfortable choice in a world where travel is often anything but.
Next Steps for Your Trip
- Confirm your Marriott Bonvoy status before booking to see if you qualify for a Room Upgrade or Club Lounge access.
- Map out your route to the Bielenberg Sports Center if you are traveling with a team, as the local traffic patterns around the complex can be tricky during tournament mornings.
- Make a dinner reservation at Red Rock Grill if you plan on eating in-house on a Friday or Saturday night, as they often host local groups and can fill up quickly.