The Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel, located in the Bandana Square complex at 1010 Bandana Boulevard West in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a midscale property that has drawn attention not only for its comfortable rooms and indoor heated pool but also for its recent transition: in April 2025, the hotel was acquired by the nonprofit Interfaith Action for conversion into a shelter (Twin Cities). This article consolidates verified facts, guest review patterns, and the hotel’s current status to help travelers and community members understand what this property once offered and what its future holds.
Last checked: 2026-07-16
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Address: 1010 Bandana Boulevard W, Saint Paul, MN 55108 · Phone: (651) 647-1637 · Toll-free phone: (800) 780-7234 · Amentities featured: Indoor heated swimming pool, fitness club, free breakfast, 70-channel cable/satellite TV, free wireless internet · Recent status change: Acquired by nonprofit Interfaith Action in April 2025 for use as shelter (source: twincities.com) · Number of floors: 2
Published: April 2025
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-16.
Sources reviewed: official property description site (hotelsofminnesota.com), local journalism (twincities.com), neutral review platform (trivago.com), tourism authority site (exploreminnesota.com), booking aggregation platform (hotelplanner.com), consumer review platforms (TripAdvisor, Yelp, Booking.com), family travel editorial site (familyvacationcritic.com), and reservation listing site (reservationdesk.com).
No on-site visit was conducted, no staff interviews were performed, and no independent price verification was undertaken.
Snapshot: best western plus como park hotel
- Best Western PLUS tier (midscale plus) – 110 sleeping rooms (HotelPlanner)
- 1010 Bandana Boulevard W, Saint Paul, MN 55108 – Phone: (651) 647-1637 (Trivago)
- Indoor heated swimming pool, free breakfast, free wireless internet, 70-channel cable/satellite TV (Family Vacation Critic)
- Acquired by Interfaith Action in April 2025 for conversion to a shelter (Twin Cities)
Key facts at a glance
| Address | 1010 Bandana Boulevard W, Saint Paul, MN 55108 (Trivago) |
| Phone | (651) 647-1637 (Trivago) |
| Toll-free phone | (800) 780-7234 (Trivago) |
| Total sleeping rooms | 110 rooms (HotelPlanner) |
| Non-smoking rooms | 87 (Trivago) |
| Suites | 2 (Trivago) |
| Floors | 2 (HotelPlanner) |
| Amenities featured | Indoor heated swimming pool, fitness club, free breakfast, 70-channel cable/satellite TV, free wireless internet (Family Vacation Critic) |
| Recent status change | Acquired by nonprofit Interfaith Action in April 2025 for shelter conversion (Twin Cities) |
What is the current status of Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel?
The property at 1010 Bandana Boulevard West operated as the Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel until its sale to Interfaith Action, a nonprofit organization, was announced in October 2024 (Twin Cities). The hotel is no longer accepting standard hotel reservations; the building will be repurposed to address growing community shelter needs.
Background of the hotel at 1010 Bandana Blvd W
According to a TripAdvisor user review, the hotel occupies part of the historic Bandana Square complex, originally a railroad maintenance facility dating from the late 1800s to early 1900s before being converted into a mall and later a hotel (TripAdvisor user review). Guest reviews frequently reference the unique architecture resulting from this repurposed railroad heritage.
April 2025 acquisition by Interfaith Action
Interfaith Action, a nonprofit serving the Twin Cities, purchased the hotel in early 2025 with plans to operate it as a temporary shelter (Twin Cities). The transition marks the end of the property’s run as a commercial hotel under the Best Western Plus brand.
Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel reviews
Guest feedback across platforms shows a mix of experiences. On Booking.com, the hotel holds an aggregate score of approximately 7.5 out of 10, with free Wi‑Fi rated around 6.9 (Booking.com). Yelp reports a lower rating of about 2.2 stars from roughly 67 reviews (Yelp), indicating significant variance between platforms.
Guest feedback on amenities
Multiple reviewers on TripAdvisor and Family Vacation Critic highlight the free breakfast buffet with many choices, the indoor pool and hot tub, and the clean, comfortable rooms (Family Vacation Critic). However, some recent reviews note a decline in overall quality compared with earlier stays (Trivago DE).
Review sentiment summary
A June 2024 TripAdvisor reviewer praised a large king room with three big windows, clean conditions, and friendly staff, rating the experience 10/10 and calling it “one of the most unique hotels” they had stayed in (TripAdvisor India). In contrast, a February 2025 reviewer reported arriving late to find no parking available, suggesting limited lot capacity during peak times (TripAdvisor US).
Why is Best Western Como Park closing?
The hotel closed because Interfaith Action acquired the property to repurpose it as a shelter for people in need (Twin Cities). The nonprofit’s announcement cited growing community needs for temporary housing in the Saint Paul area.
Nonprofit shelter conversion plans
Interfaith Action’s plan involves using the 110-room building to provide safe, dignified shelter, moving away from the traditional hotel model. The organization has not released detailed timelines for the conversion.
Community needs addressed
According to the Twin Cities report, the acquisition addresses a shortage of emergency shelter beds in Ramsey County. The hotel’s existing infrastructure — individual rooms, bathrooms, and common areas — makes it suitable for rapid adaptation.
Details on 1010 Bandana Blvd W: Best Western Bandana Square
The property was often referred to as the “Bandana Square” hotel due to its location within the historic Bandana Square complex. It contains 110 rooms across two floors (HotelPlanner).
Room count and floor plan
Trivago breaks down the room inventory: 87 non-smoking rooms, 5 disabled-accessible rooms, and 2 suites (Trivago). Check-in is at 3:00 pm, check-out at 12:00 pm (HotelPlanner).
Amenities: pool, breakfast, fitness
Despite some OTA metadata claiming no pool exists, multiple guest reviews confirm an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub (TripAdvisor India). Free breakfast, a fitness club, and free Wi‑Fi are also listed by Family Vacation Critic and Hotelsofminnesota.com (Family Vacation Critic).
Pricing band
As a Best Western PLUS property, the hotel occupied the midscale-plus segment. Free breakfast and standard room amenities positioned it at a moderate nightly rate, typically lower than full-service hotels but above budget motels. Specific rates are not independently verified here; travelers can compare current prices on booking platforms. (No on-site price check was conducted.)
Location and getting there
The hotel is located at 1010 Bandana Boulevard West in Saint Paul’s Midway neighborhood, approximately nine miles northeast of Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (Family Vacation Critic). It sits within walking distance of Como Park and the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, and is a short drive from the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Limited on-street parking and a lot are available, though a February 2025 review noted the lot can fill up (TripAdvisor US).
Alternatives near 1010 Bandana Blvd W, Saint Paul
Since the hotel is no longer accepting reservations, travelers seeking midscale lodging near Como Park may consider other properties. Options in the area include the Holiday Inn St. Paul – Downtown, the Hampton Inn & Suites St. Paul/Maplewood, and the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, St. Paul – Northeast. These properties offer similar amenity sets (free breakfast, indoor pools, Wi‑Fi) at comparable price points. Exact availability and rates should be checked on booking platforms.
Our pick for travelers seeking midscale Saint Paul lodging
Given that the Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel is no longer operating as a hotel, our recommendation shifts to alternative properties in the Saint Paul area that offer the same mix of value and convenience. For families visiting Como Zoo, the Hampton Inn & Suites St. Paul/Maplewood provides a strong combination of free breakfast, indoor pool, and proximity to attractions. For budget-conscious solo or business travelers, the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson offers reliable midscale accommodations. Our pick is not based on a stay at the original property but on comparable verified amenities and guest ratings from the same source types used in this review.
Timeline: key dates in the hotel’s recent history
- Mid-2020: Guest reviews on Hotelsofminnesota.com describe comfortable stays in queen rooms, praising staff and free Wi‑Fi (Hotelsofminnesota.com).
- June 2024: A TripAdvisor user reports a highly positive experience (10/10 rating) with a large king room, clean conditions, and friendly staff (TripAdvisor India).
- October 2024: Booking.com aggregate score stands at approximately 7.5/10 (Booking.com).
- February 2025: A guest arrives late to find no parking available, indicating capacity challenges (TripAdvisor US).
- April 2025: Interfaith Action acquires the property for shelter conversion (Twin Cities).
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Frequently asked questions
How many rooms does Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel have?
The property has 110 sleeping rooms, including 87 non-smoking rooms, 5 disabled-accessible rooms, and 2 suites (HotelPlanner; Trivago).
Is the Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel still open?
No. The hotel was acquired by Interfaith Action in April 2025 and is being converted into a shelter; it is no longer accepting hotel reservations (Twin Cities).
What amenities are available at the hotel?
The hotel offered an indoor heated swimming pool, a fitness club, free breakfast, 70-channel cable/satellite TV, and free wireless internet (Family Vacation Critic). Guest reviews also mention a hot tub.
Why was the hotel sold to Interfaith Action?
The nonprofit acquired the property to address growing community needs for shelter in Ramsey County (Twin Cities). The building’s individual rooms make it well-suited for temporary housing.
Are there non-smoking rooms available?
Yes, Trivago lists 87 non-smoking rooms out of the total 110 rooms (Trivago).
Does the hotel have accessible rooms?
Yes, Trivago reports 5 disabled-accessible rooms (Trivago).
What is the phone number for the property?
The hotel’s direct line is (651) 647-1637; the toll-free Best Western reservations line is (800) 780-7234 (Trivago).
What hotels are near 1010 Bandana Blvd W?
Nearby alternatives include the Holiday Inn St. Paul – Downtown, Hampton Inn & Suites St. Paul/Maplewood, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, St. Paul – Northeast. These offer similar midscale amenities and are close to Como Park and the State Fairgrounds.