Prarie Island Lodging

[bigblock454]

Red Wing, about 15 minutes from the plant, has several hotels for short term stays.  Right on the "island" is the "Treasure Island Casino" which has RV facilities I'm told by fellow contractors.  For longer term stays the "Pottery Place" at 2000 Old West Main St. has about 25 apartments on the 4th floor of an old converted pottery.  The first 3 floors contain commercial offices, various shops, and a pizza place.  This joint is nice & convenient.  Other apartments and rental homes are listed in the local newspaper, "Red Wing Republican Eagle" I think it's called.  Some other long term contractors I know stay in Hastings which is a little further from the plant opposite Red Wing.

[Llama]

Redwing lodging:
http://www.traveltoday.net/hotels_in/red_wing/mn/usa/?affiliateID=2&subAffiliateID=1009
   These are a little bit pricy, but are close to the plant.
I stay in Lake City which is about 23 miles away, but lots of motels and the people are very friendly. Some people stay in Hastings which is about as far away as Lake City.
You can email me for more lodging info.

[Already Gone]

If you're used to living in the Northeast, or other densely populated areas, Red Wing will shock you.  If a total stranger starts a conversation with you, he's not crazy, he's just being friendly.  People in the town and at the plant are very outgoing and friendly, as well as polite and cooperative.

If you like gourmet food, try the Stag Head.  Definitely order the pork tenderloin if you can get it.

If you like bowling, playing pool, or watching sports try the Bierstube.  They have really good dinners there too.  I liked the Rachel Sandwich.

Fiesta Mexicana is pretty good Mexican food.

Of course there is the casino.  For those who don't know, there is a casino/hotel on the same reservation as the plant.  Some of your in-processing training will be held either at the casino or the tribal community center.  The hotel is too expensive for the per diem, but you can play the slots, watch football, catch a show, or eat at the buffet

There are a lot of new businesses in town.  In just the last year and a half there is a new Target, Wal-Mart, and Applebees.  I prefer the smaller shops downtown, but there is always the Mall of America about an hour away.

Couldn't find Canadian beer anywhere except a little dive called Bea's.  All they had was Sleeman's.

If you like Karaoke, it's happening at one bar or another on any given weeknight.  I think it is Thursday at Guppy's (used to be a movie theater).

Take a drive up into the Bluffs Park.  You can see forever from the vantage point.  The plant looks like two little lumps from there.

[radman55]

StagHead is definitely a great eatery and  tap room.  This new owner has carried over the great food.  It is a little pricy but good eatin'.  One post called it gourmet but that was just the price.  The new owner has a large variety of beers.  A friend of mine, a real beer affectionato, suggested the Mared Sous (Belgian) on tap.  It is simply the best I have ever tasted.  It is a great place for food with friends.

[lrunget]

There are Condo rentals in Lake City, Willows are cheaper.  Not sure about weekly but it is comparable to hotels in area and have one and two bedroom.
http://www.willowsontheriver.com/
http://vacationsinlakecity.com/pages/1/index.htm
It helps if you tell them you are working at the plant. 

[Already Gone]

PI is built on the tribal lands of the Prairie Island tribe of the Dakota Sioux.  Also on this property (very close to the plant) is the Treasure Island Casino and Resort.  The hotel is a little pricey for the per diem, but they have an RV park which is open spring, summer, and fall.  (They might not be open for the normal November outages at PI).  Otherwise, the nearest place to park an RV is in Hastings, I think.  Hotels are in Hastings and Red Wing.  I prefer Red Wing, but both towns are about the same distance from the plant.
During training, (some of which may actually be held in the casino itself) their buffet is the best deal, as well as the only food within a reasonable driving distance.  Everything else is way too far away.  There was no food service on site other than vending machines when I was there last.  Pack your lunch.
The plant itself was a terriffic place to work, but that was before the RPM retired and NMC replaced him with someone from somewhere else.  Reports coming from there are no longer favorable, but I have no first-hand experience of these changes. 
If you go there, post some updated info here.

[JohnK87]

I live on the Hastings side, best lodging is at the Country Inns and Suites 651-437-8870 it's on the east side of Hastings off 316, 2 blocks from 61.  20 minutes door to door, newer hotel with small pool.  I can't speak to the Red Wing lodging.  There are a couple B&B's in Hastings that have corporate rates, weekdays or by the week that would be competitive with the casino hotel- thorwoodinn.com is nice, I've stayed at both their inns.  Great if traveling with the spouse.

[Lorrie Henson]

Empire Rentals in Empire, MN.

http://www.empirerentals.net/empirerentals/index.html

It's about 23 miles from the plant.  Ask for Vern. 


Lorrie 

[MercTech]

I was quoted $125.00 a week for an RV spot at the Casino.
Sounds like a good deal.

Steven

[Cathy]

I was quoted $125.00 a week for an RV spot at the Casino.
Sounds like a good deal.
Steven

The only way you could get closer to the plant from the RV spots at the casino is if you slept in the plant parking lot. It is literally across the street. I am not sure when the outage is but it would be wise to bring or get heat tapes to keep your pipes from freezing. I went there for 10 years and I have seen it nice in November and cold in September, hard to tell how their weather goes. I will tell you this, in the winter it can get damn cold!!

[lrunget]

Lodging at the Rivage in Lake City.  This is a 2 bedroom unit.
Available the end of August. 
Please contact:

Michelle Perrige Heine
Morris Law Group, P.A.
7241 Ohms Lane
Suite # 275
Edina, MN 55439
952-832-2000 x107 (office)
866-838-5833 (toll free)

612-965-6646 (cell)

michelle@morrislawmn.com

[JessJen]

So far my searching has uncovered the Days Inn in Redwing at the price of 44.99 a night for a single occupancy room.  Does anyone have any information concerning the hotel or area it's in? 

[Lorrie Henson]

Hey Jess.....

We've stayed in several places while there.  For the price, I would suggest the following.  Jim stayed there... I think the only thing you need to bring is your bedding and towels.  Call Vern and tell him the Hensons sent you.

Empire Rentals in Empire, MN.

http://www.empirerentals.net/empirerentals/index.html

It's about 23 miles from the plant.  Ask for Vern.  


You can also contact the Willows.  These are condos  in Lake City (~23 miles south of the plant) and we were able to get a 2 bedroom, VERY nice condo for $1500 a month.  Wouldn't be a bad price if you could find a roomie.

http://www.willowsontheriver.com/

[JessJen]

Thanks Lorrie!

I'll give them a call and check the availability. 

[longbow55]

Jess,
   
     Sent you an e-mail about some leads on rentals.

[JessJen]

Thanks!

[jay]

NEW RATES FOR UPCOMING OUTAGE IN APRIL 2010 FOR DAYS INN IN RED WING, MINNESOTA. ONE BED ONE PERSON $ 35.00 PER NIGHT AND TWO BEDS TWO PEOPLE $ 45.00 PER NIGHT. IF YOU STAY 30 DAYS OR MORE YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE TAX ON THE TOP OF ROOM RATE. PLEASE CALL 651-388-3568 AND ASK FOR JAY.

[Silverback]

NEW RATES FOR UPCOMING OUTAGE IN APRIL 2010 FOR DAYS INN IN RED WING, MINNESOTA. ONE BED ONE PERSON $ 35.00 PER NIGHT AND TWO BEDS TWO PEOPLE $ 45.00 PER NIGHT. IF YOU STAY 30 DAYS OR MORE YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE TAX ON THE TOP OF ROOM RATE. PLEASE CALL 651-388-3568 AND ASK FOR JAY.

Are these rates still good?

[jeffco]

ok here i go, i am getting ready to start my first outage (stp) and then going to prairie island
after 6 years from leaving doe (RFETS). i have a place lined up in bay city but was wondering
if anybody might have a suggestion on a decent place at prairie island thanks for any help 

[davidmotellodge]

Comfortable Affordable Rooms .... Reasonable Rates Located at the David Motel Lodge in Ellswroth WI.

Phone# 651-434-1490 (Cell)

Website Address: www.davidmotel.net

[jay]

Days inn in Red Wing approx. 14 miles from the plant. Rates $ 39.99 for single and $ 49.99 for the double for 011 outage. Please call Jay @ 651-388-3568

[gsmagnum]

If there is a group of people staying at a given place, be sure to see what you can negotiate.
At the Casino hotel, but there is no continental breakfast and the TV is limited. The nice thing is that it is close, there is entertainment there, and the beds are comfortable.
I have stayed at the Americinn, Country Inn, and the Nichols Inn. They are all decent.
I only lasted 1 night at the Days Inn a couple of years ago. It was clean, but the room wasn't comfortable for me.I will not go back. Sorry Jay.

[jay]

UPCOMING OUTAGE AT PRERIE ISLAND NUKE PLANT IN 2012. RATES AT DAYS INN SINGLE 35.00 DOUBLE 45.00. PLEASE CALL JAY @ 651-388-3568. MICROWAVE, REFRIGERATOR, BREAKFAST, WIFI IN THE ROOM.

[Dustball]

Coming down for this one.  Anyone with a room to rent?  Should be working days in ALARA.  Dusty

[inyourface]

I'm going to be working the SGR and i'm trying to find an apartment for me and my friend.  Preferably in hastings.  does anybody have any ideas where i could start looking.  i'm already at the plant now for dry cask.