The Blais: Speakeasy Basement, 5 Mins To Downtown

Do not recommend: We had high hopes for this rental, but unfortunately, it was a major disappointment and we were unable to stay due to the unacceptable conditions. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by a neglected yard with dead flowers, part of the fence missing, and cobwebs covering the back entrance. There are no exterior photos of the home in the listing because it has not been well-maintained. Things only got worse inside.The home had a strong, unpleasant odor, especially in the basement, which reeked of mold and dampness. It was genuinely concerning from a health perspective. The first-floor bathroom had a foul smell that made it unusable. The porch was filthy, and a crack in the glass front door made us feel unsafe. Adding to that, the neighborhood felt dodgy and not at all what was advertised.There were also basic functionality issues: lamps were present but had no outlets nearby to plug them in, making them useless. Overall, the property felt poorly maintained and unsanitary — not remotely suitable for a comfortable or healthy stay.We decided not to spend a single night there, prioritizing our health and safety. Disappointingly, the owner refused to issue a full refund, only agreeing to refund a portion of our stay. For the condition this property was in, that was unacceptable.Save yourself the trouble and book elsewhere. This place should not be listed as a vacation rental until it undergoes serious cleaning, repairs, and honest representation.

I'm writing this from the top level suite of the rental. This place is absolutely amazing! We are here with family and friends attending the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival of Music, which was killer. The decor of The Blais is perfect! We loved the speakeasy area. The photobooth was so much fun! The outdoor area was very nice. We walked to the local restaurants and bars. We will definitely find a reason to return!!

What an amazing find for you our bachelorette party group! Had plenty of beds. Kitchen was spacious and common areas were fantastic. We loved the speakeasy in the basement!!!! Thank you so much!

This was the perfect place for our family to come together. We were in Minneapolis for a weddng and this was great gathering spot.

Comfortable roomy house with great bedrooms and nice kitchen

The home was very comfortable, well decorated and stocked with necessities. The host was very accommodating and the check in/check out process was smooth. There was plenty of space for our large group to gather, and the outdoor space was lovely.

We loved this house! There was so much room for our extended family to hang out, with a variety of spaces, games and activities. While the house is an older classic, the appliances and bathrooms are all very modern. We enjoyed the darts and foosball the game room, the porch on the front of the house, the comfortable living room, and loved hanging out in the speakeasy at night. The bedrooms were spacious and bright, and the beds were comfortable. (Note: there are four levels, with uncarpeted stairs among them so if you have toddlers or anyone with mobility issues keep that in mind.) We were able to walk to Lula and the Bear the first night, about a ½ mile away. We also used the kitchen for breakfasts and lunch and snacks (were there for a wedding so didn't get to explore any other restaurants.) The property manager was super-responsive. We would highly recommend this charming home to anyone looking for a great group getaway!

We had a great time at the house... it was spacious and clean and perfect for gathering with friends for a fun weekend.

Property was perfect for our stay. Host made everything very easy to get in and out. Thank you .

Our family has grown beyond what our home can accomodate so over the holidays we rent properties for 4 adult kids and their spouses. It is hard to find accommodations this large with amenities to keep everyone entertained. This property did not disappoint. The spaces were great, easily accommodating a dozen for dinner, conversing in the living room or mixing drinks down in the speakeasy. There are 4 bathrooms which was a real plus with everyone getting ready in the morning or for dinner in the evening!! The house is old, so the floors squeak and the temperatures fluctuate floor to floor. However, the house has been renovated nicely preserving all the classic details and it appears they have more instore. The yard appears to be a work in progress, but we enjoyed an evening around the backyard firepit. The neighborhood has lots of great restaurants, vintage stores, and activities including GREAT museums. Another bonus is you are 10 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and 10 minutes from the airport! We had a great time – a wonderful property.