The airport and the Mall of America are both in Bloomington.  Just don't stay at the Radisson Blu at MOA; too much security there.  MOA has lots of good dining and shopping options.  Downtown Minneapolis also has a lot of nice hotels, dining, and shopping (not to mention a nice skyway system).  Good luck on your visit, and enjoy the mall.

I'd say Bloomington. Even though it's on the South Side, it's a lot easier for clients to get there. Downtown, even for great drivers, is a thicket of one-ways. One can miss a turn and lose ten minutes getting back where one was. Plus paying for parking, and if there's an event going on, forget it.

Bloomington lies astride the most important freeways and you can get anywhere quickly, depending on the time of day.

For your personal benefit, the Mall of America is quite a place. I'd recommend the Twin City Grill. Classic atmosphere and great food. Or Tuchi Benucch for Italian. And there is a sushi restaurant called Tiger on the second level. Also, take a look at The Galleria, next to Southdale. That place is interesting, moreso if you need a new LV bag.

The previous poster is right, though. The Radisson Blu is very watchful for hobbyists and providers. Try some of the places a little more west. Good luck.

Downtown is just a light rail ride from the airport and has a great variety of places to eat and stay. It is also more centrally located. Rookie city drivers may need some pre planning for downtown, but the traffic in Bloomington is always a mess, and it is on the far south side, so not easy for all to get to.