...I am hoping to get some information concerning which area(s) to stay in. Your enthusiasm and local wisdom are greatly appreciated

The airport & Mall of America areas are also good. Best to discuss specific places via backchannel but really can't go wrong any nice place and some discretion.

Several upscale hotels Downtown that you can find pretty easily. Airport is probably next for most though I'm partial to West End or the Galleria area.

Many nice hotels and the light rail is right there.

which makes it easy to get to.

if you come to Mpls I'm sure it will get much hotter!

Thanks so much for your help, boys. I'm thinking sometime in mid- to late May

Should be above freezing by then! I hope!

I hope you do

But you should see Apolis, MN.  It is at least ten times as big.