We are visiting St Olaf and Macalester mid-March. Where should we stay?
My wife and daughter stayed at the AmericInn last fall when visiting St Olaf and it was acceptable.
There are a lot of hotels by the Mall of America and the airport, which are 45 minutes from Northfield (and thus closer to Macalester).
We have a 9 am tour Saturday morning at St Olaf and won’t arrive until quite late Friday night so we would rather stay in Northfield Friday night. Tour at Macalester is Monday so would like to stay in St Paul Sunday night. Many options in St Paul. Fewer in Northfield, esoecially since late arrival seems to rule out Northfield Inn and other B&B type places …
I think the regular chain hotels in Northfield should be fine, although I recommend against the America’s Best Value Inn. I stayed there a few years ago and really didn’t like it.
The historic Archer House, in downtown Northfield, is our favorite (and reasonable). See the following link:
The AmericInn is fine. I’ve also stayed at the Country Inn & Suites; the facilities are fine there, but with the railroad right behind it, sometimes noise was an issue.
The Holiday Inn in Lakeville is also quite nice, and only about 20-25 minutes away.
If you stay at the Country Inn, ask for the highway side to avoid the railroad noise.
Why aren’t you visiting Carleton as you’re already in Northfield? Mom of a Carl here … 
If you tour, you might be able to stay at alumni house: https://apps.carleton.edu/campus/guesthouse/
On the Carleton side of town there is a new B and B called the Northfield Inn. Much farther from the RR tracks and in a pretty residential neighborhood. I would try there first, then Archer House on the Division St side, Americinn, and finally Country Inn on the Hwy side.
Really close to St Olaf is the Contented Cottage B and B but I don’t have any experience with them.
The farthest of the above ( Americinn) is still at most 5 minutes from St Olaf. Easy to get to campus.
Thank you, everyone! We won’t arrive until 2 am so the inns and B&Bs are out. I booked AmericInn in Northfield and Saint Paul Hotel in St. Paul. I will check out Carleton tour schedule for Saturday afternoon. At 22% acceptance rate, it would be a reach for my daughter and she has not wanted to tour places where she is not likely to get in …