Service with Heart: North Star Hospitality

With eight cabins and The Lodge sprinkled across the rooftop of Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, Nordic Village is one of the most unique places to dine in the city. It’s also one of the most unique places to work.

Within the ultra-private, cozy confines of the cabins, Nordic Village staff have witnessed - and played a role in - many memorable moments, from engagements to anniversaries to the first sighting of snow. As they embark on a third season in 2024, returning team members share some of their most cherished memories:

Time to Reminisce

The standalone Nordic Village structures are designed to resemble northern cabins, from the wood-planked exterior to the upscale rustic interior courtesy of MartinPatrick 3, and the accuracy inspires plenty of guest nostalgia.

“One of my first cabins was a 50th anniversary and they were telling me how they had a cabin in Nisswa, Minnesota, but had to sell it,” says Samantha, a server in her second season. “It reminded them of when they were young and would go up to the cabin with their family. It touched their hearts to reach such a big milestone and also feel like they were back 50 years ago.”

Team members who grew up going to their own family cabins, or who hail from more rural northern areas, also say they feel at home in Nordic Village.

“Growing up in Central Minnesota in the Brainerd lakes area, everybody has a cabin; everybody is on lake time,” explains Kim, a server in her third season. “Moving to the city and working at Nordic Village is like a home away from home.”

Beyond the authentic cabin aesthetic, the four-course menu and Nordic-inspired flavours bring guests and team members back to an earlier time.

“I grew up making lefse with my family,” notes Brooke, a server in her second season. “That was something I was able to connect with guests over right away – the personal connection to the food.”

Time to Try Something New

While Nordic Village brings back fond memories for some, for others it provides an opportunity for new experiences.

“We had a family dining with us from the south and their children got to see snow for the first time,” recalls Kim. “It was really special, watching them playing on the terrace.”

Adds Samantha, “I had quite a few tables where kids were doing s’mores for the first time. Watching parents teach their children how to do it, they were having so much fun, and nobody cared about the mess. I even had a few adults who had never made s'mores. It was really cool to be able to explain something I had grown up doing.”

The joy of a first winter is shared by team members too. Ethan, a server in his first season, moved up from Florida a year ago and never expected to be working an outdoor job in the snow. “Winter in Florida is just sunny and hot. To get to experience something out of my comfort zone and enjoy winter and the holidays in the way they are typically experienced is really cool.”

Time to Celebrate

The privacy of the cabins, the magic of the terrace’s twinkling lights and roaring fires and the singularly elevated experience provide the ideal setting for romantic moments - including engagements. When it comes to popping the question, the team is on hand to help in any way possible.

“We go all out,” says Madi, a host in her third season. “If there's anything they ask of us ahead of time, we will make it happen. Neon signs, pictures, fake candles, real candles if we can - we pull out all the stops for proposals and special events. We’re all in on it.”

Other times, the romance is well-worn and established. “My first year, I walked in on an older couple who were renewing their vows,” recalls Owen, a server ambassador in his third season. “It wasn’t official, but it was a private setting where they were able to do it. Then they turned on their first dance music and danced in the cabin. It was so cool to see people so vulnerable.”

Time to Connect

Because Nordic Village takes guests on a journey together, groups of colleagues and friends have gathered here for an experience that puts everyone on the same page.

“I was working a holiday employee party last year and most of them hadn’t met each other because they were hired during COVID,” says Andrea, a former server who currently works as the Hotel’s People and Culture Coordinator. “It was their first interaction with each other outside of a screen. It was a little funny at first, and awkward, and I was making awkward jokes to get them comfortable. Thirty minutes in, everyone was boisterous and having a great time. They cheered my name at the end! It was so fun to see.”

Adds Madi, “We adapt to every cabin and every situation differently. One time, a server came back to the back of the house and said, ‘My cabin likes jokes. We need jokes, and if you are comfortable, they want you to present your joke in the cabin.’ Each time we would bring out food, one of us would go in there and present our joke to the party, and then we’d get a round of applause.”

Because the experience is one of genuine care and hospitality, it brings out genuine joy in the guests.

“One table had a dance party in one of my cabins,” recalls Samantha. “Our spirits all flew because they were in there having so much fun.” She notes that this summer, she ran into the same guests on the patio at Riva. “They were talking about how excited they were to come back. It’s nice to see that those memories I am remembering, they are also holding close.”

Adds Owen, “It’s very shareable, so it's not like you get your own plate and that's it. Everyone's sharing, everyone's dipping their fondue in together and just having fun. It's an interactive experience.”

Time for Turkey and Tinsel

Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, Nordic Village offers a special venue for both travellers and Twin Citians who prefer to get together outside the home. Holiday guests will also enjoy special menus befitting each celebration.

“It’s nice that people can bring their families and friends and take out the stress of cooking and dirtying all those dishes,” says Brooke. “They come here, have a beautiful meal, and focus on spending time with each other.”

Since the Hotel opened on June 1, 2022, Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis has been more than a Hotel; it is a place that brings people together – from the first floor to the rooftop Nordic Village.

“It’s a privilege to be able to come in and make other people’s day so special and also celebrate with your team as if they are your family,” says Madi. “Because this truly is my second family.”

Adds Owen, “I never thought I’d be part of so many different families. Holiday guests include you in their celebrations as well.”