MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Radisson Blu hotel, connected to the Mall of America, is now open. The first guests checked in Friday morning, and the staff of 185 is trained and ready.

This luxury hotel has a salt-water swimming pool, a large wine selection and many other amenities.

And mall walkers and hotel guests will enjoy the fact that the hotel’s open to the Mall from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day.

Photojournalist Gordy Leach got a quick tour from the general manager, and gathered some first impressions from mall walkers.