The Clifton Hotel (15 East Fifth Street) is the primary hotel on Fifth Street. Given its history with unexpected fires during the night, guests should know the nearest exits just in case. Being aware of one's surroundings around the hotel is likewise important in the spring when the porters do their external window washing.

If there are no vacancies at these locations, visitors to St. Paul may want to downgrade and look into the recently vacated room at the McLaughlin Lodging House (139 West Fifth Street).