Minneapolis hotels

The Hewing Hotel was constructed in 1897 in the city’s revitalized North Loop neighbourhood. Located almost on the Mississippi River, you’ll find multiple nature walks right from the hotel.

With 124 guestrooms, all uniquely decorated and delightfully spacious, the Hewing offers more than your average hotel stay. A loft king with original wood panels and washed brick gives off just the right amount of industrial chic.

What I love most here is how they focus on offering the best of local talent, products and produce. This ranges from their thoughtful farm-to-table restaurant, Tullibee, and rooftop oasis with electric city views, to their interesting events calendar (which offers everything from reiki to live music). The hotel is extremely dog friendly too, and my pup Ella loved the in-room treats and her very own Hewing bed.

Occupying a sleek high-rise building downtown, the Four Seasons Minneapolis is one of the best hotels in Minneapolis for those who like the finer things in life. The luxurious property draws not only the well-heeled of the city, but also an array of interesting travellers coming to the Twin Cities.

There are more than 220 guestrooms and suites to choose from, each with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stellar views. During my stay in one of the River View Suites I spent hours in the enormous oval bathtub watching the mighty Mississippi. The dining here is no less extraordinary: try Mara Restaurant, with its ever changing local-focused menu, or for something quick and casual there’s Socca Cafe for coffee and cake downstairs.

I also loved the hotel’s wellness floor, where I worked out with a trainer, swam laps in the indoor pool and then sweated it all out in the sauna.

Right in the heart of downtown, this Luxury Collection property is one of the best hotels in Minneapolis if you want to be in the heart of the action. I used it as my base as I cruised over to the river just over a kilometre away and visited the city’s orchestra. It’s also just across from the convention centre, making it handy for business travellers.

The guestrooms and suites are decorated in a classical style, and almost all have their own wet bars and kitchens. I loved the white piano in the lobby, and how throughout my stay various guests just sat down to play a little.

After spending time in the hotel’s well-equipped gym, I popped next door to the enormous Anda Spa for some pampering. They’ve really focused on creating unique experiences, offering everything from a crystal sauna and forest bathing to night-time private aroma journeys.

Adjacent to Minneapolis’ buzzy downtown area, this boutique property is centred around the Scandi concept of “hygge”. So, if you’re after that exact cozy, comfortable feeling, this is one of the best hotels in Minneapolis to go for.

The hotel’s rooms and suites reflect precisely that, featuring soft furnishings and plush carpets with comfy sofas and pillows everywhere. As part of that snuggly atmosphere the hotel also offers bath salts, robes and candles for extra relaxation. I loved their pet curated room for my dog, Ella, which had toys, bowls, and snacks all ready for her arrival.

Tavola, the hotel’s Italian kitchen and bar, is downstairs and attracts plenty of locals, who come for the great homemade pasta. After dinner head to The Armory, the city’s best live music venue, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

This playful Canopy hotel is located in the hip Mill District, close to the Mississippi River, and housed in a historical thresher building. In fact, it’s a pair of buildings, both of which are on the National Historic Register and have now been reimagined for travellers who love heritage design done anew.

All of the hotel’s guestrooms and suites are finished with industrial flair. My Junior Studio Suite had a beautiful lofted ceiling and exposed brick walls, with a generously sized bathroom.

The casual on-site restaurant, Umbra, has a menu that celebrates local farms and producers, and draws crowds with its great happy hour deals, as well as its range of craft beers. Even the hotel’s fitness centre is gorgeous, with exposed wood and brick. During my stay I loved taking advantage of the free Canopy bikes to cruise around town and through the beautiful leafy parks on the river.

Located across the street from the legendary Beaux Arts Orpheum Theatre, the Chambers Hotel is in the heart of the action. The boutique property has just 60 rooms and suites and is filled with contemporary art.

After a night out in the Mini Apple, I loved coming back here to soak in the bath, with stellar views over the city. And if you want to gather some friends, there’s also a fantastic outdoor courtyard with a fire pit.

During my stay I grabbed one of their free-to-use bikes to explore—it’s just over a kilometre to the river, the iconic Warehouse District and the Walker Art Center. There’s no on-site restaurant, so instead I walked to some of my favourite restaurants in the city: Laotian hotspot Gai Noi and elevated surf and turf joint The Butcher’s Tale.

If you’re after a spacious room in a cool neighbourhood, this is one of the best hotels in Minneapolis to book. Element Minneapolis Downtown is located in the North Loop area, across from the Target Field train station and close to famed live music venue The Fillmore. Plus, it’s just over a kilometre's stroll from the Mississippi River and fun Warehouse District.

The property itself offers hip urban views from every room and suite. My sleek studio came with a full kitchen and pantry area as well as a dishwasher, and felt like a real home away from home.

The hotel makes lingering easy, with a complimentary breakfast downstairs and a fire pit with comfy sofas on the rooftop patio. Speaking of lingering, if you need to be in Minneapolis for a longer stay, this is a smart option thanks to all the ultra-convenient amenities in the rooms.

One of the best hotels in Minneapolis, the luxury Emery hotel is housed in the marble-filled Midland Bank building, which dates back to 1906. Lodged in the Downtown West area, this centrally located hotel is an easy walk to everything the city offers, from entertainment and dining to the riverfront.

The mid-century design of the rooms and suites complements the fabulous building and all come with unique features like marble baths, quirky art and beautiful objects. Guests can enjoy elevated Italian dining at on-site restaurant Giulia and get their caffeine fix courtesy of local coffee roaster Spyhouse. But my favourite has to be the hotel’s pop-up tropical cocktail bar series, where local cool kids come to hang out.

Last time I visited I took an Emory bike with a cold brew in hand and set off to see the Chain of Lakes and all the contemporary public art in the neighbourhood.

This is one of the best hotels in Minneapolis for those looking to be right by the University of Minneapolis and close to the green river belt. Set in a handsome brick building in the heart of campus, it will take you right back to your student days.

The rooms and suites are decorated with collegiate warmth and have plenty of whimsical touches, including custom headboards featuring pastoral scenes from the local lakes and little red corvette lamps in honour of Minneapolis legend Prince. Downstairs you’ll find The Beacon Public House gastropub, where you can order rounds of beers and pub grub.

I appreciated the hotel’s stay-in-touch text message service, where a concierge can assist with everything from bike rentals to sending up snacks. Although I didn’t need to be on campus for anything specific, the location was superb for walking with my dog around East River Flats Park.

This is one of the best hotels in Minneapolis for Art Deco aficionados. Set in the heart of downtown Minneapolis (with access to the Skyway), the hotel was built in 1929 by a renowned local pilot. They’ve kept many of the original details, including the terrazzo floors and aviation-themed artworks, but updated it for modern travellers.

The plush rooms and suites are decorated with mid-century modern furniture and feature oversized windows offering great city views—try a Studio if you need extra space. Come hungry, as there are three dining hotspots to choose from. Start with champagne and oysters in the lobby at Bar Rufus, followed by cocktails at Miaou Miaou and dinner at the French-inspired fifth-floor restaurant Blondette.

The hotel is also super dog friendly—I found bowls and a bed plus their signature aviator “doggles” waiting for my dog in the room.