The upper Midwestern state of Minnesota has a populace deemed to be so famously courteous and self-deprecating that it has led to the term Minnesota Nice, and it’s not only the people who are nice. The state is home to 10,000 lakes, offering plenty of stunning natural spaces, and its largest city, Minneapolis, with world-class museums and epic parks of waterfalls and rose gardens, is also well worth a trip. Do it in style at these luxury hotels in Minneapolis – bookable on Culture Trip.
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis, for feeling on top of the world
Hotel
Linked directly to the pedestrianized Minneapolis Skyway System, this five-star Marriott is in Downtown West on the corner of 11th Street and 2nd Avenue. The Ivy Tower itself is a rare example of the pyramidal Ziggurat style of architecture derived from ancient Mesopotamia, while the interiors are as majestic as one might expect of a hotel that acts as the home of visiting pro teams in this sports-mad city. Book into the 1,900sqft (177sqm) penthouse for gilded furniture, a private balcony with city views and a complimentary bottle of Dom Pérignon bubbly. If you want to watch the home teams in action, the Target Center (basketball), Target Field (baseball) and US Bank Stadium (football) are all within a 20-minute walk.
W Minneapolis – the Foshay, for a touch of old glamour
Hotel
This formidable art deco tower, complete with a TV mast spire and its name in lights, looks like it belongs in Gotham City. But you need not be Batman to scale its heights; you just need to press the elevator button for the 30th floor to reach its observation deck, offering fantastic 360-degree views of the city. The Prohibition Bar offers similar views from three floors below, with the bonus of speakeasy-style surroundings and a brimming cocktail menu. As a hotel guest, you’ll also have access to a 24-hour gym on the second floor, equipped with punch bags and free weights.
Emery, Autograph Collection, for a classically inspired hotel
Hotel
When you swing through the lobby filled with Corinthian columns and palms, you know you’re in for a treat. Rooms at the Emery range from the slick and simple king to the modern splendor of the marble suite. The former, as you might expect, comes with a king-size bed, hanging reading lamps and a mini-fridge, while the latter is more than twice the size and comes with a shower and a standalone tub, a plush green sofa and a drinks cabinet. Dining options at this South 4th Street hotel include Giulia, serving fresh pasta and oven-fired pizzas. Try the Italian sausage pizza with black apple and gorgonzola for a warming, cheesy feast.
Hewing Hotel, for a Scandi-style stay
Boutique Hotel
You’ll find a range of local craft beers on tap six floors above Washington Avenue at the stylish rooftop lounge at the Hewing Hotel. It’s a great place to sit outside and sip drinks under the spotlights, with the flickering flames of a firepit – and the incredible views – to keep you warm. If that’s not toasty enough, the rooftop also has a Nordic-inspired sauna and spa pool exclusively for guests, and it’s not unknown for bolder residents to dive in – even when a white Minnesotan winter is well underway.
Rand Tower Hotel, for flying high
Chain Hotel, Luxury
You’ll be forgiven for thinking the Roaring Twenties never left this art deco time capsule with interiors and furnishings that are all angled, curved and glittering gold. But a keen eye will note that it’s not The Great Gatsby (1925) or even F Scott Fitzgerald to whom this hotel is a live-in ode – that would be World War I aviator Rufus Rand Jr. His popularity is reflected in the smattering of airplane memorabilia scattered throughout this 1929 skyscraper, from propellers and floodlights to gold-framed blueprints. In your room, flop onto your big bed in your Turkish-cotton bathrobe, and listen to some soothing sounds on the in-room Bluetooth system.
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Graduate Minneapolis, for fitness fanatics
Hotel
Sporty guests will thrive at this hotel on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Head to the TopGolf Swing Suite, and hire one of three private bays for a virtual round on some of the most famous courses in the world, including Pebble Beach and Valderrama. If cycling is more your thing, visit the first-floor gym where you’ll find a range of Peloton bikes with 24-hour availability. When it’s time to satisfy your hunger, head to the Beacon gastropub, serving American favorites such as mac and cheese and fish tacos.
Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis, for getting down to business
Chain Hotel
This 154-room hotel in the business district is a top pick for those in town on a working brief. You’ll find a work desk and a comfy desk chair in each room. When it’s time to let your hair down, the Hyatt has you covered; welcome room touches include BeeKind bath toiletries, a Drybar Buttercup blow-dryer and blackout curtains so that you can get your beauty sleep. For guests with limited mobility, there are a number of accessible rooms with wider doorways, strobe light smoke detectors and an ADA-compliant bath.
Loews Minneapolis Hotel, for a rock-star room
Hotel
The Apothecary Bar and Lounge in the hotel lobby offers a tempting welcome to guests, with a range of local microbrews on tap alongside the option to create your own old fashioned. Tapas-style shareable dishes, including sweet-and-spicy shrimp and chimichurri rice bowls, are served daily. Music fans might want to make a beeline for the Performer Suite, which contains a piano once played by Billy Joel himself. At the Lowes Minneapolis Hotel, valet parking is available for an extra fee.