Minneapolis is known for its many lakes, vibrant arts scene, and famous Juicy Lucy burgers. Even better, Minnesota’s largest city is home to dozens of top-notch hotels to make your Midwest vacation shine. If deciding where to stay in Minneapolis has you totally stressed out, don’t worry: We’ve got the inside scoop on all the top areas, neighborhoods, and accommodations.
Spanning everything from luxury boutique hotels to budget-friendly lodgings, the best hotels in Minneapolis are spread out all over the city’s unique neighborhoods. From bustling Downtown Minneapolis and the Warehouse District to laid-back Dinkytood and Loring Park, there’s an area here that’ll suit every travel style.
Looking for a neighborhood that’s perfectly curated for your ideal vacation? Follow this guide to the best places to stay in Minneapolis, MN, to choose a district and hotel that’s totally unique to you and your holiday needs!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our United States Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Minneapolis, MN
Choosing which neighborhood will serve as your home base will set the tone for your entire Minneapolis vacation. Depending on the vibe you’re looking for or the types of attractions you’d like to visit, some districts may be better suited to you than others.
For first-time visitors who want to see and do it all, the Downtown Minneapolis core is a great choice. Alternatively, you can remain central with a stay in the Warehouse District / North Loop or Mill District. All of these areas will put you close to many of the top Minneapolis tourist attractions.
Prefer something a little more laid-back? Relax in Loring Park or Dinkytown, where you’ll find more parks, cafes, and quieter streets in a more academic, university-town setting.
The best areas to stay in Minneapolis, MN, are:
Downtown Minneapolis
✓ The ideal neighborhood to stay in Minneapolis for bucket-list tourists
Looking to squeeze in as much sightseeing as possible? Base yourself in Downtown Minneapolis. As with many major cities, the downtown core is where you’ll find the highest density of must-see attractions.
Staying in Downtown Minneapolis will make getting around super easy. With high walkability and several different public transportation options, car rentals, and expensive city parking permits are hardly necessary.
One of the best things to do in Minneapolis is to browse the priceless galleries of the Minneapolis Institute of Art or stand in awe of the Basilica of Saint Mary just steps from your hotel lobby; at the end of the day, there isn’t much you can’t do in Downtown Minneapolis!
The Downtown area is a hotspot for luxury boutique hotels under independent management. You can definitely find something mid-range under a larger hotel chain umbrella, though, if you need accommodations that are more budget or family-friendly; you just might need to do a little digging.
Hampton Inn & Suites – Minneapolis/Downtown
The Hampton Inn & Suites- Minneapolis/Downtown provides the perfect balance of experiences, with a little something to appeal to every type of traveler. There’s a fully-stocked fitness center, so you don’t need to waste time hunting down a day pass to a local gym, large desks in each guest room for traveling professionals that need to get stuff done, and a nice patio for those who want a quiet outdoor hangout after they settle in.
Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection
Get the boutique hotel experience and the Marriott umbrella guarantee at the Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection. Loved for its Hygge-inspired decor, giant windows for taking in the downtown views, and in-house rustic Italian kitchen, this hotel stay is certainly one you’ll want to brag about back home. Plus, each room comes equipped with Smart TVs pre-loaded with all your favorite streaming services, so you can relax the night away.
AC Hotel by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown
The atmosphere at the AC Hotel by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown is utterly romantic. Beyond the stately lobby lounge with an expert resident mixologist and high-design spaces, the hotel also has guest experience down pat. The highlight of your stay? A gourmet European breakfast each morning featuring pastries, artisanal cheeses, freshly-sliced prosciutto, and exotic fruit. Simply delicious!
Rand Tower Hotel, Minneapolis, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
The Rand Tower Hotel, Minneapolis, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is a work of art. These lodgings mix modern luxury with old-world, Art Deco decor—and, boy, are they doing it well! No run-of-the-mill furniture around here: every single piece—from the light fixtures to the rugs—was expertly curated by a design specialist. Among the most stunning features of this hotel are the rooftop garden lounge, ultra-cool cocktail lounge on the fifth floor, and a spiral staircase made of marble.
W Minneapolis – The Foshay
With an observation deck, quirky Art-Deco sculptures, and upgraded suites with giant soaking tubs, W Minneapolis – The Foshay is the pinnacle of luxury. Where is the coolest place to hang out at the Foshay? “The Living Room” is a dark and sleek lobby bar that attracts guests from all over the city with leather couches and dancing, but there’s also a speakeasy-style bar on the 27th floor for a quieter, more sophisticated experience.
Warehouse District / North Loop
✓ The best place to stay in Minneapolis for all-nighters
If you value a good nightlife scene, choose to stay in the Warehouse District / North Loop. The vibe in this area is decidedly young, with plenty of bars (including a large selection of gay bars), restaurants, and other entertainment options.
For a more family-friendly approach to entertainment, you can catch a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field or score tickets to a concert at the Fillmore.
Many of the accommodation options in the North Loop/Warehouse District are suite-style, so even if you opt for a hotel versus a vacation rental, you can still expect to find rooms with all the comforts you enjoy at home, like ensuite laundry and full-size kitchens.
Sonder at SECOND & SECOND
Sonder at SECOND & SECOND is an apartment-style hotel with art-forward room designs, bright spaces, and spacious bedrooms. Even further, you’ll have a private balcony and access to a rooftop lounge with firepits and a bbq for evening hangouts. When staying at a Sonder property, you’ll get the luxurious and modern atmosphere you’d expect from a trendy urban hotel, plus the amenities of home, all with a totally budget-friendly price tag.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown/North Loop
Though plenty of hotels in the area have indoor pools, not many have outdoor pools for enjoying the summer weather. If you’re looking to enjoy the Minnesota summer sun, the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown/North Loop is a perfect choice. The hotel also offers home-style hotel accommodations with kitchens and full desk spaces in every room to bring the convenience of home with you all the way to Minneapolis.
Loews Minneapolis Hotel
One of the flashiest reasons to stay at the Loews Minneapolis Hotel is the state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with Peloton bikes. But that’s not all. Extras are available upon request to make your stay here a great one.
Families may want to take advantage of their kid-friendly games, books, and DVDs, while pet parents will love the pet room service menu, custom dog walking route maps, and availability of pet beds, feeders, and more, so you don’t need to lug around all their extra gear. Still need convincing? Loews was named the top hotel in Minnesota by multiple different publications, including the U.S. News and World Report.
Element Minneapolis Downtown North Loop
Booking the Element Minneapolis Downtown North Loop promise colorful minimalist decor and ensuite workspaces with a view for when you need that extra bit of inspiration. Each night’s stay comes with a free continental and hot breakfast. You can also request a grab-and-go version if you have a busy day ahead, making it a great choice for last-minute business trips.
Mill District
✓ The recommended area to stay in Minneapolis for art lovers
Want to experience the arts and culture scene of Minneapolis? Stay in the Mill District. Between its historic facade and ample selection of top Minneapolis attractions, you’ll never run out of things to see & do here.
To indulge your inner artiste, be sure to check out the Guthrie Theater and the MacPhail Center for Music, both of which are considered to be among the city’s top performing arts venues and make for an entertaining night out on the town.
The Mill District is home to plenty of high-end hotels owned by larger chains such as Hilton and Marriott. If you want a stay that comes with that corporate guarantee, this neighborhood is a good bet.
Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District
The Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District is all exposed brick, leather, and wooden beams, exuding an old-world, slightly masculine charm. Featuring a lobby that’s surely like nothing you’ve ever seen before, the hotel shine with ultrahigh ceilings, glass walls, and a courtyard-style open corridor that’s sure to impress.
Looking for the best breakfast in the neighborhood? Canopy has a farm-to-table restaurant on site and they’ll happily deliver a savory or sweet breakfast bag to your room. Rise and shine the right way with breakfast in bed!
Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot
The Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, oozes all the cozy vibes with warm lighting, comfy seating in lounge space after lounge space, rustic accents, and decor with a little bit of personality. Looking for somewhere to truly relax? Soak your stresses away in a tiled spa bathtub with vintage gold fixtures (a.k.a your private oasis) or settle around a firepit on the courtyard patio with your loved ones.
aloft Minneapolis
aloft Minneapolis boasts a fun and flirty hotel space, perfect for travelers seeking a mix of experience and value. This sustainability-focused hotel has an ultimate games lounge, Smart TVs for streaming, and a 24-hour pantry with gourmet, grab-n-go snacks. Plus, each guest room has the aloft patented “Comfortable Bed,” and—let me tell you—previous guests do absolutely rave about the quality of their sleep!
Loring Park
✓ The ideal district for hipsters
Named after the park itself, the Loring Park neighborhood is a great place for slower-paced travel. With ever-so-slight hipster vibes, this area boasts plenty of urban greenspaces, indie boutiques for avid shoppers, and craft coffee shops. Loring Park is also a cyclist’s dream, with plenty of bike shops and cycling paths.
When perusing Loring Park itself, be sure to make a stop at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and have a picnic by the lake.
The Loring Park neighborhood is all about luxury hotels. Whether you opt for a top-tier chain hotel, an extravagant bed-and-breakfast, or something in between, you’re sure to be absolutely pampered.
300 Clifton
300 Clifton is a bed & breakfast like you’ve never experienced before—all maximalist, Victorian grandeur. Once the historic mansion of Minneapolis’s most prominent family on the arts scene, a candlelight tour of this museum-quality estate is a must-see whether you’re a guest or not.
Studded with crystal chandeliers, paintings, dark wood features, silver candelabras, and English rose gardens, the B&B will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the past. Traveling throughout the holiday season? Rumor on the street is that 300 Clifton knows how to “deck the halls” for a full Victorian Christmas.
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
You don’t need to spend a fortune to stay in a high-end neighborhood. At a more mid-range price point, the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis offers lovely lounge spaces, deluxe amenities, and more simplistic guest rooms. Above all, this hotel is dedicated to being highly clean and comfortable without making you pay for the extra frills. They also have an indoor pool and a gymnasium, making it a fun and approachable space for families to unwind at the end of busy days of touring.
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is loved for its high tower, “big city” feel. In the swanky but understated accommodation, you can unwind in a large soaking tub, disconnect at the Anda Spa, and take in the city from the private rooftop balcony of your penthouse suite. Talk about romantic! Plus, the Ivy is attached to the Minneapolis skyway system to connect you with all the top attractions nearby—transportation won’t be an issue here!
Dinkytown
✓ The top-rated neighborhood for the under-30s
With the University of Minnesota at its heart, Dinkytown is Minneapolis’ resident college neighborhood and a great choice for younger travelers.
What are the most popular activities here? Thrifting the many antique shops and used bookstores is considered a peak Dinkytown activity, followed by dinner at one of the many pizzerias and live music at a local brewpub.
The accommodation scene in Dinkytown offers a little bit of everything. You can find budget-friendly hotels that will suit students and young families, as well as sure-to-impress, fancy-pants hotels for visiting academics.
Home2 Suites By Hilton Minneapolis University Area
In addition to offering homestyle suites at a moderate price tag, Home2 Suites By Hilton Minneapolis University Area goes the extra mile to save you time and money on your vacation. You can take advantage of the free shuttle and complimentary breakfast every day of the week.
Though this hotel might be best known for its rooftop bar, indoor pool, and modern colorful design, it should also be admired for its commitment to accessibility. Several suites are dedicated to the accommodation of physical disabilities and they even have hearing-accessible suites.
Sonder at MAX
Sonder at MAX offers extra-spacious suites with urban curb appeal; exposed brick, industrial lighting, and bright white linens in every unit. This apartment-style accommodation with boutique hotel flair also offers you ensuite laundry and a stocked kitchen, plus access to a luxurious indoor/outdoor lounge, for the best blend of convenience and indulgence.
Graduate Minneapolis
It may be located on the University of Minnesota campus, but there is nothing student-budget-friendly about this place. The Graduate Minneapolis has the most upscale and fashionable “rustic cabin” setting you’ve ever seen, with a snowshoe chandelier, a statement lobby fireplace, statement wood-circle walls, and outdoorsy wallpapers. Want to practice your golf swing? Rent one of the Graduate’s private luxury golf suites with leather couches, plaid armchairs, and a skilled bartender on call.
Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis – University Area
Looking for pet-friendly accommodations? Check out the Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis – University Area. Deluxe guest rooms have a balcony for enjoying a nightcap or a morning coffee in the fresh air. They even have an indoor pool for an evening dip, regardless of the weather. Feeling hungry? Make a reservation at the trendy garden Grille for a gourmet burger and a pint, or pass through the Made Market bistro, where you can grab sandwiches and snacks to go, 24 hours a day.
