As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.

With all the lodging options in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, narrowing them down can be difficult. This list of the best hotels in Minnesota, from the most unique stays to unforgettable resorts, will help winnow the selection when you are looking for the top lodging in the North Star State.

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Best Unique Hotels to Stay in Minnesota

There are many one-of-a-kind lodging options in Minnesota. Some are unique because of their architecture or the structure that houses them, others because of their history, and a few offer experiences unlike other Minnesota hotels.

1. The Covington Inn, St. Paul
Covington Inn/Facebook
  • Address: 100 Harriet Island Road B3, Saint Paul, MN 55107
  • Price: From $170/night
  • Amenities: waterfront, fireplace, downtown location, breakfast
  • Ratings: 4.5 stars
The Covington Inn, 100 Harriet Island Rd, St Paul, MN 55107, USA
Covington Inn/Facebook
The charming Covington Inn is quite possibly the most singular stay in Minnesota. This inn is a retired river towboat that’s been updated, lovingly restored, and converted into a small inn. More of a bed and breakfast than a hotel perhaps, the Covington Inn doesn’t have your typical front desk or lobby bar, but for unique stays in Minnesota, this inn has to make any list. You’ll enjoy the comfortable rooms, and you simply can’t beat the stunning views of downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River. Visit the inn's website for additional information.
2. The Naniboujou Lodge, Hovland
Naniboujou Lodge/Facebook
  • Address: 20 Naniboujou Trl, Grand Marais, MN 55604-2141
  • Price: From $265/night
  • Amenities: lakefront, meal plan
  • Ratings: 4.5 stars
The Naniboujou Lodge & Restaurant, Naniboujou Trail, Grand Marais, MN, USA
Dee Dee/TripAdvisor
A stay in the beautiful and historic ​​Naniboujou Lodge, with its stunning Lake Superior setting, offers a unique experience you won’t soon forget. Most stays require a minimum of two nights and include breakfast and dinner in the lodge's stunning dining room. Unplug in a north woods setting - no TVs or wifi, and little cell service here - with sweeping lake views. Visit the lodge's website for additional information.
3. Celeste of St. Paul, St. Paul
Celeste St. Paul/Facebook
  • Address: 26 Exchange St E, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1671
  • Price: From $129/night
  • Amenities: lobby bar, downtown location, free wifi
  • Ratings: 4.5 stars
Celeste of St. Paul Hotel + Bar, 26 E Exchange St, St Paul, MN 55101, USA
zombienic/TripAdvisor
The charming Celeste of St. Paul is at the corner of Cedar and Exchange in downtown St. Paul. The hotel is housed in a historic beaux arts building that has served as a convent, as well as a school of music and art. Today, it’s a quirky boutique hotel that leans hard into its storied past.

Best Hotel Pools in Minnesota

Clearly, many of the top hotels in Minnesota have pools. This pair, however – one the epitome of refinement and the other all about family fun – has elevated the hotel pool concept with stunning views and top-shelf amenities.

4. Four Seasons Hotel, Minneapolis
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 245 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414-1013
  • Price: From $385/night
  • Amenities: indoor pool, hot tub, outdoor pool, business center, room service, restaurant, lobby bar, spa
  • Ratings: 4.5 stars
Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, 245 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
The Four Seasons Minneapolis could just as easily be included in the luxury hotel setting, however, its indoor and outdoor pools, with their skyline views, are some of the most stunning in the state. Combine that with all the amenities and luxe accommodations of the Four Seasons, such as a spa offering massages and other services, and a Gavin Kaysen-helmed restaurant, and you just can’t do any better for an adult, urban getaway in the North Star State.
5. Edgewater Hotel and Waterpark, Duluth
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 2400 London Road, Duluth, MN 55812
  • Price: From $155/night
  • Amenities: lake views, indoor pool, hot tub, outdoor pool, bar
  • Ratings: 3.5 stars
Edgewater Hotel and Waterpark, London Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Edgewater Hotel and Waterpark, 2400 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
Your family won't believe the views when you walk into this Edgewater Hotel and Waterpark. No, it’s not the Four Seasons, but rather, it’s its own fantastic thing. Combining sweeping lake views across lake superior with a waterpark setting, the Edgewater is a fantastic place for a family getaway. You’ll find outdoor and indoor pools, hot tubs, waterslides, and everything you’ll need for a weekend - or more - of fun.

Best Luxury Hotels in Minnesota

Whether you’re looking for modern elegance or classic style and service, Minnesota’s best hotels can compete with any in the country. This duo exudes service and luxury while exemplifying the aesthetics of their respective cities.

6. Hotel Ivy, Minneapolis
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 201 S 11th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2536
  • Price: From $297/night
  • Amenities: spa, business center, room service, restaurant, lobby bar, skyway access
  • Ratings: 4.9 stars
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis, South 11th Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Hotel Ivy
The ultra-luxe Hotel Ivy, a part of the Marriott "Luxury Collection," is easily one of the top hotels in Minnesota and is home to the best spa in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Whether you’re visiting this five-star hotel to indulge in massages or other dreamy spa services, or to sweeten your dreams in one of the most luxurious suites Minneapolis has to offer, you will not be disappointed with your stay at Hotel Ivy.

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7. The Saint Paul Hotel, St. Paul
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 350 Market St, Saint Paul, MN 55102-1430
  • Price: From $139/night
  • Amenities: lobby bar, restaurant, room service, downtown location
  • Ratings: 4.9 stars
The Saint Paul Hotel, 350 N Market St, St Paul, MN 55102, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
Perhaps the last of the Grand Dame hotels in Minnesota, ​​The Saint Paul Hotel offers the type of classic, luxury hotel experience you would only expect to find in New York, Boston, or another large eastern city. Service is king at The Saint Paul, and you’ll find it throughout the hotel, from the front desk staff to the beloved Saint Paul Grill restaurant.

Best Boutique Hotels in Minnesota

When it comes to lodging, big is not always better, and some of the state’s finest hotels are smaller properties that lean more toward creating an experience for their guests than welcoming as many as possible. This threesome represents some of the best boutique hotels in Minnesota.

8. Hewing Hotel, Minneapolis
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 300 N Washington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1315
  • Price: From $239/night
  • Amenities: bar, restaurant, downtown location
  • Ratings: 4.5 stars
Hewing Hotel, 300 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
The Hewing Hotel is an ultra-chic boutique hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in Minnesota, the Hewing Hotel is a perfect spot for an urban getaway. With its close proximity to the Mississippi River, Target Field, and the North Loop, it’s in a prime location to explore some of the best things Minneapolis has to offer.
9. Lora, Stillwater
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 402 Main St S, Stillwater, MN 55082-5128
  • Price: From $225/night
  • Amenities: bar, restaurant, historic building
  • Ratings: 4.0 stars
Lora, Main Street South, Stillwater, MN, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
Stillwater's Lora was the first among the historic city’s recent spate of boutique hotels, and it holds its own against the newcomers. Lora is a thoroughly modern hotel tucked against the town’s limestone bluffs in one of historic Stillwater’s most historic structures. Lora is an ideal place to set up basecamp for exploring the charming St. Croix River town and all it has to offer.
10. St. James Hotel, Red Wing
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 406 Main St, Red Wing, MN 55066-2325
  • Price: From $135/night
  • Amenities: bars, restaurants, riverfront
  • Ratings: 4.5 stars
St. James Hotel, 1875 - A Historic Hotel of America, 406 Main St, Red Wing, MN 55066, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
The historic St. James Hotel is a gorgeous hotel in Red Wing that first opened in 1875. It’s easily one of the nicest hotels in Minnesota, and quite possibly the finest hotel in the state outside of the Twin Cities. It’s also conveniently located about an hour from either the Twin Cities or Rochester. Red Wing, itself, is a historic Mississippi River town in Minnesota’s gorgeous Bluff Country and makes an excellent destination for a day trip, particularly around the holidays.

Best Resorts in Minnesota

With its many sparkling lakes, wide rivers, and large swaths of forest, Minnesota is home to many unbelievable resorts. These two historic properties have been favorites in the North Star State for decades and set the standard to which other Minnesota resorts aspire.

11. Grand View Lodge, Nisswa
Management/TripAdvisor
  • Address: 23521 Nokomis Ave, Nisswa, MN 56468-2711
  • Price: From $150/night
  • Amenities: lake views, indoor pool, hot tub, golf courses, fitness center, spa, meal plan, free parking
  • Ratings: 4.5 stars
Grand View Lodge, 23521 Nokomis Ave, Nisswa, MN 56468, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
Grand View Lodge is a family-friendly year-round resort that Minnesotans have been flocking to for generations. Its sprawling setting on Gull Lake, along with its multiple nearby golf courses, attracts lovers of all manner of outdoor activities, from ice fishing to biking and sand-castle building. Several equipment rental outposts mean you won’t have to lug your own gear. On the other hand, several dining options, as well as a spa offering massages and other services, also make the resort a perfect place for those who simply want to kick back and relax.
12. Lutsen Resort, Lutsen
Management/TripAdvisor
Editor’s Note: The Lutsen Resort burned down in February 2024, though the owner is hoping to rebuild.
  • Address: 5700 W Highway 61, Lutsen, MN 55612
  • Price: From $180/night
  • Amenities: lake views, fitness center, bar, restaurant, skiing, golf course, indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, free parking
  • Ratings: 4.0 stars
Lutsen Resort, Minnesota 61, Lutsen, MN, USA
TripAdvisor/Management
The venerable Lutsen Resort is the grandaddy of North Shore resorts, and it’s been entertaining guests for decades its beautifully rugged slice of Lake Superior shoreline. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast who wants to establish a basecamp for hiking, biking, kayaking, or skiing - downhill and cross-country - or you just want to curly up in front of a roaring fire with a cocktail and watch the waves pound against the rocks, family-friendly Lutsen is the place to be. Visit the resort's website for additional information.

Clearly a list of a dozen can’t include all of the best hotels in the North Star State. In addition to these 12, there are many more top hotels in Minnesota. Have you stayed at any of these properties? Are there other hotels you would have included?

 

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Best Hotels & Resorts in Minnesota: 12 Amazing Places to Stay

Trent Jonas | March 18, 2023

What are the best hotels for couples in Minnesota?

Any hotel on the list above - some of the best-rated hotels in Minnesota - would make an excellent destination for a romantic couples' getaway. In particular, Lora, Hewing Hotel, or the Saint James Hotel would be fantastic places to hide away from the world and enjoy each other’s company, but they’re not the only places in the state to do so. Other hotels to consider include:

What are the best kid-friendly hotels in Minnesota?

It seems most Minnesota hotels are fairly kid-friendly, but when you’re traveling with kids, you want more than tolerance: You need activities and entertainment. Many places out there fit the bill with outdoor and indoor pools, waterparks, arcades, and the like. One place that stands out because of its unique setting is The Depot Minneapolis. The depot is housed in the historic Milwaukee Road depot in downtown Minneapolis. It’s walking distance to Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, so you can enjoy Vikings or Twins games, as well as Mill City Museum and the Guthrie Theater. The University of Minnesota is a long walk, a short drive, or an easy biking distance away. Not only does it offer an indoor pool in a cool historical setting (with incredible event spaces), but it’s also home to an indoor ice skating rink. Two Marriott properties - The Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel and a Residence Inn - are attached to the facility. And no matter where you stay, after check-in, you have the run of the Depot.

You may also enjoy these other family-friendly options:

 

What are some historic hotels in Minnesota?

Several of the hotels listed above, such as the St. James Hotel, The Saint Paul Hotel, and The Naniboujou Lodge, are not only some of the best and most beautiful hotels in Minnesota but also some of the most historic. If you enjoy a little history with your lodging, check out some of these other top hotels in Minnesota that offer not only fine accommodations but also a story.

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