Best Hotels in Minnesota: A Complete Guide 2026

Minnesota's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: Twin Cities luxury and boutique, home to the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis and Hotel Ivy; historic river towns, home to The Saint Paul Hotel and St. James Hotel; and lake country retreats, home to The Hotel Landing and Grand View Lodge. The Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis holds the state's only confirmed five-star rating.

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Explore Minnesota's Top-Rated Hotels

Minnesota's hotel landscape splits between the Twin Cities, a historic river valley running from Stillwater to Red Wing, and a lake country stretching north through Brainerd toward Duluth and the North Shore. Minneapolis and Saint Paul sit on opposite banks of the Mississippi River, each with its own distinct downtown character. Further out, small towns built around breweries and river bluffs sit alongside classic family lake resorts that have operated for generations.

That range gives Minnesota genuinely different trip types within a short drive of each other, from downtown luxury towers to century-old lakeside lodges. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.

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How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional where a source figure exists, and unlisted where it doesn't, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

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Minnesota's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

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Twin Cities Luxury And Boutique

Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis

• Rating: 4.5 (476 reviews)
• Category: Five-star luxury tower
• Standout feature: this downtown property is widely recognized as the only true five-star hotel in Minneapolis, featuring Mediterranean-inspired dining from chef Gavin Kaysen and a full wellness floor with indoor and outdoor pools
• Best for: travelers wanting Minnesota's single most decorated luxury property, two blocks from the Mississippi River

Hotel Ivy

• Rating: 4.5 (708 reviews)
• Category: Upscale boutique tower
• Standout feature: this downtown Minneapolis tower has hosted celebrity guests including Jerry Seinfeld, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry in its penthouse suite
• Best for: couples wanting a boutique luxury stay with a strong nightlife and dining scene within walking distance

The Marquette Hotel

• Rating: 4.4 (1.9K reviews)
• Category: Historic downtown hotel
• Standout feature: this longstanding downtown Minneapolis property has hosted Hollywood film casts, including Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz, during location shoots
• Best for: business travelers wanting a central IDS Center address with a track record of high-profile guests

W Minneapolis - The Foshay

• Rating: highly rated on major booking platforms
• Category: Upscale art-deco tower
• Standout feature: the hotel occupies floors of the historic Foshay Tower, Minneapolis's original observation-deck skyscraper
• Best for: design-focused travelers wanting a distinctive art-deco stay over a standard modern tower

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Historic River Towns

The Saint Paul Hotel

• Rating: highly rated among Twin Cities historic hotels
• Category: Historic downtown hotel
• Standout feature: this landmark hotel overlooks Rice Park in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, opposite the Ordway Center
• Best for: travelers wanting Saint Paul's cultural district over Minneapolis's downtown core

Hewing Hotel

• Rating: highly rated on major booking platforms
• Category: Warehouse-district boutique
• Standout feature: set inside a converted 1897 warehouse in Minneapolis's North Loop, the hotel features a rooftop sauna and hot tub
• Best for: younger travelers wanting a trendy, design-forward base near North Loop restaurants and nightlife

Lora Hotel

• Rating: highly rated on major booking platforms
• Category: Industrial-chic brewery conversion
• Standout feature: this Stillwater property occupies a working limestone brewery building along the St. Croix River
• Best for: couples wanting a small-town riverside escape close to the Twin Cities

St. James Hotel

• Rating: highly rated on major booking platforms
• Category: 19th-century riverside hotel
• Standout feature: this Red Wing landmark sits directly on the Mississippi River bluffs, dating back to the 1870s
• Best for: history-focused travelers wanting a genuine 19th-century riverside stay outside the Twin Cities

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Lake Country Retreats

The Hotel Landing

• Rating: highly rated on major booking platforms
• Category: Lake Minnetonka resort hotel
• Standout feature: the hotel sits directly on Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata, a short drive from downtown Minneapolis
• Best for: travelers wanting a lakefront resort feel without leaving the Twin Cities metro area

Grand View Lodge

• Rating: highly rated among Minnesota's classic lake resorts
• Category: Classic family lake resort
• Standout feature: this longstanding Brainerd Lakes Area resort has operated as a family lake destination for generations
• Best for: families wanting a traditional Minnesota lake resort further from the Twin Cities

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Minnesota Hotel Taxes And Fees

Minnesota charges a statewide 6.875 percent sales tax on hotel rooms, and cities add their own local lodging tax on top of that. Minneapolis and Saint Paul both add a combined city and downtown improvement district lodging tax that typically pushes the total close to 13 to 14 percent. Smaller towns like Stillwater, Red Wing, and Nisswa set their own local lodging tax rates, so the exact combined charge depends on the specific municipality. Resort fees are also common at larger properties like Grand View Lodge and The Hotel Landing, billed separately from tax, so confirm the exact combined rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking.

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Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Luxury seekers should choose the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis for the state's only true five-star experience or Hotel Ivy for a boutique alternative with celebrity history. History buffs are better suited to The Saint Paul Hotel overlooking Rice Park or St. James Hotel on the Red Wing river bluffs. Families and lake-focused travelers should pick Grand View Lodge in Brainerd or The Hotel Landing on Lake Minnetonka for a resort stay closer to the Twin Cities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most luxurious hotel in Minnesota?

The Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis is widely considered the most luxurious and premier five-star hotel in the state, featuring Gavin Kaysen dining and a full wellness floor. The Saint Paul Hotel and Hotel Ivy are strong alternatives for travelers wanting a different downtown base.

2. Where do celebrities stay in Minnesota?

Celebrities typically stay at high-end downtown Minneapolis hotels when visiting for business or film work. Hotel Ivy's penthouse has hosted Jerry Seinfeld, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry, while The Marquette Hotel has hosted visiting Hollywood film casts.

3. What is the best place to stay in Minnesota?

The right base depends on trip type. City-focused travelers should pick Minneapolis's Hewing Hotel or Saint Paul's historic hotel overlooking Rice Park, while lake-focused travelers should choose Grand View Lodge in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

4. Are there any 5-star hotels in Minneapolis?

Yes, the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis is widely recognized as the only true five-star luxury hotel in the city, sitting two blocks from the Mississippi River. Hotel Ivy and W Minneapolis-The Foshay offer strong 4-star alternatives a tier below.

5. What is the best historic hotel in Minnesota?

St. James Hotel in Red Wing and The Saint Paul Hotel are Minnesota's top historic picks, each dating back to the 19th century. St. James suits river-bluff scenery, while The Saint Paul Hotel suits travelers wanting downtown cultural access.