Bleisure Travel — The 10 Best Minnesota Destination Hotels

They say half the fun is the journey, but at these ten destination hotels, all the fun happens when you arrive. You’ll find everything you need to mix business with leisure at any of these Minnesota hotels:

Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack, Columbus, MN

Part of the GrandStay Hospitality Group, Running Aces adheres to the brand commitment, “Every Guest — Every Time.” That means a modern, Scandinavian-designed hotel that offers an “Up North” feel with large rooms, business center, workout room, indoor pool, hotel bar, and free WiFi. It’s poker rooms, table games, blackjack tournaments, and live racing. It’s entertainment, like bingo and comedy shows. And finally, it’s Minnesota-inspired cuisine, serving up a menu of local favorites like Tater Tot Hotdish, Italian Sausage Bake, Steak Frites, and Pot Roast. The hotel atrium can hold up to 450 guests for a standing reception and up to 200 for a banquet. No question, this is the place to be for your next event.

St. Paul Hotel, St. Paul, MN

Regarded as one of the country’s premier hotels, the St. Paul Hotel is a luxurious and historic destination in the heart of the capital city. From intimate gatherings of up to 100 in the James J. Hill Room to world-class banquets for as many as 260 in the Promenade Ballroom, the meeting and event space here is unparalleled. Post meeting, guests can surround themselves in comfort and style in one of the 255 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites. Hotel amenities include WiFi, 24-hour valet parking, complimentary local transportation, business center, and fitness center. The St. Paul Grill is widely considered to be one of the finest restaurants in the Twin Cities serving up chef-driven American fare. The M-Street Café, Lobby Bar, and 24-hour in-room dining offer extraordinary dining options.

Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection, Minneapolis, MN

The sophisticated Elliot Park Hotel is located in the heart of historic downtown Minneapolis, and within walking distance of the Minneapolis Convention Center, US Bank Stadium, and Target Field. Meeting and events here are memorable with more than 3,000 square feet of meeting space, high-speed WiFi, videoconferencing, and full AV services. Attendees can relax in Scandinavian-inspired rooms and suites with in-room Amazon Echos, streaming services, and iOS docking stations. Taste the flavors of Tuscany at the hotel’s Tavola Italian Kitchen & Bar serving traditional wood oven, rustic dishes and exceptional seasonal wines.

Hotel Landing, Wayzata, MN

The grand Hotel Landing hugs the shores of Lake Minnetonka, one the Twin Cities’ most upscale communities. The hotel offers a two-story indoor/outdoor restaurant, Nordic-inspired spa, chic guest rooms and suites, fitness center, and spa. Plan your meeting or event here and choose from a wide range of spaces, including the Board Room for up to 16 or the Wayzata Room for as many as 226 guests and two private balconies. The hotel restaurant, Nine Twenty-Five, offers a unique dining experience with a menu of seasonally driven dishes and an extensive wine and whiskey list that will impress even the most particular guests.

North at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa, MN

The newest boutique hotel in Minnesota, North at Grand View Lodge welcomes guests to 60-room, modern, state-of-the-art lodging with big city amenities in the midst of the Northwoods.  Enjoy fun year-round here with indoor and outdoor pool, waterslide, and hot tub. Guest rooms are spacious, and the hotel is within walking distance of the Main Lodge, Glacial Waters Spa, NorthPark Recreation Center, Grand Outfitters, and more. There are 7 meeting and event spaces, including the Gull Lake Center with 25,000 square feet of space. With 10 different dining options, there’s something here for every appetite.

St James Hotel, Red Wing, MN

Set amid the iconic Mississippi River and majestic bluffs of Red Wing, the St. James Hotel has been a charming treasure in southeastern Minnesota since opening its doors in 1875. The upscale guest rooms are all unique in size, layout, and décor, and many are named after a former or current Mississippi riverboat. Meeting and events here are nothing short of inspiring for groups as small as 6 or as large as 240. And for a lavish dining experience, choose from either Jimmy’s Pub or The Port with its elegant atmosphere and cuisine rooted in the seasons of the Midwest and inspired by global influences.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Welch, MN

This Caribbean-themed resort invites guests to enjoy its spacious hotel with luxury spa, fun-filled waterpark, bowling, arcade, golf, and marina. But that’s not all. The casino features slots, table games, bingo, poker, and pull tabs, plus live entertainment, bars, and lounges. Relax in any of the hotel’s luxury guest rooms or stay at Treasure Island’s RV Park. The resort offers 50,000 square feet of meeting space for conferences, banquets, tradeshows, and more. Afterward, enjoy both casual and fine dining in any of the resort’s 7 restaurants.

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, Rochester, MN

Located just 2 blocks from Mayo Clinic and 8 miles from Rochester International Airport, the Hilton Rochester features modern guest rooms and suites, with fitness room, spa, pool, and business center. Dine in any of the hotel’s 3 restaurants including Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse offering a menu of hand-cut, perfectly aged Midwestern beef, specialty seafood, chicken, and lamb. Meetings and events here are sublime with two ballrooms consisting of 20,000 square feet of convention space and panoramic views of the city.

Holiday Inn & Suites Minneapolis, Lakeville, MN

The award-winning hotel is located just 15 miles from the Mall of America and just minutes from the Twin Cities, Valleyfair, the Minnesota Zoo, Buck Hill Ski Area, and Canterbury Park. Guest rooms and suites are comfy and feature free high-speed WiFi, cable TV with premium channels, pillow top mattresses, and whirlpool or spa bathtubs. Enjoy delicious steaks or brick oven pizza at Ruby’s Red Eye Grill or lighter fare, such as homemade soups and salads. Groups will love gathering here with five meeting rooms, 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, and modern AV equipment.

Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, Eagan, MN

Coming in October 2020, the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel will be conveniently located near downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul, the Mall of America, and the MSP International Airport. Part of a bold mixed-use development, the hotel will offer guests a choice from more than 500 rooms. The destination will also include a performance center, stadium, restaurants, entertainment, fitness center, walking and biking trails, and event space with free parking.