Stay & Play — Minnesota Hotel and Casino Top Picks

The last thing you want to do is gamble with your guests’ accommodations. That’s why booking your bunch into a casino or a premier hotel is the smartest bet you can make! From expansive meeting spaces and a comfy place to rest after a long day, to exciting gaming, mouthwatering culinary options, and Vegas-style entertainment, we suggest you take a chance on some of our top picks for hotels and casinos in Minnesota.

Grand Casino Hinckley

Why we love it:  Just an hour north of the metro, the town of Hinckley offers small town charm and one of the best Casinos east of Vegas. If you’ve got a group of gamers, this is the place to go! Slots, pull tabs, black jack, poker…it’s all here. Big name entertainment, luxurious accommodations, fitness center, spa, golf, pool, whirlpool, and eight dining options, make this the place you’ll never want to leave.

Bonus:  On-site pet kennel allows guests to bring their fur babies along and board them for free.

Grand Casino Mille Lacs

Why we love it:  Known for its stunning Northwoods surroundings and nearby popular lake, Grand Casino Mille Lacs is the perfect get-away. Not only are the guest rooms well-appointed and comfortable, there’s even a five-star RV site here. Groups enjoy ample meeting space with grand ballrooms to accommodate as many as 450. Four dining options 24-hour gaming, nearby championship golf course, and fishing trips make any stay memorable.

Bonus:  Visitors enjoy 10,585 acres of hiking, biking, horse trails, swimming, boating and more at nearby Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino

Why we love it:  There’s just something about the phrase “island escape” that makes Treasure Island especially appealing to Minnesotans. Once guests arrive, the island get-away begins with the on-site spa, water park, six restaurants, exciting gaming choices, bowling, arcade, live entertainment, and enough event space for up to 1000 guests.

Bonus:  Treasure Island’s luxurious 100-passenger Spirit of the Water takes guests on a 2-1/2-hour tour down the scenic Mississippi River.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Woodbury

Why we love it:  The Country Inn + Suites is Sports Approved with a proven record of working with sports groups. The Woodbury hotel offers spacious guest rooms, indoor pool, fitness center, and business center. Classic American fare is served in the on-site Green Mill Restaurant and Bar. Nearby attractions and events are just minutes away including the Xcel Energy Center, CHS Field, and the St Paul RiverCentre.

Bonus:  The hotel offers four meeting rooms with capacity for up to 100, offering free WiFi, on-site catering, state-of-the-art AV, and even a personalized web page for a group’s attendees.

Holiday Inn Minneapolis Northwest - Elk River

Why we love it:  Spacious guest room and suites — including jacuzzi suite — welcome guests to this northwest metro hotel. Event space accommodations for up to 160 people, on-site catering, two dining options, arcade, mini golf, and ping pong make this the ideal place to stay with your group.

Bonus:  The Holiday Inn makes a big splash with Wild Woods Water Park boasting four-story water slides, tube slides, lazy river, and zero-depth entry pool.

TownePlace Suites Minneapolis Mall of America

Why we love it:  Within walking distance of the Mall of America, this short and long-term stay hotel is ideally located in Bloomington, close to the airport, and a variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Apartment style suites with fully-equipped kitchens are available, along with on-site 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool, free WiFi, and pet-friendly policy.

Bonus:  The hotel’s central location makes it easy to navigate to popular area attractions such as Canterbury Park, Highland Ski Area, the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum and the chain of lakes.

Aloft Minneapolis

Why we love it:  A contemporary, tech-savvy hotel located in the city’s trendy riverside Mill District close to US Bank Stadium, Target Field, and the Guthrie Theater. On-site bar and lounge features live music performances, 24/7 state-of-the-art workout facility, while Tactic Meeting Spaces with AV and free WiFi make this the ideal spot for group events and meetings.

Bonus:  The hotel offers an on-site special program for kids under 12 called “Camp Aloft” featuring play options and kid food-faves, like PB&J.

Holiday Inn & Suites Lakeville

Why we love it:  Short and long-term stay is available at the Holiday Inn + Suites with standard guest rooms and suites that feature mini-fridge, microwave, free WiFi and plush bedding. Rudy’s Redeye Grill restaurant serves traditional comfort foods along with lighter fare. On-site business center, indoor heated pool, whirlpool, children’s pool, and water slide provides guests with a great place to both work and play.

Bonus:  The Lakeville location is close to many of the area’s most popular destinations, including the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe, Underwater Adventures, Mystic Lake Casino, and Canterbury Park.

Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot

Why we love it:  Newly renovated, the hotel is in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, close to the Historic Mill District and Mississippi River. Originally built as a train station over a century ago, the ambiance is both charming and historic with many modern amenities, including luxury bedding, fitness center, indoor pool, and on-site restaurant, Milwaukee Road.

Bonus:  The hotel is easily within walking distance or a short train ride to many local attractions including US Bank Stadium, the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum, and the scenic Mississippi River Walk.

AC Hotel Bloomington Mall of America

Why we love it:  Both stylish and comfortable, AC Hotel Bloomington gives dedicated shoppers easy access to the world-renowned Mall of America. Guest rooms and suites feature workstations with ergonomic chairs, flat screen TVs, and complimentary WiFi. European-inspired dishes are served in the on-site restaurant while the fitness center offers a place to burn off some of those calories.

Bonus:  Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is just minutes away for those who want to get in as much shopping time as possible.