"Why we love it: An all-in-one café, restaurant, and boutique hotel for the design-minded traveler The Highlights: - A restaurant run by a James Beard Award–winning chef - Complimentary breakfast from the bakery delivered to your room - Excellent design featuring local wares The Review: What started as a contemporary eatery in 1999 transformed into a bakery, restaurant, and boutique hotel in late 2016, when it took over the adjacent Dunn Brothers coffee shop as part of a major expansion. Today, guests are drawn to Alma as much for its acclaimed bar and restaurant as for its seven uniquely designed guest rooms, done up in all-natural cotton bedding, handwoven wool throws, and vintage rugs from Aubry Angelo. The bathrooms are impeccable as well, with spacious, white-and-brass-tiled walk-in showers and organic bath products from Bespoke Body & Wellness. Every stay comes with complimentary room-service breakfast from the on-site bakery, meaning guests don’t even have to get out of bed for house-made pastries like lemon-currant scones, chocolate croissants, and blueberry Danishes. Come evening, head to the award-winning bar for expertly made cocktails like the Spritz Life (made with Cappelletti, prosecco, and chocolate-infused orange bitters), followed by dinner in the restaurant, which offers a three-course prix fixe menu with seasonally inspired dishes such as chestnut bread pudding with Maine lobster, and duck two ways with coconut-braised kale and spiced cashews."

"Alive at Aloft Minneapolis Aloft Minneapolis is as much about style as it is about socializing. With simple design accented by bright (sometimes neon) colors and shared spaces designed for mingling over drinks and games, you’ll feel inspired and energized. The Mississippi riverfront and Guthrie Theater are steps from the door, central downtown’s Nicollet Mall is a short walk away, and a free shuttle will whisk you to all the coolest spots within five miles."

"Why we love it: A historic property full of local details that make guests feel at home in Minneapolis The Highlights: - Prime location in the trendy North Loop - Site of one of Minneapolis’s best restaurants, Tullibee - Local literature, artwork, and spirits in every room The Review: A former farm implement warehouse, the Hewing Hotel has a rustic yet refined sensibility. Located in the heart of the North Loop, just a short walk from some of Minneapolis’s best restaurants and shops, the property mixes exposed timber and brick, tall ceilings, and original industrial elements with high-end finishes, creating an environment that’s at once local and luxurious. Available in five different layouts, the 124 rooms, including 14 suites, are individually designed with exposed wood, metal, and brick accents, plus local details like books, artwork, minibars, and Faribault Woolen Mills throws that speak to Minneapolis. Should you be traveling with your pet, simply pay a $75 fee and you’ll find their name written on a chalkboard alongside those of other furry guests, all under the heading “V.I.Pets,” as well as a treat-stocked bowl in your room. Although Hewing guests are surrounded by one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, they’ll want to save at least one night for dining at the hotel’s renowned restaurant, Tullibee, which serves rustic Nordic cuisine alongside craft cocktails, local beers, and house-made sodas. For something more casual, head to the Rooftop Bar & Lounge for drinks and city views. Also on the roof is a pool and Nordic-inspired sauna, though guests may be more inclined to visit the Hewing Spa, where they can enjoy a range of massages, plus add-on services like wraps, scrubs, and face masks. When you want something more active, head to the 24-hour fitness facility, stocked with treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical trainers; the yoga studio, which offers weekly classes through Gem Life Yoga; or the front desk, where you can rent a custom Handsome bicycle to explore the city."

"With soaking tubs and smart TVs in every room, Hotel Ivy is sleek and sophisticated. In addition to the stylish rooms, the subterranean cocktail bar (Constantine) and coastal Italian restaurant (Monello) are hip destinations in themselves, with renowned local chefs and bartenders from Borough and Parlour at the helm."

"Le Méridien Chambers Minneapolis The modern minimalism of Le Méridien Chambers boutique hotel is accented by all things art. Graffiti-covered stairwells and hallways lead to rooms, each with their own original piece of art by the likes of Brits Damien Hirst and Gary Hume. Located in the vibrant Theatre District, entertainment from live music to stand-up comedy is just outside the door. As a guest, you’ll be granted free admission to the popular Walker Art Museum one mile away. Aside from the art, there are thoughtful amenities like the rain shower and heated floors, and fresh Italian cuisine at the hotel’s Marin Restaurant & Bar."

"Why we love it: The prime location that feels off the beaten path but is still within walking distance of downtown and St. Anthony Main The Highlights: - Its aura of both seclusion and convenience - Historic details like a glass-enclosed elevator - A romantic vibe that’s perfect for a weekend away The Review: Nestled on a little island in the Mississippi River, the Nicollet Island Inn bills itself as Minneapolis’s most romantic hotel—and it’s not wrong. With a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, the property oozes charm, from its traditional facade to interior details like antique furniture, stained glass windows, hand-carved woodwork, and even a glass-enclosed elevator with the original operator’s seat. Equally dreamy are the 23 elegantly appointed rooms, which feature Egyptian cotton sheets, velvet armchairs, and wooden armoires as well as more modern conveniences like plasma TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, and Pharmacopia products in the marble bathrooms. With its scenic dining room and outdoor patio, the on-site restaurant is perfect for everything from business lunches and romantic dinners to five-course Sunday brunches, which are as popular with locals as they are with visitors. There’s also a piano lounge with cocktails and live music. Should you want to venture farther afield, the inn is within easy walking distance of both the idyllic St. Anthony Main neighborhood and Minneapolis’s trendy Warehouse District."

"Timeless Sophistication at the Grand Hotel This boutique hotel in the downtown business district exudes timeless class, with accents of wood and leather throughout. While the rooms are spacious and elegant, the most impressive features are the amenities. They rebooted the hotel’s historic 1915 beginnings as the Minneapolis Athletic Club with a massive modern fitness center, including a full indoor six-lane lap pool, running track, and racquetball, handball, and squash courts. The swanky hotel lobby serves food and drinks from the infusion specialists at Six15 and has a complimentary wine reception hour for guests each night."

"It’s been a fixture of downtown Minneapolis for forty years, but a $25 million renovation unveiled in summer 2017 established the Marquette as an iconic hotel. Well connected to the city via the IDS Center and Minneapolis Skyway and a couple of blocks from the light rail, the Marquette is a solid choice for Twin City travelers of all interests. Comfy rooms are done in cool greys and blues, hung with Minneapolis-themed art and photographs, with large windows overlooking the city skyline; suites may have kitchenettes, jacuzzi tubs, and space for entertaining. A daily happy hour draws downtown office workers to the bar at Jacques, the hotel’s signature restaurant, with creative cocktails and a menu of comfort food and rustic Italian fare. Look out for the reinvention of Basil’s restaurant, where you can vie for a spot at Mary Tyler Moore’s dedicated table."

"Why we love it: A lakeside retreat that feels like staying in someone’s home The Highlights: - A peaceful setting overlooking Como Lake - Hearty, multicourse breakfasts each morning - Security in the form of a miniature schnauzer named Lenny The Review: Travelers in search of true Minnesota hospitality would be wise to book a stay at the Como Lake Bed & Breakfast. Located in a residential neighborhood just three miles from downtown St. Paul, the property occupies a three-story Craftsman house built in 1915. Today, innkeeper Carla Sherman runs the B&B much like she did when it was her family home, making guests feel welcome with friendly service, its cozy design, and a home-cooked breakfast each morning. Her miniature schnauzer, Lenny, serves as the inn’s pet ambassador and works hotel security in his free time. Decorated with Carla’s eclectic collection of antiques, accommodations include three cozy rooms on the second floor and a suite that occupies the entire third floor of the house. All offer beautiful views of Como Lake, while the suite features 10 skylights, a double Jacuzzi, a fireplace, and a kitchenette. On the main floor, there’s a parlor with a baby grand piano, and a dining room with hardwood floors, oak trim, and a gorgeous built-in buffet. Guests gather here each morning for multicourse breakfasts prepared with local, organic ingredients, then head out to the front porch, where they can sip coffee amid views of the lake. As a bonus, the B&B is committed to green practices like LED and CFL lightbulbs, nontoxic cleaning products, and solar power that was installed in 2016. When you want to explore, walk to the nearby bus stop and head into St. Paul—just don’t forget to sign the travel journal before you go."

"European Elegance in the Modern Midwest A top hat–adorned doorman welcomes you through the ivy-covered façade and into a bygone era of marble columns, chandeliers, plush furniture, and wooden four-post beds. If a horse and carriage pulled up at the valet, it would fit right in—and in fact, that's not an infrequent sight, as carriage tours are offered around the city. The Old-World charm of this historic landmark is complemented by modern amenities and easy access to city attractions like the Science Museum and Grand Avenue’s shopping, dining, and nightlife, as well as to green escapes like neighboring Rice Park and the Mississippi riverbank."