Minneapolis outlawed boutique hotels until very recently because the big hotel chains had a lock on the city. Now there are three boutique hotels in Minneapolis. Each hotel has amazing and distinct features and this is what makes them great:
Oaklands on 9th
The Oaklands, as it is called, is an urban sophisticated and original lodging experience. The brownstone was luxury apartments in the 1800s, but thee units have been converted into sheik studios with everything you need for a short or long stay in one space. The building is fully modernized and updated, yet it is seeping with history. These are the aspects that makes Oaklands on 9th incredible:
Kitchens
Every unit has its own kitchen. This is incredibly convenient if you have takeout you want to save then reheat, or if you want to make a full meal. The kitchen is everything you need for a short stay or longer one. This is an incredible amenity.
Contactless Check-In
Modern travelers will love the contactless check in at this Minneapolis boutique hotel. Staff is on site/call 24hrs, but they are not the gatekeepers to your room. Check in instructions are texted to your phone and your private code works to access both the building and your room which increases safety. You can quickly contact staff with a text or phone call, and it is answered by a human. BOOK HERE
Heating and Cooling
This boutique hotels Minneapolis is heated and cooled with modern mini splits that are completely controlled room by room. Green travelers will love that this building is built to embrace renewables, and no gas or oil or fossil fuels are burned anywhere in the building. Because it is an old building, the windows are huge and operable letting in lots of light and air.
Rooms at this Minneapolis Boutique Hotel
Most of the boutique hotel rooms are larger than a downtown hotel because they are essentially entire studio apartments. The furnishings are first class. The bathrooms are modern with walk in showers and beautiful tile work, great lighting and plush linens.
Location
Oaklands on 9th is the only boutique hotel right in the middle of the city. It is kiddie corner to the Foshay Tower where the Prohibition Bar is, Dave’s Downtown restaurant is great in the Skyway across the street, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse also across the street and there is a wonderful coffee shop at the bottom of Oracle Center across the street with huge windows and a fireplace. If you were to put a pin on the exact center of downtown Minneapolis it would probably land on the Oaklands. This makes this Minneapolis boutique hotel perfect for walking everywhere you want to go, even in the skyways which are across the street in all four sides of the building. BOOK HERE
Parking
Usually parking is tough downtown, but Oaklands on 9th has it solved. The boutique hotel has a private parking area right behind the building, and plenty of surface parking through other vendors around the building. This makes the parking at Oaklands cheaper than any other downtown hotel. If the parking behind Oaklands is sold out then you can go to the Benson Lot next door for parking.
History
Even though the Oaklands on 9th is a highly stylish and trendy boutique hotel, everywhere are glimpses into its history. The hallways are an interpretive museum to the original architect Harry Wild Jones. Rooms have old fireplaces, woodwork and chandeliers. Each room has a coffee table book on the architect Jones. The history that was preserved is why this is such a cool Minneapolis hotel.
Who this boutique hotel is for:
The independent, sophisticated traveler with an eye for quality and an appreciation of architecture will love this Minneapolis Boutique Hotel. Travel Nurses will love the location. Digital Nomads will love the WiFi and the desk. It is by far the most affordable, safe, well run furnished extended stay in downtown Minneapolis. If you want to be right in the heart of downtown, love the convenience of your own kitchen, and can figure out details on your phone instead of needing a staffed check in counter, this is the boutique hotel for you. BOOK HERE
300 Clifton B&B
The era of stuffy Bed and Breakfasts has come to an end, and 300 Clifton has redefined how an urban B&B operates. This Minneapolis boutique hotel is a huge estate on a quiet mansion neighborhood in downtown Minneapolis. Here is a map of the location. As you pull up to the mansion, the first look will tell you that you made the right choice. If you want an Unforgettable Experience in Minneapolis, this is the place to stay. BOOK HERE
Themed Rooms
If you are going to stay at one of the boutique hotels Minneapolis, you understand design aesthetic and you are not wanting a cookie cutter chain hotel experience. The rooms at 300 Clifton all have modern bathrooms and amenities, but the original use of the room was not whitewashed. When you stay in the Blacksmith’s Forge, you can set your coffee down on an anvil or brush your teeth in the forge itself. This room is the coolest and most unique in the hotel. In the Hayloft (pictured below), you sleep in a historic wagon, and in the daughters room you sleep beneath an immense chandelier. The stylish unique decor of this boutique hotel takes the visitor back to the mansion’s historical roots. BOOK HERE
Unparalleled Grounds
Unique in Minneapolis, the mansion at 300 Clifton still retains its immense gardens. The experience is surreal. Listen to water bubble in the English garden, while you feed the resident pair of ducks and koi with the city skyscrapers towering a block away. The original gardens were modeled after gardens in the Estate of Mt Stewart in Ireland. There are five distinct gardens at the Minneapolis boutique hotel. What makes the estate fabulous are these spaces as well as the insanely gorgeous interior rooms which are all part of your experience.
Sophisticated Staffing
300 Clifton uses a new and unique approach to the Bed and Breakfast which retains all of the best aspects of the B&B and Boutique Hotel concepts. Staff is present, available and responsive, and the service is highly personalized, but the boutique hotel is run like a professional business, not a home. It is a much bigger operation than a typical B&B and guests recognize that in the flawless execution, yet it still feels small, intimate and quaint like a boutique hotel.
Fair Price Structure
There are several price tiers of rooms to choose from. High end rooms have luxurious in room amenities, while affordable rooms get great accommodations at a reasonable price and the experience of the mansion.
Location of this Boutique Hotel Minneapolis
300 Clifton Bed and Breakfast has the best of both worlds. The boutique hotel has a huge estate surrounded by gardens on a quiet street, yeet it is steps from the skyscrapers in downtown Minneapolis. It is in the Loring Park Neighborhood which has world class restaurants like Lurcat and Gai Noi, right across the park. A block down the hill is the exeplary PS Steak. 300 Clifton Mansion is the closest Boutique Hotel to the Walker Art Center, a block away. The mansion is also walking distance to Minneapolis Institute of Art. Nearby bars include Mortimers bar with live music, Litt Pinball Bar and Leaning Tower of Pizza. Parking is a breeze at 300 Clifton, and access to the interstate is super close. There really isn’t a better situated location for a boutique hotel in Minneapolis all things considered.
Unique Breakfast Concept
The biggest break from the traditional bed and breakfast concept is the way 300 Clifton addresses breakfast. Modern travelers at 300 Clifton love that they get a voucher to eat a FREE meal anytime night or day at the local Nicollet Diner. It is a perfect way to keep control of your time without forgoing a meal. Best of all, on the weekend you can ride the Minneapolis Trolley on a scenic loop that ends at the Diner. The most unique boutique hotel breakfast concept ever!
The Minneapolis Trolley
A huge benefit of staying at 300 Clifton is the Minneapolis Trolley. The Minneapolis Trolley runs tours around the Twin Cities that are fun, scenic, and educational. Best of all, every tour begins and ends at 300 Clifton, so it is incredibly convenient for guests of the boutique hotel. Book your ticket on the Minneapolis trolley early because so many of the tours sell out
Hewing Hotel, one of the top Boutique Hotels Minneapolis
The Hewing Hotel advocated for the ordinance changes in Minneapolis to allow boutique hotels. Hewing Hotel is a first class hotel in the North Loop neighborhood, a trendy upscale neighborhood in downtown Minneapolis.
Location
The location of the Hewing hotel is incredible. The North Loop is the most trendy and vibrant of all of the Minneapolis neighborhood. The Hewing Hotel is surrounded by boutique shops, incredible bars and breweries and the trendiest restaurants in the Twin Cities. All of these are steps away from the boutique hotel. Target Field, and Target Center are also a couple of blocks away. The Hennepin Theater District is a short walk down the street, and the riverfront is very close by also. Staying at the Hewing Hotel, you never need to leave the compact North Loop to have a full weekend. Here is a map.
Restaurant
The ground floor restaurant at the Hewing Hotel is first first class. Tullibee pays homage to the rustic North Woods and the Scandinavian roots of Minneapolis. The specialty at Tullibee is sourcing their ingredients at uber local farms for the freshest, but also healthiest ingredients. Try any fish on the menu and lean toward something prepared on the wood fired grill. BOOK HERE
Rooftop Bar
The Rooftop Bar at the Hewing Hotel is Iconic. It is on the rooftop 6 floors above the Minneapolis North Loop neighborhood. Incidentally, this is the perfect height. High enough to for stunning views, but low enough to feel like you are part of the excitement. But wait there’s more! The rooftop bar has a sauna and a hot ub open year round to either gather around, or splash into. With the beautiful backdrop of the Minneapolis skyline, a top notch craft cocktail, and massaging jets, what could be better?
Boutique Hotel Rooms
The Hewing Hotel is first class from check in to check out, and the guestroom is part of your superlative experience. The rooms are spacious, modern, and designed with a stylish flare that any urban adventurer will appreciate. Make sure you explore all of the room options and find which one fits your needs and budget. Some boutique hotel rooms have suite spaces around the corner, higher ceilings, better views, different bed arrangements etc. This is one of the most unique hotels in downtown Minneapolis. BOOK HERE
History of this Boutique Hotel Minneapolis
When you stay at the Hewing Hotel, it is impossible to lay in the bed without staring at the ceiling and marveling at the the history of the old warehouse space. The brickwork, old windows, and rough hewn beams and ceiling planks are beautifully restored rugged elements that make each room a marvel. The entire neighborhood of the North Loop is historically preserved, so as you wander, you will see rows of old warehouses repurposed into speakeasies, eateries, and shops.
Summary
A different generation of traveler chooses the cookie cutter chain hotels. If you have the disposition to gravitate towards a boutique hotel in Minneapolis, one of these three hotels will be perfect for you. Minneapolis is a wonderful city, and thee three boutique holes in Minneapolis reflect how special the city is.
