Minneapolis, along with neighboring state capital St. Paul, makes up Minnesota’s ‘Twin Cities.’ It’s the artsiest and coolest town in the prairie, with edgy theaters, rock clubs, and swanky art museums. Minneapolis is also the pioneer of ‘farm-to-table’ dining, and the city’s eateries are a testament to that. It’s also long been progressive and is a pulsating gay friendly city at that. Hence, it’s no surprise that inclusivity has seeped not just into Minneapolis’ fabulous nightlife scene, but the very fabric of the city. There are scores of gay hotels in Minneapolis to prove that, along with the sprawling LGBTQ nightclub Gay 90s, which is its gay heart and soul. It lies in downtown Minneapolis, which is where the gay scene of the city is concentrated. So, it’s no wonder that Minneapolis has always scored high, with perfect scores sometimes, on Human Rights Campaign’s annual report.
Apart from its nightlife, there’s much to see in this amazing city. Did you know that Minneapolis is one of the World’s 10 Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities? In fact, it’s the only American city to make it to the list. It’s also one of the Best U.S. Winter Vacation spots, with a bunch of enthralling outdoor events. What’s more, Minneapolis is a shopping haven too. The Mall of America in its suburb of Bloomington is one of the 15 Most Amazing Shopping Malls In The World. If that wasn’t enough, one of the 25 Largest Zoos In The World, the Como Zoo lies a mere 15 minutes away in the neighboring St. Paul. Thus, like many other LGBTQ travelers, you might just end up moving here.
Clearly, there’s a lot to love about Minneapolis, gay and otherwise. If you’re an LGBTQ traveler, check out these top 11 gay friendly hotels in Minneapolis.
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis
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If you’re looking for old-world gay friendly luxury in Minneapolis, then look no further than Hotel Ivy. The hotel lies in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis and is a stone’s throw from its gay nightlife. In fact, the high-rise from the 1930s has lived a former life as a building and even a church. Today, it oozes a warm, contemporary air and is also connected to the city’s skywalk system, making it easier to explore the neighborhood.
When you stay at Hotel Ivy, you can rest assured of one thing – you won’t have to lift a finger. Service here is impeccable, right from the room service to the restaurants to the spa. Do try out the Minnesota River Rock Massage at the hotel’s Anda spa, which is the city’s largest destination spa. If you’re on a strict workout regimen, then the 24-hour fitness center will wow you. An excellent Italian restaurant and outdoor patio bar aside, the place even boasts a 12-person Whiskey Room.
The rooms and suites are the absolute highlights here. If you’re looking to impress someone, then this is where you’d get them. The showstopper is the 10-foot floating ceilings. Lavish details like roomy limestone bathrooms and midnight-blue upholstery lend a sexy feel to space. Deep soaking tubs in bathrooms spell the ultimate in romance, as do the floor-to-ceiling windows with mesmerizing Minneapolis views.
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The Westin Minneapolis
10
The Westin Minneapolis is one of the best old-world hotels near the Gay 90s in Minneapolis. The historic hotel lies just two blocks from the massive LGBTQ club, making for the best base for exploring gay Minneapolis. The 1941-built building was originally the Farmers & Mechanics Bank Building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places too. When you enter, you’ll still see remnants from a glorious past, like the stunning marble staircase. Apart from that, the hotel radiates contemporary glamour throughout.
Since it lies in the heart of the business district, the hotel has a slew of business-based facilities. Apart from that, it’ll appeal immensely to leisure travelers like you too. A heavenly heated indoor pool with a whirlpool tub is perfect for lounging and lap swimming. After a long day of exploring the city, you can even arrange for massage treatments in the comfort of your room. If you’re a fitness fanatic, the well-equipped fitness center is available 24/7. Besides a hearty breakfast, the hotel is most known for its Sleep Well room-service menu features beverages and foods which are said to help induce sleep!
Since the building is historic, rooms are all different in layouts and sizes. Aside from the brand’s ‘Heavenly Beds,’ they all feature seating areas for relaxing, a slew of high-tech mod-cons, and Westin’s signature ‘Heavenly Bath’ bathrooms. If you want decadence, the Grand Suites feature soaking tubs too.
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Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown
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The Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown is one of the best value hotels you’ll find in Minneapolis’ Downtown. Not only is it surrounded by the city’s gay nightlife, but also some of its best landmarks and sights. On the inside, the eighth-floor lobby exudes a warm vibe with a riot of pleasing-to-the-eye colors in the furnishings. Soaring ceilings and internal exposed hallways lend the hotel an open and bright feel.
Even though it’s a mid-range hotel, there are a lot of amenities on-site. A small indoor pool and two hot tubs are the perfect places to unwind after a long day in the city. In fact, it’s not only one of the best gay hotels in Minneapolis, but also one of the 11 Best Hotel Pools In Minneapolis. Apart from a 24-hour fitness center, the hotel even has a small 24-hour market from where you can pick up pre-packaged snacks and sandwiches. In addition, there’s also a lovely cafe/bar and a restaurant that serves a hearty complimentary continental breakfast. The bar is particularly amazing with large windows, sports games, and even happy hour specials.
Rooms at the Hyatt Place all come with either queen or king beds, a slew of mod-cons, and carpeted floors. Moreover, they have lots of space for you to sprawl out, especially for a downtown hotel. What’s more, the modern bathrooms have sleek sliding, frosted glass doors, and even bathtubs.
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Marquette Hilton
8
If you’re looking for a hotel near its gay nightlife, then the Marquette Hilton is one of the best gay friendly hotels near Gay 90s in Minneapolis. The hotel is also an extremely well-located and is connected to the IDS Center, which sits at the heart of the city’s Skyway system. So, you can easily explore the gay nightlife by maneuvering through downtown in comfy, air-conditioned environs.
Even though it’s a city center hotel, that doesn’t stop the Marquette from exuding charm. The elegant lobby with its gray-white-black color palette, silver planters, and sleek marble floors impresses from the outset. You can choose from two restaurants, of which the breakfast-serving Basil’s is lively with floor-to-ceiling drapes. The Jacques Restaurant & Bar, on the other hand, features a long, sleek bar and is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail before heading out. Do check out the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop garden from where herbs and vegetables are sourced for its restaurants. Rounding up the hotel’s offerings is a 24-hour fitness center.
Even though it’s a downtown hotel, rooms and suites here are spacious with natural light pouring in from the large windows. Interesting design details, a slew of mod-cons, and plush bathrooms make staying here delightful. If you have the urge to splurge, then go for the Executive-Level rooms or Suites which come with a host of perks.
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Double Tree Suites by Hilton Minneapolis
7
We’re halfway through our list of best gay hotels in Minneapolis. The gay friendly DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Minneapolis combines chain hotel-like amenities with the feeling of a small boutique/suites hotel. The hotel sits in a 12-story structure in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis, close to both its sights and its gay nightlife.
A cozy living room-like lobby, complete with a fireplace and couches makes for a pleasant place to lounge in. A slick lobby bar is a great place for a cocktail, while the casual restaurant serves both a breakfast buffet as well as meals. What’s more, there’s even a Starbucks on-site, so you can stack up on energy reserves all day. In fact, when you check-in, you’re offered complimentary warm chocolate-chip cookies too. Rounding up the amenities is a mini-market, a business center, and a fitness center.
Even though it’s a suites hotel, the rooms are both spacious and comfortable, complete with expansive living room areas with sleeper sofas. Amenities include everything from two flatscreen TVs and coffee machines to mini-fridges, microwaves, and even work desks. Bathrooms, albeit a bit small, have tons of vanity space and either large showers or bathtubs.
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Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis Downtown
6
If you’re in town for business and want to explore the city’s gay scene afterward, then the Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis Downtown is perfect. It’s one of the best mid-range hotels near Gay 90s in Minneapolis, the fabulous LGBTQ nightclub and the best place to begin your gay jaunt of town. The hotel boasts a fresh, contemporary feel with large bay windows and music playing in the lobby.
Begin your long day with a complimentary hot breakfast waiting for you in the lovely dining room, with light streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. On weekdays, the hotel even packs a to-go breakfast if you’re in a hurry or are leaving early. When the weather holds up, you can even enjoy the alfresco seating, complete with couches. A 24/7 market on-site sells packaged snacks and sandwiches. Rounding up the list of amenities is the free Wi-Fi and 24-hour fitness center.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the trendy color palettes in the rooms, with avocado-green and harvest-gold accents against white-and-gray walls. Framed artwork and vibrant floral curtains lend the place a homey vibe. Also, all rooms have flatscreen TVs, coffee machines, and spacious contemporary bathrooms.
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Towneplace Suites
5
When you enter the Towneplace Suites, you’ll forget that you’re in the heart of bustling Minneapolis. This should be enough to convince you that it’s one of the best gay friendly in Minneapolis. The lovely little gay friendly hotel is one of the prettiest of all hotels in the North Loop neighborhood. Moreover, it offers a wonderfully cozy feel as opposed to other chain hotels. What’s more, it lies just two blocks from the green banks of the Mississippi River. So, if you’re traveling with your significant other, then this romantic hotel is perfect for you.
On the whole, it has the look and feel of a large bed and breakfast or a small boutique hotel. The center of all action here is the picturesque turquoise pool, peppered with blue daybeds, chairs, and tables under parasols. It’s surrounded by lush foliage sprinkled with vivid pink bougainvillea and is one of the most Instagrammable spots on the property. The lounge, which serves hot cider, is a great place to simply relax or unwind. Apart from a small but well-kept fitness center, there’s even a billiards room where you can play a round of pool. Besides dry-cleaning and laundry facilities, the place even offers a sumptuous cold and hot breakfast buffet every morning.
The rooms and suites at this place won’t disappoint you either. They’re done up with plush beds, patterned carpets, accent lighting, and all standard mod-cons. Plus, the full kitchen allows you to whip up quick meals and enjoy them in the privacy of your room. Spotless contemporary bathrooms are a perk.
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The Emery Hotel, Autograph Collection
4
If you’re looking for a characterful, historic hotel near the gay scene in Minneapolis, then The Emery Hotel is where you should be. The upscale Minneapolis hotel lies just two blocks down from the massive LGBT nightclub Gay 90s as well as the EagleBOLTBar. It sits in a structure that was once a bank, and harks back to the golden era of the city. So, you’ll be thrilled to see original features throughout like marble columns, high ceilings, a striking grand marble staircase. The lobby with white marble floors and green marble accents and trimmings is full of black-and-white period photographs of Minneapolis. In fact, it even displays some of the original vault doors, complete with intricate locking mechanisms. In fact, one of them is embedded within the original brick wall of the lobby lounge, which has other antique curios like vintage metal toy fire engines and cars.
It’s no surprise that Emery has a host of amenities, beginning with free Wi-Fi in the lobby. Two 24-hour outlets, a fitness center, and a business center appeal to all travelers. Special mention goes to the amazing all-day restaurant that serves a bevy of classics from American cuisine. In addition, the hotel even has room service.
The hotel’s vintage aesthetic extends to the rooms, with 70s-inspired bathroom wallpaper and vintage warm earth-tone furnishing. Besides that, the room is utterly modern, from the slew of high-tech mod-cons to the glass-and-marble bathrooms with rainfall shower-heads.
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Loews Minneapolis Hotel
3
The Loews Minneapolis Hotel is one of the best upscale gay friendly in Minneapolis. This downtown Minneapolis hotel beautifully blends local flavor like local artists’ photos with Grecian marble floors and Indonesian wood walls. The final result is extremely comfortable postmodern digs like those of London or New York but at half the price!
The decor might be minimalist, but the vibe and service are innately Midwestern friendly and warm. In fact, you don’t need to lift one finger during your stay here. The concierge helps you with everything right from reserving tables at restaurants to theater tickets. Dig into hearty and farm-fresh local and international fare at the in-house restaurant, as well as extensive and creative wines and cocktails. You can enjoy a sundowner or a nightcap at the champagne cocktail lounge. Apart from a 24-hour business and fitness center, the highlight of the hotel is its full-service spa, one of the few in the city.
The decor at the Loews Minneapolis is modern and yet welcoming, with design elements like etched-glass headboards and wood floors. The sea-foam green walls make for a romantic and soothing ambiance, especially if you’re traveling with your partner. The modern bathrooms have both showers and bathtubs, both of which are equally lavish. A slew of high-tech mod-cons feature in all rooms.
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W Minneapolis – The Foshay
2
If you’re looking to have an exciting time, then the W Minneapolis is unarguably one of the sexiest gay hotels in Minneapolis. What’s more, the hotel lies right down the street from Minneapolis’ gay scene, including the fabulous LGBTQ nightclub Gay 90s.
The hotel melds its Roaring 20s theme with its iconic and historic feel as the formerly Art Deco Foshay Tower. The result is a jazzy, buzzing look and feels that extends right from its public spaces to its restaurant, rooms, and the 27th-floor bar. A tiled, palm-lined, and pink-hued lobby beckons you within, while the mood-lit lounge-bar is occupied by beautiful people all night. Two restaurants on-site, including a bakery dishing out delectable baked goodies, keeps you satiated all the time. The highlight is the 27th-floor Prohibition Bar. Strike up interesting conversations with people over cocktails and stunning views of Minneapolis. Rounding up the amenities is the snazzy gym and a business center.
The sensuous theme extends to the rooms, which feature gray and black decor with purple and hot pink accents complementing. Beds that induce much more than sleep, sleek, high-tech mod-cons, and plush bathrooms make up the rest of the space. The highlight is the sassy pink minibars, which is perfect for mixing up late-night drinks in the plush comfort of your room.
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Hewing Hotel
1
There’s more than one reason that the Hewing Hotel tops the list of gay friendly hotels in Minneapolis. To begin with, Hewing Hotel lies in the hippest part of the city, North Loop. Also, it’s a hop, skip, and jump to Minneapolis’s best gay bars and clubs in Downtown. In fact, the hotel lies a five-minute walk from the famous Minneapolis LGBTQ club Gay 90s. Last but not least, its low-key ‘wood-based’ design theme radiates distinctive charm which, if you’re a discerning gay traveler, you’ll absolutely love.
This former warehouse-turned-design hotel impresses right from the outset, with an open-plan, high-ceilinged atrium. Smack dab in the middle is a library with a fireplace and an eclectic collection of everything that is Minnesota. Think foot-long canoes, vintage suitcases, Thermos flasks, and more. The centerpiece is giant shiny-silver ‘raindrops,’ with a few purple ones thrown into the mix as an ode to Minneapolis’s musical treasure Prince. Service is top-notch, including the state-of-the-art gym and the bicycle rentals along with maps indicating routes. The standout is the social club-esque rooftop with a sauna and spa pool. Rounding up everything are two superb restaurants serving Scandinavian and Nordic-inspired fare.
Rooms, including 14 suites, are an extension of the wood theme in the form of huge pinewood pillars, framed hatchets in bathrooms, and notepads at the bedside. Plush beds, equally lavish bathrooms, and high-tech mod-cons complete the rooms, making it one of the best gay hotels in Minneapolis.
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Just So You Know:
- The neighboring St. Paul has a bustling gay scene as well – do check it out.
- Keep up with the gay pulse and happenings during the off-pride season with the podcast and magazine from the Pride committee.
Get Some Culture in Minneapolis:
- Twin Cities Pride: Minneapolis, along with St. Paul celebrates a fabulous joint Pride every June. Apart from the parade, it features the annual Rainbow Run, fireworks, and concerts too. It easily attracts half a million people and is one of the biggest pride events in the Midwestern U.S.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Minneapolis:
- EagleBOLTBar: This raunchy gay bar has gay men congregating on the riotous dance floor, donning whatever’s the dress code for the occasion. It also has one of the best patios in town – and it’s heated!
- Gay 90’s: This legendary three-storied LGBTQ nightclub in downtown Minneapolis has become a symbol of the city’s LGBTQ-ness. From go-go strippers and drag shows to queer entertainment, this place has it all. Plus, Gay 90s is surrounded by some of the best gay hotels in Minneapolis.
Best Gay Saunas in Minneapolis:
Minneapolis used to have gay saunas and bathhouses, which were shut down a few years ago. Currently, there are efforts to bring them back to this wonderful city. We hope to see gay saunas back in Minneapolis soon!
