‘The City of Lakes’ Minneapolis has largely managed to remain under the radar as a travel destination, whether it was due to the winter season lore or simply due to some good old Midwestern humility. However, all that has changed in the recent years when word began to spread about the charms of this city which, along with neighboring St. Paul, is famously called “Twin Cities.” Besides its world-class brewery and dining scene and the gorgeous urban beauty, Minneapolis is also known for its amazing hotels, which make staying here an all the better prospect. Plus, the sheer number of options for a Minneapolis hotel with indoor pool also make visiting here during humid summer very enticing.
After a long day of exploring the city, jumping into the waters of fantastic pools in hotels changed our perspective on Minneapolis for sure. Here’s a wonderful guide to some of the best aquatic avenues in the city.
Table of contents
- Hampton Inn and Suites Minneapolis University Area
- Best Western Plus The Normandy Inn & Suites
- Radisson Blu Mall of America
- Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot
- Embassy Suites By Hilton Minneapolis Downtown Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown
- JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America
- The Westin Minneapolis
- Aloft Minneapolis
- Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
- Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Minneapolis?
- Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Minneapolis
- Recommended Activities in Minneapolis
Hampton Inn and Suites Minneapolis University Area
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Best value for money. We begin with the Hampton Inn and Suites Minneapolis University Area. It has a gorgeous indoor pool area on the ground floor of the hotel itself. The small but spacious area sits right next to the car park outside, making it very convenient for us to enjoy cooling off without having to head to our rooms. We didn’t even have to worry about our bags, as the pool area was surrounded by chairs, tables, and loungers. So, we would simply put our bags there and enjoy a cooling swim in the perfect temperature waters of the heated pool.
What’s more, there was even a hot tub right next to it, allowing us to soak our sore muscles. Later, we’d even lounge on the chairs as the kids frolicked about. It was a great place to sip some coffee or wine and take a moment before heading back to the room.
Did we mention that this is also one of the best cheap hotels in Minneapolis, MN? Yes!
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Best Western Plus The Normandy Inn & Suites
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Imagine an indoor pool area so huge that we felt like we were outdoors! Welcome to the indoor pool area at The Best Western Plus The Normandy Inn & Suites. Look for yourself – the pool area is three stories high!
But that’s not all that the pool area is about. Firstly, it’s extremely huge, so much so that even though it used to be filled with people whenever we went, it never felt crowded. While some people would be at the pool, others would be lounging on the sofas, enjoying snacks and drinks. What’s more, there was even a huge jacuzzi hot tub at the other end. So, after a swim in the waters of the heated pool, we’ve actually even enjoyed a bubbling soak in the hot waters, thus ensuring complete relaxation. What could be better?
The pool hours here are 7 am to 10 pm between Sundays and Thursdays and until 11 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Radisson Blu Mall of America
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Best pool with adults-only time. Since we wanted to shop until we dropped, we decided to stay at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, right next to the Mall of America. And boy, did we have an amazing time shopping here from morning to evening! But what we liked the most about our stay was that after all that shopping, we could come back and head to the gorgeous indoor pool area at the hotel for some much-needed relaxation and unwinding.
The soothing vibes of the soft and low blue-light-lit indoor pool area put us in the mood from the minute we walked in. We loved the inviting rectangular heated pool, which was perfect to take a swim in, no matter the season. What’s more, we even unwound on the comfy white loungers on the pool deck, made all the better since the hotel even provided beach towels. The best bit? While the pool is open from 7 am to 10 pm for everyone, it’s open only to adults between 10 and 11 pm. Sigh, how amazing is that?
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Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot
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One of the most intimate pool areas in the city is at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot. The pool area is home to a wonderful heated indoor pool which is open all days of the week from 6 am to 10 pm. So, we could not only enjoy a swim after a long day of sightseeing, but we could even get in an early swim when we wanted to have an early swim. Moreover, the pool area is surrounded by not only chairs but also loungers and comfy poufs and couches where we could relax and take a breather before having to head back to our rooms. Families especially liked the pool area as the kids loved playing around and were entertained all the time.
“People of all ages were enjoying this indoor pool at the Renaissance, which is what we loved about it!”
WOW Travel
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Embassy Suites By Hilton Minneapolis Downtown Hotel
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Despite sitting in the basement of the hotel, the indoor pool at Embassy Suites By Hilton Minneapolis Downtown Hotel had a very intimate and welcoming vibe. The center of attention is the heated pool, which was small but very well-maintained and allowed us to rejuvenate and unwind at the end of a long and hot day in the city. Moreover, the pool was surrounded by plush chairs, where we could relax, have a drink, listen to music, and generally just lounge before we had to make our way back to our rooms. Even though it doesn’t have a jacuzzi, the small and cozy space made for an excellent nook to relax on the property.
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Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown
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You can hardly go wrong with a Courtyard by Marriott property, and the Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown is no exception. The Downtown property is an excellent indoor pool area, which sits right next to the fitness center. Not only does it have a pool, but it also has spacious changing rooms and provides towels. So, we didn’t have to prep for a visit to the pool and could comfortably change there, rather than walking around the hotel in our swim clothes.
The pool is open all week between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., which is fantastic. Hence, we didn’t have to worry about returning quickly from sightseeing just to enjoy some pool time. Moreover, the heated waters made it easy for us to swim at any time in any season.
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JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America
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One of the best indoor pool areas is at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, which also happens to be one of the best hotel pools In Minneapolis. Since we were traveling with children, we absolutely loved this hotel because it had so many activities for kids to enjoy, and the pool was the cherry on top. The year-round indoor heated pool area was open every day from as early as 6 am to as late as 11 pm. So, after the kids had had their share of pool time fun and would go to sleep, we still had some time at the pool for ourselves. Moreover, the hotel even provided towels, so we didn’t have to bring our own.
Of course, the water was heated, so we could enjoy a refreshing dip in the warm water even on a cold day. Finally, the views from the huge windows were very enjoyable, and the place was perfect for taking a break for a while. It’s also why it’s one of the best hotels in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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The Westin Minneapolis
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Longest opening times. If you’re looking for pools with the longest opening hours in the city, look no further than The Westin Minneapolis. The gorgeous indoor pool area, which looks like a high-end spa, is open Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Even though it closes at 3 p.m. on Sundays, it still opens at 5 a.m. What more could we ask for?
Apparently, there’s more! The indoor pool area, which is chic and minimalist, boasts a heated indoor pool, no less. So, we could go swimming in any season. Not only that, but it also has a whirlpool right to the side, where we could soak our sore muscles in the bubbling waters after a long day of sightseeing. The best bit? The pool is surrounded by cushy daybeds and sun loungers, and the staff even provided us with towels at the whirlpool. Now that’s what we call a wonderfully pampering space.
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Aloft Minneapolis
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We wanted to stay in a Marriott property with an indoor pool but didn’t want to splurge, which is why we chose the amazing Aloft Minneapolis. Unlike many other indoor pools, the indoor pool here isn’t subterranean but sits outside. So, when we were swimming and lounging around, we could spy excellent views from the huge windows. At the same time, the bottom part of the huge windows was frosted to ensure privacy, which we really appreciated.
The pool was nice and heated, so we could enjoy a swim even when it was cold outside. What’s more, we even lounged around after a swim and relaxed on the chairs, tables, and loungers right by the pool. The huge potted plants added to the lively vibe, ensuring we had a great time.
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Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
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Most luxurious indoor pool. Where would you possibly find both an outdoor and an indoor pool? At the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, of course. The hotel is akin to a resort in the city and has both outdoor and indoor swimming pools, but it’s the indoor pool we’re going to be talking about. We loved the spacious indoor pool, which boasted floor-to-ceiling windows for spectacular views, making it the perfect destination for refreshment and relaxation. What’s more, it even had a heated whirlpool where we could soak in the bubbling waters and let go of any stress or sore muscles we had.
Whether you want to swim laps or float in tranquility, this indoor space, which is open from 7 am to 9 pm throughout the year, is where you should be. The best bit? Not only were there comfortable lounge chairs to the side, but the hotel even offered complimentary ice water, towels, aloe vera, and sunscreen.
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Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown
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Refreshing is the only word that comes to mind when it comes to the indoor pool area at Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown. The calming poolscape is done up in neutral hues that are typical of Hyatt. However, in this case, it looks fresh rather than stuffy, which is why we’d come to swim and lounge here at the end of a busy day. What’s more, the pool space even had a hot tub to the side. Hence, we were even able to get in some bubbling waters time to soak our sore muscles after a leisurely swim. Despite there being no lifeguard on duty, the space was safe as the depth of the pool wasn’t much – just 3.5 deep. So, even families with kids will have a ball here. Finally, the hotel even provided us with beach towels for our comfort and convenience.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all Minneapolis pool hotels on this list, the following ones stood out for us:
- Best value for money: Hampton Inn And Suites Minneapolis University Area
- Best pool with adults-only time: Radisson Blu Mall Of America
- Longest opening times: The Westin Minneapolis
- Most luxurious indoor pool: Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
Where to Stay in Minneapolis?
With 200 average sun-kissed days in the year, Minneapolis was a delight to explore. It’s famously home to one of the top tourist attractions in the U.S., the Mall Of America in Bloomington. It’s also one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, so we sure did want a dip in the pool after all that cycling! So, we decided to help you zero in on the best neighborhood to stay in.
One of our favorite neighborhoods is Uptown, which is also great for those who’re visiting Minneapolis for the first time. It sits between the suburbs and Downtown and is home to some excellent cafes, parks, and museums. Next, there’s Downtown, which is the central business district of Minneapolis and has most of its parks, historical attractions, and museums. Thirdly, there’s the Warehouse District, which is actually part of Downtown but feels like a whole different neighborhood due to its nightlife vibe.
Southern Minneapolis felt like a world away and offered respite from the bustle of the city center, making it perfect for when we felt like taking a break. Finally, there was the Northeast, Minneapolis’ hippest neighborhood-turned-gentrified district that has a bevy of independent bars, restaurants, and boutiques.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Minneapolis
- Meteor: This bar is the long-time dream of local industry vets Elliot Manthey and Robb Jones, and it almost didn’t happen due to the pandemic. However, it rose like a phoenix from the ashes three years later and is a very, very popular hangout spot in the city. We loved the complex and imaginative drinks, like the Granny Smith Manhattan with vodka, creamy nutmeg, and oat milk. Do keep an eye out on their Instagram page for all fun events.
- Matt’s Bar: This is one of the Twin Cities’ most legendary dives — even former President Barack Obama dug into delicious fare here in 2014. It’s supposedly the home of the original Jucy Lucy, an iconic, gooey, cheese-stuffed burger. In fact, Matt distinguishes its creation from other Twin Cities versions by spelling it without the ‘i’ in Jucy! Local legends say that Matt’s customer requested two beef patties with a cheese slice in the middle in 1954 and declared, “That’s one juicy Lucy!” after his first bite – and the rest is history.
Recommended Activities in Minneapolis
- Minneapolis & St. Paul Private Highlights Riding Tour: This tour took us on an amazing personal and exclusive discovery tour of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Our guide picked us up in our private transportation and took us to see the cities’ hidden gems and famous attractions while telling us all about their culture and history.
- Minneapolis: History and 4-Bar Crawl Guided Walking Tour: This bar crawl and guided walking tour combined the best of both worlds that we love – bars and history! The knowledgable tour guide took us through the city’s vibrant bar scene, leaving us with all the better knowledge about Minneapolis.