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The best hotels in Minnesota for every type of traveler

The best hotels in Minnesota for every type of traveler

Yahoo15-04-2025
Ribboned by rivers and dotted by more than 10,000 lakes, Minnesota's top getaways never stray far from storied waters. The Mississippi River winds through both St. Paul and Minneapolis where urban stays highlight art and architecture in a former convent and coax guests to a rooftop sauna and spa pool overlooking the reflective skyline. Follow the Great River Road to the bluffs of southeastern Minnesota, head 'Up North' to the heart of Lake Country, or hug Lake Superior's rugged coast for cozy shoreline escapes.
Best for: Foodies
Gourmands should check into this seven-room boutique hotel—created by Alex and Margo Roberts—hungry. Heady aromas coax visitors inside with spiced almonds, lemon ricotta cookies, and sourdough bread from Café Alma; roasted duck and Meyer lemon orzo from its James Beard award-winning Restaurant Alma; and handmade seasonal scents such as clove, bergamot, and cedarwood sweetening guest rooms. Less than 10 minutes away, restaurants Vinai and Diane's Place elevate the Twin Cities' Hmong-influenced cuisine while Owamni creatively reimagines Indigenous cuisine using only pre-colonial ingredients.
Good to know: You can buy Margo's signature apothecary products at the on-site café, or the Alma Provisions store in southwest Minneapolis, along with signature kitchen ingredients and curated goods such as locally made linens and ceramics.
Best for: Sports & music fans
In the heart of Minneapolis' trendy North Loop District, this 124-room hotel with woodsy décor, open timbers, and yellow brick walls, embraces Minnesota's Nordic heritage. It features a rooftop sauna, spa pool, and Rooftop Lounge with skyline views. The on-site restaurant, Tullibee, serves Scandinavian and seasonal plates, such as gravlax and rye, rainbow trout, and smoked chicken wild rice soup. Target Field (home baseball field for the Minnesota Twins) and Target Center (home court for the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team) entertain sports fans less than half a mile away from the hotel, while cyclists pedal the Cedar Lake Regional Trail, Mississippi Riverfront, and the city's 100-plus miles of off-street bikeways.
(Related: How Minnesota helped me find the magic of winter.)
Good to know: The Rooftop Lounge showcases local musicians for its Sunday Summer Concert Series. Minneapolis bands Soul Asylum, The Suburbs, and The Replacements used the Hewing's building for rehearsal space in the 1980s and 1990s. Prince fans are only 22 miles from his Paisley Park home and studio.
Best for: Cultured city sanctuary
Creating a mood that's contemplative and creative fits this boutique hotel's history as Minnesota's first fine-arts school and home to the Catholic nuns who taught here. Nuns painted Renaissance artworks in Italy for the Grand Hall and hand-painted tiles in the lobby and the bar, and ornate woodwork, arched ceilings and stained glass add to the style of this 1910 Beaux Arts building's 71 guest rooms, many with Capitol views.
'The Chapel Suite with its soaring ceiling with a round stained-glass window over the king bed is always a hit,' said Todd Byhre, president of Rebound Hospitality.
Good to know: Grab a Bad Habit cocktail before catching a show at three theaters within two blocks or take a 10-minute stroll to the Ordway Center for Performing Arts or Minnesota Museum of American Art.
Best for: Lakeside luxury for couples
The elegant veranda on this 92-room hotel catches cool breezes from Lake Minnetonka for a romantic date night in well-to-do Wayzata 15 minutes west of Minneapolis. The Ninetwentyfive restaurant serves Midwestern fare with East Coast influences (think walleye and lobster-and-crab cakes). The hotel also emphasizes pampering with plush robes and linens, 90-minute couples' packages at Läka Spa, and add-on experiences such as guided fishing trips and winter ice fishing.
Good to know: The hotel is only 20 minutes to reach the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, orchards and vineyards.
(Related: The essential guide to visiting Minnesota.)
Best for: Small-town romantics
Rustic original stone walls in this 40-room boutique hotel hint at its origins as the 1868 Joseph Wolf Brewery tucked into a St. Croix River bluff. Woodland folkloric art dots the walls with playful touches such as rabbit-ear coat hooks while Minnesota-made Faribault blankets warm the beds. Balconies overlook Stillwater's popular Main Street boutiques and eateries. Downstairs at Fella, diners can glimpse historic stone caves and order logger's breakfast with wild boar sausage and a ricotta doughnut or bison short rib and a signature old fashioned.
Good to know: While you can take Stillwater Riverboat cruises and pedal bikes along the river, the gentle rocking motion of authentic Italian Gondola Romantica rides offers a one-of-a-kind outing on the St. Croix.
Best for: History lovers
This four-story 1875 Italianate hotel with 66 rooms named for riverboats offers surprises such as organ pipes in its original lobby, an 1890s piano, and The Port Lounge with its basement speakeasy vibe. A third of the rooms include Mississippi River views or you can watch for bald eagles and barges from the Scarlet Kitchen and Bar and its patio. Take a self-guided walking tour and look for nods to local companies, including Red Wing Pottery, Red Wing Shoes, and Sturdiwheat pancake mix.
'There's a lot of history in the hallways,' said Sara Hill, director of sales and marketing. 'They were built with enough space for women with hoop skirts to pass each other.'
Good to know: Red Wing Shoes owns the hotel, which uses some of its leather in the Scarlet Restaurant and Bar. Don't miss ogling the size 638-1/2 work boot at the Red Wing Shoe Store and the evolution of footwear in the free museum across the street.
(Related: 10 not-to-be-missed things to do in Minnesota.)
Best for: Multigenerational vacationers
Hosta- and flower-lined pathways have connected Gull Lake and the postcard-perfect Grand View Lodge in the heart of Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes region for more than a century. The lobby's wood floors creak with history, a fireplace crackles, and guests dine on walleye and wild rice on the patio with the lake glinting through the pines. Guests stay upstairs or can book rooms at the 60-room North Hotel completed in 2019. The lodge—comprised of a hotel, cabins, vacation homes, and cottages—features 329 rooms spread across the 750-acre property.
'It's so fun to hear stories about people having fond memories of when they would visit here in summers, and now they bring their kids or grandchildren,' said Moe Beyer, corporate director of communications.
Good to know: Summer visitors can play two championship golf courses, and enjoy an outdoor pool and every kind of lake activity, while winter guests can skate on four rinks, snowmobile, cross-country ski, and ice fish. The two-story Glacial Waters Spa and NorthPark Recreation Center provide all-weather indoor activities.
Best for: Beachgoers and nauticalophiles
At the base of Duluth's iconic Aerial Lift Bridge where Lake Superior 'lakers,' 'salties,' and cruise ships glide into the world's most inland harbor, this inn's balconies and patios boast the most coveted spots for watching the action. Rooms feature generous windows and binoculars, along with airport-grade soundproofing so you don't hear the bridge while sleeping. Guests join the owners' walking tour each morning and can quickly access the Park Point beach, which is considered the world's largest freshwater sandbar at 7 miles long.
Good to know: Ask the inn staff for a wake-up call if you want to see ships gliding by during the night. November and December offer some of the most dramatic ship-watching with sea smoke, storms, and ice. Guests don't need to leave their warm rooms to watch.
(Related: Paddling Minnesota's 'ancient superhighway'.)
Best for: Adventurers
Expansive Lake Superior views make it tempting to stay at Grand Superior Lodge with its classic log construction, but both Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse state parks beckon adventurers with post-card scenery less than 10 miles away. Guests can rent bikes for the Gitchi-Gami State Trail and wind down roasting marshmallows in lakeside fire pits with dark-sky stargazing. The dining menu at the Lodge includes burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream floats at Lake Superior Burger Co. and Swedish meatballs and braised short ribs at Grand Superior Grill. When the weather gets chilly, guests can sauna and swim in the indoor pool.
Good to know: For the ultimate on-the-water views, check out the resort's vintage stand-alone beach house on the shore.
Best for: Unplugged roadtrippers
The colorful spectacle and craftsmanship of this lodge's dining room murals, along with its remote Lake Superior location 30 miles south of Canada, make Naniboujou feel like a national park lodge getaway. There are no TVs or Wi-Fi and spotty cell service. Plan to downshift and linger at meals beneath Cree-inspired art covering the dome ceiling and walls—something that should be on every traveler's bucket list when visiting Minnesota. It was built in the 1920s as a private club for the likes of Babe Ruth and Jack Dempsey.
Good to know: Across Highway 61 from the resort, Judge C.R. Magney State Park offers a hike to Devil's Kettle Falls which splits with one channel of water mysteriously disappearing into an ancient pothole. VisitGrand Portage National Monument located about 25 miles north on Highway 61. At Grand Portage State Park, watch Minnesota's highest waterfall plunge 120 feet along the Pigeon River, which separates the state from Canada.
(Related: Paddling Minnesota's 'ancient superhighway'.)
Lisa Meyers McClintick wrote Day Trips from the Twin Cities and has been a Minnesota-based travel writer and freelance journalist for 25 years. Follow her on Instagram or Facebook.
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Meet the cowboys of the Andes
Meet the cowboys of the Andes

National Geographic

time8 hours ago

  • National Geographic

Meet the cowboys of the Andes

German explorer Alexander von Humboldt coined the grand name 'Avenue of Volcanoes' when he toured Ecuador at the start of the 19th century — but locals have viewed the country's rumbling giants with reverence for far longer. 'The Incas called the mountains Apus ['lord' in the Quechua language], as they believed them to be gods,' says my guide Luis Chinchín, on our drive south from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park along the avenue. The volcano-gods Pichincha, Rumiñahui and Iliniza are bearing down on us through a grey haze, magnified by the curve of the windscreen. A little further south is Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak at 20,550ft. This is the land of the chagras: the cowboys of the Andes, who have been herding cattle on horseback across Ecuador's highlands for centuries. Today, some chagras communities invite travellers to learn about their way of life, and we're on our way to meet one of them. Chagras have been herding cattle in the highlands of Ecuador for centuries, and many of their traditions remain intact. Though their ancestors were Indigenous, the chagras' culture is intertwined with the history of Ecuador's Spanish colonisers. Before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the chagras were farmers, who lived high in the mountains and planted corn, beans and tubers on fields they called chakras. When the Spanish brought over bulls and horses to help cultivate the land, it was these Indigenous peoples who taught them how to do it in the highlands. Over time, chakra became chagra, and the word was used to describe people who had become mestizo. This mixed Spanish and Indigenous heritage gave them a higher social ranking than those who were purely Indigenous; around the 17th century, they were taught to ride horses and handle bullfighting bulls. Yet they were never considered full equals to the Spanish colonisers, an attitude that persists in Ecuador to this day. The word chagra is still used by some to imply a person who is rustic or uneducated. Perhaps this misconception comes from the fact that more than 200 years after Ecuador's independence, the chagras retain much of their traditional farming lifestyle. We meet our hosts, including local community coordinator Rafael Changoluisa, and their horses, at Rumicorral. It's a small wooden corral with a corrugated iron roof within Cotopaxi National Park, 11,8110ft above sea level. Rafael wears a royal blue poncho and wide-brimmed felt hat. In preparation for a ride through the national park, he invites me to join him in wearing the chagras' uniform. I'm given tasselled cowhide zamarros (chaps) and a green wool poncho, over which I pull on a waxed leather rain poncho to combat the fat drops of rain that have just started to patter onto the roof. The colours of the ponchos chagras wear historically carried meaning, often reflecting their community roles and identities. Their horses are adorned with traditional woven bridles, intricately made by hand. Rafael tells me that, historically, poncho colours had significance — representing, say, red blood or the gold of barley fields — but these days, the colours simply reflect personal preference. Yet the leather betas (lassos) the chagras carry are the same as they were in colonial times, and they are keen to show me their wood stirrups, still traditionally carved with horses, flowers and leaves. Maintaining the chagras' way of life is a challenge, says Rafael, as fewer young people are taking up the reins. 'My father was also a chagra, but my children aren't really interested; they prefer the city,' he says. This is why he persuaded his community to open up their lives to travellers. 'I'd like this tradition not to be lost.' It's an unconventional method, yet one he believes strongly in. 'It's important to show foreigners how we live here, day by day with the animals, the horses and nature, and to keep this style of life alive.' Life in the saddle My Andean steed, a 10-year-old stallion called Fritada, can smell my inexperience on horseback. He ignores my heel kicks and tugs on the leather reins as we set off on our horse trek. He swerves, resisting all my efforts to make him ford the first river. Rafael, on the other hand, manages to guide his horse with the barest touch of the reins. It's as if he were born in the saddle, which is unsurprising — he tells me all children in chagras communities learn to ride from a young age. Once we've had a quick horse-riding lesson, Fritada and I settle into a rhythm and it becomes easier to take in my surroundings. The terrain we're travelling through is known as the páramo: the part of the Andes found roughly between 10,000 and 16,400ft above sea level, which sits higher than the trees and below the snow. It's named for the tall, yellowish paja grasses that brush against my shoes as Fritada ambles along. It coats the hills all the way to the mountains, rippling like llama wool. This is a place both macro and micro in the extreme. The near-perfect cone of Cotopaxi, which rises to 19,350ft at the centre of the park, is as fickle as my horse, teasing us with glimpses then vanishing into mist. The flowers are as tiny as the mountains are giant — an adaptation that protects them from sub-zero temperatures, wind and solar radiation at the park's high altitude. Many are still used in traditional chagra medicine, according to Rafael. Yellow ñachag and cottony-white achicoria flowers — pinpoints of light under the increasingly gloomy skies — are used by chagras as treatments for liver and kidney disease. On a clear day, the snow-capped cone of Cotopaxi Volcano is visible from Quito. There's something biblical about the landscape as the rain intensifies, splattering off the chagras' hats. Yard-wide lightning knifes down, turning the paja to silver filigree. Thunder rumbles like the voices of the Apus. Fritada's musky scent funnels up through the ponchos and warms my face. After a few hours, we arrive at Tambopaxi Lodge — a former mountain climbers' hut, now upgraded to a hotel with private rooms and a corral. At the restaurant, I sit down for a coffee with Rafael, his brother William and fellow chagra Odalis Velozo. A skilled rider at just 13, she'd raced to the front shortly after we set off on our ride. Her outfit is a more stylish, curated version of her elders' — her black felt hat more angular, her striped beige poncho complemented by an ivory scarf. Odalis attends school in Machachi, a town around 30 miles from the national park that's known as the chagras' capital. Though it has a population of just 24,000, it's the largest town in Mejía Canton and has long been a centre for chagras' markets and festivals. Unlike Rafael's kids, she says that's as close to city life as she ever wants to get. 'I prefer the freedom we have in the grasslands,' she says. 'It's not the same in the big cities like Quito; there isn't the freedom we feel in an open space like this.' I cradle my coffee close to my cold face and look out the window; the storm is breaking up, and the park's fauna is emerging from hiding. Tiny violetear hummingbirds flit by, the growing light dancing over their blue and emerald feathers. Llama and white-tailed deer munch on the paja; Andean gulls soar in the oxygen-starved heights. Condors and Andean foxes are also occasionally spotted here, though none are visible today. Balancing act Cotopaxi National Park was founded in 1975 to protect this unique environment. However, Rafael says the increasing enforcement of national park preservation orders has created frustrating conflicts for the chagras who live off the land. 'A long time ago, we just let the animals roam free on the páramo,' he says. 'Nowadays, there are restrictions. It's to take care of the ecosystem, but life in the park isn't just the ecosystem — it's us, too.' But what challenges the chagras' traditions may also protect them. Under national park rules, they're the only people allowed to work the land, meaning that industrial farmers can't turn it over to monocultures. 'La naturaleza y la libertad — nature and freedom,' Rafael says, when I ask him what he loves most about his life on the páramo. In modern times, preserving the first means compromising the other; it's a delicate balance that the chagras must come to terms with. On leaving the chagras, Luis and I drive to Chilcabamba, a mountain lodge hotel with cabin-like rooms ringed by twittering, bird-filled gardens. Sinking into a bean bag by the window, I see the day's last golden rays finally pierce the grey veil to reveal the chiselled face of Cotopaxi, both sparkling and stern, his white brow furrowed with wisps of cloud. Chilcabamba is unique in that the hotel is integrated into the chagras' community. 'Here, you get to see the way they really live, in their own territory,' says general manager Cristina Coronel. I'm staying here so I can try out a new experience offered by the hotel — the opportunity to see a chagras rodeo. It's not a rodeo in the North American sense: there are no bucking broncos or wrestling steers. It's a display of their traditional culture through activities such as rounding up cattle, lasso tricks and bullfighting. The next morning, I arrive at the mountainside pen where the rodeo will take place. Rafael, William and half a dozen more chagras are already there fitting spurs to their boots. Scattered cattle chew slowly with blank-eyed stares, unaware they're about to be rudely awakened by Omar Cumbaiin and his 13-year-old son Matteo. The boy is too shy to talk; his father does the boasting for him. 'When he was eight, he won a lassoing competition in which there were 100 participants,' he tells me. 'He won in every category.' Matteo wears an identical black hat and scarlet poncho to his father and, from a distance, it's impossible to tell them apart. They gallop out to the fringes of the cattle herd and start chasing them into the pen. This is a smaller, more intimate version of what travellers could see at El Paseo del Chagra — one of Ecuador's biggest festivals, held each July in Machachi. There, hundreds of chagras parade through the streets, show off their skills and take part in bullfights — no-kill events, since the tradition was banned in 2011. A cow clatters past me; Matteo barrels after it, whirling a lasso. It's hard to believe this is the same kid who was hiding from us minutes ago. He shouts, digs in his spurs and thunders over the crest of the hill. Perhaps with the help of tourism and the next generation led by young chagras like Odalis and Matteo, their traditional culture will be reinvigorated and passed on for many generations to come. Flights from London to Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport typically connect through major hubs such as Amsterdam, Madrid or Miami. From Quito, visitors can catch a bus to Chimborazo or opt to rent a car for a more flexible journey through the highlands. For more information, visit This paid content article was created for Ecuador Tourism. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).

Why Iceland is the Ultimate Dream Destination for Indian Travelers
Why Iceland is the Ultimate Dream Destination for Indian Travelers

Time Business News

time9 hours ago

  • Time Business News

Why Iceland is the Ultimate Dream Destination for Indian Travelers

When it comes to dream destinations, Iceland often tops the global list. Known as the 'Land of Fire and Ice,' this small Nordic country offers a blend of surreal landscapes, magical natural wonders, and a culture deeply connected to nature. For Indian travelers, Iceland is fast becoming a bucket-list country because it offers something you cannot find anywhere else in the world – a perfect mix of glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, black sand beaches, and the breathtaking Northern Lights. With increasing flight connections and well-planned travel itineraries, Iceland is more accessible than ever. Here's why Iceland is truly the ultimate dream destination for Indian travelers. Iceland's greatest charm lies in its raw, untouched natural beauty. Unlike other destinations where modern attractions dominate, Iceland keeps its focus on nature. From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed with landscapes that look straight out of a fantasy movie. Some of the most famous natural attractions include: The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): The biggest reason Indians are drawn to Iceland is the chance to see the magical Northern Lights. Between September and April, the skies light up in shades of green, pink, and violet – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The biggest reason Indians are drawn to Iceland is the chance to see the magical Northern Lights. Between September and April, the skies light up in shades of green, pink, and violet – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Volcanoes and Glaciers: Iceland is home to more than 130 volcanoes and Europe's largest glaciers. The contrast of fire and ice in one country is truly mesmerizing. Iceland is home to more than 130 volcanoes and Europe's largest glaciers. The contrast of fire and ice in one country is truly mesmerizing. Waterfalls: From the powerful Gullfoss to the picturesque Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, Iceland is dotted with waterfalls that look like paintings. 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Iceland isn't just about nature – it has a rich culture and traditions that Indians often find fascinating. The Icelandic sagas and folklore bring a sense of mystery to the land. Reykjavik's vibrant art and music scene gives a taste of modern Nordic creativity. Geothermal spas like the Blue Lagoon allow travelers to combine relaxation with cultural immersion. Traditional Icelandic cuisine, though simple, offers unique dishes like lamb stew, seafood delicacies, and rye bread baked using geothermal heat. Indian travelers often wonder when to visit Iceland. The best time depends on what you want to experience: Winter (September – April): Best for Northern Lights and snowy adventures. Best for Northern Lights and snowy adventures. Summer (June – August): Perfect for road trips, the Midnight Sun, and lush green landscapes. Perfect for road trips, the Midnight Sun, and lush green landscapes. Spring & Autumn (April – May, September): Fewer crowds, balanced weather, and beautiful scenery. 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If you're planning your next big trip, put Iceland at the top of your list – it truly is the ultimate dream destination TIME BUSINESS NEWS

In Norway, Are ‘Coolcations' Taking a Toll?
In Norway, Are ‘Coolcations' Taking a Toll?

New York Times

time11 hours ago

  • New York Times

In Norway, Are ‘Coolcations' Taking a Toll?

As Jay and Kate Boyer and their two children hiked to a waterfall on an unusually hot July day in the fjord-side village of Geiranger, Norway, they were surprised by both the 90-degree temperatures and the cruise passengers clogging the path, as Ms. Boyer put it, 'like ants.' The Los Angeles couple had chosen the Nordic region for their family vacation after dealing with heat and crowds on a previous trip through southern Europe. 'We decided on this trip based entirely on the fact that it wouldn't be hot,' Mr. Boyer said, noting the irony of having arrived during a rare heat wave. 'But obviously we're not alone. Someone here told us there's even a word for this kind of trip.' The word is 'coolcation,' and in an industry that has never met a trend it couldn't slap a portmanteau onto, the term refers to the growing number of travelers who are avoiding the heat of traditional summer spots in favor of chillier climes. In Europe, as heat waves close the Acropolis in Athens and spark wildfires in Spain and Portugal, coolcations are driving tourists to Nordic countries. But in a region that takes pride in environmental and social sustainability, the development is prompting as much concern as celebration. Record Arrivals Perhaps nowhere is that more true than in Norway. Although delighted with the new interest, the country is also grappling with how to avoid overtourism and how to protect the nature that is part of its national identity. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

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