35 S 7th St, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55402, United States
resort comparison guide

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown vs Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis

Choosing between Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown and Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, dining, amenities, price & more so you can decide which hotel fits your Minneapolis stay.

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown resort
Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown
All-Ages • Downtown Minneapolis • Skyway Access

Best for families, business travelers, couples, and event guests who want a full-service downtown Minneapolis hotel with direct Skyway access, on-site dining, and practical city convenience.

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis resort
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis
Luxury Hotel • Downtown Minneapolis • Refined Stay

Better for travelers who want a more intimate luxury-hotel feel in Minneapolis, with a refined setting that leans romantic, upscale, and boutique compared with a larger downtown convention-friendly stay.

Quick Verdict: Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown vs Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis

If you want a polished downtown base with easy access to the Minneapolis Skyway System, event space, a 24-hour fitness center, and a straightforward full-service hotel setup, Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown is the more versatile pick.

If your priority is a more elevated luxury atmosphere for a couples' trip, special occasion, or design-forward city stay, Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis is the stronger fit.

Bottom line: choose Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown for practical downtown convenience, family/business flexibility, and Skyway-connected access; choose Hotel Ivy for a more refined luxury-hotel experience.

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown vs Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis – At a Glance

Category Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis
Overall Vibe Full-service downtown hotel with a polished, all-ages atmosphere suited to business trips, family stays, romantic getaways, meetings, and event weekends. More intimate luxury-hotel feel, best for travelers who want a refined Minneapolis stay with a quieter, more upscale tone.
Location In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, directly connected to the climate-controlled Skyway System and close to major entertainment, shopping, and event venues. Also in downtown Minneapolis, better suited to travelers who want a luxury base with a more boutique, special-occasion feel.
Rooms & Suites 360 guestrooms and 17 suites with practical comforts like complimentary Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, refrigerators, coffee makers, down comforters, and Egyptian cotton sheets. A more luxury-oriented room experience, appealing to guests who place more weight on style, atmosphere, and a high-end hotel identity.
Dining Wood + Paddle Eatery serves Minnesota-inspired, wood-fired fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a full-service bar and private dining options. Better for travelers who want a more upscale dining-and-drinks mood as part of a luxury downtown stay.
Amenities No pool, but strong city-hotel amenities including a 24-hour fitness center on the 17th floor, complimentary Wi-Fi, dog-friendly rooms, and laundry services. More luxury-focused amenities and atmosphere, with the appeal centered less on scale and more on a polished high-end experience.
Kids & Family All-ages hotel with a flexible setup for family stays; up to two children 17 and younger can stay free in a parent or guardian's room using existing bedding. Can work for families, but the vibe is generally better matched to couples, luxury travelers, and special-occasion stays.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who want downtown convenience, Skyway access, on-site dining, event space, and practical amenities in one full-service hotel. Best value for travelers who are willing to prioritize a more elevated luxury feel over broader business-and-event versatility.

Rooms & Suites: Downtown Practicality vs Luxury-Hotel Polish

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Room Style

Rooms at Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown are designed for a broad mix of travelers, from work trips and event weekends to family visits and couples' getaways.

  • 360 guestrooms plus 17 suites for travelers who want a full-service downtown hotel setup
  • In-room comforts include complimentary Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, refrigerators, coffee makers, down comforters, and Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Better for guests who want practical downtown comfort rather than a purely boutique-luxury stay

Royal Sonesta is the better pick if you want a dependable, city-centered room base with useful amenities and easy access around downtown.

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis – Room Style

Hotel Ivy leans more toward a polished luxury-hotel experience, making it a stronger match for travelers who want their room and overall stay to feel more elevated.

  • More refined luxury atmosphere for couples and special occasions
  • Better fit for travelers who value design, mood, and a boutique-style downtown stay
  • Best for guests who want the hotel itself to feel like a central part of the trip

If you want a more luxurious, intimate hotel feel, Hotel Ivy is the stronger room-style choice.

Dining & Drinks: Minnesota-Inspired Wood-Fired Fare vs Upscale City-Hotel Mood

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Royal Sonesta centers on Wood + Paddle Eatery, the hotel's on-site restaurant off the lobby, serving Midwestern cuisine rooted in Northern flavors.

Expect:

  • Wood-fired, Minnesota-inspired dishes served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • A full-service bar inside Wood + Paddle, with happy hour listed on the hotel's dining information
  • Private dining options, including a room suitable for groups of up to 40 guests

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis – Restaurants & Bars

Hotel Ivy is the better fit if you want the dining-and-drinks portion of the stay to feel more upscale and occasion-driven.

  • More refined atmosphere for date nights and special trips
  • Better matched to travelers who want a luxury-hotel dining mood
  • Ideal if you prefer a polished, intimate evening setting over a larger full-service hotel feel

If you want a clearly defined on-site restaurant with Minnesota-inspired cooking, Royal Sonesta is easy to understand; if atmosphere matters more, Hotel Ivy has the luxury edge.

Amenities: Skyway Convenience vs Boutique Luxury Feel

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Amenity Scene

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown is not a pool-and-spa style hotel; its strengths are downtown access, business/event infrastructure, and practical services.

  • Direct connection to Minneapolis's climate-controlled Skyway System
  • Fully equipped 24-hour fitness center on the 17th floor with skyline views
  • Dog-friendly policy with up to two dogs per room, plus a pet fee and food and water bowls available

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis – Amenity Scene

Hotel Ivy's appeal is more about luxury ambience and a refined hotel experience than broad full-service scale.

  • Better for travelers who want a high-end downtown retreat
  • Stronger fit for couples and special-occasion stays
  • Less about convention-hotel practicality and more about elevated atmosphere

If you want Skyway access, event facilities, and practical amenities, choose Royal Sonesta; if you want the more luxurious feel, choose Hotel Ivy.

Kids & Family: Flexible All-Ages Stay vs More Adult-Leaning Luxury Mood

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Family Fit

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown is an all-ages hotel that markets to families, business travelers, and romantic getaways alike, making it the more flexible choice for mixed travel needs.

  • Up to two children 17 and younger can stay free when using existing bedding in a parent or guardian's room
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi and in-room refrigerators help make city stays more practical
  • Good for families who want a central downtown base rather than resort-style kid programming

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis – Family Fit

Hotel Ivy can suit travelers of different types, but its luxury tone makes it a more natural match for couples, celebrations, and adults seeking a quieter upscale stay.

  • Better for romantic getaways and special occasions
  • More polished, intimate atmosphere than a broad full-service downtown hotel
  • Less family-practical than Royal Sonesta for travelers prioritizing convenience and flexibility

If you're traveling with children or mixed generations, Royal Sonesta is the easier all-around choice; for a more grown-up luxury mood, Hotel Ivy is more compelling.

Price & Value: Which Downtown Minneapolis Hotel Feels More Worth It?

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Value Snapshot

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown offers the strongest value when you want a central hotel with dining, meeting space, fitness access, and straightforward downtown convenience.

  • Best for business travelers, event guests, and families who want a practical downtown base
  • Great if direct Skyway access matters in cold, rainy, or busy city conditions
  • Strong value for travelers who will use the on-site restaurant, fitness center, and central location

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis – Value Snapshot

Hotel Ivy is the better value if your priorities are luxury atmosphere, a more intimate feel, and a stay that feels special beyond basic downtown convenience.

  • Best for couples and special-occasion travelers
  • Stronger for guests who want a luxury-branded Minneapolis hotel experience
  • Worth it if ambience and refinement matter more than broad full-service practicality

Who Wins? Best Downtown Minneapolis Hotel by Travel Style

Best for Business, Families & Events
Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown resort

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown

Choose Royal Sonesta if you want direct Skyway access, a central downtown location, on-site Minnesota-inspired dining, a 24-hour fitness center, and a flexible all-ages setup.

Best for Couples & Special Occasions
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis resort

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis

Hotel Ivy is the better pick for travelers who want a more refined luxury feel, especially for couples' trips, celebrations, and stylish downtown stays.

Best for Skyway Convenience
Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown resort

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown

For business trips, family stays, event weekends, and travelers who want practical convenience in the heart of downtown, Royal Sonesta is the more versatile choice.

Best for Luxury Atmosphere
Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis resort

Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis

If you want the hotel to feel more intimate, upscale, and occasion-worthy, Hotel Ivy is the stronger luxury pick.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Close