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

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown vs The Westin Edina Galleria

Choosing between Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown and The Westin Edina Galleria? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, amenities, price & more so you can decide which hotel is the best fit for your Minneapolis stay.

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

Best for business travelers, event guests, families, and couples who want a full-service downtown Minneapolis stay with Skyway access and an on-site restaurant.

The Westin Edina Galleria resort
The Westin Edina Galleria
Edina • Upscale Shopping Area • Polished Suburban Stay

Better for travelers who want an upscale Edina base with a quieter suburban feel and easy access to the Galleria shopping and dining scene.

Quick Verdict: Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown vs The Westin Edina Galleria

If you want to be in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, close to sports, theater, offices, and the climate-controlled Skyway System, Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown is the stronger fit.

If your priority is a polished suburban stay centered around upscale shopping, dining, and a calmer Edina setting, The Westin Edina Galleria is likely the better match.

Bottom line: choose Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown for downtown convenience, meetings, and city access; choose The Westin Edina Galleria for an upscale shopping-adjacent stay outside the downtown core.

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown vs The Westin Edina Galleria – At a Glance

Category Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown The Westin Edina Galleria
Overall Vibe Full-service downtown hotel with a business-friendly, event-ready feel, an all-ages atmosphere, and direct Skyway convenience. Upscale Edina hotel with a quieter, polished feel and strong appeal for shopping-focused weekends and suburban business stays.
Location In downtown Minneapolis, directly connected to the Skyway System and within a short walk of major entertainment and sports venues. In Edina at the Galleria area, better for travelers who want upscale retail, dining, and a less urban base.
Rooms & Suites 360 guestrooms and 17 suites with down comforters, Egyptian cotton sheets, Smart TVs, refrigerators, coffee makers, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Comfortable upscale rooms with a more suburban luxury-hotel feel, best for travelers prioritizing a quieter Edina setting.
Dining Wood + Paddle Eatery serves Minnesota-inspired, wood-fired fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a full-service bar and private dining options. Best for guests who expect to pair hotel dining with the surrounding Galleria-area restaurant and shopping scene.
Pools & Fitness No pool; the hotel’s standout wellness feature is a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center on the 17th floor with skyline views. Better if you want an upscale hotel experience in Edina and plan to spend downtime around shopping, dining, and the hotel’s amenities.
Kids & Family All-ages hotel that markets to family stays as well as business and romantic trips; up to two children 17 and younger may stay free using existing bedding. Works well for families or couples who prefer a quieter suburban base near shopping and dining rather than a downtown entertainment district.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who will use the downtown location, Skyway connection, on-site dining, event space, and walkable access to Minneapolis venues. Best value for travelers who prefer Edina’s upscale shopping setting and do not need to be based in central downtown Minneapolis.

Rooms & Suites: Downtown Comfort vs Suburban Polish

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Room Style

Rooms and suites at Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown are designed for practical city comfort, with strong in-room basics for business trips, event weekends, and family stays.

  • 360 guestrooms and 17 suites in a full-service downtown setting
  • In-room features include down comforters, Egyptian cotton sheets, Smart TVs, refrigerators, and coffee makers
  • Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is included for guests

Royal Sonesta is the better pick if you want a comfortable downtown room base with easy access to meetings, entertainment, and the Skyway.

The Westin Edina Galleria – Room Style

The Westin Edina Galleria offers a more suburban upscale-hotel room experience, appealing to travelers who want polish without staying in the downtown core.

  • Best suited to guests who prefer an Edina setting over a downtown address
  • Convenient for shopping-focused stays around the Galleria area
  • A good fit for couples, business travelers, and families who want a quieter upscale base

If you want a calmer, shopping-adjacent hotel environment, The Westin Edina Galleria has the edge over a downtown stay.

Dining & Drinks: On-Site Minnesota Flavor vs Galleria-Area Dining

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Royal Sonesta centers on Wood + Paddle Eatery, the hotel’s lobby-level restaurant serving Minnesota-inspired, Midwestern cuisine rooted in Northern flavors.

Expect:

  • Wood-fired fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Menu highlights such as walleye, steak frites, cedar-planked salmon, chicken wild rice soup, and bison dishes
  • A full-service bar plus private dining options for small groups and events

The Westin Edina Galleria – Restaurants & Bars

The Westin Edina Galleria is better framed as a dining-and-shopping stay, with the surrounding Galleria area playing a major role in the overall experience.

  • Strong for travelers who like having upscale shopping and restaurants nearby
  • Better for a polished weekend built around dining out and browsing
  • Ideal if you prefer an Edina restaurant scene over a downtown hotel base

If having a distinctive on-site restaurant matters most, Royal Sonesta stands out; if you want the broader Galleria-area experience, The Westin Edina Galleria is the better fit.

Fitness & Downtime: Skyline Gym vs Shopping-Focused Leisure

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Fitness & Downtime Scene

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown does not have a pool, but it does offer a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center on the 17th floor with Minneapolis skyline views.

  • 24-hour fitness center for workout-focused travelers
  • Direct Skyway access for climate-controlled movement around downtown
  • Best for guests who plan to spend downtime exploring downtown venues, dining, and events

The Westin Edina Galleria – Fitness & Downtime Scene

The Westin Edina Galleria is stronger for travelers who see shopping, dining, and a quieter suburban setting as part of the relaxation experience.

  • Upscale Edina atmosphere with a calmer pace than downtown Minneapolis
  • Convenient for browsing and dining around the Galleria area
  • Better for travelers who want leisure time centered on retail and restaurants

If you want downtown fitness access and city energy, choose Royal Sonesta; if your downtime revolves around upscale shopping and a quieter setting, choose The Westin Edina Galleria.

Kids & Family: Downtown All-Ages Convenience vs Suburban Ease

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Family Fit

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown is an all-ages hotel that markets to family stays, business travelers, and romantic getaways, making it flexible for mixed-purpose trips.

  • Up to two children 17 and younger may stay free when using existing bedding
  • Downtown location works well for sports, theater, and sightseeing-focused stays
  • No adults-only section is identified, so the atmosphere is broad and mixed

The Westin Edina Galleria – Family Fit

The Westin Edina Galleria suits families who prefer a quieter Edina base and want shopping and dining close at hand rather than a downtown entertainment setting.

  • Good for families who want an upscale suburban stay
  • Convenient for shopping-focused downtime between plans
  • Better for travelers who want less downtown bustle

If your family plans revolve around downtown Minneapolis venues, Royal Sonesta is more convenient; if you want a calmer Edina shopping base, The Westin Edina Galleria makes more sense.

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

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown – Value Snapshot

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown offers the most value when you will use its downtown address, Skyway connection, on-site restaurant, and meeting-friendly setup.

  • Best for business travelers, event guests, and downtown weekends
  • Great if you want direct Skyway access and walkable city convenience
  • Strong value for guests who want on-site dining and a central Minneapolis base

The Westin Edina Galleria – Value Snapshot

The Westin Edina Galleria is the better value if your trip is focused on Edina, upscale shopping, or a quieter stay outside the downtown core.

  • Best for travelers who want a polished suburban hotel experience
  • Stronger for couples or families planning time around the Galleria area
  • Worth it if you prefer shopping and dining access over downtown walkability

Who Wins? Best Minneapolis-Area Hotel by Travel Style

Best for Downtown Events & Business Trips
Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown resort

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown

Choose Royal Sonesta if you want a central downtown Minneapolis location, direct Skyway access, on-site Minnesota-inspired dining, and a hotel that works for business, events, couples, and families.

Best for Shopping-Focused Weekends
The Westin Edina Galleria resort

The Westin Edina Galleria

The Westin Edina Galleria is the better pick for travelers who want an upscale Edina stay with shopping and dining as a key part of the trip.

Best for Skyway Access & City Convenience
Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown resort

Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown

For guests attending downtown events, meetings, games, or theater performances, Royal Sonesta’s location and Skyway connection make it the more practical choice.

Best for Quiet Edina Stays & Galleria Dining
The Westin Edina Galleria resort

The Westin Edina Galleria

If you want a quieter suburban feel, a polished hotel environment, and easy access to the Galleria area, The Westin Edina Galleria is the stronger fit.

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Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown

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