10 Best Hotels Near Xcel Energy Center

The Minneapolis and Saint Paul metro area is the heart of Minnesota, with multiple professional sports teams and a thriving theater and music scene. The Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul hosts many of the state’s largest events. It is the home ice of the Minnesota Wild and, with a capacity of 20,554, hosts dozens of high-profile concerts every year.

Diverse and unique neighborhoods fill the metro, but it may be easier for you and your family or partner to stay close to your event’s venue. If you have come to Saint Paul to watch a Wild game or attend a concert, it may be wise to choose a hotel near the Xcel Energy Center.

Why Choose a Hotel Near the Xcel Energy Center?

Staying near the Xcel Energy Center has several benefits, one of the biggest of which is parking. Parking in that neighborhood can be difficult and expensive for a big event. Many hotels have their own lots, allowing you to park there and walk to your event.

The Xcel Energy Center is one of many places to visit in the area. When you stay near the Xcel, you are also conveniently staying near:

• The Science Museum of Minnesota – this century-old science museum features hands-on exhibits covering a range of scientific topics
• The Minnesota Children’s Museum – a newly-revamped children’s museum featuring interactive learning exhibits geared toward ages 1-10
• The Minnesota Museum of American Art – Minnesota’s oldest art museum featuring works by American artists from the 19th century forward
• The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts – a not-for-profit performing arts center presenting Broadway, music, and dance
• The Landmark Center – a cultural center inside an ornate gothic building featuring museum exhibits and hosting performances and community events
• Union Depot – a historical transportation hub that also features shopping and dining
• Alexander Ramsey House – a Victorian home that once served as the governor’s mansion, now run by the Minnesota Historical Society, which Ramsey helped found
• James J. Hill House – a gilded-era manor built by a railroad tycoon, now nicknamed “Minnesota’s Downton Abbey”
• Minnesota History Center – run by the Minnesota Historical Society, the history center features a history museum for all ages, shopping, and a research library
• Cathedral of Saint Paul – a Beaux-Arts cathedral that also serves as a civic and historical landmark
• Upper Landing Park – a lush public park overlooking the Mississippi River

The Saint Paul Hotel

Just as the Xcel Energy Center hosts some of the biggest names in music, the Saint Paul Hotel has hosted some of the biggest names in American history. Opened over a century ago, this luxury landmark hotel has entertained guests such as Charles Lindberg and President John F. Kennedy.

The rooms at the Saint Paul Hotel retain their original Edwardian charm while providing modern amenities like a Keurig coffee maker, HD TV, and WiFi. For added comfort, you will find your room stocked with items like custom-designed mattresses, luxury Italian showerheads, premium linens, and plush bathrobes.

Xcel Energy Center is only two blocks from the Saint Paul Hotel. Within walking distance, you’ll also find the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Minnesota Museum of Modern Art, and the Landmark Center. You will also have a variety of dining options in the area, or visit the hotel’s Saint Paul Grill for a classic fine-dining experience with a modern twist.

Hyatt Place Downtown St. Paul

The downtown St. Paul location of Hyatt Place is nestled inside Custom House, a 17-story building that served as St. Paul’s main post office for 79 years. Builders broke ground on Custom House in 1932, but thanks to the Great Depression, the building didn’t open until 1934. After the postal service left the building in 2013, redevelopment began, turning the old federal building into apartments and a hotel.

When Custom House opened, it was the most modern building in the city. Hyatt Place and the lobby it shares with the residents have kept the art deco atmosphere, with vintage-inspired decor pieces and a color pallet of neutrals splashed with jewel tones and golds. The hotel provides typical amenities like WiFi, a pool, and a fitness center. Breakfast is included in your stay, and you will find 24/7 dining options. Hyatt Place is pet friendly.

Hyatt Place is less than a mile down the road from Xcel Energy Center, making for about a fifteen-minute walk. Less than a block away, you will find Union Depot. The hotel is right along the Mississippi River, offering beautiful views of North America’s largest river.

Drury Plaza Hotel Downtown St. Paul

The fresh, modern Drury Plaza Hotel has only been open for a few years. As such, you’ll find standard but top-of-the-line amenities like free WiFi, a pool and whirlpool, complimentary breakfast and dinner, and a business center and fitness center, both open 24/7. Pets can stay for an additional fee.

Drury Plaza Hotel is just under a mile from the Xcel Energy Center, so a walk from one location to the other should take about twenty minutes. You will also find the Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Minnesota Museum of American Art within walking distance and dozens of dining options.

Celeste of Saint Paul Hotel and Bar

The building that is now Celeste of Saint Paul Hotel and Bar was originally Saint Agatha’s Conservatory of Music and Art. Upon completion in 1909, Saint Agatha’s housed hundreds of students and nuns and also included a library and infirmary. When the Conservatory closed in 1962, the McNally School of Music took over the building. In 2017, Rebound Hospitality purchased the building, restoring it and turning it into a hotel.

The hotel restorations preserved many of the original elements of the hotel, like the curved staircases and stained glass windows. However, you won’t be totally stepping back in time; the hotel also offers guests WiFi and cable TV. Other amenities include complimentary breakfast and an on-site bar.

Celeste of Saint Paul is a ten-minute walk from the Xcel Energy Center. You will also find yourself about three blocks from the Minnesota Children’s Museum and about six from the Minnesota Museum of American Art. 

Residence Inn Downtown St. Paul

The Residence Inn is a modern, relaxing hotel in Downtown St. Paul. The hotel features studio or one-bedroom suites, perfect for traveling with larger groups. Each room has a fully equipped kitchen, ideal for more extended stays or when you are trying to save some money. You’ll have high-speed WiFi and two TVs. The hotel has a fitness center, indoor pool, and whirlpool and allows one dog per room within size limits and with an added fee.

It will take about ten minutes to walk half a mile from the hotel to the Xcel Energy Center. You’ll also be only about half a mile away from the James J. Hill House and the Science Museum, as well as about a third of a mile from the former governor’s mansion, the Alexander Ramsey House. The Residence Inn is about a block away from the Children’s Minnesota Hospital, making it a good option if you are visiting a patient.

Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown St. Paul

Sitting right across the street from the Xcel Energy Center, the Hampton Inn and Suites is the closest to the arena of all the hotels on this list. The hotel has several room options, and WiFi and hot breakfast are complimentary. You’ll also find features like an indoor pool, fitness center, and business center. Pet-friendly rooms are available.

While there is no on-site parking, valet parking in a secured location is available for an additional fee. A walk to the Xcel Energy Center will take about two minutes, while a stroll to the Minnesota Children’s Museum takes about four. The Landmark Center is about a twelve-minute walk, or spend the afternoon alongside the Mississippi River at Upper Landing Park, only a nine-minute walk.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downtown St. Paul

SpringHill Suites is a custom-built hotel in the midst of St. Paul’s historic Lowertown area. Upon entering, you will discover a hotel that is simultaneously sleek and warm. The modern design extends throughout the hotel, from the suites to the fitness center to the pool. It’s a great option for families, with free hot breakfast and a kids pool, and also allows dogs and cats with a pet fee. 

The walk to Xcel Energy Center is three-quarters of a mile and will take about fifteen minutes. Depending on the route you take, you will pass by either the Minnesota Children’s Museum or the Landmark Center on your way. Just off your route, you can find the Minnesota Museum of Art, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and Union Depot.

The Davidson St. Paul

Constructed in 1915, this building was originally a home for the wealthy Sarah and Watson Davidson and their children. From 1961-2013, The Davidson was home to the College of Visual Arts. It opened as a hotel in 2019 after renovations by the Commonwealth Company.

Despite the recent renovations, the hotel still exudes rich Tudor charm and elegance. All rooms and suites have seating areas, kitchenettes, and amenities, including Keurig coffee makers, smart HD TVs, and WiFi. The hotel also provides guests with laundry machines and a library stocked with books, games, and puzzles.

The Davidson is about a mile from the Xcel Energy Center, although walking from one to the other is not advised due to highways. However, within walking distance, you will find attractions like the James J. Hill House, Minnesota History Center, Cathedral of Saint Paul, and dozens of dining options.

Holiday Inn Downtown St. Paul

Like the Hampton Inn on this list, the Holiday Inn in Downtown St. Paul is also right across from the Xcel Energy Center, except it sits across diagonally. Guest rooms and suites feature a kitchenette space, flatscreen TV with premium channels, and WiFi. 

On-site, you will find a business center, fitness center, heated pool, whirlpool, and children’s activities. The hotel’s western-style Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon is perfect for food with the family or relaxing at the bar.

With the hotel’s close proximity to the Xcel Energy Center and on-site parking, it is easy to park your car in the lot and walk to your event. This location also puts you a short walk to the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Alexander Ramsey House, and Upper Landing Park.

Covington Inn Bed and Breakfast

Though technically a bed and breakfast and not a hotel, we would be remiss to leave Covington Inn off the list. This 1940s towboat used to push cargo up and down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. After sitting empty for a while, the River Valley Preservation Company gutted and renovated the boat, turning it into a bed and breakfast that opened in 1995.

The towboat offers four staterooms for guests to choose from, from the cozy Mate’s Quarters to the stately and spacious Pilot House Suite. All rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning and heat for stays in any season. The boat includes a gourmet breakfast and a library of historical books. In-room massages may be available.

The Covington Inn is a little less than a mile from Xcel Energy Center, about a twenty-minute walk that includes a bridge over the Mississippi. Along your route, you will walk past the Science Museum of Minnesota, and not far off, you’ll find the Landmark Center and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

Final Thoughts

Downtown St. Paul offers no shortage of hotels for travelers. Whether you are just staying the night for an event at the Xcel Energy Center or staying for several days, you have a wealth of options within a mile of the arena. 

If you are traveling with a partner, try one of the romantic, historic hotels. Traveling with the family? A kid-friendly chain may be your best bet. No matter what you choose, downtown St. Paul will keep you endlessly entertained.