Venue Spotlight: The Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown

A sophisticated urban escape for unforgettable weddings in the heart of Minneapolis
Written by
Laura Cross

Set amid the energy of downtown Minneapolis, The Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown offers couples a wedding setting that feels both metropolitan and warmly inviting. With sweeping ballrooms, contemporary design, and the convenience of an upscale hotel, this venue brings together everything couples need for a celebration that is seamless, stylish, and truly memorable. Just steps from Nicollet Mall, Orchestra Hall, and the Skyway system, it is perfectly positioned for couples who want their day to feel connected to the pulse of the city.

Located in the heart of the city, Royal Sonesta anchors a prominent corner of downtown and gives guests effortless access to Minneapolis's cultural and dining destinations. The hotel offers 30,000 square feet of event space across 10 versatile venues, which can be configured into 24 unique event layouts, allowing couples to design celebrations that range from intimate gatherings to grand, city-view receptions.

Designed for Your Wedding Day

The venue’s signature space, the Scandinavian Ballroom, spans over 7,000 square feet and provides a polished, contemporary canvas for ceremonies and receptions up to 700 guests. Clean architectural lines, neutral tones, and high ceilings allow for a variety of wedding styles and setups.

For couples seeking a rooftop experience, the Dayton’s Winter Lounge includes indoor and outdoor areas with views of the Minneapolis skyline. Accommodating up to 216 guests indoors and 167 outdoors, it is an elevated option for ceremonies, cocktail hours, or late-night gatherings under the city lights.

For small and intimate weddings of up to 30 guests, the Finland, Odense, and Oslo rooms offer sophisticated settings for rehearsal dinners, welcome events, or receptions with the same signature service and design quality.

No matter the guest count, the hotel's flexible spaces can be customized for sit-down dinners, stand-up cocktail receptions, or creative configurations tailored to each couple's vision.

Planning Perks and Amenities

Royal Sonesta provides dedicated wedding planning support to help couples with details including décor, catering, setup, and coordination with vendors such as photographers and DJs. 

A full catering team prepares curated plated dinners, buffets, hors d’oeuvres, and late-night bites, all crafted on-site. Event staff manages setup and breakdown, lighting, and AV, ensuring the day runs seamlessly from start to finish.

The hotel offers private get-ready rooms for the wedding party, as well as valet and self-parking, including access to a heated parking ramp beneath the property. All event spaces are wheelchair accessible.

Logistics and Guest Experience

With 360 guest rooms, the Royal Sonesta allows couples to host their guests and wedding party comfortably under one roof. The downtown location gives out-of-town visitors easy access to Minneapolis’ dining, shopping, and cultural attractions, while the direct Skyway connection allows for weather-protected exploration of the city.

The hotel also offers a preferred group rate for overnight accommodations, and the wedding couple enjoys a complimentary room upgrade for their stay.

What Couples Appreciate

Couples often highlight the hotel’s seamless blend of style, service, and convenience. Many love the ease of staying, getting ready, celebrating, and unwinding all in one place. The Scandinavian Ballroom’s neutral, modern palette provides endless possibilities for décor, while the Winter Lounge offers a memorable rooftop moment that feels distinctly Minneapolis. 

Contact and Booking

To learn more or begin planning your event, couples can contact the Royal Sonesta events team at (612) 339-4900, [email protected] or request a proposal here.

Address:
35 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402