
Hewing Hotel
Best for social city stays and guests wanting an adults-only rooftop spa, sauna, and Nordic dining.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Hewing Hotel is a historic North Loop boutique in downtown Minneapolis with a year-round rooftop spa pool and Nordic restaurant; read this if you want a city stay with an adults-only rooftop scene. Great Wolf Lodge Bloomington is a family-focused indoor water-park resort near Mall of America; read this if you’re booking a kids-first getaway with on-site water attractions.
Updated · about 16 km apart (roughly a 15–25 minute drive depending on traffic)

Best for social city stays and guests wanting an adults-only rooftop spa, sauna, and Nordic dining.

Best for families who want easy access to an indoor water park, waterslides, a lazy river, and themed family suites.
When Hewing Hotel wins: pick Hewing if you want a downtown Minneapolis base with walkable nightlife, Tullibee’s Nordic-influenced dining, and a rooftop spa pool/sauna reserved for guests 21+.
When Great Wolf Lodge Bloomington wins: pick Great Wolf Lodge if your priority is on-site family entertainment — multiple suite types, waterslides, a lazy river, and free water-park access for guests.
Bottom line: Hewing is an urban, design-forward hotel that doubles as an adults-oriented city escape; Great Wolf Lodge is a purpose-built family resort centered on its indoor water park and kid-focused programming.
| Category | Hewing Hotel | Great Wolf Lodge Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic boutique, urban nightlife, Nordic dining | Lively family resort anchored by an indoor water park |
| Location | North Loop, downtown Minneapolis — walkable to Target Field and riverfront | East Bloomington, adjacent to Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe |
| Size (rooms) | 124 guest rooms (+ roughly 13–14 suites) | 404 rooms |
| Best for ages | All ages welcome; rooftop pool/sauna & rooftop bar limited to guests 21+ | All ages; designed for families and children |
| Pools & water features | One heated, year-round rooftop spa pool (adults 21+); dry sauna on rooftop | Large indoor water park with waterslides, lazy river, children's pool, lifeguards |
| Restaurants & bars | Tullibee (Nordic-inspired restaurant), The Rooftop bar, lobby Bar & Lounge | Multiple casual dining options (4 restaurants), poolside bar, coffee shop |
| Wellness & fitness | 24-hour fitness center, yoga room, sauna events (Thermaculture Thursdays), partnered massage services | No named full spa published; family recreation, ropes course, arcade, bowling on site |
| Known for | Rooftop spa pool and large cedar dry sauna in a 1897 warehouse setting | On-site Great Wolf indoor water park and family suites |
| Event & meeting space | 7,500+ sq ft of event space including Andrews Ballroom and multiple boardrooms | Conference space and meeting rooms (event facilities available) |
| Parking & access | Valet on-site (fee); no airport shuttle; very walkable to transit | Self parking (surcharge); close to MSP and Mall of America; car not required for some transfers |
Hewing sits in Minneapolis’s North Loop — an urban, walkable neighborhood with nightlife, restaurants, and sports venues nearby.
Pick Hewing if you want a central Minneapolis neighborhood base and walkable evening options.
Great Wolf Lodge Bloomington sits near Mall of America in East Bloomington, positioned for families visiting the mall and attractions.
Pick Great Wolf Lodge if you want to be near Mall of America and prefer a car- or transit-accessible family resort.
Hewing’s 124 rooms and a set of suites are carried in a converted 1897 warehouse and emphasize design and neighborhood views.
Choose Hewing for design-forward downtown rooms and a boutique hotel experience.
Great Wolf Lodge offers many suite layouts sized and arranged for families, including bunk-bed and cabin-style suites.
Choose Great Wolf Lodge when you need space and kid-friendly room setups for families.
Hewing centers dining around Tullibee’s Nordic-influenced menu and an adults-facing rooftop bar.
Pick Hewing if you value a focused, regionally driven restaurant and an upscale rooftop bar scene.
Great Wolf Lodge provides several casual dining outlets and a poolside bar to support family schedules and kids’ needs.
Pick Great Wolf Lodge if you want convenient, family-style dining steps from the water attractions.
Hewing’s signature amenity is a heated, year-round rooftop spa pool paired with a large dry sauna; access to both is restricted to registered guests 21+.
Hewing’s rooftop is the draw for adults seeking a spa-like, skyline pool and sauna experience in the city.
Great Wolf Lodge’s signature feature is a large indoor water park that’s the center of the resort’s family programming.
Great Wolf Lodge is the clear pick if you want an on-site, all-ages indoor water-park experience.
Hewing blends city nightlife and wellness with rooftop sauna events and late-night cocktail options.
Hewing suits travelers seeking an adults-oriented social and wellness mix in a downtown setting.
Great Wolf Lodge focuses on family entertainment rather than adult nightlife or a spa program.
Great Wolf is for families looking for programmed kid entertainment rather than adult-oriented nightlife or spa rituals.

Hewing — rooftop spa pool, dry sauna, and rooftop bar reserved for guests 21+ make it ideal for adult evenings.

Great Wolf Lodge — on-site indoor water park, kid-friendly suites, and family programming keep kids busy.

Hewing — walkable North Loop location near Target Field, theaters, and riverfront trails.

Great Wolf Lodge — located adjacent to Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe for easy family outings.
Hewing — the Rooftop spa pool, sauna, and bar are limited to guests 21+, creating an adult-focused evening environment.
Great Wolf Lodge — its indoor water park, waterslides, lazy river, and family suites are designed for kids and family days on-site.
No — the rooftop spa pool and sauna are reserved for registered guests 21 years and older; children can use other hotel areas.
Yes — the supplier listing states 'Free water park access' is included for guests staying at Great Wolf Lodge Bloomington.
Explore how Hewing Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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