
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Best for casino action, live entertainment and an on-site championship golf course.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is a large casino resort in Prior Lake with gaming, live shows, a full-service spa, an 18-hole golf course and an indoor atrium pool — good for adults who want casino entertainment and resort amenities outside downtown. Minneapolis Marriott City Center is a full-service Marriott in the heart of downtown Minneapolis — read this if you want a central downtown base near Nicollet Mall, theaters and convention space.
Updated · about 20 miles (≈32 km) apart

Best for casino action, live entertainment and an on-site championship golf course.

Best for downtown access, theaters, sports venues and large meeting/convention needs.
When Mystic Lake Casino Hotel wins: pick Mystic Lake if your priority is 24/7 gaming, concerts and a resort campus with an 18-hole golf course and on-site spa — it’s a destination resort outside the city.
When Minneapolis Marriott City Center wins: choose the Marriott City Center if you want to be steps from Nicollet Mall, Target Center, theaters and easily reach convention space and downtown dining. It’s better for meetings and city sightseeing.
Bottom line: Mystic Lake is an adult-focused resort experience with gaming, golf and spa facilities; Minneapolis Marriott City Center is a large downtown convention hotel that’s convenient for events, sports and urban exploring. Choose by whether you want a resort getaway or a downtown base.
| Category | Mystic Lake Casino Hotel | Minneapolis Marriott City Center |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort-casino campus with entertainment, golf and a full-service spa | Busy downtown full-service Marriott focused on meetings and city access |
| Location | Prior Lake, suburban/resort setting with golf course and shuttle to Mall of America | Downtown Minneapolis, steps from Nicollet Mall and Target Center |
| Size (rooms) | 766 rooms across multiple towers | 585 guestrooms |
| Ages / policy | Adults-only atmosphere; registered guests must be 21+ to check in | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age not published as 21+ |
| Pool | Indoor atrium-style heated pool with whirlpool and sauna | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues including Mystic Steakhouse, Minnehaha Café, Hop House, The Meadows Bar & Grille and Sweet Temptations | Aurora restaurant, coffee shop/cafe, a bar/lounge and room service (limited hours) |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at Mystic Lake with three treatment rooms, sauna/steam and spa hours published | Health or beauty spa nearby and on-site hair salon (full-service spa not published) |
| Known for | 24/7 casino floor, live-show showroom, golf and large flexible meeting/ballroom spaces | Central downtown location, extensive conference space (425,814 sq ft total), and proximity to arenas and theaters |
| Meeting & event space | Mystic Lake Center: large conference center with 30 meeting rooms and ballrooms (up to ~17,327 sq ft Minnetonka Ballroom) | 425,814 sq ft of conference space and 24 meeting rooms |
| Parking & transport | Free self-parking, complimentary valet and free RV/bus/truck parking; free shuttles to Mall of America | Self parking (surcharge) and limo/town car service available |
Mystic Lake sits in Prior Lake on a large resort campus about 20 miles south of downtown Minneapolis.
Pick Mystic Lake when you want a standalone resort experience outside the city.
Minneapolis Marriott City Center is in central Minneapolis on South 7th Street, steps from Nicollet Mall and theaters.
Pick the Marriott when downtown proximity and walkable access to city venues matter.
Rooms span several connected towers and include suites and promenade rooms designed for resort guests.
Mystic Lake’s room options support resort stays, groups and event attendees.
Minneapolis Marriott City Center offers traditional full-service Marriott rooms and multiple executive suites.
The Marriott provides conventional downtown hotel rooms and several accessible options.
Dining at Mystic Lake ranges from a steakhouse to a sports bar, café and golf-course grille.
Choose Mystic Lake for a variety of lively dining and late-night bar options on property.
The Marriott has one on-site full-service restaurant (Aurora), a coffee shop and a bar/lounge.
The Marriott is suited to travelers who want downtown dining within walking distance.
Mystic Lake’s signature amenity is its resort leisure offering: a heated indoor atrium-style pool plus casino and golf.
Mystic Lake’s pool, casino and golf define the resort’s leisure draw.
Minneapolis Marriott City Center focuses on downtown access and meeting/conference facilities as its signature assets.
The Marriott’s signature strengths are downtown location and conference space rather than resort-style pools.
Wellness is available through The Spa at Mystic Lake; nightlife centers on the casino and Hop House music/beer venue.
Mystic Lake blends spa downtime with late-night casino and concert options.
The Marriott offers easy access to downtown nightlife and cultural venues but relies on the surrounding neighborhood for live entertainment.
Use the Marriott as a downtown base for evening shows, sports and city nightlife.

Mystic Lake — 24/7 casino floor, Hop House live music and onsite showroom concerts.

Mystic Lake — The Meadows at Mystic Lake is an 18-hole public championship course adjacent to the resort.

Minneapolis Marriott City Center — steps from Nicollet Mall, Target Center and downtown theaters.

Minneapolis Marriott City Center — extensive conference space and 24 meeting rooms in a central downtown location.
Minneapolis Marriott City Center is located in downtown Minneapolis; Mystic Lake is in Prior Lake about 20 miles south of downtown.
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel operates a 24/7 casino floor and hosts live concerts and shows in its Mystic Showroom; Minneapolis Marriott City Center does not list on-site casino gaming.
Minneapolis Marriott City Center lists very large conference capacity (425,814 sq ft and 24 meeting rooms) and is inside downtown; Mystic Lake also has a large convention center (Mystic Lake Center) but is a resort setting outside the city.
Mystic Lake publishes an on-site Spa at Mystic Lake and an indoor atrium-style pool with whirlpool/sauna. The Marriott lists fitness and hair-salon services; a full-service hotel spa and a pool are not published for this property.
Explore how Mystic Lake Casino Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·