You don’t always need to get on an airplane to have an amazing getaway. Often, the best locations are just around the corner. And, just minutes from home, Omni Viking Lakes Hotel has become one of Eagan's most stylish destinations for a weekend away. Set beside the Minnesota Vikings headquarters, the 320-room property offers polished accommodations, inviting gathering spaces, delectable dining, and a resort-style atmosphere that feels pleasantly removed from our daily routines and responsibilities.
For General Manager Brent Glashan, that feeling has always been part of the vision.
"Take the time to go outside," he says. "Watch the sunset by the fire pit. Take a walk around the pond. It's an oasis from the city but only 20 minutes away."
That balance between proximity and relaxation is exactly what makes the hotel such an appealing staycation destination. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, planning a girls' weekend, or simply craving a change of scenery, the experience begins the moment you step inside.
Resort Living Without Leaving Minnesota
Recently, the Omni has invested in new and improved outdoor amenities. Now, your summer retreat in Eagan will feel more like a destination vacation than you ever thought possible.
Guests can spend the afternoon beside the heated outdoor pool, soak in one of two year-round hot tubs, or unwind inside one of the property's saunas. Private cabanas offer another way to spend the day, while the adjacent OASE Pool Bar serves seasonal dishes and refreshing beverages just steps from the water.
Even after summer fades, the outdoor spaces continue to invite guests back.
The hot tubs and saunas remain open throughout the winter, thanks to heated walkways and carefully designed outdoor areas. During colder months, the indoor pool provides another inviting place to relax.
The surrounding grounds become just as active when temperatures drop. Viking Lakes regularly transforms the pond into skating rinks and curling sheets while seasonal events bring the campus to life with winter celebrations, ice mazes, and other outdoor activities.
Dining That Deserves Its Own Reservation
Many hotels treat dining as an afterthought. Omni Viking Lakes takes a different approach.
"We're very food forward," Brent explains. "We want people to want to stay here, not just to sleep, but to enjoy the dining."
You can see this philosophy in any of the property’s amazing dining establishments. And one of the first things you’ll notice is that rather than offering a menu that looks the same from city to city, the culinary team embraces Minnesota ingredients and local influences.
Kyndred Hearth remains the hotel's signature restaurant through its partnership with James Beard Award-winning chef Ann Kim. Meanwhile, Executive Chef Matt Weaver continues introducing seasonal additions that keep returning guests pleasantly surprised. Brent points to a new tuna sushi-inspired dish, the yellowtail crudo, as one example that guests have quickly embraced.
Guests can also choose to dine at Keras Bar or Ember & Ice. And for special occasions, a private dining experience is always a great choice. Wherever you decide to dine, dinner can become just as memorable as the overnight stay itself.
More Than Just a Hotel Room
While the guest rooms deliver understated elegance, those looking to indulge a little further have several impressive suite options.
The hotel features four luxury suites and ten spacious corner executive suites, complete with soaking tubs, oversized wet rooms, and beautiful Cambria quartz surfaces throughout. Some suites comfortably accommodate four guests, making them ideal for couples traveling with friends or families seeking extra space.
The Idlewild Spa adds another layer to the experience. Many visitors know about the spa treatments, but Brent says fewer realize the full range of amenities available with a booked service.
Guests can choose from relaxing massages, rejuvenating facials, hydrating body wraps, vitamin C body scrubs, nail salon services, and other personalized treatments designed to help them unwind. Before or after an appointment, spa guests have exclusive access to private relaxation spaces, including hydrotherapy, saunas, steam rooms, a salt room, and quiet lounges that invite lingering a little longer. Before heading home, visitors can stop by the spa boutique to browse a thoughtfully curated collection of professional home care products, making it easy to continue the experience long after the staycation ends.
Built Around Hospitality
Brent has been part of Omni Viking Lakes since before the hotel welcomed its first guests in 2020. During that time, he has watched the team grow from just four employees to more than 200.
His favorite part of working for Omni isn't the building or the amenities. It's the people. "I absolutely love the culture of the brand," he says. "We're not just filling jobs. We're building careers."
That philosophy is reflected throughout the property, from the warm welcome at check-in to the attentive service in the restaurants, spa, and guest spaces.
There is another unexpected bonus for football fans, too. During the NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings stay at the hotel before home games. A fall staycation could include spotting a favorite player in the lobby before kickoff or visiting the adjacent Vikings Museum to learn more about the team's history.
Whether you're planning a romantic weekend, celebrating a special occasion, or simply looking for a stylish escape close to home, Omni Viking Lakes Hotel offers an experience that feels refreshingly different without asking you to travel far.
To see seasonal packages, dining experiences, spa offerings, and upcoming events, visit the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel website at https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/viking-lakes-minnesota.