St. Paul hotels temporarily close amid immigration enforcement tensions, canceling reservations and citing guest safety concerns

What happened

Two major downtown St. Paul hotels temporarily suspended operations on Sunday, January 18, 2026, canceling existing reservations and citing heightened safety concerns. The affected properties were identified as the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront and the DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul Downtown. Guests were notified that the closures would take effect at noon.

In written notices provided to guests, the DoubleTree told occupants that “safety and well-being” would remain the top priority and that the hotel had made the “difficult decision” to close temporarily due to public safety concerns. The notices also indicated staff would help guests secure alternate accommodations.

Operator statement and scope of the closures

Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, which operates both properties, said it was temporarily suspending operations for all guests with reservations, not only government personnel. The company said it was contacting guests and offering accommodations at other properties at no charge while the two hotels remain closed.

Reporting around the closures described the decision as a response to elevated safety and security risks in the surrounding area, including threats reported to hotel staff connected to lodging federal personnel.

Why hotels became a flashpoint

The closures occurred amid heightened tensions in the Twin Cities linked to increased federal immigration enforcement activity and a wave of protests. Demonstrations have intensified since the January 7, 2026, fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minneapolis by a federal immigration officer during an enforcement-related operation. The killing prompted sustained public demonstrations and a wider debate over federal tactics, local authority, and public safety.

Hotels have become a focal point because visiting federal personnel often rely on commercial lodging during large-scale deployments. In recent weeks, other Minnesota-area lodging disputes involving federal bookings have also generated national attention and corporate responses, adding pressure to both hotel operators and national brands that rely on franchise or third-party management structures.

Government response and continuing developments

Federal officials have publicly characterized the Twin Cities enforcement effort as substantial in scale, while state and local officials have urged calm and emphasized the need to avoid escalation. Public discussion has included the possibility of expanded federal involvement, including the prospect of military support, though no such deployment had been confirmed as a fait accompli at the time of the hotel closures.

The temporary shutdowns add an operational and economic dimension to the broader conflict, affecting travelers, conferences and events, and downtown businesses that rely on steady hotel traffic.

What to watch next

• When the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront and DoubleTree St. Paul Downtown plan to reopen and what security measures may be adopted.
• Whether additional hotels in the region change booking policies or suspend operations due to safety concerns.
• How federal, state, and city leaders address the ongoing protests and public safety challenges following the January 7 shooting.

The hotels’ closure notices emphasized that guest and employee safety considerations drove the decision and that displaced guests would be assisted with alternate arrangements.