The Charmant Hotel

A taste of France in the Midwest? No, it’s not a questionable new theme park attraction: La Crosse, Wisconsin was actually settled by French fur traders. It was French people who named this small city on the Mississippi River, and referred to the region’s high ridges as coulées, a term that’s still used today (sans acute accent). La Crosse comes by its French heritage honestly, so it’s no wonder that the cool new hotel in town is called the Charmant Hotel — that’s “charming hotel,” in case you took Spanish in high school.

The hotel is new, but the building itself has been here for generations; it’s a landmark that first opened as a downtown candy factory in 1898. “Charmant,” in fact, was the name of the brand’s premium line of chocolates. Now, after extensive renovation efforts, it’s opened its doors again as a stylish 67-room boutique hotel. On first glance, the place has enough old-fashioned charm that you might assume that the owners left a lot of the original details undisturbed. There you’d be mistaken — at least in a sense. Those are the original maple wood floors, it’s true, but the planks had to be taken up, and then soundproof and fireproof materials installed, before the wood flooring was laid back in place. Many of the factory’s original wood beams and exposed brick remain, though, adding an old-world charm to guest rooms and suites. They’re all uniquely decorated in the spirit of gentler days gone by: leather headboards, framed antique photographs, chrome reading lamps, miniature bouquets of flowers. They’re also all cleverly outfitted with high-end beds and rainfall showers, tech-friendly amenities from 48-inch flat-screen TVs to Bluetooth sound systems, and minibars stocked with locally made gourmet products — you may know they’ve got a bit of a thing for cheese around here. Some of the best rooms have private balconies with views over the river.

Downstairs at the Charmant, a small range of dining and drinking venues tempt you to stay on the premises, especially on a wintry night. There’s the signature restaurant, serving simple French-inspired cuisine, the Parlour coffee and wine bar, and a cozy lobby lounge. In warmer weather, the hotel’s crowning glory awaits on the rooftop. Wood-fired pizzas and craft cocktails are served on the terrace, with striking views over the Mississippi. Of course, a building with this kind of history wouldn’t be complete without a dedicated “Sweets Bar” specializing in chocolates and pastries. Word is there will also be something edible waiting on your pillow when you retire to your room. Fais de beaux rêves.

How to get there: The Charmant Hotel is a 15-minute drive from La Crosse Regional Airport via Copeland Avenue. Alternatively, the hotel is a 2.5-hour drive from Minneapolis—St. Paul International Airport via US-52 and I-90.