The Charmant Hotel: A Review of The Cutest Boutique Hotel in Wisconsin

The Charmant Hotel La Crosse Review

Between March of 2020 and October of 2020 our family experienced a bit of upheaval.

I gave birth to our 4th baby a few days before the world shut down due to a global pandemic. My husband had to teach from home, and I had to take charge of virtual schooling our older children with a newborn baby in my arms while recovering from a C-Section.

In summer we moved across the country from Florida to Wisconsin. My husband began a new job as a school principal, the kids joined a new school, we adjusted to life as a family of 6 in a new climate, and I tried my best to salvage my travel blog in a world where no one was traveling.

To say we needed a break is an understatement.

That’s why we planned a fall getaway to La Crosse, Wisconsin. We wanted to take scenic drives on back roads. We wanted to see the leaves change in one of the most beautiful areas of the state. And we wanted to spend time together as a family.

From the moment we set foot in the Charmant Hotel in La Crosse, WI, we knew this was a place where we could leave the outside world behind.

The exposed brick and wood beams boasted of the building’s historical significance as a candy factory, while the friendly staff brought the tradition into modern day by handing out handmade chocolates to guests.

We rolled our suitcases over the original maple floor past fellow hotel guests quietly chatting over drinks. After a long drive with kids, we were excited to experience everything the Charmant Hotel had to offer.

Disclosure: We were hosted by Explore La Crosse and The Charmant Hotel in exchange for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Charmant Hotel in La Crosse, WI: read reviews and book your stay here.

A KID-FRIENDLY HOTEL NEAR LA CROSSE, WI

The Charmant Hotel, a candy factory turned boutique hotel in La Crosse, WI is a wonderful stay for a family getaway in the Midwest. It’s name comes from the candy company AND the French word for “charming.”

And charming it is! I couldn’t stop myself from admiring every detail of the decor. It’s modern and luxurious without feeling snobby.

It’s located in the heart of downtown La Crosse and within walking distance of so many fun things to do with kids!

You can walk on over to Riverside Park or the International Friendship Gardens. take a tour of the La Crosse Distillery Co. across the street, explore Historic Downtown La Crosse and grab an ice cream at The Pearl Creamery, or take a scenic drive on the nearby Apple Blossom Trail. (Find more to do in La Crosse here).

WHAT TO DO AT THE CHARMANT

Location is amazing, but the nearby activities aren’t the only draw of The Charmant. The hotel itself IS a destination!

With rich history, delicious chocolate, and heavenly beds, there’s no way you’ll want to leave after just a night there.

INDULGE IN SOME CHOCOLATE

In honor of the Charmant’s history as a candy factory that has been remodeled into a boutique hotel, the Sweets Bar serves up handmade chocolate in myriad flavors.

The truffles come from Indulgence Chocolatiers and were the perfect sweet little treat to welcome us to the property. The dark chocolate sea salt was by far my favorite flavor, but you can choose from flavors such as mint, raspberry matcha, coconut habanero, and more!

Buy a bunch to snack on in your room or take a bag home to remember your wonderful time at the Charmant.

DINE ON THE ROOFTOP

Unfortunately, the Rooftop Terrace was closed while we were visiting, but we still took the elevator up to the top floor to take a peek.

It looked like the perfect spot to sip on a glass of wine or a mug of beer, enjoy a slice of pizza with the family, and take in the views of downtown La Crosse.

There are plenty of fireplaces and outdoor heaters to keep guests warm on a chilly evening, so if you visit in early fall you might still be able to enjoy an evening up there. Imagine how fun it must be in summertime!

GRAB A COFFEE TO FUEL YOUR DAY

By far my favorite spot at the Charmant Hotel is The Parlour. There are no coffee makers in the hotel rooms, but you can head downstairs to claim your free regular coffee from The Parlour.

If you want to make an occasion out of it, the Parlour serves artisanal espresso drinks and a selection of pastries, so you can head down with the whole family to fuel up before a day of exploring.

It’s also a good place to stop if you’ve been out walking for a while and want to warm up with a coffee before heading back out.

WANDER DOWN TO RIVERSIDE PARK

The Charmant Hotel is just one block from the Mississippi and Riverside Park which is a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the view.

We even brought our to-go food from Fayze’s to a picnic table in the park which made for a lovely midday picnic lunch.

Within the park you can head over to Riverside International Friendship Garden which has sections of the garden dedicated to sister cities in Norway, China, Ireland, Germany, and more.

CHARMANT HOTEL ROOMS

There are 67 guest rooms at the Charmant, and each is unique because it’s an old remodeled building. If you’re not necessarily a fan of corporate chain hotels, you’ll love the distinct personality of this Wisconsin boutique hotel.

COMFORTABLE EURO-TOP BEDS

Listen. I’m a mom of 4 kids, and at the time of this trip their ages ranged from 7 months to 7 years. My kids sleep pretty well in hotel rooms (minus the baby - we’re working on her), but any parent knows that nighttime wakings are not out of the question even with the best sleepers.

That means when I get the chance to sleep in a luxurious hotel bed, I’m going to savor every second of it, even if that sleep is interrupted by multiple baby wakings.

The beds have Euro-top mattresses which means there is additional padding for a softer sleeping experience. You’ll feel instantly relaxed in the Charmant beds, even if your 3-year-old ends up sleeping sideways and kicking you in the ribs.

BEAUTIFUL VIEW FROM BALCONY

One of the first things we did when we entered the room was peer out the window, and we found the cutest balcony overlooking downtown La Crosse and the Mississippi River. It was already dark, so we admired the city lights, then quickly headed back inside to warm up.

In the morning we could see the river glistening in the morning light. It was the perfect spot to sip my coffee from the Parlour cafe and take in the view in between getting kids dressed for our day full of adventures.

PACK & PLAYS FOR LITTLE ONES

When it comes to boutique hotels, whether they have a pack & play can be hit-or-miss. Thankfully, the Charmant Hotel does offer pack & play beds for little ones, and there was plenty of space to place it at the foot of the bed.

Honestly, I probably could have fit it in the bathroom, too, if we needed to put her in a dark, quiet space. However, we arrived late enough that everyone was pretty much ready for bed at the same time the baby went down.

I’m always thankful when there is one less item to pack for the baby!

LUXURIOUS BATHROOM

Honestly, it sounds so funny to say that a bathroom is luxurious, but hear me out.

This bathroom had a double vanity with gorgeous marble counters, beautiful hardware, and a gigantic rainfall shower. You know how when you have little kids a nice long shower can feel like a mini vacation? That’s even more true at the Charmant.

There was plenty of space for our family of 6 to spread out, which is key when you’re trying to get 4 little kids out the door in the morning!

YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE THIS WISCONSIN HOTEL!

It’s also a perfect stop for a midwest road trip!

It’s only 2 hours from Madison, 4 hours from Chicago, 3 hours from Milwaukee, and just over 2 hours to the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Any Midwest family looking for a weekend getaway should consider visiting La Crosse and making the Charmant Hotel their home base if you’re looking for character, elegance, history, and perfectly Instagrammable spots all around the hotel.