Stuff We Love To Do: Stay at Boutique Hotels!
Last week we stopped in Eau Claire, WI. We had been looking for a chic boutique hotel to kick off our trip and the Oxbow Hotel in Eau Claire fit the bill.
Trendy, stylish, artistic details, and a collaborative nature that focuses on all things local made this a great fit. They have bikes available to their visitors, a great restaurant, a patio to die for, and are centrally located for lots of great nearby river walks, shops, restaurants / bars and anything else you could want. They also have an on-site outfitter if you're feeling adventurous and want to go for a paddle or explore the great outdoors.
Owned by a group of locals, one of whom is Justin Vernon (any Bon Iver fans out there?), this collaborative hotel features all things local and sustainable. Their restaurant, The Lakely uses farmer sourced food in their restaurant, local art is displayed on their walls, and they feature an array of artists on their patio. The patio alone is to die for, and worth the trip. It's truly the place to be in Eau Claire. AND the most popular ice cream joint, Ramone's Ice Cream Parlour, is right across the street!
What we loved about it: the whole experience. All the details were perfect: wood features, local plants, unique and locally made furniture, the artwork, murals, and even the ice-room is outfitted with a license plate wall display! The attached restaurant and patio are stunning and serve delicious drinks with an array of great seating options, lawn games and fire pits. Guests get a token for 2 for 1 drinks, which makes this patio a must.
Dog friendliness: The staff and hotel are great - just the patio is not dog friendly.