This is one of the more comprehensive looks at what it means to come stay with us and experience this city. Chelsea Lewis from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel visited a few weeks ago to stay in one of our rooms, eat and drink at The Lakely, take out a bike on the trails, and hit up all the local spots for a couple days filled with recreation, breweries, culture and more. Follow the link in out bio to read up and to see many photos of our place and others in the area, as well as a couple short videos.

We were surprised and honored to receive an award on World Environment Day this week from the City of Eau Claire Sustainability Committee, along with a handful of other great local organizations. We received the “Exceptional Natural Resources Steward Award” for our effort in renovating existing historic structures, using urban waste wood to create furniture and fixtures throughout, re-using former railroad ties for fencing, creating a locally-focused farm-to-table restaurant with a low carbon footprint, and more. The City of Eau Claire has made great strides in advocating for and executing sustainable practices and we were so happy to be a part of the effort. Thanks to everyone who values these elements in their lodging choices, and to all who make efforts like these in their daily lives

We’re again thrilled by the growing interest in The Oxbow Hotel from our friends across the MN border! This time @mnmomag (Minnesota Monthly) did a spread on all the cool stuff happening in downtown Eau Claire (with a big ol’ shot of The Lakely) and had this to say: “The Oxbow Hotel…debuted last fall with an equally hip but artsier feel. In the hotel’s restaurant and lobby, the décor feels contemporary while evoking a retro, Northwoods feel (furnishings with plaid upholstery and live-edge timber),” editor Rachel Hutton wrote. “Guest rooms feature place-specific art of the sort that hipsters buy on Etsy (lake topographies, screen prints with the Wisconsin state outline) and…there’s a record player. Discs may be checked out from the front desk…” So glad Rachel paid us a visit. She raved about the food and drink from @cheftronberg and care at The Lakely too. Check the link in our bio for the full article on Weekend Getaways.

THE TRIO: Last night we were stunned to win awards for all three categories in which we were finalists during the annual @downtowneauclaire award show – Best New Renovation, Best New Business, and Best Business (overall). Some of our very good friends – other amazing projects and businesses – were also nominated in these categories, each so deserving in so many ways. If it was up to us we’d have spread the love around to @thelismoreec, @informalist, @diveec, @ecdcoffee, @justlocalfoodcoop, @volumeone, @thelocalstoreec, @blugoldradio, @latitude44yoga, @thedistrictcompany, and more for all the amazing work they put in every day. It’s going to take all of us to help this downtown succeed, so everyone keep up the great work! These awards are all thanks to hundreds of online votes from our guests, so thank you so much if you took the time to vote for us, we deeply appreciate your support for our little independent operation. We’re so excited to keep building on what we’ve created, and to move forward with you and our community, together. Here’s to an amazing 2017!