The Charmant Hotel in La Crosse awarded a MICHELIN Key

Chris Rugowski

Contributor

November 25, 2024

LA CROSSE – History meets luxury at The Charmant Hotel in La Crosse.

Nestled a block from the Mississippi River, in the heart of the city’s downtown, General Manager Kalynn Krueger said the 67-room boutique hotel (101 State St.) has long aimed to provide guests with an experience beyond just accommodations.

And it seems as though it has accomplished that goal – having been recently awarded a MICHELIN Key.

Though many may have heard of MICHELIN in terms of stars and restaurants, Kruger said the MICHELIN Key program is new.

Earlier this fall, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the latest additions to its list of one, two, and three Key hotels throughout the United States, and much to her surprise, Krueger said The Charmant was selected.

“They come to secret shop your hotel,” she said. “You never get any details, we only got the ‘you made it’ message and when we got that it was a really exciting moment.”

Though MICHELIN has always had a guide for hotels, and The Charmant has been listed in the guide in the past, Krueger said this is the first year it has used the new key rating system.

According to MICHELIN, each hotel is vetted and judged to be excellent in five categories:

• Architecture and interior design
• Quality and consistency of service
• Overall personality and character
• Value for the price
• A significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting

The architecture and interior design of the historical building, Krueger said, helps contribute to The Charmant’s overall experience.

When the ownership group purchased the building and land – which previously housed a handful of businesses, including a candy store (Joseph B. Funke Candy Company), a furniture store (Ross Furniture) and a pharmaceutical company (Spence-McCord Drug Company), dating back to 1841 – she said they wanted to keep and honor the La Crosse history.

When it came to renovations, she said “everything they did with the redesign of the building was very intentional.”

“We have certain wall structures that were built to look like rock candy,” she said.

Krueger said she is of the mind that the history and design itself were a driving factor to why The Charmant was in the guide in the first place – with it being unlike anything else.

Location is another aspect of the award, with the City of La Crosse serving as the background.

Krueger said she thinks La Crosse is an underrated, beautiful spot.

Being located close to the airport, the Amtrak station, Riverside Park and kitty-corner to downtown – all in all, she said she sees the location as a prime starting point for any adventure activity.

When it comes to overall personality, value and contribution categories, Krueger said she thinks that’s where the hotel has evolved over the years, as they continue to lead with authenticity.

“I think that’s really what brought this whole experience to a head and why we received this award,” she said. “I think we’ve got really good bones, really good structure, but I think ultimately it’s the people that we have in the building who are creating these experiences that are making it valuable and giving consistent service.”

It’s extra special for The Charmant, Krueger said, because it’s only one of two properties in Wisconsin to get recognition in 2024 (with Hotel Goodwin in Beloit being the other).

She said she can barely able to contain her excitement, especially since only 293 hotels in the country have received MICHELIN Key awards.

More on The Charmant

Krueger said The Charmant Hotel was purchased by an ownership group in 2013, with renovations starting nearly immediately.

When remodeled, Krueger said The Charmant retained a lot of the original infrastructure of the historical property, like wood flooring and brick walls.

The candy/furniture/pharmaceutical-company-turned-boutique-hotel officially opened in 2015, boasting 67 rooms.

In addition to hotel accommodations, Krueger said The Charmant is a full-service property with several food and beverage outlets that include a:

• Dining room that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Lobby bar and lounge
• Coffee parlor
• Seasonal rooftop terrace
• In-room dining for hotel guests

Krueger said The Charmant also hosts events on the property for meetings, weddings and other events.

“We’re definitely more unique than some of the chain properties,” she said. “I think if people are looking for a catered and curated experience we’re a great location for that.”

A hotel for everyone

Krueger said the hotel promotes itself as a place for travelers and local guests alike – noting the hotel has a lot of guests who come for stay-cations.

She said they might live locally but want a night away, perhaps to celebrate an anniversary or a birthday – which Krueger said she’s happy to see, and to know the community appreciates the hotel as much as out-of-town travelers.

In terms of dining, Krueger said The Charmant’s restaurant offers a French-inspired menu for guests and the general public.

“French-inspired cuisine might sound really intense to some, but it’s not,” she said. “We have a homey feel that translates very well with our food.”

A job well done

Krueger, who has been at The Charmant for more than nine years, said the team has done a great job – noting that staff members truly enjoy being with people and creating real, authentic and genuine experiences.

“I think we’re able to build these relationships with our hotel guests and our restaurant guests, who keep coming back because of the product they’re receiving, but also the service they’re receiving,” she said.

The building’s historical qualities, Krueger said, alludes to the honest sincerity of The Charmant Hotel and its staff – qualities she said set the hotel apart and ultimately led to getting awarded a MICHELIN Key.

Starting as a front desk manager – moving her way up the ranks to general manager – Krueger said The Charmant provides its people with opportunities to grow, learn and develop.

“It’s been almost a decade that I’ve been here,” she said. “I’ve grown up as a person in this building, there’s been a lot of people beside me that are also still here. It’s been a really wonderful experience to be able to see how everyone grows and develops in their own kind of personal life, but also how they do that within this property.”

The boutique-style focus, Krueger said, gives an intimate feel to the stay, thus creating a guest experience that is more catered and curated – more worthy of remembering, and coming back.

“We’re able to spend more time with our guests and help them,” she said. “I think that most folks when they stay here are wanting that more elaborate kind of experience.”

Community reaction to the Key

The Greater La Crosse community, Krueger said, has been supportive and excited about The Charmant’s recent MICHELIN Key.

“There were people who had heard about it right away,” she said. “(We’ve also had) new guests because we’re on the MICHELIN website itself, too.”

Krueger said the recognition is also a good opportunity for the city itself – giving it a chance to shine in a new way. 

For more on The Charmant Hotel, visit thecharmanthotel.com.