The Lismore Hotel (333 Gibson St., Eau Claire), a salute to its artsy namesake city in Australia, is a boutique hotel. Stay the night, gather with your friends at The Informalist for dinner, or grab coffee at EC/DC. With its modern lodge vibe, The Oxbow Hotel (516 Galloway St., Eau Claire) provides comfort with tons of great amenities including in-room record players and a farm-to-table restaurant, The Lakely. In addition to its spacious, contemporary rooms, Altoona’s Staybridge Suites (1515 Bluestem Blvd., Altoona) has a gazebo where you can barbecue and relax for the evening. — Diana Peterson