Stillwater has a surprisingly varied set of places to stay for a small town. The best-known options are in or near the historic downtown, and they range from stylish boutiques to Victorian bed and breakfasts. A handful of conventional chain hotels provide value for road-trippers. Which one suits you depends on whether you want to walk everywhere, how much atmosphere you want and what you plan to do with your days.
Downtown boutiques
Hotel Crosby, at 232 Main Street North, has 55 rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant with a long whiskey list, an on-site spa and a rooftop hot tub that is open year-round. The Lora has 40 rooms built into the bluffs on the site of an old brewery, with a full-service restaurant, a coffee and juice bar and a craft cocktail bar. Both put you on Main Street with shops, bars and the river on the doorstep.
Riverfront and historic inns
Water Street Inn has 61 rooms, a rooftop deck and bar, pet-friendly rooms and a five-minute walk to the paddlewheel boats, with ample guest parking. The Lowell Inn opened in 1927, is on the National Register of Historic Places and has 35 rooms plus two much-loved dining rooms, including a Swiss fondue restaurant. These suit travellers who want history and a restaurant on site.
Bed and breakfasts
The Rivertown Inn is a Victorian house three blocks from downtown with literary-themed suites, antiques, a daily breakfast and an evening social hour. The James Mulvey Carriage House Inn is a restored carriage house with three themed suites, a shaded pool and a garden. They are the choice for couples who want privacy and charm over services.
Value hotels
Country Inn and Suites by Radisson, AmericInn by Wyndham and Coratel Inn and Suites by Jasper are chain properties with Stillwater addresses. They suit families, groups and road-trippers who value predictable rooms and lower rates, especially on weekdays. Confirm breakfast, parking and pool details when you reserve, and check the map to see how far each is from downtown.
Choosing by purpose
For a romantic weekend, pick the Lora, the Rivertown Inn or the James Mulvey Inn. For food and drink, Hotel Crosby and the Lowell Inn are strong. For families and dog owners, Water Street Inn is a good fit. For a budget or a long road trip, choose a chain hotel and spend the saving on activities.
When to book
Autumn is the peak season, with the colour display and the haunted trolley tour in October, and summer weekends fill too. Reserve months ahead for those dates. Midweek stays and winter are quieter and cheaper, and the boutique hotels with spas, hot tubs and fireplaces are at their best in cold weather.
Parking and access
Downtown parking is shared and fills on busy weekends, so ask your hotel what is included. Historic buildings often have stairs and uneven floors, so request an accessible room early if you need one. A hotel in the heart of town means you can leave the car parked for the whole stay.
Where else to look
If Stillwater is full, nearby towns in the valley and the Twin Cities offer more rooms, though you will lose the evening atmosphere of the riverfront. A stay in town is a large part of the Stillwater experience.
Questions to ask before you book
Is parking included, and how close is it? Is breakfast served, and are dietary needs covered? What is the pet policy? Are the rooms at street level or up stairs? Is there a quiet room away from the bar? Historic hotels vary room by room, so a short email can help you avoid a disappointing night.
Special occasions
For anniversaries and honeymoons, ask about suites with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs at the Lowell Inn, the jetted-tub suites at the Rivertown Inn and the James Mulvey Inn, or the spa services at Hotel Crosby. Mention the occasion when you reserve. Inns often add small touches for guests who tell them in advance, and their restaurants can reserve a good table.
Staying outside Stillwater
Some visitors choose hotels in nearby valley towns or the Twin Cities and drive in for the day. This can save money, but you lose the best time in Stillwater, which is the evening, when day-trippers leave and the riverfront quietens. If you do stay elsewhere, plan to arrive early and stay for dinner.