The Hilton Garden Inn Wausau

This post is sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn Wausau. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you’ve ever driven through Wausau along Highway 51, you’ve probably seen the city’s newest hotel – the Hilton Garden Inn. Located on North Mountain Road, this hotel is quickly becoming a Wausau hot spot whether you stay, play, or dine. The exterior is a stunning mix of modern design with sprawling windows, natural wood, and layered stone.

I arrived on a Friday afternoon and I must say – this hotel really knows how to make a first impression! As I entered the lobby, I was immediately in awe of the way they merged contemporary design with inviting warmth. To my right was a stately fireplace, surrounded by leather couches, faux fur accent pillows, and twinkling Christmas trees. A giant sparkling chandelier hung from above and Buddy, their Elf on the Hotel Shelf, grinned at me from a Christmas bulb.

After checking in, I headed up to the fourth floor. As I opened the door, the first thing I noticed was the massive corner windows at the far end of the room. They stretched from floor to ceiling, flooding the space in natural light and offering an incredible view of Rib Mountain. I made my way around the rest of the room, taking in all the details – the king bed covered in crisp white linens, the loveseat propped in the corner, a long work desk, a Keurig coffee maker, and a pristine master bath.

Once I was all situated in my room, I went back downstairs to meet my parents for dinner. We first grabbed a drink at the bar which was already bustling by the time we arrived. When I think of hotel bars, I typically imagine a sleepy scene with a just a few patrons. The Hilton Garden Inn couldn’t be further from this! Their bar scene is super lively and has quickly become a popular spot for travelers and locals alike. It also features one of Wausau’s coolest experiences – the igloos.

Right outside of the bar on the hotel patio, are two igloos that anyone can rent! Each igloo seats six people and can be rented for two hours with a $100 minimum food and beverage purchase; that’s only $17 per person! This is such an awesome idea and would be so much fun with a group! And not to worry about being cold, they have space heaters inside to keep you warm. To book an igloo, call 715-298-5775. Reservations are required.

That evening, my parents and I ended up ordering their Friday night fish fry. It was probably the most unique and flavorful fish fry I’ve ever had and I’d highly recommend trying it!

After dinner, we bundled up and went downtown to catch a bit of the Holiday Parade on the 400 Block!

The following morning, I brewed some coffee in my room, pulled aside the curtains and enjoyed the view. Then, I headed back down to the restaurant where they serve both a buffet and a made-to-order breakfast.

Later that morning, my mom and I did some exploring around Wausau together! We took a tour of the Yawkey House Museum which is something I’ve always wanted to do! Since it was their “Christmas at the Houses” weekend, tours were just $5 apiece and lasted about 45 minutes. After that, we drove out to Willow Springs Garden for their Old Fashioned Christmas Festival and went on a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the property!

What a festive day!

Before I knew it, Sunday had arrived and I had to say goodbye. But there was one last thing on the agenda – brunch! And boy, am I glad I stayed for this. My boyfriend joined me and together we had vanilla crepes with mixed fruit and chantilly cream and a classic French omelette with mushrooms, gruyere, and mixed greens. This was one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had and so tasty!

The thing that I loved most about my stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Wausau, was that everything was all in one place. Not only does this hotel offer beautiful and comfortable rooms, but it also has an exciting bar scene and a top-notch restaurant right on the property. I loved being able to dress up a bit, grab a drink, and have dinner, without ever leaving the building. And then, on the other hand, the location of this hotel also made it easy to go elsewhere too. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to downtown Wausau or just 4 minutes to get to the Granite Peak Ski Chalet. So whether you want to stay in or go out, it’s truly the best of both worlds!

A huge thank you to the Hilton Garden Inn Wausau for hosting me and allowing me to fully experience what this hotel has to offer. I had such a wonderful time!