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Motel

Waters Edge Motel

Stay at Waters Edge Motel, a 4.6-rated riverside motel in Stoddard, WI. Enjoy rustic cabins, free parking, Wi-Fi, boat rentals, and easy access to La Crosse.

201 Pearl St N, Stoddard, WI 54658, United States View on map
9.2/10
Exceptional Based on 155 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free parking Kid-friendly
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable riverside lodging with friendly service

Guests highlight the clean, well-equipped cabins and motel rooms, welcoming staff, and excellent location for fishing and outdoor activities along the Mississippi River. Some note minor nuisances like nearby train noise and seasonal gnats.

Guests often praise

  • Clean, comfortable, and spacious lakeside cabins and motel rooms with thoughtful amenities such as kitchenettes and grills.
  • Welcoming and helpful staff offering personalized fishing tips and attentive service.
  • Access to boat rentals, a marina, and various outdoor activities including fishing, volleyball, paddle boats, and canoeing.
  • Peaceful riverside setting with scenic views and a rustic, low-key atmosphere.
  • Reasonably priced accommodations delivering good value for visitors wanting a relaxing getaway.

Worth knowing

  • Train tracks close to the property can cause occasional vibrations and noise, which may bother sensitive guests.
  • No on-site restaurant, fitness center, or pool; guests should plan accordingly for meals and activities.
  • Seasonal gnats can be a minor nuisance but are manageable with provided solutions.
  • Located about a 17-minute drive from downtown La Crosse, making it necessary to have transportation for urban excursions.
  • Free Wi-Fi and parking are available, enhancing convenience despite the rustic setting.

Best for

  • Visitors seeking a quiet, nature-focused retreat along the Mississippi River.
  • Fishing enthusiasts looking for expert local advice and easy access to boat rentals and a marina.
  • Families and groups wanting spacious cabins suitable for reunions and outdoor activities.
  • Travelers desiring budget-friendly lodging with basic comforts and scenic surroundings.
  • Guests appreciative of a low-key, rustic atmosphere away from typical hotel chains.
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About this property

Welcome to Waters Edge Motel

Waters Edge Motel offers a blend of basic motel rooms and woodsy cabins set along the Mississippi River, providing a rustic and low-key retreat for visitors seeking a quiet riverside experience. The property features boat rentals, a driving range, and a small store, catering to guests interested in outdoor activities such as fishing and boating. While there is no on-site restaurant or pool, amenities like free Wi-Fi and free parking are available, making it a practical choice for families and travelers without elaborate needs.

Located at 201 Pearl St N in Stoddard, Wisconsin, the motel is about a 17-minute drive from downtown La Crosse and conveniently close to La Crosse Regional Airport, roughly 34 minutes away by car. Nearby attractions include outdoor destinations such as Mt. La Crosse Ski & Snowboard, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Grandad Bluff, all popular for their scenic and cultural appeal. These provide additional options for exploration beyond the property’s riverside setting.

Guest feedback highlights the welcoming and helpful nature of the staff alongside clean, comfortable accommodations that range from lakeside cabins to motel rooms with river views. Visitors praise the well-stocked cabins and the variety of on-site water activities. However, some remarks mention the rustic simplicity of the property and occasional nuisances like nearby train noise and outdoor insects, which may affect expectations. Overall, Waters Edge Motel suits those who appreciate a relaxed, outdoors-focused stay rather than luxury.

With a 4.6 rating based on 152 reviews, the property has established itself as a favored option for anglers, families, and repeat visitors looking for a modest, nature-oriented setting. Its appeal rests on the direct river access, straightforward facilities, and attentive service, making it a good base for exploring the Mississippi River region while enjoying a peaceful retreat.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Kid-friendly

Not available at this property

Pool
Restaurant
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

AW
allison whitlatch Apr 07, 2026
10

We stayed in a lakeside cabin & it was so nice. Very clean and comfy. The staff was very welcoming and the cabin was perfect. We definitely will be back (:

RG
R G Mar 22, 2026
10

The staff is awesome and they gave me the best advice for fishing the river. Caught a 28” walleye using their recommendation! Nice marina with good pan fish!

CR
Christopher Ross Feb 25, 2026
10

Stopped here on our vacation from Arizona. Stayed in the log cabin. Wonderful place, great for fishing, bait, supplies, boat launch and rentals. Everyone there is so helpful and friendly. Love the new cottages with private lake. Actual owners run the place and it shows. As a veteran, I greatly appreciate the way that you designed one of the Shelters in support the Veterans. Nice touch. We will definitely be back next year.

J
J-Sun Feb 21, 2026
10

25 years at Waters Edge. 1st time at Lakeside Cabins. Very Nice..!! Always an amazing time. Great people, great service, great LIFE. The Lakeside Cabins are great for Decompression.

MP
Mike P Feb 01, 2026
10

We stayed in one of the lakeside cabins and it was phenomenal. There's a grill, fire pit, swimming, paddle boats, canoes, volleyball and laundry. Cabin was well stocked with dishes, utensils and everything you need. We will be going back!

CB
Cindy Betsinger Jan 13, 2026
8.0

Great place for our annual family reunion. We reserved all the cabins and the lake house, so it was all ours for the weekend. Had everything we needed, the beds were quite comfortable, cabins were perfect. Too cool to take advantage of the water sports, and we're too old to to have volleyball games, but they were certainly available. The only nuisance was the gnats, but Buggins worked well. And the nice breeze. I can see bugs would be more of an issue if hotter and muggier. So, bring insect spray.

JL
J L Jan 07, 2026
10

What a wonderful place! I stayed in motel room 8, it's more like a 1br apt with a kitchenette than a standard motel room, the views of the river and bluffs are great. Each unit has it's own character, updates have been done where needed, a very clean and well maintained fishing resort. The price is very reasonable for 1 or 2 people, which is why I chose to stay here instead of Lacrosse. The train tracks are close enough that the building trembles a bit when trains pass, but I live in the city and the noise doesn't bother me, but for some that might be a problem.

RC
Rebecca Christoffel Jan 07, 2026
10

We love Waters Edge! My husband and I took a little trip to get away from our stressful lives and headed to the Mississippi River. My husband had stayed at Waters Edge during the past but I hadn't. What a loss! I wish we would have discovered this wonderful place long ago! The setting is gorgeous, the rooms are large and comfy, the tv and wifi work wonderfully, and we have gone to sleep with the sound of bullfrogs calling in the background both nights! I will definitely be coming back with my hubby, but also plan to come back to rent their vacation home with friends! You can spend all day and evening on the river, or you can head upstream to La Crosse and get a fix on museums, restaurants and shopping. Can't say enough in terms of how positive our experience has been. In fact, we got fabulous service last night when we discovered that we wouldn't be able to make it here by 8 but wanted to rent a room. They waited for us to arrive, almost a half hour late - unprecedented service!

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Waters Edge Motel

Stoddard, Wisconsin, USA

Set on the Mississippi River, this low-key, rustic lodge is comprised of cabins and a motel. It's a 17-minute drive from downtown La Crosse.

  • La Crosse Regional Airport 34 min Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Wisconsin. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Mt. La Crosse Ski & Snowboard 305 reviews

Mt. La Crosse Ski & Snowboard

W5549 Old Town Hall Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

4.5 · Ski Resort
Grandad Bluff 279 reviews

Grandad Bluff

La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

4.9 · Cliff
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 761 reviews

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

5250 Justin Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

4.9 · Shrine
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