The Historic Water Street Inn and Event Center featuring Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub

What The Historic Water Street Inn and Event Center featuring Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub does

The Historic Water Street Inn and Event Center is a privately held boutique hotel property in Downtown Stillwater, Minnesota, operating since 1995 out of a converted 1890s bank building on the St. Croix River. The asset comprises 61 guest rooms and suites across multiple price tiers (Tower Suites, St. Croix Suites, King Balcony Riverview, Vault Suites with original bank-vault bathrooms, Parlor Suites, Bridgeview Suites, Accessible King, Water Street Rooms, etc.), two on-site dining venues - Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub (full-service Irish-American kitchen with weekend live music and 24-hour bar) and Papa's Rooftop (seasonal rooftop bar and restaurant) - plus event spaces marketed for all-inclusive weddings, corporate retreats, and private parties. Underlying technology is conventional third-party SaaS: ResNexus for reservations and gift cards, Yelp Reservations for restaurant table bookings, and FareHarbor for a curated marketplace of third-party local experiences (balloon rides, wine tastings, train excursions, boat rentals, archery lessons). The property carries GDPR and WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance postures.

The revenue model blends transactional F&B and lodging with event-driven professional-services revenue and a small affiliate-referral layer. Room pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; curated third-party experiences are individually priced between $10 and $1,107.45 per person, with hotel booking encouraged through a direct-booking discount code (BD10%off). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the property's own website and phone reservations, supplemented by earned-media presence on TripAdvisor (self-reported #1 Best Rated hotel in Stillwater, MN), Yelp, an email newsletter, a 38+ article blog (2020-2026), and an active live-music and seasonal events calendar. The customer mix is dominated by wedding couples and wedding guest blocks (primary) and leisure couples seeking romantic boutique stays (primary), with secondary demand from corporate event planners, private party hosts, local diners, and business travelers. No venture funding, M&A activity, parent company, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed; the business operates as an independent, family-friendly hospitality operation with a lean staff of approximately 13 employees supported by part-time and event labor.

Name

The Historic Water Street Inn and Event Center featuring Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub

Legal name

Water Street Inn

Website

https://waterstreetinn.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Historic Water Street Inn is a privately held 61-room boutique hotel in a converted 1890s bank building on the St. Croix River in Downtown Stillwater, MN, serving leisure couples, wedding parties, and corporate event clients with on-site dining at Charlie's Irish Pub and Papa's Rooftop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Hotel Hospitality

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (721110), Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (72241), Traveler Accommodation (7211), Accommodation (721)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Marina & Waterfront Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hotel & Resort Restaurants (THAFACAH), Rooftop Bars & Beach/Pool Bars (THAFAEAJ), Hotel Bars & Rooftop Bars (CRANACAL)

Keywords

• Boutique hotel lodging
• Event venue rental
• Restaurant dining services
• Wedding venue hosting
• Historic hospitality accommodation

Headquarters

HQ city

Stillwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Hotel Accommodations: Overnight stays in 61 guest rooms and suites ranging from standard rooms to luxury riverfront suites with amenities including whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, and balconies.
2. Charlie's Restaurant & Irish Pub: Full-service restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, dinner with Irish-American cuisine, live music on weekends, and happy hour offerings.
3. Papa's Rooftop: Seasonal rooftop bar and restaurant offering waterfront dining with craft cocktails and Italian-inspired dishes.
4. Event Venue Rental: Wedding venues, corporate events, private parties, and meeting spaces with on-site catering capabilities.
5. Curated Experiences: Commission or partnership revenue from third-party experiences including hot air balloon rides, wine tastings, train excursions, and water activities booked through the hotel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Historic Water Street Inn operates 61 guest rooms and suites in a converted 1890s bank building on the St. Croix River in Downtown Stillwater, MN, along with two on-site dining venues (Charlie's Restaurant & Irish Pub and the seasonal Papa's Rooftop). It sells overnight accommodations, food and beverage service, and event venue rentals for weddings, corporate meetings, and private parties, and curates a marketplace of third-party local experiences such as hot air balloon flights, wine tastings, train rides, and watercraft rentals.

Product overview

The Historic Water Street Inn and Event Center featuring Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub is a historic boutique hotel property offering 61 guest rooms and suites along the St. Croix River in Downtown Stillwater, MN. The property comprises multiple accommodation products including Tower Suites, St. Croix Suites, King Rooms (with and without balconies), Two Queen Rooms, Accessible King Rooms, Parlor Suites, Bridgeview Suites, Vault Suites, and Water Street Rooms - each offering varying amenities such as river views, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and private balconies. The property features two on-site dining venues: Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub (serving Irish-American cuisine with live music) and Papa's Rooftop (seasonal rooftop dining with panoramic views). Additional services include all-inclusive wedding and event packages, corporate meeting facilities, private party hosting, and a curated marketplace of local experiences and tours. The hotel celebrates 30 years of operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Charlie's Restaurant & Irish Pub: Irish-American restaurant and pub featuring live music on weekends, local ingredients, and riverfront views. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night bites.
• Papa's Rooftop

Products and services

• Water Street Inn Guest Rooms and Suites 61-room boutique hotel lodging along the St. Croix River in Downtown Stillwater, MN, offering room types ranging from standard Kings to Whirlpool, Fireplace, and Balcony suites with river or city views for leisure and business travelers.
• Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked #1 Best Rated hotel in Stillwater MN on TripAdvisor

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Cheers Pablo - WoodburyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt class and creative workshop provider offering resin art classes featured on Water Street Inn's experiences page. Classes held off-site at their Woodbury location. This is not a formal partnership - the experience is listed as a third-party vendor booking.
• The Freight House (Historic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric restaurant venue at the restored railroad freight depot along St. Croix River. Water Street Inn promotes 'On Stage at The Freight House' concert experience featuring regional musicians in a seated concert venue.
• The Zephyr TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-focused performing arts venue presenting Twelfth Night Live theatre productions. Water Street Inn promotes tickets to Shakespeare performances at The Grand Banquet Hall in downtown Stillwater.
• Valley BooksellerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent bookstore hosting the Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour mystery author event and the Storytime Trolley Ride pickup location. Water Street Inn promotes these literary and family-friendly experiences.
• Two Silo Winery and VineyardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned winery offering tasting tours, wine tastings, and Raise Your Glass wine pairing dinners. Featured experiences include Vine to Bottle Tasting Tour ($70.12) and Pappouli's Wine Tasting ($52.59).
• Saint Croix VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScenic winery offering Candle Making Experience ($58) in partnership with TS Home Studio. Includes custom 14oz soy wax candle, wine tasting, and 50+ fragrance oils.
• Stillwater BalloonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHot air balloon company offering scenic flights over St. Croix River Valley. Established 1976 with over 75% weather cancellation rate. Standard flights $369.15/person, private flights $1,107.45.
• Minnesota Transportation MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization operating vintage train excursions including Pizza Train Ride ($80.25), Fall Colors Train ($34.24), Osceola Marine Excursion ($32.10), and Dresser Ice Cream Train ($21.40).
• Stillwater Boat Club & RentalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPontoon boat rental company on St. Croix River. Offers 25-foot Montego Bay Pontoon (up to 10 people) at $397.50 for 4-hour rental. Fuel not included. Must be 21+ to rent.
• CG Hooks / Tally's DocksideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLakeside destination at White Bear Lake offering kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Single kayak rental available for 1-8 hours. Renter must be 16+.
• Bwana ArcheryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service archery pro shop offering 1-on-1 archery lessons in Little Canada. Lessons $47.70 for private session, second person add-on $20. Equipment available if needed.
• Lowell InnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric hotel venue hosting Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour mystery author event. Water Street Inn promotes this monthly literary gathering at the Lowell Inn.
• Stillwater River BoatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScenic riverboat cruise operator offering sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises on the St. Croix River. Featured as a local 'riverfront experience' for guests.
• Gondola RomanticaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuided gondola ride service highlighting the St. Croix River's beauty. Recommended as a romantic experience perfect for honeymoons and romantic getaways.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Westin Minneapolis: Upscale historic full-service hotel in downtown Minneapolis with restaurants, ballroom/event venues, and a wedding franchise — competing for higher-end corporate, wedding, and group business in the same regional market.
• The Marquette Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton: Historic full-service Minneapolis hotel with on-site restaurant, event/ballroom space, and group business — overlapping wedding, corporate, and leisure segments though positioned upscale and operated under a major brand.
• Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District: Boutique-format Hilton property in Minneapolis's Mill District with on-site restaurant and event spaces — competing for the same Twin Cities leisure, corporate, and wedding guests with the backing of a major loyalty program.
• The Graduate Minneapolis: Boutique-style hotel near the University of Minnesota with a strong F&B and event-driven positioning and a locally themed brand — comparable as a non-chain boutique competitor fighting for Twin Cities leisure, wedding, and group demand.
• The Saint Paul Hotel: Historic luxury full-service hotel in downtown St. Paul with multiple restaurants, ballroom/event venues, and a long-standing wedding franchise — comparable in historic character, F&B depth, and event-driven revenue mix, though larger and more upscale.
• Hotel Indigo Minneapolis Downtown: Boutique-style IHG property in downtown Minneapolis offering on-site dining, event space, and locally themed branding — a similarly positioned competitor for urban-adjacent leisure and corporate business in the Twin Cities.

Direct peers

• The Lowell Inn: Historic boutique inn in downtown Stillwater, MN, offering on-site dining, event/wedding spaces, and curated local experiences — the closest local comparable to Water Street Inn in scale, positioning, and wedding-focused business model.
• Hewing Hotel: Independent boutique hotel in Minneapolis's North Loop warehouse district with a strong on-site restaurant/bar, event programming, and locally rooted brand — a comparable urban-adjacent boutique model combining F&B, lodging, and private events.
• The Lora Hotel: Boutique hotel in downtown Stillwater opened in the restored 1903 courthouse, featuring on-site restaurant, rooftop/bar programming, and event spaces — directly competing for the same wedding and leisure guests in the same micro-market.

Regional players

• Hotel Landing: Boutique waterfront hotel on Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata, MN, with restaurant and event space — comparable as a Minnesota lake/waterfront boutique property chasing weddings, leisure getaways, and curated local experiences, but operating in a different sub-market.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-historic-water-street-inn-and-event-center-featuring-charlies-restaurant-and-irish-pub

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Historic Water Street Inn and Event Center featuring Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub