As another busy travel season comes into view in New Glarus, The Blanc Chalet is working to make a strong first impression on visitors arriving from the south side of town. The family-owned property at 1200 Highway 69 has been steadily refreshed since its purchase in January 2023, with its owners aiming to create a stay that feels stylish, approachable and rooted in hospitality.

For Melissa Gordon, the project was not a leap into the unknown so much as the next chapter in a life already shaped by rentals, renovation and hosting. Gordon said she grew up watching her parents, Hollis and Joyce Kleier, buy and renovate homes, later began hosting guests in an Airbnb attached to her family’s primary residence, and eventually saw the New Glarus motel as the right fit for a new hospitality venture. Her parents are also part owners of The Blanc Chalet.