Madison is a capital city but also a city known for its environmentalism, foodie culture, and active lifestyles. This is a fun place to visit for families because of the museums and parks, as well as for craft beer lovers because there are lots of great breweries in town. When you visit Madison, you can take a food tour, view artwork, check out a local festival, and take a tour of the capitol building too. Then after fun days of sightseeing and getting to know the local scene, you can come back to a comfortable hotel room that’s filled with amenities. Here are the top Madison, Wisconsin hotels to choose from.
The Edgewater
The Edgewater is a historic boutique hotel in downtown Madison that has luxury rooms, a spa, on site restaurant, and awesome views. It is next to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and in walking distance to downtown and the capitol. There are 202 rooms at this hotel, which has the only AAA Four Diamond rating in the city or county. The Statehouse restaurant serves modern Midwestern cuisine with views of Lake Mendota, while other eateries are Augie’s Tavern, the Boathouse, and the Icehouse. The Edgewater Spa offers hair, makeup, massage, manicure, pedicure, skin care, waxing, fitness training, and health instruction services. This is a popular spot for weddings and other special events too. In the winter, there’s even a seasonal ice rink at the Edgewater where you can go ice skating.
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club is another top-rated hotel in Madison in the heart of downtown. It’s about five miles from the regional airport and also near the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the Overture Center for the Arts. There are modern guest rooms, as well as the 100-room Governor’s Club. The Governor’s Club is on the hotel’s top three floors. There’s a 12th-floor lounge here that serves hors d’oeuvres, complimentary breakfast, and top-shelf cocktails. Onsite amenities include the third-floor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and several dining options. CIRC is the upscale restaurant that serves local ingredients and seasonal dishes, while The Bar serves cocktails and light cuisine and Starbucks serves coffee and snacks.
Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Best Western Premier Park Hotel is Madison’s only Capitol Square hotel, which is a perfect place to be to catch free music concerts on the square on summer evenings. The hotel offers a complimentary 24/7 airport shuttle and campus shuttle, as well as valet parking. It has an indoor heated pool, fitness center, and is close to rentable bikes and a path that’s great for biking and running. Here you’ll also find a full-service restaurant that serves all meals, a bar, room service, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a business center. Stop by The Post for happy hour specials. Step outside and you’ll find lots of restaurants, local breweries, and attractions right outside the door.
Mansion Hill Inn
If you’re looking for more of a bed and breakfast vibe with your stay in Madison, consider booking a room at Madison Hill Inn. This historic inn has been accommodating travelers for over 160 years and has just 10 rooms. It’s on the corner of Gilman and Pinckney, which means it’s also close to Capitol Square and the university campus. Guests who stay here enjoy the complimentary Wi-Fi, fine Italian Frette linens, premium movie channels, and other amenities. Bathrooms have whirlpool tubs or rainwater showers, a complimentary European-style continental breakfast is served daily, and guests get complimentary access to the city bike program and Pinnacle Fitness Club.
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace
Another great hotel option in Madison, Wisconsin is the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, a downtown hotel on East Wilson Street that overlooks Lake Monona. This hotel is connected to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center via a climate-controlled skywalk. It’s easy to get to the capitol and university from here, and the hotel was just renovated in June 2019. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, has a full fitness center, and offers a 40-foot indoor pool with a whirlpool. This is a pet-friendly hotel option in Madison, so bring your pup of up to 75 pounds and pay a small non-refundable deposit. The on-site dining option is the Audrey Kitchen & Bar for all meals, plus happy hour and dessert. This Hilton hotel offers cribs, high chairs, and children’s menus for families and also business services if you’re traveling to Madison for work.
Sheraton Madison Hotel
Sheraton Madison Hotel is modern, social, and relaxing. It offers complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, event spaces, and great views of the lake. Nearby are the Alliance Energy Center and the Monona Terrace convention and wedding center. B-Cycle rental bikes are available right outside the hotel, and parking is complimentary on site. Pets are welcome at this hotel. The Sheraton Madison Hotel has eight floors with modern rooms and suites, and boasts a fitness center, indoor pool, and whirlpool.
Graduate Madison
It’s fun to stay at Graduate Madison while you’re in town and looking to be near the University of Wisconsin campus. Camp Trippalindee is the hip rooftop hangout spot with festive fare inspired by summer camp. There’s a 24-hour fitness center here, a complimentary shuttle, complimentary rental bikes, valet service, and loaner headphones to use. Not only do pets stay free here, but they are welcomed with a complimentary gift from BarkBox.
