Madison hotels

"Wow" is the only word I’d use to describe The Edgewater, one of the best luxury hotels in Madison. Saying you’re spoilt with tempting choices here is no exaggeration.

I find it hard to choose between the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Presidential Suites and the spacious terraces of the Terrace Suites. Many of the suites face the lakefront, which is why The Edgewater is among the best hotels in Madison for lakeside leisure.

Rain won’t get in the way of relaxation, either. The Edgewater Spa has serenity on the forecast no matter the weather. The nail salon and massage tables are perfect for couples, and I love that the hotel’s gym overlooks the lake. It offers the option to stay committed to a workout routine while still enjoying Madison’s lovely scenery.

I love hotels like the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison Central, which combine a city centre location with immediate access to nature. The hotel is within walking distance of the Alliant Energy Center and Turville Point Conservation Park.

This Holiday Inn Express & Suites is one of the best hotels in Madison for travellers who want a mix of easy-going convenience with an upscale flair. The indoor saltwater pool is a fantastic amenity, as is the free daily continental breakfast.

The standard rooms come with coffee makers and workspaces, which are convenient for solo travellers. For families, I’d recommend upgrading to one of the suites, which have an additional sofa bed. There are also children’s activities available at the front desk and the evening reception service offers a delicious treat of beer, wine and light snacks.

Hyatt Place in downtown Madison is in a great location for exploring Wisconsin’s capital city. The specialty suites have separate living and sleeping areas, making these great spaces for unwinding. The Placery, the on-site restaurant, is also a nice spot to relax.

I love how convenient the breakfast bar and the grab-and-go market are for a quick bite. Hyatt Place is also one of the best hotels in Madison for spur of the moment adventures.

This pet-friendly property is near Brittingham Park’s dog park and only a few blocks away from the Madison Children’s Museum. The university, State Capitol and the shores of Lake Monona are all a short walk away too.

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club is one of the loveliest fancy hotels in Madison, that even locals like to stay in at least once. I can see why it’s a popular venue for holiday parties, weddings and other events: the grand ballroom is as stunning as the Governor’s Club lounge is comfortable.

The Governor’s Club rooms feature upscale touches like granite-topped furnishings and complimentary access to the cocktails, breakfast and dessert in the Governor’s Club lounge. My favourite space to relax is the lounge’s library, which has a cozy fireplace overlooking the Capitol.

I recommend adding the special “room amenities” to your stay. Yes, all rooms automatically receive access to the indoor pool and fitness centre. However, the optional bonus amenities include samples of Wisconsin beer, local cheese, fruit, a glass of cold milk and freshly baked cookies.

What I love most about Hotel Indigo is that its downtown Madison location embraces history, culture and colour. This building once housed the Mautz Paint Company and that past is far from forgotten.

From the murals throughout the lobby to the pops of colour adorning the walls of the Palette Bar and Grill, this vibrant hotel has a cheery vibe. I love Palette’s creative cocktails, inspired by paint palettes. As far as accommodations in Tenney-Lapham go, Hotel Indigo is one of the best hotels in Madison.

All guestrooms have desks and refrigerators, which I find handy for remote working. Some rooms also face Breese Stevens Field—trust me when I say that watching the high school athletes charge across the turf is all the inspiration you need to visit the hotel’s 24-hour gym.

DoubleTree by Hilton sold me on a stay with their freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies in the lobby. This is one of the top hotels in Madison for any overnighter with a sweet tooth: the on-site Starbucks and Tailwinds restaurant both offer more decadent treats. At Tailwinds, I highly recommend the plate of Wisconsin cheese curds and the ultimate chocolate cake.

Single king and double queen suites offer the ideal amount of room, whether you’re travelling for work or with friends. As a remote worker, I prefer booking a King Studio Suite, because there’s plenty of space to work and enjoy an in-room lunch.

Staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton in east Madison is a great choice for exploring more of the region. I often rent a car, and this hotel lets me skip the city traffic and get to sites like Lake Winnebago much more quickly.

I like snagging cheap flights to smaller airports, and Cambria Hotel is one of the best hotels in Madison for those arriving at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN). The hotel’s free airport shuttle service is such a helpful amenity after a long flight. Plus, the indoor heated pool is another wonderful welcome when checking in.

I also prefer to stitch multi-city trips together, and again, Cambria Hotel’s location delivers convenience on that front. I can rent a car and hop on the I-90 for quick trips to Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

The hotel’s restaurant and bar are open five days a week. On Sundays and Mondays, I’ll take a cab into Madison to visit one of my local favourites like Sardine, Himal Chuli or Tapatios. I love that each guestroom has a refrigerator and microwave—perfect for enjoying your restaurant leftovers.

With an electric car charging station and airport shuttle, Best Western Premier Park Hotel welcomes travellers no matter how they arrive in Madison. I love this hotel’s central location, just beside the Wisconsin State Capitol and Dane County Farmers’ Market. It’s actually the only Capitol Square hotel in the city, making it one of the best hotels to stay in Madison’s downtown core.

The poolside queen rooms have convenient direct access to the indoor heated swimming pool. Many rooms have two queen beds, which is equally convenient for families travelling with children. I enjoy the small but significant touches in each suite, like the marble-tiled bathrooms and useful microwave and refrigerator. These welcoming amenities add an extra layer of comfort after a long day of exploring.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott sits across the street from the Hilldale Shopping Center, and I personally think that’s an often overlooked perk. SpringHill Suites also has all-suite rooms and an indoor pool, providing extra space and comfort no matter the season.

Another useful perk are the hotel’s in-room kitchenettes. I often travel with my children in tow, so I appreciate having a fridge and a microwave on hand for quick snack prep. SpringHill Suites by Marriott is just off University Avenue, which makes it one of the best hotels in Madison for out-of-towners like me who want direct access to the city centre.

Hampton Inn & Suites is set in a truly underrated part of Madison, just waiting to be explored. Located west of downtown, I love the instant access it offers to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

A free hot breakfast is the perfect way to start a busy day of hiking, while a dip in the indoor pool is a great way to warm up after the trails in the winter. When the forecast is frigid, the gym is an ideal indoor alternative to an outdoor run.

Despite its location away from the city, Hampton Inn & Suites is only a short drive from popular sites like the Alliant Energy Center and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Less traffic and more room for top amenities like a whirlpool hot tub make Hampton Inn & Suites one of the best hotels in Madison.