The Edgewater

The Edgewater, Madison: A Michelin Key Selected Lakeside Retreat

The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin, stands out as a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receiving high praise for its stunning lakefront location, exceptional service, and luxurious amenities. Guests frequently describe their stays as wonderful and memorable, highlighting the hotel's ability to blend modern comforts with a charming, upscale atmosphere.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Edgewater is overwhelmingly positive, with an "Excellent" rating of 8.8 on Booking.com and a "Wonderful" 9.2 on Expedia. Travelers frequently use terms like "beautiful property," "top-notch," and "exceptional" to describe their experience. The sentiment leans heavily towards luxury, comfort, and outstanding hospitality.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout aspects of The Edgewater:

• Location & Views: Perched on the south shore of Lake Mendota, the hotel offers some of Madison's best panoramic lake views, which are often cited as amazing. Many rooms and public spaces take full advantage of this picturesque setting.
• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently lauded as "helpful," "friendly," "professional," and "wonderful," going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Valet service also receives positive mentions.
• Amenities: The full-service spa, fitness center, and a seasonal ice-skating rink on the plaza are highly valued. The hotel also offers a free airport shuttle and a complimentary car service within a 2.9-mile radius, which guests appreciate.
• Design: The hotel's design, blending American Craftsman tradition with occasional Art Deco elements, and its recently renovated interiors contribute to its sophisticated and cozy ambiance.

Room Quality

The Edgewater boasts 202 beautifully appointed rooms and suites across two buildings, the Wisconsin Building and the historic Langdon Building. Guests consistently find the rooms spacious, clean, and comfortable, with many offering breathtaking lake views, some with floor-to-ceiling windows or private terraces. Room features include luxurious accommodations, large spa-style bathrooms with Kohler fixtures, oversize tubs with rain showers, in-mirror TVs, and pillow-top mattresses with Egyptian cotton sheets. Select rooms may also feature a sofa, spa bath, kitchenette, or a cozy fireplace. While some reviews mention a room feeling "a little older" in one instance, the overall impression is of upscale and well-maintained spaces.

Dining Experience

The Edgewater offers a diverse culinary experience with three on-site restaurants and a café, all overseen by an Executive Chef.

• The Statehouse: The flagship fine dining restaurant, "The Statehouse," offers regionally sourced, New American cuisine with an extensive wine list and incredible views of Lake Mendota. Guests have described the food here as "excellent."
• The Boathouse: A casual waterfront dining spot, "The Boathouse" serves pub fare, local brews, and offers beautiful lake views, making it a popular spot for lakeside meals.
• The Icehouse: Located at the base of The Plaza, "The Icehouse" is a lively food hall with grab-and-go options like pizza, snacks, and a selection of Wisconsin-brewed beers.
• The Market: This café provides grab-and-go breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee, and local treats like salted caramel kringle. Full breakfast is available daily.

Service & Staff

The service at The Edgewater is a frequently lauded highlight. Guests consistently praise the staff for being "super professional, quick and efficient," "very polite and friendly," and "accommodating." Reviewers have noted the "helpful staff" and that "everything, from facilities to staff, [is] absolutely top notch." The availability of staff who can speak multiple languages, including Spanish, Tagalog, Zulu, Xhosa, Shona, Portuguese, Swahili, and German, further enhances the guest experience.

Location & Accessibility

The Edgewater boasts an unbeatable location in the heart of downtown Madison, directly on the shores of Lake Mendota. This prime spot offers easy access to numerous attractions:

• Walking Distance: It's within a 10-minute walk of the Wisconsin State Capitol and Overture Center for the Arts. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is also nearby, approximately 2789 feet away.
• Transport: The hotel provides a free airport shuttle and a complimentary car service within a 2.9-mile radius, covering most guest needs for local transportation. Madison Station is a 16-minute walk away.

Value & Pricing

While considered a luxury hotel, guests often find The Edgewater to offer good value for the experience, especially given its prime location and amenities. Prices for a 1-night stay for two adults can start from approximately $187.51, though prices are subject to change based on dates. The hotel is described as offering "incredible value for money" compared to the city's average room price. There is a "resort" fee that includes shuttle services. Self-parking is available for USD 32 per night, and valet parking for USD 38 per night. There is also a pet fee of $75 per stay, with a limit of two pets per room (under 50 lbs each).

Common Complaints

While overall reviews are highly positive, a few minor points have been raised:

• Room "Older Feeling": One guest mentioned a room feeling "a little older," although it was still very clean.
• Lobby Odor: A recurring comment from one guest noted an "odor of fried food every time we entered the lobby."
• No In-Room Coffeemaker: One review pointed out the absence of a coffeemaker in the room, with coffee available at the seventh-floor café.
• Spa Pool Closure: In one instance, a guest experienced the spa pool being closed during their stay.
• Employee Feedback: While guests praise staff, some past employee reviews (from 2012-2021) mention concerns about management, low pay for hourly employees, and work-life balance.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. agoda.com
3. theedgewater.com
4. expedia.com
5. booking.com
6. hotels.com
7. michelin.com
8. visitmadison.com
9. theedgewater.com
10. theedgewater.com
11. hotel-scoop.com
12. theedgewater.com
13. boathousemadison.com
14. theedgewater.com
15. indeed.com