The 8 Best Resorts in Madison, WI | Hand-Picked for 2025
We found the best resorts in Madison WI that offer top notch service, great amenities, and some of the best food in the city.
While Madison is not known for have many not traditional sprawling retreats like those an hour away in Wisconsin Dells, the city still offers an impressive combination of upscale comforts, attentive service, and tasty on-site dining.
Madison, in its own way, kind of swaps out enormous pool complexes for intimate spa services and buzzing downtown nightlife. That said, it still delivers everything you might want in a quick, cozy getaway without having to leave the city behind.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To put together this list of the best resorts Madison WI has to offer, we actually did a fairly deep comparison of public guest experiences.
We pulled ratings and in-depth user reviews from Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia, aiming to balance factors like location, value, amenities, room variety, service quality, and whether or not the food and drink left people wanting more.
Our final selections include the eight Madison WI resorts that more or less checked every box, without needing to drive to the Dells.
The 8 Best Madison, Wisconsin Resorts – 2025 Full Guide
8. Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Located directly on Capitol Square in downtown Madison
- 131 rooms, including upgraded suites with Capitol views
- Steps from State Street shops, bars, and lakeside parks
This historic resort feels just a little more polished than you’d expect from a Best Western, actually.
The energy is formal yet comfortable, and it sits right across from the Wisconsin State Capitol, offering a setting that’s incredibly walkable and very central.
The property includes a full-service bar and restaurant, an indoor heated pool, and a small but efficient fitness center. Rooms include modern comforts like smart TVs, coffee makers, and mini-fridges, and the Capitol-view options are, honestly, totally worth the extra.
While the pool is more for relaxing than swimming laps, it’s still a nice addition considering many resorts in Madison WI don’t offer one at all. Food-wise, The Post restaurant gets solid marks from guests who prefer not to leave the property after check-in.
Thanks to its direct proximity to key attractions like State Street, Overture Center, and Monona Terrace, this is a resort-style option in the city that gets location right every single time. Families and business travelers both gravitate toward it for convenience, reliability, and that little bit of upscale feel without trying too hard.
7. Graduate By Hilton Madison – Most Affordable
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Just two blocks from the University of Wisconsin campus
- Rooftop bar with lake views and quirky décor throughout
- 72 rooms, pet-friendly, student-inspired themes
Now, the Graduate Madison is arguably the quirkiest of the resorts in Madison Wisconsin, and that’s kind of the point. This one’s got a college-themed charm that’s loud, colorful, and ridiculously fun without feeling childish.
Rooms play into the university vibe with bold patterns and playful details, like camp-style furniture and vintage sports décor, but still offer modern amenities like Keurig machines, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The rooftop bar, Camp Trippalindee, has become a bit of a local favorite, offering unbeatable views over Lake Mendota and easy access to campus hotspots. There’s no pool or spa here, yet the rooftop atmosphere and budget-friendly rates more or less make up for it.
Graduate Madison makes for a clever pick for anyone visiting the university or just looking for a Madison WI resort that’s a bit off the beaten path, figuratively and literally. It’s almost a personality-packed experience rather than a traditional stay.
6. Hilton Madison Monona Terrace
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Connected to Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace
- 240 rooms with lake or Capitol views
- Heated indoor pool and on-site restaurant
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace gives off a kind of quietly polished city hotel vibe, with more upscale functionality than flair. Still, it’s incredibly well-located and seamlessly connected to Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, which is ideal for event-goers and professionals.
The resort offers guests large, bright rooms with impressive lake or Capitol views, some with panoramic windows that make sunrise or sunset feel like an actual event.
There’s a modest heated pool, a small fitness area, and a clean-cut American restaurant called Audrey Kitchen + Bar on-site. That combination actually makes this one of the more complete Madison WI resorts when it comes to full-service options.
It’s not over-the-top fancy, but it’s very easy to enjoy. Guests like the walkability to downtown, and the Monona Lake walking trails nearby add a peaceful, nature-filled touch for a city property.
5. Sheraton Madison Hotel
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Recently renovated with modern lodge-inspired design
- Indoor pool, full bar, and on-site dining
- Located near Alliant Energy Center and Lake Monona
Sometimes overlooked, the Sheraton Madison is actually a solid all-rounder among resorts in Madison Wisconsin, especially after its recent facelift. It’s modern, it’s sleek, and it kind of brings a warm lodge-like aesthetic to the city setting.
The property features a generously sized indoor pool, a full-service fitness center, and The Market, a casual eatery with locally sourced ingredients and good coffee. The on-site bar is cozy but often filled with local professionals after hours.
Rooms are contemporary with a minimalist design, offering plush beds, open layouts, and smart TVs. There’s a small selection of pet-friendly rooms, which families and road trippers really appreciate.
While it’s not smack-dab in downtown, it’s close enough, and that little distance actually gives it more of a resort feel, especially with access to nearby bike trails and lakeside parks, making one of the best resorts in Madison WI out there today.
4. The Edgewater Hotel – Best-Seller
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Directly on Lake Mendota with private pier
- Spa, salon, and fitness club on site
- 2 restaurants and a grand ballroom
Ask most people what they think of when someone says best resorts in Madison WI, and you’ll probably hear “The Edgewater” first. This is about as upscale as it gets in the city, with a waterfront location that feels genuinely tranquil and special.
The Edgewater includes a luxurious spa and wellness center that covers everything from deep tissue massages to full salon services. Add in a fitness club with classes and personal training, and it starts to look more like a full-service resort than any other in town.
Guests can choose between rooms in the Langdon or Wisconsin buildings, with high-end furniture, lake or Capitol views, and often private balconies.
The food options are refined but relaxed, both The Statehouse and The Boathouse have crowd-pleasing menus and excellent wine lists.
The vibe here is upscale yet unpretentious, which is kind of rare. Located right on Lake Mendota, it’s ideal for weddings, long weekend stays, or just a few nights of waterside calm.
3. DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Complimentary shuttle within two miles
- 149 updated rooms with workstations and wet bars
- Steps from Kohl Center, State Street, and UW campus
Known for warm cookies at check-in, this DoubleTree property is actually more polished than expected. It sits on the west edge of campus and is just steps from some of the liveliest nightlife, restaurants, and shopping in Madison.
There’s no pool or spa, which is kind of a drawback, but what it lacks in facilities it makes up for in sheer convenience. The rooms are freshly updated with cozy beds, ergonomic chairs, and simple kitchenettes with wet bars.
Guests get free access to a 24/7 fitness room, and the in-house restaurant Bistro 525 delivers dependable American fare and cocktails. It’s not flashy, but it’s extremely consistent, and for many guests, that’s more than enough.
DoubleTree Madison is a very reliable pick among resorts in Madison WI if you’re focused on walkability and value without compromising cleanliness or comfort.
2. Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown By IHG – Top Value Pick
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Located in historic Mautz Paint building
- Stylish design with local art and industrial details
- Restaurant and bar with local beer selection
Hotel Indigo feels just a little different, in the best way. It’s colorful, creative, and built in a way that actually honors its industrial past without feeling cold or over-designed.
Rooms here are filled with custom furniture, funky murals, and upscale bedding. It feels like a boutique escape rather than a generic chain.
The bar and restaurant area, Palette Bar & Grill, features local dishes and an above-average selection of Wisconsin beers. There’s a fitness center and free bike rentals, adding a bit of lifestyle appeal.
Located in a quieter corner of downtown, it still allows for a quick walk or ride to Capitol Square. For travelers who care about design and value in equal measure, this one’s the best of the Madison WI resorts category by a mile.
1. Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club – Top Overall
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Governor’s Club Lounge with top-floor Capitol views
- Indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna
- Concierge-level amenities and on-site dining
This is the most well-rounded of all resorts in Madison WI and delivers that full-service resort experience with a strong upscale twist.
The Madison Concourse doesn’t just rely on its downtown location, it actually tries to offer a bit of everything.
The Governor’s Club level includes exclusive lounge access with breakfast, snacks, and cocktails served throughout the day, plus panoramic Capitol views from the top floor. It’s one of those perks that really makes the difference in comfort.
All rooms include large workspaces, flat-screen TVs, and pillow-top beds. Families and business travelers alike appreciate the heated indoor pool and whirlpool combo, which stays open late and helps bring a more vacation-like energy to the hotel.
The on-site restaurant, CIRC, gets solid reviews, and its proximity to the Farmers’ Market, museums, and State Street nightlife makes it easily the top pick as the best resort in Madison Wisconsin.
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