Madison's Edgewater Hotel: Luxury Redefined (or Scandal Revealed?)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the whirlwind that is a hotel review, complete with all the glorious messiness of real life! We're talking . Let's get brutally honest, shall we?
First Impressions (and the Initial Panic)
Okay, so pulling up to the hotel…it’s big. Like, "where's the valet, and do they take therapy animals?" big. That initial feeling? A mix of "OMG, I hope I look good enough" and "Please, please let this be a clean, non-bedbug-ridden experience." The accessibility right off the bat seemed decent – saw an elevator immediately, so fingers crossed for the Facilities for disabled guests. Let's see how much of this actually pans out, shall we?
The Room: My Personal Fortress (with Wi-Fi as a Lifeline)
The room itself? Well, it's got the basics, which is always a good start. The Air conditioning blasted me in the face like a particularly frosty ex-lover (in a good way, especially after sweating like a sinner in church during the taxi ride). Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! THANK GOD! Seriously, as a digital nomad, I practically breathe the internet. Gotta keep those cat videos coming, you know? And thankfully, the Internet access – wireless worked like a charm. Although…I definitely had to get the IT guy to the room once to check on the Internet access – LAN… because that's just how my life goes. Always a small issue somewhere!
The room itself was a decent size. The blackout curtains were a blessing for sleep (yes!). The extra long bed was a plus, allowing me to finally stretch my limbs out. I also appreciated the complimentary bottled water. Always a good touch after that travel time! Though, the bathrobes felt a little…stiff. And let's be real, I'm a slippers kind of gal. So. The lack of those? A big miss in my book.
Cleanliness and Safety: Does it Feel Clean? (And Do They Actually Mean It?)
Okay, this is where things get serious. In this post-pandemic world, Cleanliness and safety is the name of the game. They have this whole laundry list of things they do, like Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They even boast of Professional-grade sanitizing services. Frankly, that sounds good on paper! I also appreciated the hand sanitizer stations all over the place.
I'm a little skeptical, however. I mean, I saw the Staff trained in safety protocol and the Sterilizing equipment, but did it feel clean? That’s the true test. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so my initial inspection of the bathroom was intense. I mean, under the faucet? Behind the toilet? I needed to feel like the place was truly clean for me to feel safe!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fuel Up, Buttercup! (Or Maybe Just Survive the Buffet)
Let's talk food, because that's my love language. The Restaurants? Multiple. Options are key. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a buffet. You know the drill. Overcooked eggs, mystery meat, and the eternal quest for decent coffee. They did have an Asian breakfast, though, which was a nice change of pace. And there was some decent fruit, so I clung to that.
They offered A la carte in restaurant, and a full menu of choices. But, in my sleep deprived stage, I mostly leaned on the Room service [24-hour]. The burger was surprisingly good, and it came with a bottle of Bottle of water. Small wins, people. Small wins. On the plus side, the Poolside bar looked inviting (but I never quite made it there), and the Coffee/tea was available in the Coffee shop, so they get points there. I could also be a bit of a coffee-snob, but that's for another day.
Things to Do (Besides Panic About Your To-Do List)
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was tempting, but I had a lot of work to do. I really thought that I should take advantage of the Fitness center and the Gym/fitness equipment, but…alas. Maybe next time. I should have taken the Sauna out for a run, but I was too busy binge-watching my favorite show. It happens. I did see the Spa/sauna, and the Massage options seemed interesting!
Services and Conveniences: Because Life Isn't Always Smooth Sailing
The Concierge was helpful (thank goodness for a real human!), and the Daily housekeeping kept the room tidy-ish. They had a Cash withdrawal machine, which was clutch. I also liked the Luggage storage. The fact that they had a Doorman made me feel a bit more important. However, I didn't have the need for Dry cleaning.
Accessibility – The Big Picture (and My Slightly Annoyed Thoughts)
Okay, so here's the elephant in the room (or, uh, the lobby): Accessibility. While I mentioned the Elevator, and I saw some signs of Facilities for disabled guests, I didn’t personally test every nook and cranny. This is a place that can be improved.
For the Kids (Because Sometimes We ALL Need a Babysitter)
Didn't have any kids with me, but the Family/child friendly vibe was definitely there. They had the usual suspects: Kids facilities, and a Babysitting service.
The Verdict: A Mixed Bag, but With Potential
Overall, is a solid choice. It’s got the basics, it tries hard with the safety stuff, and the Wi-Fi is a lifesaver. It’s not perfect. There are things that could be improved, especially with accessibility. But overall, a decent option.
My Persuasive Pitch: The Honest Hook
Okay. Here’s the deal. You're tired. You need a break. You want a place that tries to make life easier (mostly). You want the option for a really good burger at 1 am. And, most importantly, you want that sweet, sweet Wi-Fi to power your weekend escape. If that's you, then is worth considering. It’s imperfect, yes, but it tries. And sometimes, that's all you really need. So, go on. Book it. Maybe ask for a room far away from whoever's screaming in the hallway. You might even enjoy yourself. Just…get your own slippers. 😉
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. My attempt at a travel itinerary for The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin, is about to get REAL. Prepare for some Wisconsin cheese-curd fueled rambling… and maybe a few tears (mostly from laughing, I hope).
The Edgewater: My Chaotic Love Letter
(Because let's be honest, itineraries never actually go according to plan.)
Day 1: Arrival and The "OMG, I'm Here!" Syndrome
- 1:00 PM: Arrival and the Lobby Gawk. Okay, so, Madison. I imagined it all quaint and college-town-y, I'd seen it on the internet, but walking through the grand, polished lobby of The Edgewater… whoa. It hits you like a brick of Wisconsin cheddar. Polished everything! Chandeliers that cost more than my car! I definitely felt a bit underdressed in my "travel-chic" (read: comfortable jeans and a slightly-too-wrinkled linen shirt). My immediate thought? "I hope I don't spill coffee on this carpet." (Spoiler alert: I later did. It was a rough start.)
- 1:45 PM: Room Check-In (and the Great View Reveal). The clerk was super friendly, but I was so preoccupied with not looking like a total tourist that I barely heard what she said. Managed to fumble my way up to my room. And BAM. The view. Lake Mendota, sparkling. The State Capitol building, regal. My jaw dropped. I actually let out a little "holy moly." And then, of course, I had to take 57 pictures. Because, Instagram. Don't judge. (Okay, judge. I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for a good photo.)
- 2:30 PM: Exploring the Room and the "Where Am I Going to Put All My Stuff?" Crisis. Seriously, how do people travel light? I swear I packed for the apocalypse. Suitcase explosion in progress. Half an hour spent trying to make sense of the room's layout, eventually admitting defeat and declaring, "It's a system, I'll learn it."
- 3:00 PM: The All-Important Snack Break (Fueling the Adventure). Okay, this is important. I hit up the Edgewater's little marketplace for some snacks. Grabbed a bag of local cheese curds (obviously) and a bottle of kombucha (trying to be healthy, you know?). Finding some local snacks really kicked it up a notch.
- 3:45 PM: Lake Walk and the "Almost Tripped Over My Own Feet" Incident. The hotel has these amazing Adirondack chairs. I figured, "Perfect! Post-card-worthy view!" Nope. Got too distracted trying to capture the "Perfect" light for a picture and tripped over an uneven brick. My knee is slightly scraped, my dignity is even more bruised. Laughing it off.
- 5:00 PM: Happy Hour at The Icehouse. I like a good cocktail when I travel, so I checked out The Icehouse. Pretty chill, fun atmosphere. Watched the sunset. Amazing drinks.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at Statehouse. (The fancy one). Oh boy. This was an experience. Food was good, but a bit stuffy. I had a tough time deciphering what half the stuff on the menu was.
- 8:30 PM: Back to the Room and the "I'm Exhausted But Can't Sleep" Syndrome. Jet lag? Over-caffeination? Too much cheese? Who knows. Stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours, eventually resorting to a meditation playlist. It (eventually) worked.
Day 2: The Deep(ish) Dive
- 7:00 AM: Rise and Shine… Then Regret It. I swear, my body clock is determined to mess with me. Woke up at the crack of dawn, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Quickly succumbed to the exhaustion and went back to bed.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at The Edgewater. I took a seat at The Edgewater and ordered the avocado toast. It wasn't just avocado toast, it was like, elevated avocado toast. And the coffee… pure bliss. Maybe breakfast is the secret to happiness.
- 10:00 AM: Capitol Exploration. Hit the Capitol Building (a short walk from the hotel). It was absolutely breathtaking. I spent a stupid amount of time just staring at the architecture and marveling at the details. I loved the idea of walking through the building. There were some gorgeous views.
- 11:30 AM: Picnic at the Memorial Union Terrace (the "Oh, Those Students" Observation). Grabbed some sandwiches from a local deli and went down to the terrace. I could feel history. Beautiful views of the lake. The university students were out in full force. And it was like, a scene from a movie.
- 1:00 PM: Farmer's Market Adventure. The Madison Farmers' Market. The sheer volume of cheese, beer brats, and flowers…it was overwhelming. I took it all in. I bought some cheese curds, because, Wisconsin.
- 3:00 PM-6:00 PM: The Experience: Spa Day at The Edgewater. Alright, listen up. This is where the real story begins. I'd booked a massage. And it was, hands down, the highlight of the trip. I'm not even kidding. The massage therapist was an angel. She kneaded away all the travel stress. Hours melted away with this little ritual. The treatment felt like pure bliss.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. Checked out a local restaurant. I had an amazing meal, drinks were good.
- 9:00 PM: Nightcap at The Edgewater. Back to the hotel for a nightcap. Watched people in the lobby. Enjoyed the space.
Day 3: Leaving (and the "Saying Goodbye is Hard" Feels)
- 8:00 AM: Last Breakfast and the "I Need More Time!" Meltdown. Seriously? Already? I wasn't ready to leave. One last delicious breakfast and a serious internal debate about whether I could just move in.
- 9:00 AM: Final Lake Walk and Instagram-worthy Moments. One last stroll around the lake. Trying to soak it all in.
- 10:00 AM: The "I'm Definitely Coming Back" Departure. Checkout was smooth. But leaving was hard. Madison had gotten under my skin. I promised myself I'd be back.
- 11:00 AM: Travel. Back to the airport and then back home.
Reflections:
The Edgewater wasn't just a hotel; it was an experience. It was a reminder to slow down, to breathe, and to appreciate the little things (like perfectly melted cheese curds). It was a little flawed, a little messy, but ultimately, perfect. And I can't wait to go back.
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So, like, what *is* this thing, anyway? (And do I REALLY need it?)
But What's *Actually In It*? Is it just some generic stuff?
How did you even *become* an expert on this? (Because, let's be honest, you probably aren't.)
Okay, fine. But what's the *one* thing I should take away from this?
So, what *exactly* has been your biggest screw-up? (Come on, spill the tea!)
Okay, let's say I'm REALLY struggling right now. What do I do? No, really. GIVE ME SOMETHING HELPFUL.
What's the *weirdest* thing you've ever encountered?
