94 W Wharf Rd, Madison, Connecticut, United States | (203) 245-1404
Quiet beach setting with unobstructed Long Island Sound views
All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and waterfront balconies
New England-style restaurant and bar with waterfront views
Multi-level spa and a nail salon
Bright gym with yoga on the beach
Movies, live music, and craft fairs on the beachfront lawn
Towel, food, and beverage service on the beach
Ballroom for weddings and events
Dog-friendly rooms available (for a fee)
Madison Country Club and golf course access
Free valet parking and Wi-Fi throughout
On-site gift shop
Thin room walls don't block outside noise
Restaurant is often busy, requiring advance reservations
First-floor rooms by the elevator and ballroom can be noisy
Overlooking the Long Island Sound, the 32-room Madison Beach Hotel is an upscale New England-style property on a quiet private stretch of sand. Movies and live music are offered on the beach -- when weather permits. This waterfront property has a ballroom that's popular for weddings, and the bustling restaurant and bar attract locals. The full-service spa is classically designed with a gym and beach yoga classes. Elegant rooms have sleigh beds and views of the water; some have electric fireplaces and private balconies facing the Sound. Unobstructed water views make this hotel one of the best upscale choices, but on-site events can sometimes be noisy, especially considering the thin room walls.
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Scene
Upscale New England-style property on a private beach with lovely views
Madison Beach Hotel has an upscale vibe with gray clapboard siding and a wraparound bottom-floor porch. A pathway leads to a private shingle beach with rocks and tide pools. When the weather permits, guests crowd the lawn with their beach chairs on Thursdays for live music and on Tuesdays for kid-friendly movies. Lawns around the property are well-kept and there's a shower to rinse off sand. A fireplace in the reception area creates a homey vibe by the entrance to The Wharf restaurant and bar that’s popular among locals and tourists alike. The grand feature in the lobby is the wooden staircase that wraps around a chandelier. Tiled corridors feature wainscoting and curved architectural details that add to the upscale setting. Prices for rooms are comparable to other nearby upscale properties, but the Long Island Sound views are unbeatable here, attracting both couples -- including honeymooners --- and families with children.
Location
On a private beach, one mile from downtown Madison
The Madison Beach Hotel overlooks the Long Island Sound from a private beach. In the surrounding area there are residences, a wharf, and the Madison Country Club. Downtown Madison, where shops and cafes line Wall and Main Streets, is a five-minute drive. Within 15 minutes by car is the Hammonasset Beach State Park. The drive to the Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium takes around 40 minutes. It’s 25 minutes to the Essex Steam Train. Getting to New York and Boston by car from here takes about two hours. Bradley International Airport is around an hour drive. The Shore Line East regional train station is a five-minute drive away. On-site valet parking is provided for free -- not including tips -- and there are limited free parking spaces on the wharf.
Rooms
Elegant, cottage-style rooms furnished waterfront balconies and some with fireplaces
The atmosphere in guest rooms is upscale and cozy with a subdued palette of nautical colors and blue paisley accents. Wooden sleigh beds face flat-screen TVs, and gas fireplaces in King Rooms. There are iPod-compatible clock radios on the bedside tables. Blue carpeting and beige tile cover the floors. All rooms have balconies with wicker chairs overlooking the Long Island Sound. King Rooms have private balconies, while Double Double Rooms share outdoor space. Rooms offer one king or two double beds and are divided between the South or East Wings, which have sunrise vistas. Granite-topped writing desks and hutches, which have Cuisinart coffeemakers and mini-fridges, create an elegant look. Light-colored damask wallpaper and silver fixtures create a stylish feeling in bathrooms, which offer showers with rainfall showerheads and/or soaking bathtubs. There are wall-mounted toiletries, and bathrobes are provided. Rooms all have ironing facilities, safes, and turndown service. Wi-Fi is free. Dog-friendly rooms on the first floor are available.
Features
Private beach, casual restaurant and bar, fitness center, full-service spa, and free valet parking
Madison Beach has a full list of amenities that add to its intimate and upscale atmosphere. When the weather permits the lawn and beach are used for social events. Sundays offer brunch on the beach with live jazz music and views of the Long Island Sound from heated dining patios. The nautical-themed Wharf restaurant and bar serves a popular breakfast, lunch, and dinner with emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine and local seafood. Service is busy, so guests typically have to reserve a table in advance. There's also a raw bar. Drink and food service is also available -- when weather permits -- on the beach. In the warmer months, the hotel also provides yoga on the sand. Otherwise there’s a nicely equipped, bright gym with modern machines and a yoga studio.Gifts and clothing are sold in the hotel’s shop. The full-service spa offers facials and treatments with locally tailored services like Long Island Sound Scrubs and Deep Sea Massages. Weddings are commonly held here with ceremonies on the lawn and a ballroom that can accommodate 200 people. Tides on the Sound is a handsome room for events and private dining, with a wooden bar and French doors. Valet parking is free for guests.
