Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown

Being downtown near the university campus and state capitol, this busy chain hotel sees lots of business travelers during the week, including guests attending conferences on campus. But university families also frequent this hotel on weekends during special events such as sports games and registration. The hotel opened in fall 2013 and it remains fresh, stylish, and well maintained. The lobby/breakfast area is spacious, bright, and contemporary, with bold colors and patterns. Clusters of high-backed, royal-blue armchairs give a little "Alice in Wonderland" twist, while cherry-red drum lights and seats add to the snappy look. TVs are mounted on several walls, while a glass-enclosed fireplace embedded in one of the walls gives a cozy touch. Overall, it's a casual chain hotel with inviting public spaces that encourage guests to relax and enjoy a cup of free coffee. 

The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Madison and as such, it’s convenient to just about everything in town. Several restaurants are within a couple minutes’ walk, and the lively restaurant and bar scene on State Street is just a five-minute walk from here. A grocery is four minutes on foot, and the Kohl Center sports complex, on the western edge of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus, is a six-minute walk. Walking into the heart of the campus takes a few minutes longer. The Wisconsin State Capitol is a 13-minute walk away. The Dane County Regional Airport is about a 10-minute drive or 35 to 40 minutes by public transit, while Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport is about an hour-and-a-half by car.

Guest rooms at this Hampton Inn are quiet, spacious, and stylishly decorated with a contemporary flair. Patterned carpets in shades of blue and gray are offset by color-blocked curtains in brick-red, blue, and tan. Walls are painted a warm beige with accent walls in a chocolate hue, and fun details like racing stripes along the edges of the headboards elevate these rooms above the standard chain-hotel lot. The espresso-colored wood furniture includes work desks, which are paired with ergonomic office chairs. Standard amenities include 42-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are a bit more average, with granite countertops and beige tile floors. Some have walk-in showers with glass doors; others include standard shower/tub combos. All have Neutrogena toiletries and hairdryers.Rooms come in Standard King or Double Queen, King or Double Queen Studio Suites, and King Whirlpool Suites that feature double-sink vanities and separate whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers. Suites include sleeper sofas and granite-top wet bars. Studio Suites place the wood vanities with tan granite tops outside the bathrooms. 

This hotel offers the typical Hampton Inn amenities that many travelers find attractive. The free hot breakfast buffet includes eggs and meat dishes, and to-go breakfast bags are also available. Free coffee, tea, and ice water are available 24/7 in the lobby, as are "USA Today" newspapers on weekdays. The 24/7 gift shop sells sundries, drinks, snacks, and frozen entrees. A restaurant/bar that serves American comfort food is attached to the hotel as well. The indoor heated pool is a bit small, but it has an adjacent whirlpool and is surrounded by bar-style tables and chairs. The fitness center is spacious and nicely equipped with several cardio and weight training machines, exercise balls, and free weights. Two computer stations with Internet access and a printer comprise the 24/7 business center in the lobby. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available, plus self-serve laundry facilities are on-site. The hotel has a small meeting room that can accommodate up to 12 people. There's a parking garage directly attached to the hotel, but parking is not free. A safe deposit box for guest use is available at the front desk.