As a state capital and a popular college town, Madison, Wis., draws plenty of travelers on political and university business. Now, the Edgewater, a luxury resort, aims to inspire more leisurely visits.
The two-year, $100 million project both restores the original 1948-vintage Edgewater hotel, updated to contemporary standards, and adds a 14-story tower, for a total of 202 rooms. Between the two wings lies a plaza that will stage college football tailgate parties in fall and hold an ice rink in winter.
Five blocks from the Wisconsin state capitol building, on the shore of Lake Mendota, the hotel also has a spa with a yoga studio, gym and seven treatment rooms that overlook the lake.
The Statehouse restaurant, one of three dining options, frames water views through floor-to-ceiling windows. By next summer, management plans to build a series of boat docks and an outdoor cafe on the waterfront, where it will launch dinner cruises.
In addition to attracting out-of-towners, “We hope to create a focal point in the community for people to come and enjoy the waterfront,” said the hotel’s developer, Bob Dunn.
Rooms start at $199.