Girl’s Weekend Staycation at The Edgewater Hotel! With over 200 guest rooms, a community-focused plaza and pier, restaurants and lounges, a spa, beautiful facilities for meetings, private events and weddings, and great customer service, it’s no surprise that this is my favorite hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.
My friends and I got to spend the weekend at The Edgewater Hotel and had such an amazing time! I absolutely love The Edgewater . . but I especially love it in the winter time and over the holidays. I love how they decorate the hotel to make it festive but also warm and welcoming, and they host the best events: a Holiday Tea, PJs + Pancakes with Santa, Christmas Grand Brunch Buffet and they also host fabulous events at the ice rink: Holiday Disco Skate, a Santa Skate. . click here for more!
“Located on the shores of Lake Mendota, The Edgewater is just down the street from the Capitol Square, the heart of downtown Madison. We are within walking distance of State Street and its eclectic restaurants and shops. Best of all, we are located next to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, home of the Wisconsin Badgers.”
You walk into the hotel and immediately see a beautiful grand staircase. It’s absolutely stunning! It takes you to the lower level, where you can visit The Icehouse and more, or you can walk up the stairs to The Statehouse Restaurant, Augie’s Tavern or their Cafe!
The rooms at the Edgewater and beautiful and spacious. If you’re lucky enough to get a room with a view, it’s beyond amazing. One visit, we had a room overlooking the lake, which was frozen (we were staying there in the winter) and the view was just breathtaking and beautiful. The beds are super comfortable, which is one thing I appreciate in a great hotel guest room and their customer service is excellent!
The Edgewater was actually renovated but the restored property maintains the classic façade of the historic 1948 building, now called The Langdon Building, and a new tower, The Wisconsin Building–all with completely new interiors, several restaurants, a magnificent spa, ballrooms, and a large plaza that connects both hotel guests and the public with the beautiful waters of the lake. The entire property is absolutely beautiful.
Edgewater Hotel: “Our History”
“The Edgewater first opened its doors in 1948 and quickly became recognized as a prominent part of the Madison community and culture.
Sitting in the heart of the city, next door to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and steps from the State Capitol, The Edgewater served as the place to stay for Madison visitors and the city’s favorite place for waterfront relaxation, fine dining, dancing, and important meetings for more than 65 years. Throughout the decades, The Edgewater has hosted an array of celebrities, including Elvis Presley, Elton John, Bob Hope, Bob Marley, and the Dalai Lama, to name a few!!
The Edgewater renovation opened in September 2014, ushering in the next chapter of our history. Owned and operated by a team that lives in, and loves, their city, no effort was spared to showcase the property’s breathtaking views, offer unique amenities and focus on re-establishing their long-standing relationship – the city and its finest hotel.”
The Statehouse Restaurant
If there’s one restaurant in Madison with amazing views, it’s the Statehouse. Located on the 7th floor of the hotel, it’s open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The menu is fresh, creative and delicious! Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Wisconsin fish fry with beer battered filets, a house-made pasta featuring local, seasonal ingredients or a burger, The Statehouse truly has something for everyone.
I’ve eaten here a handful of times and it’s always been amazing. We tried a few new menu items and were blown away. The ROASTED BEET SALAD with shaved fennel, marcona almonds and blood orange was incredible! We also tried the VENISON CARPACCIO and the RAINBOW TROUT, the LINGUINE CARBONARA and the BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIB (shown below). Dinner was truly outstanding! I highly recommend just making a reservation and dining at The Statehouse, even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
More Restaurant Options
The Edgewater has a range of options for dining: The Boathouse: a bar and restaurant in the great Wisconsin tradition of casual waterfront spots, The Icehouse for very casual dining, and The Café, for coffee and lighter fare throughout the day.
The Edgewater Spa
We ended our 2-day staycation with a trip to the Edgewater Spa! The spa provides fitness and personal training in addition to the full-service spa offering. “From customized hair, makeup and nail services to signature facials and rejuvenating massages”, The Edgewater Spa has it all!
Chris, Sujhey and I had a massage and a pedicure and my friend Otehlia got a facial, make-up application and a pedicure. We were pampered from head to toe and had a fabulous time! The spa is so nice and spacious and as soon as you enter, you are taken care of. I had the best massage and pedicure service and loved everyone there! We all left feeling so relaxed and wonderful.
If you’re in the Madison area, I highly recommend the Edgewater Spa! Grab some friends and go! and be ready to be pampered!
Gift Card Special
The Edgewater Spa has a 50% off gift card special going on now through December 24th! Pay $25 and get a $50 gift card and I believe you can purchase as many as you want! They can be redeemed January 1st through March 31, 2019. Click here for more spa specials. I purchased a few so will definitely be back at the spa for more services! I want to try their Hydrating Facial and a Seasonal Body Treatment!
Overall, I can’t recommend The Edgewater Hotel enough. This hotel truly has everything: great accommodations and rooms, great customer service, delicious restaurants and a cafe, an ice rink in the winter and the spa. It’s truly all inclusive! This is definitely the hotel that I recommend for all of my friends and out of town guests. If you are ever in the area, or are looking for a hotel in the Madison, Wisconsin area, I hope you check it out!
Disclosure: The Edgewater Hotel hosted me and my friends for our staycation weekend. All opinions are 100% my own.
It looked like so much fun!!!!
Great review! I’ve had dinner a few times at the Statehouse and found the food to be excellent! Have loved the spa area too, especially the pedi chairs!
Looks like it was a fabulous stay! It would be amazing to win something so fun and special! Thanks!
Winning this amazing package would be an absolute dream for me and my husband!
Glad you had a blast! My favorite Edgewater Spa combo is a Swedish massage and signature pedi. I hope you get to go back soon! 🙂
I can’t decide what looks like the best part! 🙂
Yes!!!! Great review! ?
I fell in love with the Edgewater back in 2015 when I got engaged there! The atmosphere is so romantic and the spa services are to die for. Looks like you had an amazing time—I definitely can’t wait to go back and try out the statehouse!
I would love to go here, we love Madison! ,,I would literally go to all the spots you’ve recently reviewed, looks delish. And coming from Chicago, so affordable!
I fell in love with the Edgewater ever since I got engaged there in 2015! The atmosphere is so romantic and the spa services are to die for! I’m definitely looking forward to trying the Statehouse in the near future–looks like you had an amazing time! 🙂
Absolutely amazing! And on the lake too?! ?
What a beautiful place!
What a beautiful place! Looked like you guys had a great time!
I am excited to check out The Edgewater’s outdoor ice rink and other holiday festivities. The spa looks amazing and their promotion looks like a great deal. (:
Ive been ice skating there, Ill have to check out the steakhouse & spa!
It’s so beautiful! Looks like the type of getaway I need!
It looks like you had an amazing time! I could really use a girls weekend!
Major FOMO!
Your story & now this review…..makes me want to go this weekend❤️
I love the Edgewater, it’s definitely a staple of the Madison area. Great in all seasons!
Would love to bring a friend and have a spa day!
Amaaaazing. Would love to do a getaway like this with my girlfriends ?
Edgewater is so beautiful summer and winter. I especially love ice skating with the lights around it!!
This looked like so much fun! I love the Edgewater even if I don’t win the package I have to check it out nice escape from the holiday rush! My friend and I have a bucket list for amazing food in town we will have to check out the Statehouse our next girls’ date night!
Hi Becca! I hope you do! The food at The Statehouse is excellent!
That’s a great deal for gift cards! Thanks for sharing so much about the spa. I’ve done so many things there, but never the spa!
Nothing better than a room with a view, with friends and great food!
I need to check out the spa! Not sure how I haven’t done that already!!
have been working for the past 2 weeks on finals and have been sick! This looks like the cure to all my ailments! So glad you ladies had fun! Hipfoodiemom me and my best friend Skylar love you and all your restaurant recommendations keep it up!! As freshman it is really helpful to have a mom giving us advice on where to get the best food 🙂
Hi Zoe, awh thank you!!!
Have you also entered on Instagram?
Looks like a fabulous time!
Great review! The robes at the spa are so cozy!
I have been wanting to take my girls ice skating at the Edgewater! We love getting drinks and snacks down on the dock in the summer!! Perfect place to watch the sunset!
What a beautiful place for a vacation!!! Everything looks amazing from the spa, rooms, food and surroundings. Would be a blessing to win!!
What a luxurious weekend! Thank you for taking us with you! I already wrote down everything you ate so I can try out all the dishes. Priorities ??
Your staycation looked truly wonderful in the heart of downtown Madison. I would love an opportunity to enjoy this spa after recently finishing another semester of school.
Girls weekend x2!!
Absolutely magical! The Edgewater really does have it all during any season! It’s a music venue in the summer and a ice skating rink in winter! Just a few reason to visit!
Ooh I love it there! Talk about a staycation. I’ve never stayed as a guest but love getting pampered at the spa. Talk about a view!
Sounds like an amazing stay-cation!
Looks like a fabulous staycation!
My husband and I received a weekend here as a wedding present! We went in wintertime as well and the view is stunning!
Oh man! THIS sounds like it would be so wonderful for after my wedding!!
Beautiful. Even though I live in town, I thinks. Staycation there would be fantastic.
This looks amazing! I never thought about having a “staycation” in the Madison area! Great post!
Madison is such a beautiful city with so much to experience
What fun!! I’d love to do this with my good friend!!
Love the Edgewater! The boathouse is the best place to hang out in the summer!
Looks like fun!! Would love to win the giveaway!!
I love boathouse in the summer; it’s the best view in Madison.
This looked SO wonderful!!! I’ve never eaten at the Statehkus, but know I’m for sure adding it to my list of places to go!! Also, great info about the Edgewater gift card specials! Adding that to my Christmas shopping list!
This legit looks like the perfect weekend! Especially in this cooooolllldd winter 🙂
The accommodations and amenities available at the Hotel look and sound fabulous! Thank you for sharing your experience for all to enjoy. Cheers to the winner, who ever that should be!?! Me Me Me ?
Would love a mini vacation there!
I would absolutely love to try their spa out. I have not had the opportunity. My former coworker enjoys their workout classes.
This all sounds AND looks amazing. I can’t wait to check it out soon! Thanks for sharing!
Exactly the relaxation I need to start semester 4/10 of my PhD program!!! I live right down the street from there, too, but have never ventured up to the Edgewater!
Looks amazing! Thanks for highlighting this gem right here in Madison!
The Dalai Lama has stayed there too?! I heard Elvis.. that’s a whole new level. Have enjoyed dinners here but never stayed- maybe this is the year!
Right?! Isn’t it amazing? I hope you do!
Love the Edgewater! So pretty! ?