My husband and I stayed at the Edgewater for the UW-Michigan State game. The hotel was selected due to the proximity of the stadium and downtown Madison. Prior to booking it, I had read the other reviews on TripAdvisor and can agree with pretty much all of them: the hotel needs some upgrades. We arrived as the homecoming parade was setting up and were turned away by students saying we could not get through. When we called the hotel, the front desk person basically said he was unsure how we could get through. Luckily, we made it through with two minutes to spare but it would have been nice of the hotel to let us know the entrance would be blocked off. The hotel itself is in rough shape: musty odor, sketchy elevators, and outdated everything. We could hear everything going on around us in our room. The water turned from hot to cold to hot when taking a shower. The TV was a pretty sweet 19 inch standard box set on the desk. The one highlight of the hotel is its bar area overlooking the lake and the extremely friendly service from its staff. We ordered wine but wanted to try a different kind. Without even asking, the bartender brought us a sample. Also, the hotel is pretty close to downtown without having to pay the extra $50-$100 dollars closer hotels were charging. We did see the pictures of the hotel after the renovation and will probably return in 2014 to a shiny new hotel in a good location and hopefully with the same bar staff.

Spent one night there recently and would not go back. We were visiting with a group of car guys and booked out the whole place. I did not hear one good word about the hotel from any of them. We had a view of a brick wall and a garden with weeds. The heating didnt work and the food was overpriced and not good, overall we were not impressed with our stay.

This place was all the rage when I went to school in Madison a few decades ago... Seems to me that it hasn't changed much! Pros: The view, lunch on the lake if the weather is nice. Cons: rooms are pretty dated. Like so many hotels in Madison, an elevator system that makes you wonder if there is some hunchback operating it with a rope in the basement. Far end of campus means you be walkin' after bidding goodnight to the kids. So-so's: Pretty cool bar (but it will be closed most of the time you are there) Sunday brunch is a treat if you like to throw down the big money for a big buffet.

I walked into the hotel, first appearance was "This might be nice". At the desk, the service was okay. Unlike everywhere else in Madison I've been which has exceptional service. I went to my room and was in awe of the beautiful view of Lake Mendota. Then I looked closer at the room. The shower pressure was terrible and the water wasn't very hot. There was a stool near the vanity area which was nice, except it looked like someone had crushed something into the fabric, and no one ever cleaned it. The internet was pretty slow. The ice machine on my floor (5th Floor) did make noise, but no ice ever came out the entire 3 days I was there. Pillows were not that comfortable and the tv was very small for the size of the room. I could also hear the shower/bathroom and talking of the room next door. Room service comes by in the evening which is strange. I was in the middle of a conference call for work and they were knocking to give me a weather report. Usually at hotels they come when you aren't there as to not bother you. I wouldn't stay here just for the view. That was really the only good part about it.