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The Speckled Hen Inn: Traveler Reviews

5525 Portage Road, Madison, WI 53704
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The Speckled Hen Inn
Ranked #1 of 8 Madison B&B and Inns
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181 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    170
    8
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    1
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wrdtrvler48
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“The Speckled Hen Inn is worth the trip to Madison”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 11, 2013

We have stayed at the Speckled Hen Inn many times in the past few years and it is always a wonderful experience. Pat and Bob could not be more gracious hosts and the breakfast is always amazing and has something from their garden. Everything is extremely fresh and original. The property is amazing with sheep, wild turkeys and of course Happy! Happy is the greeter and is a full sized Goldendoodle which we met a puppy. He is quite the gentleman and always well-behaved. We are particularly fond of the Madison Lakes room, but all are great. There are always fresh cookies and drinks available. Wine is also available for purchase at a reasonable cost. It is always a pleasure to visit each season!

Room Tip: No swimming pool All rooms are great, but we like the Madison Lakes room for privacy and lay out.
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  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask wrdtrvler48 about The Speckled Hen Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Speckled_Hen_Inn, Owner at The Speckled Hen Inn, responded to this review
February 12, 2013
Thank you for your kind coments. How time flies, Happy is 5 years old and thank you so very much for visiting all those years. Repeat guests are the best compliment we can get. We are starting to plan the gardens for next year, so another "local" breakfast awaits you next year!
Best wishes and thank you...again.
Bob
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1 review
“The Speckled Hen Inn”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 4, 2013

My husband and I were delighted to find this great B & B. We were only looking for something more fun than a hotel while visiting our grandchildren close by, and what we found was a destination all unto itself! The Inn, the owners and the surroundings are all perfect. Breakfast is a great treat! Pat and Bob and Happy(the perfect dog) are quite the family! We have been in all seasons, and it is always beautiful. We love Bed and Breakfast vacations and this one is superb.

We have been back several times and are always planning our next trip. The Speckled Hen is the perfect get-a-way with a vacation feel but close enough to Madison for great dinners. They always make the Texans feel right at home. We have plenty of space and privacy to enjoy their amazing view.

Pat has helped us find lots of things we needed in the community including a "church of our choice" for one Sunday and always has restaurant suggestions.

Melinda and Jerry

Room Tip: We love the rooms upstairs for the view!
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  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask m2johnston about The Speckled Hen Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Speckled_Hen_Inn, Owner at The Speckled Hen Inn, responded to this review
February 6, 2013
Melinda and Jerry

We love Texans, actually we really love you. People like you make this job really fun. Thank you for declaring Happy, "The Perfect Dog", he most certainly is. We are really looking forward to you next visit,
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
1 review
“great winter get-a-way”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 3, 2013

The Speckled Hen Inn is a great Madison gem. It's close to major attractions but still has the far-way, get-out-of-town feel. Pat and Bob and Happy are wonderful. The breakfasts are out of this world with generous portions. Farm fresh eggs, fresh baked scones, fresh fruit.....delicious. The room that I stayed is was perfect for one but would be large enough for a couple. Highly suggest staying at this charming B&B.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Paula W about The Speckled Hen Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Speckled_Hen_Inn, Owner at The Speckled Hen Inn, responded to this review
February 4, 2013
Paula

Thank you for spending your birthday with us and best wishes for many more. It was a pleasure to meet you. Glad that you enjoyed the "country gormet" breakfasts and the out-of-town feel of the Speckled Hen Inn.
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Madison, Wisconsin
1 review
“Local treasure!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 3, 2013

A beautiful estate tucked into an equally beautiful parcel of land. Very clean rooms that are comfortable and spacious. Delicious food, boasting a large percentage of produce grown on the grounds. Friendly and helpful owners. Located just five miles outside of town, and ten miles from downtown, but feels very isolated and secluded. Not 5 stars due to slight traffic noise from the interstate and local airport. Will absolutely be coming back.

Room Tip: Main floor rooms may have noise from guests checking in late, second floor rooms may have noise from...
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  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask MadCitySleeper about The Speckled Hen Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Speckled_Hen_Inn, Owner at The Speckled Hen Inn, responded to this review
February 4, 2013
If you are at all concerned about other guests conversations preventing you from “sleeping in” may we recommend one of our first floor rooms. The Rising Sun room , the Token Creek room, and the Madison Lakes room are well away from the dining room activity. We do offer breakfast service at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 to assure our guests that they can enjoy breakfast at the time that suits their needs best.

One of the benefits of a B&B stay that seldom gets mentioned is the benefit having a lodging option that is used by such nice, considerate people. B&B guests are, with a very, very rare exception, some of the quietest and most considerate folks you would ever hope to meet. They usually check-in before going out to dinner for the evening and if they do come back in late at night, they are very quiet. Of course the absence of noisy elevators, ice vending machines, and steel room doors at B&B’s makes them naturally quieter than your average hotel. B&B’s truly are a better way to experience a little getaway. As innkeepers we feel very lucky to have the opportunity to meet and share a bit of what we have created here with such lovely people.
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Plymouth, Minnesota
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
“Perfect”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 30, 2013

We stopped at the Speckled Hen Inn on our way to Chicago. What a wonderful B & B. We really liked the more modern decor in the Madison Lakes room. We are in our late 30's and have typically avoided B & B's due to the decor. We like the B & B concept but couldn't get comfortable in the victorian type decor. I hope the Speckled Hen's modern feel is a trend that sweeps the B & B community. We didn't get to meet Pat. Bob was a wonderful host and enjoyed his telling of how the Speckled Hen came to be...he's a great cook too!! We enjoyed a walk around the grounds in the morning...it was a little wet due to the rain but still very beautiful. We'd stay here again for sure. We wouldn't change anything.

Room Tip: The Madison Lakes room is worth the money.
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  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask john b about The Speckled Hen Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Speckled_Hen_Inn, Owner at The Speckled Hen Inn, responded to this review
February 1, 2013
John
Thank you for a "perfect" review. We really appreciate your comments that not all B&B's are "Victorian". In fact, about half of our guests are in your age group which validates what we have been trying hard to acheive at the Speckled Hen...hope to see you again so that you can meet Pat.
Bob
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Additional Information about The Speckled Hen Inn

Address: 5525 Portage Road, Madison, WI 53704
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Wisconsin > Madison
Amenities:
Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Suites
Hotel Style:
Ranked #1 of 8 B&Bs / Inns in Madison
Price Range: $$
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The Speckled Hen is just outside the city of Madison and has 5 spacious guest rooms. The 50-acre property features gardens, trails, wetlands and meadows where the Inn's sheep and llamas graze. The Inn is recognized for their fine breakfast cuisine featuring locally produced eggs, dairy, fruits and vegetables. The Innkeeper's knowledge of the area provides guests with valued guidance in things to enjoy while visiting the Inn. Here you will find Life and Lodging in Sustainable Style. ... more   less 

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