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The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Madison

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Madison

Visiting Madison, Wisconsin for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to Madison, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Madison based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting Madison for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to Madison before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Madison for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Madison for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $106 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Madison
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
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Located at 2424 University Avenue, Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison has great rooms from $106 (before taxes). It offers skiing, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving. It has a terrific 8.50 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 1.3 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love snorkeling, a bar, hiking, laundry services, and golf at this relaxing hotel. Getting room service delivered is always a nice luxury. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


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The Edgewater

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $199 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
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A great place to stay is The Edgewater which has nice rooms starting at $199. Offering room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking, it also has a great guest rating of 8.90 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 1001 Wisconsin Place. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers rooms with kitchenettes, child care, laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, and city views which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 0.7 miles from the city center. Unwinding at the restaurant after sightseeing is a nice way to end the day.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Bicycle rental
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Best Western Premier Park Hotel

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $162 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool
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We found Best Western Premier Park Hotel to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $162. We loved that is has room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.20 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 22 South Carroll Street. You'll also find laundry services, city views, an indoor pool, laundry facilities, and bicycle rental which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 0.8 miles from the center of town. We love an indoor pool because you can enjoy it any time of the year.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Bicycle rental
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


The Madison Concourse Hotel

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $141 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Madison
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool
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With terrific rooms from $141, The Madison Concourse Hotel, at 1 West Dayton Street provides skiing, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. Its terrific guest rating is 8.90 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers parking, hiking, laundry services, a free breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms. It's located just 0.8 miles from the city center, too. You'll enjoy unwinding in the hot tub, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Hyatt Place Madison Downtown

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $151 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
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Hyatt Place Madison Downtown has a great guest rating of 8.80 out of 10, and offers a restaurant, a fitness center, scuba diving, a bar, and parking. The great rooms here start at $151 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 333 West Washington Avenue. Furthermore, it also offers laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, an indoor pool, family rooms, and air-conditioning, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 0.7 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Mansion Hill Inn

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $334 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Madison
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
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The great guest rating of Mansion Hill Inn is 9.70 out of 10. This place has room service, a bar, parking, city views, and bicycle rental. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $334, and it's located at 424 North Pinckney Street. We also love the air-conditioning, a 24-hour desk, an EV charging station, balconies, and private parking which are great for visitors. And since it's just 0.8 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
More Great Amenities
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Bicycle rental
View Prices and Reviews


Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown By IHG

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $160 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
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A cool place is Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown By IHG because it has great rooms that start at $160. It has room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking, it also earned a great guest rating of 9.20 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 901 East Washington. Only 1.6 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, city views, a free airport shuttle, and air-conditioning at this convenient hotel.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Madison Marriott South

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $143 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Madison
  • Heated pool
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Madison Marriott South offers room service, a casino, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $143 (before taxes). It's located at 706 John Nolen Drive and has earned a guest rating of 8.20/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers hiking, laundry services, golf, a hot tub, and a game room which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 2.3 miles from the city center. It's always nice having a heated pool to relax in.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Heated pool
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Holiday Inn & Suites Madison West - Middleton By IHG

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $104 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Heated pool
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Located at 1109 Fourier Drive, Holiday Inn & Suites Madison West - Middleton By IHG has great rooms from $104 (before taxes). It offers a pool bar, room service, a water park, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 8.00 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find a bar, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, city views, and a hot tub which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 6.2 miles from the center of town. We always love having a pool, and the one here is really nice. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Water park
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $157 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Heated pool
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A great place to stay is Hilton Madison Monona Terrace which has nice rooms starting at $157. Offering room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking, it also has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 9 East Wilson Street. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, an indoor pool, and laundry facilities. It's located just 1 miles from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Heated pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Also, take a look at the first time trip hotels in nearby destinations: Madison, Wisconsin Dells, Lake Geneva, Rockford, and Oshkosh.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Wisconsin Dells, make sure you also see Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Wisconsin Dells, Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Wisconsin Dells, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Wisconsin Dells, Best Hotels for One Week in Wisconsin Dells, Best Hotels for One Night in Wisconsin Dells, or Best Business Hotels in Wisconsin Dells.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Madison?

Madison Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$132

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Madison, Wisconsin. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in Madison, Wisconsin based on data from 37 hotels is an affordable $132. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Madison.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 4-star hotels: $181
  • 3-star hotels: $125
  • 2-star hotels: $102


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