TL;DR

Central: East-side historic district, quieter than campus area.
Stylish: Bold colors, contemporary decor, relaxed vibe.
Rooms: 144 chic rooms with good amenities.
Affordable luxury: Trendy design without high prices.
Check prices here

The Madison location of IHG’s boutique hotel line is good for anyone who wants to be central but with less of a University of Wisconsin adjacent experience.

It’s a straightforwardly charming brick building on the east side of the city’s historic district, with easy access to the main attractions.

Like most Indigos, there’s a stylish contemporary vibe, with plenty of glass, bold colors and unique furnishings.

It fits nicely into the laid-back youth of the city, cheekily toeing the line between fun and discerning.

There are events, there are common areas, there are plenty of relaxed but chic rooms.

It’s a luxury hotel sure, but Hotel Indigo’s identity leans more on a colorful, laid-back design aesthetic. And its prices sure are reasonable.

If you want to feel cool and fun, and in-the-know in Madison, but without breaking the bank, this is the spot.

What are the rooms like?

Variety: Standard rooms and suites, king and queen beds.
Decor: Fun, bold, youthful yet refined.
Amenities: Mini fridge, HDTV, coffee machine, plush robes.
See all the rooms in detail here

The decor is excellent. Colors abound, with lime green curtain elements we want to hate but absolutely cannot.

They’re fun and bold, and our 13-year-old selves would just swoon.

Preteen design sensibilities aside, it’s a stylish space that is both youthful and refined. They hit the balance nicely.

Accommodation is split between Standard Rooms and Suites, with King Singles and Queen Doubles. Some rooms include sofa beds for larger groups.

Suites are also King Singles and Queen Doubles with sofa bed and extra seating areas.

They’re all well put together with high-quality amenities, but we wonder if they could perhaps get a little more luxury in there.

If you like a decent amount of space, we think you’ll definitely need a suite.

Whatever you choose, you’ll have a mini fridge, HDTV, working area, a plush robe, coffee machine, and a nice large vanity.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

On-site: Palette Bar & Grill, breakfast and dinner.
Drinks: Cocktails & good local craft beers.
Facilities: Fitness center, parking, airport shuttle.

Palette Bar & Grill is the on-site restaurant, open for breakfast daily.

It’s a fairly obvious menu, mostly American classics, but the dinner options have some nice twists.

The tuna has an Asian flair to it, and there are plenty of Mexican-inspired additions to enjoy.

There’s also a solid choice of cocktails and craft beers, perfect for getting a taste of Madison.

Check out the fitness center for a selection of cardio machines and free weights. It’s nothing to write home about, but it will keep your exercise routine intact.

Those with cars will find parking on-site, those without can enjoy the airport shuttle to the hotel. Once you’re central, it’s not hard to get around.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Location: East of the Capitol, calm and artsy.
Nearby: MOCA, Veterans Museum, Orpheum Terrace, Capitol Square.
Access: Walking paths to lakes, State Street food & drink, UW campus.

The location is a definite plus, especially for those without a car.

You’ll be east of the Capitol, in a calmer, less college-y area of the city. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and artsy event spaces to explore nearby.

The hotel is within an easy distance of everything you might want to see, but more suited to a relaxing stay away from the University.

You’ll be equidistant between Madison’s two lakes, with Lake Monona’s walking path just 15 minutes away.

James Madison Park, which looks out to Lake Mendota, is a little bit further, but the difference is minimal.

Capitol Square is a 25-minute walk through town; you’ll end up near all the city’s top museums.

The Children’s Museum is spitting distance, as is MOCA, a notably excellent Veterans’ Museum. The Orpheum Terrace is there for all the entertainment needs you can’t satisfy near the hotel.

If you love walking, you can continue down State Street to check out the food and drink as you near UW. If you prefer to drive, it won’t take more than 10 minutes.

Once you hit the center of campus, there’s plenty of green space, a nice (and free!) Museum of Art, and all the university buildings a person could ever want.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Everything. The restaurant is delightful and convenient, the rooms are super clean and trendy, the trip is all around amazing everytime. I love staying here when we have an event at the Sylvee….”

“Everything about the experience here was first rate. Would highly recommend to anyone and will definitely stay here again….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Left for breakfast and did not come back until 2 pm to get ready for our wedding party and the room was not made up, They should have know we had left and taken care of it while we were gone….”

”Wish the bar opened earlier or you could order drinks….”

> Read all the reviews right here