TL;DR

Historic charm: Former saddlery with brickwork and big windows.
Flexible stay: Short or long-term apart-hotel style.
Spacious: 46 units with kitchens, laundry, and high ceilings.
Amenities: Fitness center, rooftop patio, bike storage, 24/7 support.
Check dates & prices here

We’re genrally a bit wary of apart-hotels, but this gorgeous building near the Madison, Wisconsin Capitol has enough charm to make it into our good books.

The building is an old saddlery (hence the name), and a really lovely brick cube with all the gorgeous windows and plenty of ornamental brickwork.

It’s a lovely place to call home for a few days, a week, or even a couple of months. The Saddlery is open to both short and long-term reservations.

For independent travelers who like plenty of space, their own cooking, and a ‘let’s pretend we live here’ approach to tourism, it’s a perfect space.

What are the rooms like?

Unique: 46 studios, one- and two-bedroom units.
Design: Chic, exposed brick, high ceilings, natural textiles.
Amenities: Kitchens, laundry, TVs, comfy furniture.
See all the rooms in detail here

Rooms are, unsurprisingly, the highlight of the whole affair.

Every one of them is ready to be lived in for 1+ months, with full kitchens and plenty of other amenities.

The architecture is doing a lot of work as well. Rows of windows let heaps of daylight in through the exposed brick walls, and most of the high ceilings are formed from truly gorgeous wooden beams.

Decor is the chic no-quite-minimalism you’d expect. Walls are white, spaces are open, but the furniture is more of less plush and comfortable.

Think black and white softened by warm, natural textiles that range from leather to hemp.

It’s a bit like the apartment of a 20-something software designer from Wyoming, after a visit from Queer Eye.

The smallest option is a Studio Queen, roughly 400 square feet (a bit bigger).

One-bedrooms include basic options, plus a version with an extra workspace.

Two-bedroom suites are good for larger groups, with king and queen rooms and a hip couch facing a giant TV. It’s the perfect place to gather the gang for a movie night.

Every option includes Roku-enabled TVs, in-unit washer and dryers, full kitchens with coffee capabilities, and lovely quartz countertops.

What are prices like?

Check dates & prices here

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

Self-cater: Full kitchens in every unit.
Extras: Fitness center, rooftop patio, bike storage, 24/7 support.

So, we’re not going to expect the typical hotel facilities here.

There’s no on-site restaurant, no concierge, nobody to bring you a toothbrush at 9pm when you realize you left yours at home.

It’s the vacation of a full-blown adult.

Well, it’s the vacation of a full-blown adult with 24-hour access to a property representative who wants you to have the best visit you can.

There is a fitness center, in the style of all posh accommodation, so you don’t have to go far to keep up (or start?) your gym routine.

It’s a super-cool space too – the same post-industrial vibes with treadmills and dumbbells.

You can also take advantage of the outdoor patio, a lovely rooftop situation with plenty of seating. Bring along a bottle of prosecco, Aperol, and an orange or two for an excellent afternoon.

There’s bike storage here too, and the staff can help you recommend local bike rental.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Walkable: 10 mins to Capitol Square and Farmer’s Market.
Nearby: MOCA, Veterans Museum, Orpheum Terrace, The Sylvee, High Noon Salon.
Food & Drink: State Street restaurants and local bars.

The Saddlery’s location is excellent; a huge plus for any accommodation of course.

Capitol Square is walkable in under 10 minutes; you can get all your cooking ingredients at the Dane County Farmer’s Market.

It’s the center of touristic wandering as well, with MOCA, the Veterans’ Museum, and more all nearby.

The hotel is even perfectly situated between the city’s venues, with the Orpheum Terrace near the Capitol and The Sylvee, the High Noon Salon, and others towards the eastern side of the neighborhood.

You can get to the University easily as well. It’s a relaxed half-hour walk from the hotel, or less than 10 minutes by car.

On the way down State Street, make sure to check out some of the city’s best food and drink spots.

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

Some things guests liked:

“ Perfect place to stay in Madison with plenty of room. Great location and walkable to restaurants….”

“ A wonderfully, unique place within walking distance of entertainment and food. Our room had a lake view and was very clean. We enjoyed some time on the rooftop balcony and walked the lakeside trail. Definitely could’ve stayed comfortably for longer!…”