AC Hotel Madison Downtown — Hotel in Madison

As a titanium elite Marriott member I've had the privilege to stay in several dozens of Marriotts across the US, those that accept the government rate anyways. I often compare the quality of the staff, amenities, and rooms according to their categories. I always observe the little things that create long lasting impressions on the overall quality and function that makes a hotel experience what it is. The AC Hotel in downtown Madison WI, is by far the best business class hotel I've ever had the privilege to stay in to date.

What makes a hotel experience great? Well that depends on your purpose and if you selected the right type of hotel to meet that need. I've never been a huge fan of business class hotels as my needs are usually more long term and I prefer to cook for myself which makes the extended stay hotels more my cup of tea. However, if your intended goal is a weekend getaway with high class comfort, scenery, amenities, and service. Then the AC Hotel in Madison, WI is the ideal destination.

Apon arrival, I was greeted by Dave who was polite and informative on the valet process. He was helpful with my bags and careful with my vehicle, most appreciated. Inside the front lobby at the main desk I met Ian, a quiet gentleman who answered every question I asked accurately. When I inquired about an upgrade to observe the skyline he quietly typed away looking to fill my request. He handed me two key cards to what I believe was the best room in the hotel. 921, top floor. Thank you, Dave and Ian, for making my check in process smooth and professional.

I was new to the AC experience, but excited to compare the differences between the various brands. You will need your key card to operate the elevator to your floor, a beautiful safety feature that exceeded my expectations. The top lodging floor has a fitness center facing the skyline and a skyline lounge with a glass edge balcony. Perfect for events and social activities, but not during covid, of course. Then you'll need that key card again to pass through a doorway to reach the lodging area, perfectly separated for those who wish to party and those who wish to sleep.

My room is the first door on the left, 921, almost exactly the center of the hotel facing the skyline. I arrived around midnight, the view was simply amazing. Not a big space in the dwelling but enough space for its purpose. The ceilings must have been 10ft high in the sleeping area with a wall to wall floor to ceiling window on the exterior wall facing the front of the capital of Wisconsin. Only a block away, even at night, the clarity is perfect an able to see every detail in the dome structure, to include the statues. Ian had given me a real treat, thank you sir. I stared at that building and skyline for a good half hour before drawing the light deafening curtains and going to sleep in a quality comfort bed.

As many of you Marriott members know the hotels are transitioning from little tiny hygiene bottles to the wall mounted dispensaries. I'm for this change, its more eco friendly. In most Marriott hotels the brand is Paul Mitchell, but in this hotel the brand is far more exotic, Greek to be exact, named Korres. An aloe & provitamin b5 based product with very soft and gentle smells unique to its own brand. I showered twice it was such a pleasant experience in the overhead rain effect shower head. Now, I'm 6' 5", and very few Marriott standing showers have high enough ceilings to achieve the rain effect for me, but this one hit that expectation and was exceedingly satisfying.

This room doesn't have a window unit trip over, the heating and cooling system is internal. Hot water is immediate on demand, you don't have to wait 3 minutes for hot water to reach the top floor, very nice. The colored caulk, nice touch, is maintained ok, and applied professionally as not to be smudged or smeared. The toilet has conservative two flush volumes which is eco friendly. The coffee samples in the room are very rich, high in quality and flavor, if you like Torrefazione...

LOVED IT!! Perfect location a block from the Capitol Square. Walked to the farmers market on Saturday morning. Stuffed the brie, cheese curds, and other perishables into the mini fridge for snacking when we got back to the room.

For security, a room key must be used to ride the elevator to non-public floors.

Our room overlooked the Capitol, beautifully lit at night.

Super clean, quiet, comfortable and a spacious room, decorated in dark, neutral colors, contrasted with crisp, white duvet bed covers. Window treatments of black-out curtains and shears enabled a choice of sleeping soundly or enjoying the view with privacy. Easy to control temperature, no noisy A/C, furnace, or blower. Desk and chair with coffee maker and supplies (morning Starbucks served on the 11th Floor). Or enjoy coffee relaxing in the over-stuffed chair with a convenient coffee table.

There's more than 10 feet of bench seating or plenty of room for suitcases and coolers, providing a location for a big, HD TV mounted on the wall above.

A large marble shower with rain and hand-held shower heads has instantly hot water. The room is supplied with plenty of bath and hand towels and wash cloths. Pump bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are mounted on the shower wall so you don't have to squeeze those little plastic bottles. A long vanity with a square, shallow sink provides space for toothbrushes, cosmetics, etc. and a chrome roll cart with tissue and extra towels is tucked conveniently underneath, out of the way, but easily accessed. The hair dryer has a wall mounted holder. There are plenty of plugs for the hair dryer, night light, and curling iron.

The beds were super comfortable and if there had been a gift shop, I would have purchased 4 pillows!! I get notices for bedding sales of Marriott's Westin brand, but never pillows. The pillows were supportive, but not hard - perfect for one who has chronic neck pain.

At the entrance to the room, there's a place to hang clothes, and an iron and ironing board. The built-in also has a safe, a mini-fridge, and a couple of drawers.

There's valet parking for $29 a night. A taxi cab ride was about $10 to the Barrymore. As we had a late lunch at Cooper's nearby, we didn't have dinner and returned from a show at about 11pm. The 10th floor restaurant has a late night menu. We chose one of two empty tables which was next to the fireplace. The chocolate, Kahlua martinis were delicious. We chose 2 Figi Apple bruschetta and 2 prosciutto bruschetta for our late night meal which were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! Not heavy, but perfectly satisfying. Went back to the room and slept better than a baby!

Out by 11am. Maybe a 5 minute wait for our car. Wish we had tried the $15 breakfast.

Although I am used to a more moderately priced Springhill Hotels by Marriott, I chose the AC Hotel because of the location. It was a special getaway, a well deserved break from pandemic home-stay, and worth the extra investment into an unforgettable weekend.

Masks...

until retirement i traveled everywhere about two weeks a month and stayed at more hotels than i like to admit. we had two rooms (817 and 819) for three nights. me, my wife in one room and my daughter, husband and two girls (6 and 8) in the other. fantastic view of the capitol directly from our windows. see pics.

the AC is really special in so many ways. let's start with the staff:

Anna at the front desk was incredibly gracious and helpful. very accomodating. every request, more towels, soap, etc, was responded to asap. she always had a smile and kind word. a true professional and great representative of this brand.

bronz is the driver who picked us up at the airport in this beautiful, luxurious brand new van. he was also so helpful and knowledgeable. he was so accommodating - if he wasn't going to/from the airport he graciously took us and picked us up at the family events we attended. could not have been more helpful. and please, be generous with tips whether the airport shuttle or taking you around to locations.

gregory ( i hope i got his name correct) one of the gentleman who helps keep the lobby and other areas clean - so conscientious and thorough. i was lounging in the lobby and watched him work and commented to him the fine job he was doing and how much i and the guests appreciate his work.

the location is fabulous - steps from the capitol bldg and dozens of restaurants, several museums and a short walk to state street in the main part of town.

so, this is not your typical hotel. it was designed from the ground up to be different and special. brilliant. for example, the bar off the lobby has charging outlets all along it; there are couches for and spaces for larger groups and smaller ones.

it would take me too much time to describe how special everything is. a tremendous amount of thought went into every detail. make sure you have the european style upstairs on ten. great work-out center. on 9 an outdoor balcony/terrace with a huge fireplace - overlooking the lakes. excellent wifi. rooms are simple design (only two small drawers.) but quite elegant. amazing shower; huge wall mounted tv with netflix and youtube. compact fridge, ironing board, and more. bathroom is beautiful very, very, comfortable beds. my fingers hurt from typing so i am closing.

if you want wonderful experience in madison, stay at the AC. the staff makes such a difference - please be generous with tips.

PS. i have no relationship with anyone at the hotel or marriott.

see my pics

Room Tip: our rooms - 817 and 819 hd dead-on views of the capitol building but you do hear some...