Hotel Review: HotelRED

If you didn't catch my post from last week, I recently treated myself to a staycation to:

1. Treat myself (without blowing through the vacation days I have set aside from my Asian adventures this fall) AND

2. Rediscover my hometown (I'm calling 2019 the summer of local events)

One of my top tips for pulling off the best staycation ever is to book yourself a stay at a local boutique hotel. These smaller hotels are usually much more special compared to chain hotels - the amenities might be higher end, the service is usually more personalized, and it always seems to have unique little touches. I had the pleasure of being a guest at HotelRED in Madison, WI and I wanted to share a bit about my experiences!

PS - my stay was gifted, but my hotel reviews are always candid.

HotelRED is one of the first boutique hotels in the Madison area and is right next to the famous Camp Randall Stadium. The ode to Wisconsin is felt throughout the hotel, from the vibrant red details to the locally-sourced products used throughout. All of the rooms are suite-style and a top-rated area restaurant called The Wise is onsite that serves up locally inspired dishes and craft cocktails (unfortunately, The Wise was not open during my stay, but I plan to revisit soon to check it out!)

In addition to being close to the Badger's stadium, the hotel is within walking distance of campus and in a hip little neighborhood with plenty to do. Cafes and restaurants are just around the corner and a Trader Joe's is just a stone's throw away. One of Madison's top breakfast haunts, Mickies Dairy Bar, is right next door as well. If nothing in the walkable vicinity is calling your name, many other top-rated restaurants, bars, and shops are within a few minutes' drive. I dined at Everly (not sponsored) during my staycation, which took about 3 minutes to drive to. But seriously, how cool does The Wise look?

Parking was free during my stay, but after checking their website, it recently jumped to $5/night. While free is obviously better, it's hard to find complimentary parking anywhere in central Madison and it's still a STEAL compared to some downtown hotels (where rates can go for as much as $25/day). WiFi was free as well and the hotel offered a shuttle service to the downtown area - making this an ideal stay for out of town guests. Staying downtown can be very expensive and this is an excellent alternative. The hotel is dog friendly and had an adorable welcome area for furry friends. Unfortunately for my pupper Hugo, I failed to notice this until I checked in so he missed out on a doggy vacation.

Check-in was quick and the staff were very friendly. I was able to check-in a little early and scoped out my suite right away. The room featured a king-sized bed, a spa-like shower, a "living room" area, plus a fully-stocked kitchenette and a huge terrace overlooking Camp Randall. There was also a desk, but staycation rules mean no work! The kitchenette had everything you needed - cutlery, plates, corkscrew, stovetop, etc. The room did have a snack basket, mini-bar, and a fridge stocked with mixers and beverages (all at a cost), but I brought in my own wine, chocolates, and cheese for a midnight snack (well, not midnight, because I'm never up that late).

The bathroom had this crazy shower with three different "sprayers" and was stocked with Aveda bath products. There's no door to separate the bathroom area from the room, and the wall has a small gap towards the ceiling, but there is a sliding door for the toilet to give you some privacy. It's not as bad as it sounds, I promise. The rooms are modern and have an industrial feel, with lots of exposed concrete. The hotel does provide complimentary robes and slippers if you get chilly. The weather during my stay was kind of rainy, so I wasn't able to enjoy my terrace as much as I would have liked.

The hotel does not have fitness facility onsite, but it does partner with area gyms to give complimentary passes to guests. If you're one of those people who likes to workout during trips, it may be a bummer, but taking a boxing class sounds way cooler than hitting up a hotel treadmill. Guests can also use bikes and kayaks for free if you're looking for some outdoor adventures. The lobby area was stocked with different games and books, making it a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine and hang out.

The bed was very comfy - it was low to the ground - and the whole hotel felt quiet, which is always a plus. I do wish I could have scoped out The Wise, but given the hotel's proximity to tons of other eateries, it wasn't a problem at all. If you plan to stay during a home Badger game, be sure to book in advance and keep in mind there may be some booking restrictions (pay in advance or a stay minimum, etc.) HotelRED had some gorgeous touches and made our stay comfortable, relaxing, and memorable. You can tell they put a lot of thought into anticipating guests' needs and the staff were so helpful and friendly.

If you're headed to the Madison area, do not overlook this gem. It's in a quieter area compared to downtown but offers more upscale touches than I've experienced from the downtown chain hotels. The suite-style rooms are spacious and perfect for a group or those looking to unwind during the day. Its location is fantastic and puts in near some top restaurants and coffeeshops, but the shuttle makes downtown activities easily accessible. I really enjoyed my stay and think you will too!

Thanks again HotelRED for the gifted stay and making my staycation so special!