After years of negotiations and several developer changes, a long-awaited hotel designed to serve Downtown Madison’s convention business is set to open, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The 262-room Embassy Suites by Hilton boasts a “monumental curved radius design,” with rooms offering views of Lake Monona. Amenities include complimentary made-to-order breakfasts, a restaurant and bar, a fitness center, and valet parking. The hotel’s first floor features a meeting space for 60 people and two board rooms, with capacities of 28 and 30 people, respectively.
The hotel’s prime feature is its proximity to the Monona Terrace Convention Center, located just half a block away.
As part of the $175 million public-private Judge Doyle Square redevelopment on South Pinckney Street, the Embassy Suites is expected to be a popular choice for UW–Madison graduation weekends, Badgers home football games, the Ironman competition, and the World Dairy Expo. The nine-story hotel, developed by Mortenson, will also play a crucial role in attracting larger conventions and conferences, providing additional accommodations near the convention center. Previously, this need was met solely by the 240-room Hilton connected to Monona Terrace.
Despite the rise of several hotels in Downtown Madison over the past 15 years, the Embassy Suites fills a significant gap. Its opening on June 20 follows a record-setting announcement by state tourism officials, who reported that tourism spending in Dane County reached $1.5 billion in 2023, a 9.9% increase. The addition of more and larger conventions at Monona Terrace is expected to drive future tourism growth.
