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| - I planned a 1-day ricochet of meetings in Madison while working in Minneapolis, and managed to schedule it well enough that coincidentally Bratfest was going on across the street from the hotel I'd be staying at. If your travels are taking you to the Alliant Energy Center, this is where you need to stay.
Really great SPG love from very charming staff. I was checked in quickly and seamlessly, and when asked what I wanted for my Platinum amenity, I asked (as I usually do) what their "local amenity" was. Now - most hotels just shrug and say "a free movie and 2 beers" or a baseball cap. The Sheraton Madison has beat every other Starwood hotel in my book by answering "a sausage and cheese platter." Ding Ding Ding - yes please! The FD agent even offered to have a fridge installed into my room to keep the platter at a safe temperature while I popped back out after checking in to go to my meeting.
Going upstairs to drop off my gear (not 10 minutes after checking in), I already found the hotel's maintenance personnel in my room installing the fridge. 5 minutes after he left, the young lady from F&B was up with the massive platter piled high with delightful salty treats. The room I was received was upgraded to the Club floor, and even though it was right by the elevators and across from the Club Lounge, it was very quiet. Nothing huge or spectacular, but I wasn't really looking for much during a 1-night stay. The lounge was well-stocked with all the basics of water, juices, fresh fruit, and both the breakfast and afternoon happy hour had plentiful, fresh, hot food.
While this hotel isn't in downtown Madison, I think with the advantages of being just off a highway, right by the conference/concert center, surrounded by plentiful parking, and with a staff eager to please, it's a winner. I look forward to being back.
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