Venue Spotlight: DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

By Sue Sveum

If you’re looking for the perfect event and meeting venue in Wisconsin, look no further than the new DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown. Ideally located adjacent to Capitol Square and just steps from Lake Monona and Monona Terrace, the hotel is in the heart of Madison and Dane County. As the fastest growing city and county in Wisconsin, there’s no shortage of things to see, do and experience.

Of course, once you see the hotel’s amenities—from the open-air atrium to the 262 all-suite rooms, beautiful modern meeting space, free daily breakfast and 24/7 fitness center—you might not want to go anywhere else. Did we mention it’s even pet-friendly?

The hotel, which falls under Hilton’s “upscale” brand and is set to open in June 2024, was recently acquired by Apple Hospitality REIT. General Manager Michael Luehrs noted the building’s unique and striking curved exterior, saying, “The design provides a beautiful framework for a dynamic environment and flexible event space, helping to contribute to the city’s goal of attracting more events to Madison. We are excited to offer an approachable yet upscale experience to business and leisure travelers with this hotel.”

Meeting and event attendees will appreciate the hotel’s location and guest amenities, and event planners will find much to admire, too. “We are able to creatively respond to event planners’ visions,” Luehrs said, “whether it’s hosting a cocktail reception on our patio or setting up ‘activity stations’ in our dining room and meeting spaces.”

Meeting rooms, boardrooms and pre-function areas are flexible, comfortable and large enough to accommodate any type of group – from conferences to weddings. In addition, when working with the Monona Terrace Community and Conference Center, event planners can combine the Embassy Suites’ meeting space with their larger meeting space. For example, hotel space can be used for breakout sessions or social events, while other meetings can be held in Monona Terrace.

The main conference room, Hamilton, is 2,000 square feet and is perfectly divided in half by an air wall. Both conference rooms feature built-in counters, lighting controls, screens and projectors, and a state-of-the-art sound system for music, microphones or virtual presentations.

Other flexible spaces can be used to host team breakfasts, CEO roundtables, training sessions, rehearsal dinners, and more.

As for food, Embassy Suites’ Brickstone’s Kitchen & Bar can cater to your dining and catering needs. “We love being in the heart of Wisconsin, and that passion comes through in our expertly prepared, traditional cuisine,” Luehrs explains. “Our fresh, regional fare is at the heart of our menu that changes with the seasons.”

The hotel offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service. But if none of these fit your schedule, you’ll love the grab-and-go option – the onsite market stocks freshly prepared food every day. And of course, guests can enjoy Embassy Suites’ signature free beverage and snack reception every night.

Brickstone’s also offers endless catering options for your event. From colorful small plates for a cocktail reception to more substantial hand-served appetizers and activity stations, to custom plated dinners – and everything in between. “If a corporate client wants to try a Tailgate event on our patio, we’re always available to provide food, beverages and amenities.” After all, this is Wisconsin.

“We are excited to be the newest venue for more events in Madison,” Luehrs said, adding that as part of Raymond Management Company, hotel team members continually encourage each other to grow. “With such a great team, we know that guests who come here for a variety of events will look forward to returning.”