The
Wilson
Madison
Where Every Stay Has a Story
Right in the heartbeat of downtown Madison, The Wilson places you steps from the Capitol, the lake, and some of the city’s best restaurants-while offering something entirely different from the surrounding new buildings. This is a smaller, early-1900s building, lovingly restored with handcrafted details, original floors, and a deep respect for its history. Inside, each space is designed for comfort and ease, with full kitchens and thoughtful touches that make it feel like home. The Wilson combines the convenience of a hotel with the warmth, character, and functionality of a place that’s been carefully brought back to life.
As part of that experience, there are a few things to know. The building is a walk-up, with all rooms located on the second and third floors (no elevator). We use classic radiator heat in the winter and window A/C units in the summer. And because we’re in the center of downtown, you’ll experience a bit of city life: morning garbage truck activity, nearby restaurants, and the occasional neighborhood noise. If you’re drawn to places with history, character, and a strong sense of place, we think you’ll feel right at home here.
Our Rooms
The Arthur - Unit A
This bright third-floor true one-bedroom sits at the front of the building and looks out over downtown life below. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a full kitchen and separate bedroom for added privacy.
Room Type
One Bedroom
The Benjamin - Unit B
This bright third-floor studio sits at the front of the building and feels open with natural light throughout the day. Historic charm meets modern comfort, with a partial kitchen providing the essentials.
Room Type
Studio
The Charlie - Unit C
This third-floor studio blends historic charm with modern comfort in a central downtown location. Features include a full kitchen and updated bathroom. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Dorothy - Unit D
This spacious third-floor studio blends historic charm with modern updates in the heart of downtown. Enjoy a renovated kitchen with dishwasher and a renovated bath. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Emil - Unit E
This spacious third-floor corner studio features windows on two sides. Historic charm pairs with everyday comfort, plus a dedicated vanity for easy getting ready. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Fritz - Unit F
This tucked-away third-floor corner studio sits on the quiet side of the building for a peaceful stay. Historic charm meets handcrafted warmth, with woodworking details and cozy design touches guests love.
Room Type
Studio
The Grace - Unit G
This spacious third-floor studio sits on the quiet side of the building for a calm stay. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a renovated kitchen featuring a dishwasher and an updated bathroom.
Room Type
Studio
The Irving - Unit I
This thoughtfully designed studio sits on the second floor near the front of the building for easier access. A renovated kitchen with dishwasher and updated bathroom add convenience, while the bed is tucked into a cozy enclave for a restful feel. Early-morning service activity from the alley may occasionally be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The June - Unit J
This spacious second-floor studio blends historic charm with modern comfort in a central downtown setting. Enjoy a renovated kitchen with dishwasher and an updated bath. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Katherine - Unit K
This second-floor corner studio highlights intentional design and historic craftsmanship. A graceful barrel ceiling and restored woodwork create a warm, memorable retreat. Tucked near the rear of the building and close to the roof deck, it feels cozy though early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Lowell - Unit L
This thoughtfully designed second-floor corner studio sits at the back of the building for a quiet, tucked-away feel. Historic charm meets refined comfort, and a dedicated vanity offers a convenient space for getting ready.
Room Type
Studio
The Margaret - Unit M
This spacious second-floor studio sits on the quiet side of the building for a peaceful stay. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a full kitchen featuring an oven and dishwasher and a recently renovated bathroom.
Room Type
Studio
The Norman - Unit N
This spacious second-floor studio offers a peaceful stay on the quiet side of the building. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a beautifully renovated kitchen featuring a dishwasher and an updated bathroom.
Room Type
Studio
The Oliver - Unit O
This beautifully crafted second-floor two-bedroom blends historic charm with modern comfort. Featuring local artwork, custom beds, and curated furnishings, the front-facing apartment is filled with natural light and city views.
Room Type
Two Bedroom
The Arthur - Unit A
This bright third-floor true one-bedroom sits at the front of the building and looks out over downtown life below. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a full kitchen and separate bedroom for added privacy.
Room Type
One Bedroom
The Benjamin - Unit B
This bright third-floor studio sits at the front of the building and feels open with natural light throughout the day. Historic charm meets modern comfort, with a partial kitchen providing the essentials.
Room Type
Studio
The Charlie - Unit C
This third-floor studio blends historic charm with modern comfort in a central downtown location. Features include a full kitchen and updated bathroom. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Dorothy - Unit D
This spacious third-floor studio blends historic charm with modern updates in the heart of downtown. Enjoy a renovated kitchen with dishwasher and a renovated bath. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Emil - Unit E
This spacious third-floor corner studio features windows on two sides. Historic charm pairs with everyday comfort, plus a dedicated vanity for easy getting ready. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Fritz - Unit F
This tucked-away third-floor corner studio sits on the quiet side of the building for a peaceful stay. Historic charm meets handcrafted warmth, with woodworking details and cozy design touches guests love.
Room Type
Studio
The Grace - Unit G
This spacious third-floor studio sits on the quiet side of the building for a calm stay. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a renovated kitchen featuring a dishwasher and an updated bathroom.
Room Type
Studio
The Irving - Unit I
This thoughtfully designed studio sits on the second floor near the front of the building for easier access. A renovated kitchen with dishwasher and updated bathroom add convenience, while the bed is tucked into a cozy enclave for a restful feel. Early-morning service activity from the alley may occasionally be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The June - Unit J
This spacious second-floor studio blends historic charm with modern comfort in a central downtown setting. Enjoy a renovated kitchen with dishwasher and an updated bath. Situated on the alley side, occasional early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Katherine - Unit K
This second-floor corner studio highlights intentional design and historic craftsmanship. A graceful barrel ceiling and restored woodwork create a warm, memorable retreat. Tucked near the rear of the building and close to the roof deck, it feels cozy though early-morning city activity may be heard.
Room Type
Studio
The Lowell - Unit L
This thoughtfully designed second-floor corner studio sits at the back of the building for a quiet, tucked-away feel. Historic charm meets refined comfort, and a dedicated vanity offers a convenient space for getting ready.
Room Type
Studio
The Margaret - Unit M
This spacious second-floor studio sits on the quiet side of the building for a peaceful stay. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a full kitchen featuring an oven and dishwasher and a recently renovated bathroom.
Room Type
Studio
The Norman - Unit N
This spacious second-floor studio offers a peaceful stay on the quiet side of the building. Historic charm meets modern comfort with a beautifully renovated kitchen featuring a dishwasher and an updated bathroom.
Room Type
Studio
The Oliver - Unit O
This beautifully crafted second-floor two-bedroom blends historic charm with modern comfort. Featuring local artwork, custom beds, and curated furnishings, the front-facing apartment is filled with natural light and city views.
Room Type
Two Bedroom
Amenities
Rooftop Deck
Self Check-in
Full Kitchens
Tempest Oyster Bar
All Amenities
Dynamic District
Laundry on-site
Roofdeck
Historic charm
Dynamic District
Laundry on-site
Roofdeck
Historic charm
The Wilson’s Story
Built in 1929 by members of the Frautschi family, a family deeply woven into Madison's civic and cultural history, The Wilson has been welcoming people for nearly a century. When the passenger rail station operated just across the street, the building serves as a boarding house welcoming travelers, workers, and people arriving to start new chapters in the city.
Over time, The Wilson shifted as Madison did. It became apartments for service workers, students, musicians, and public employees. The ground floor started as a family-run funeral home and then went on to house some of Madison's most memorable restaurants and late-night gathering spots, including Magnus and Tempest.
In 2020, we became the next caretakers of this building. We restored The Wilson over several years, working with local craftspeople and doing much of the work ourselves. We live nearby. We walk past this building every day.
Wherever we go, people tell us stories about this building-jazz nights, long dinners, late shifts, friendships made, breakups survived, celebrations, and yes, the occasional rumor whispered like local folklore. The Wilson has always been full of life.
We're honored to care for a place with a long past, and grateful for the new stories our guests add to it. Thanks for staying with us! -Julia and Kristopher