The Edgewater Wins 2023 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence Best Historic Hotel

201-400 Guestrooms

The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin, is pleased to announce it is the winner of the Historic Hotels of America Best Historic Hotel (201-400 Guestrooms) award, an honor that was announced at the 2023 Historic Hotels Worldwide Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Gala Dinner at The Wigwam, a historic resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, USA.  Awards were presented to recipients before an audience of owners, senior management, industry leaders, and representatives from the finest historic hotels around the world.  

The Edgewater is one of more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the United States that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance.

“We are delighted to honor The Edgewater with this prestigious award,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “This hotel was chosen from an exclusive group of nominees in a number of categories. It stands among the finest hotels and hoteliers from around the world. The historic hotels nominated for this award and others include small historic inns, boutique hotels, lifestyle hotels, and resorts. They represent small towns to large cities to UNESCO World Heritage destinations. We applaud the dedication and passion of the thousands of individuals working at these iconic and legendary historic hotels that keep the stories alive from the past and make staying or celebrating special occasions at these historic hotels memorable experiences.”   

Each year, the Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence honor, encourage, and recognize the most exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and leadership practices. The Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence are presented to historic hotels and hoteliers demonstrating innovative leadership, stewardship, and contribution to furthering the recognition, preservation, and celebration of these preeminent historic hotels and their histories.   

“We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award, especially during our 75^th anniversary year,” said Edgewater Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Amy Supple. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Faulkner Family, who owned and operated the hotel for most of its history and to Bob and Julie Dunn, Jerry Frautschi and Pleasant Rowland who restored the hotel to its original prominence in 2014, preserving the legacy of this beautiful property. This recognition motivates us to continue providing exceptional service and an unforgettable experience to our valued guests and team members.”

The Edgewater’s story began with a grand opening in 1948, and the property quickly became a prominent part of the Madison community. The Edgewater was then reimagined and reopened in early 2015, ushering in the next chapter with 202 guest rooms and the finest in luxury hotel services and amenities. A full-service spa, lakeside restaurants and an outdoor public terrace programmed with free community events and an ice rink in the winter were added. 

Owned and operated by a team that lives in and loves Madison, in a by-gone era of locally owned and operated hotels, no effort was spared to showcase the property’s breathtaking views, offer unique amenities, and focus on re-establishing the long-standing relationship between the city and its finest hotel. The Edgewater also recently received a proclamation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

By building on tradition, The Edgewater has become much more than a hotel, abuzz with activity all year long and a fixture of Madison – whether it is live music and outdoor movie nights in the summer, Badger game days in the fall, or the annual holiday tree lighting and ice skating in the winter. 

About The Edgewater

The Edgewater, an urban resort, offers visitors the ultimate Madison experience along the shores of Lake Mendota. The hotel first opened its doors in 1948 and quickly became recognized as a prominent part of the community and culture. The Edgewater has a rich history and, throughout the years, has hosted an array of celebrities, including Elvis Presley, Elton John, Bob Hope, and the Dalai Lama, among many others. Privately owned and operated by a team that lives in – and loves – their city, the hotel reopened after a $100 million renovation in the fall of 2014. No effort was spared to showcase the property’s breathtaking views, offer unique amenities, and focus on creating Madison’s place, a community-focused hub of activity that is free and open to the public year-round. The Edgewater is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

About Historic Hotels of America® 

Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States of America. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was chartered by U.S. Congress in 1949 and is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the movement to save places where our history happened. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their sense of authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, please visit HistoricHotels.org.