Microtel Inn Madison East, Madison

We have stayed at this exact hotel for the past 4 years annually for a business function each August. The rates are cheap & though the rooms & ammenities reflect their title, & their rooms could always use some additional cleaning, we are only there to sleep so we don't mind. However, despite our previous years no real complaints experiences, this weekend's stay will definitely be our last! We had reserved 3 rooms. The 4 of us walked in to check-in. We always get a cab-ride from the hotel for the night & the previous years the cabs have taken close to an hour to arrive, so each of us brought in a beverage to drink while we waited for the cab in the lobby (which we have done the previous years with no problems). As we were filling out the paperwork, the manager (dressed in shorts, tee-shirt, & no shoes or socks with dirt all over his bare feet) came to the counter. He immediately demanded we remove our cans from the counter that we had placed there so we could fill the paperwork out. He could have asked politely, but chose to rudely tell us to get them off & proceeded to go on about how much money each machine on their desk cost them to purchase. I immediately sincerely apologized that we didn't mean to do something we weren't & I showed him our cans were unopened & we each moved them to a table across the room. My husband politely said that perhaps a simple "no beverages" sign on the counter (similar to no smoking signs) would be helpful. We continued to complete the paperwork & the 2 guys that rode with us asked the clerk if they needed to fill out the license plate part since they came in our vehicle. She said that it would be OK & they gave her their paperwork. Again the manager piped in, this time rudely responding to the clerk that she is not to hand them their room keys until everything is completed in full, including the license plate number. Our friends replied innocently & said, "OK, no problem, that's why we simply asked." They went & got our truck plate number, filled in that area & re-handed in their paperwork while we completed ours. The clerk said that they forgot to initial the small box for the 'No Smoking' part for the $250 fine if they smoke in the room or building. Once again, here comes the manager putting his two cents in. This time he rudely says, "And that means NO smoking of ANYTHING!" What?????? Is he suggesting that we have on us or are planning on smoking drugs??!! We all looked up and couldn't believe his comment or accusation to us. I responded by saying that we were non-smokers and would all gladly initial their policy. After all of this started sinking in, I finally said to my husband, "you know, maybe we should just cancel & stay at a different hotel for the night. I would gladly pay $150 for nicer service." We all finally finish getting checked in & all get our room keys. On our way to the elevator which is right across from the check-in desk, we walk past him & yep, I'm sure you can guess what's coming next...the manager has to get in one last rude comment for the night. This time he says, "and if any of you guys make any type of noise, & I don't care if it's only 1 of you & you are all staying in separate rooms, if any one in your party is noisy I will personally kick all of you out!" I turned around & said, "You know, this is no way to treat your guests. This is the 4th year we have stayed here & we have never ever caused any problems, never got into trouble, and never been treated this way. We are only here for a bed to sleep in." My husband said to him, "There is a better way of handling things." He proceeded to ask for exactly when we would be coming back so that he could be sure to no noise was made. Each of us were in absolute awe. We were floored at the way someone could treat & greet their customers. Needless to say at this place the rates reflect their service. I will gladly spend more money next year to avoid being treated like convicts!

I stayed a total of 7 consequtive Friday nights in June and July. I had reservations to stay 5 additional Friday nights. When I checked in the rate was $54.00 and when I checked out at 5AM the rate was $79.00. When I inquired about the rate hike, the staff person said the rates changed at midnight! He was not polite at all. I had to get quite insistant that I was not going to pay a rate hike in the middle of the night. When my wife made the reservations by phone, she felt the staff was surly and/or absent minded and not very interested in making reservations. At one point she waited on the phone while the staff discussed some wedding they had been at last week. On the bright side, it was fairly clean, and the rate reflected the room size. We always left before the breakfast was put out. The Microtel's that we have stayed at in other towns were all A-1 in every respect. Sorry, don't think this one will see my money again.

The hotel was fine for the inexpensive price of $58 by AARP rate. The down side is the noise of the interstate highway.There was a free continental breakfast.

This was not my choice of hotel but the rooms were clean and comfortable. The window ledge padded sitting area was cool. I sat there and watched the Christmas Shoppers and stuff go by. No pool, gym, or anything was a drawback, but it was fairly priced and they continental breakfast was pretty nice.They allow pets, too, so my dogs were comfy, too. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

I stayed here for about a week while looking around for rental apartments in the area and I couldn't have been happier. I was looking for a low-cost option in a good area and that is exactly what I got. I think the other reviewer who said the place was dirty must have had a unique experience because I was impressed by how clean all the public spaces and my rooms were. (I stayed there for 3 days, then left for a weekend, and came back for another 3 days in a different room.) Overall the hotel looks very new and must have been recently built. Pros: Very affordable. Great location (fronts on one of two major malls in town, plenty of shopping, and Cracker Barrel is right next door). Clean, with an upscale looking lobby. Polite, professional, well-dressed staff. The wireless internet was reasonably stable from both rooms I stayed in (on the 3rd floor). I did get disconnected a few times but overall I had no trouble checking email and looking up apartment listings. Cons: I wouldn't stay here if I were planning to stay at the hotel all day. As another reviewer mentioned, the rooms are very small. Just space for the king-sized bed, a desk, and a windowseat with a nice view. Bathrooms were a comfortable size. The free breakfast is a basket of individually-wrapped Otis Spunkmeyer muffins in several flavors and some toast. This was fine with me (I usually took a couple muffins), but if you're expecting bacon/eggs/etc, you won't find it here. I would really recommend this to anyone on a budget who needs a clean, safe, friendly place to spend the evenings/nights, but isn't looking for a luxury hotel with activities during the day.

When they say MICROtel, its very MICRO. VERY small rooms. Other than that, it wasn't bad. The staff was very accomodating. Some minor issues were resolved quickly by the desk clerk. For the price, ya can't beat it. Continental breakfast was minimal, but can you really expect a major breakfast for what you're paying? I am staying there for all my upcoming trips.

We had a very pleasant stay at Microtel. We felt it was a great value for the area and it was convenient to the interstate. The staff was very friendly and helpful when we asked for advice on dining options in the area. There were many great restaurants right down the street from the hotel. We felt our room was clean and comfortable. It really was quite nice for such a fair nightly rate. We would definitely stay here again.

Microtel is close to the interstate, shopping, and excellent resturants.The staff was friendly and helpful. The rooms were clean and neat. I would certainly stay there again.