Mansion Hill Inn, Madison

I stayed at Mansion Hill Inn for the first time in April 2007. I found it online when looking for a getaway spot with my boyfriend, and I was captivated by the way each room had its own history and personality. I returned at least 8 times through Feb. 2008 when I was told they were closing soon for renovations. Shortly thereafter I read about the sale of the Inn to Trek. There was much speculation in Madison about whether the inn would ever open again to the public, or be strictly reserved for Trek executives. I have checked the website anxiously many times over the last year, waiting to see what the "new" interior design would look like. This week I revisited the inn after looking through the small photos the new owners have finally posted of the new room designs. I knew all 11 (now 10) of those rooms. I wanted to see it for myself. What a disappointment. Not only did they strip most of the sumptuous bathrooms of their jacuzzi tubs (a big plus in my book), they converted every room into a plain vanilla, hardly recognizable boring hotel. They removed most of the lovely antiques--including some unique and amazing beds and window coverings--put the same wallpaper and floor treatments and bed coverings in all rooms, and even the furniture arrangements don't make sense. An example would be "Room 8," formerly the Lillie Langtry. In a large room with several spaces and walls to work with, why move a bed close to the entryway and parallel, and just a few feet, from a marble fireplace? Not exactly private and romantic. Who wants to sleep---or do what romantic grownups do--- right next to the door...? Lastly-- in a demonstration of just how little creativity and style the new owners have--the rooms have been renamed "room 1, room 2," etc. Sigh. Hardly a surprise---The prices have all gone up at least $100 per room, in spite of the fact that many of the rooms have been stripped of their major amenities such as fully stocked mini bars, dvd players in every room, mini fridges and the jacuzzi tubs. There is no longer breakfast service delivered to your door---you have to go to the parlor. I guess the new visitors are paying for the redecorating. I suppose for visitors who had never known the Inn pre-Trek, the "renovation" might not be as unappealing as I find it. But I feel so, sooo disappointed, having known the Mansion Hill Inn when it had character, and now...when it looks like a Marriott. What a terrible loss. I'm really sad to say I won't return. (PS: Someone needs to proofread the new website. It is covered with spelling errors. ugh.)