Arbor House Resource
Guide
elcome to Arbor House,
An Environmental Inn. You’ve chosen an award
winning inn with a unique emphasis. Many
features of the property inspire guests for projects in their own homes. Our
style is casual, but attentive. Let us ecotain you. We’ll help you take
advantage of staying at an urban inn with such close proximity to nature and
Madison’s attractions. We’re enthusiastic about our city and love our
near-west side location. Some of the amenities at the inn, such as bicycles
and canoeing, are designed to help you explore and enjoy the area.
The comment card in your guest room is
important to us. Please take a few moments at the end of your stay to fill
it out. Many of the best suggestions have come from guests. It also
reaffirms what we know you like and helps us shape changes at the inn. If we
can do anything to make you more comfortable, please do not hesitate to
contact us. Ring us on the phone (using the intercom Flash button) or find
us or a staff member in one of the houses or on the grounds. We take pride
in our responsiveness and relish that we can share our home. Enjoy your
stay!
John and Cathie Imes
Environmental Emphasis
Arbor House’s mission is
to provide the “art of hospitality” within a model for urban ecology.
Our goal is the wise use of resources and providing our guests with an
unparalleled combination of natural design, features, fabrics, amenities and
surroundings, while providing opportunities for recreation and learning more
about our urban ecological approach. Our destination has been awarded
national and state honors for architectural design, resource efficiency, and
overall emphasis in the industry.
Features include:
- Award-winning architecture and interior
design. Firm that did the timber framing for that project: Glenville Timberwrights
- Use of non-toxic products and recycled
materials
- Organic and natural unbleached cotton
linens and fabrics
- Use of natural, non-toxic and
biodegradable cleaners
- Energy efficient appliances, lighting and
technology
- Water efficient appliances and fixtures
- Landscaping emphasizing the use of native
plants; including prairie, woodland and butterfly garden species, while
avoiding the use of pesticides.
- EMF circuit design reducing exposure to
electromagnetic fields
- Environmental Resource Center
- Wind power sponsors
As a guest you can participate in using
resources more efficiently by doing the following:
1. Please leave towels on
the floor or in the tub to signal housekeeping that you would like a fresh
towel. A towel hanging will not be changed.
2. Please turn off lights
when you leave your guest room.
3. Recycle glass bottle,
aluminum cans, newspaper, magazines, cardboard and plastic (#1 & 2) in
the blue bins in your room. The other wastebasket is for other trash such
as tissue, paper, receipts, pizza boxes, broken glass, etc. There is also
a compost bucket outside the service kitchen for fruit, plant and flower
refuse.
4. To maximize comfort in
the summer months: a.) Please keep windows closed during the day and the
shades drawn. Open windows at night to allow in cooler air. b.) Please
keep the bathroom door closed and run the exhaust fan during and after
bathing to eliminate heat and humidity build-up. These two steps are most
critical in guest rooms with whirlpool tubs.
5. During the winter
months use the additional heat source in your room (fireplace or heater)
so that you are comfortable. Please turn off the fireplace and/or turn
down the thermostat when you leave.
6. Arbor House is a smoke-free
environment. There is a significant cleaning fee for violations to this
policy.
The Beauty of Our
Neighborhood
We’re fortunate to be in a
neighborhood that has so many activities within walking distance. If you’re
looking for a brief walk (10-15 minutes), there is an unmarked path across
Monroe Street, left of the cross walk. Along this path of the UW Arboretum,
you’ll discover birds, natural springs, an old boardwalk and an oak
savanna. A second walking path is across Monroe Street right of the inn.
Follow the sidewalk to a wide asphalt path, which leads to the duck pond.
For longer exploration of
the Arboretum, take a right on Monroe Street, which becomes Nakoma, to
Seminole Highway. The main entrance is marked with a sign and the trails are
marked. Or study the map in the historic house’s service kitchen. The
second main entrance to the Arboretum is also close to the Vilas Beach for
swimming and the Henry Vilas Zoo. From the inn, left on Monroe to Edgewood
Drive. Turn right and this road leads to the Vilas Park area.
Odana Hills and Glenway are
public golf courses within blocks of the inn. Nakoma is a private course.
Monroe Street offers the city’s best blend of shops, restaurants and
homes. There is a retail district just left of the inn five blocks and
another ten blocks left on Monroe.
We offer one hour of free
canoeing on Lake Wingra, Memorial Weekend through late-September. See us for
a canoe pass. The mountain bikes in the courtyard are also for your use. A
staff member can direct you to the lock key and the required helmets. Sepp
Sports (1805 Monroe Street, 257-7956) and REI (7483 West Towne Way,
833-6680) have cross-country skis and snow shoe rentals - the Arboretum
serves as a winter wonderland.
Our Favorite Things
to Do
1. The UW Arboretum, any season. Winter
skiing, spring lilacs and bird watching, summer canoeing and fall hiking.
2. Biking. Madison is the 4th best city to
bike in America.
3. Memorial Union for a glimpse of student
life and relaxing on the terrace.
4. The Farmer’s Market on the Capital
Square. April through early November, Saturdays 6 am to 1 pm.
5. Monona Terrace is a great gathering
place.
6. State Street’s pedestrian mall with
150 shops and restaurants.
7. Olbrich Gardens featuring beautiful
rose perennial, woodland and herb gardens.
8. Concerts on the Square. Madison Chamber
Orchestra’s free performance Wednesday evenings through mid-summer.
9. Take in the culture. Check out the
Isthmus in your room for program listings at the Madison Civic Center, The
Reperatory Theater, the Madison Opera, The Madison Symphony and other
events.
10. Picnic Point. One of Madison’s best
picnicking spots located right on Lake Mendota.
When It Rains
1. Museums. The State Historical Museum,
the Children’s Museum and the Veteran’s Museum are all at the State
Capitol end of State Street. Art lovers will enjoy the Elvehjem Museum.
2. Take a tour of the State Capitol
modeled after the nation’s Capitol.
3. Sip coffee and browse the Canterbury
Bookstore and Café. Madison has many bookstores, but we love the serenity
Canterbury provides.
4. Olbrich Gardens Bolz Conservatory. For
a mere dollar, you can leave the rain behind and step into the lush
environment of the conservatory.
5. Paint pottery. Unleash your creative
energy at Studio You on Monroe Street.
6. Rent a video. There’s a Blockbuster
Video on the corner of Regent Street and West Washington Avenue.
7. Find an inspiring book in our
Environmental Resource Center and curl up in front of one of our
wood-burning fireplaces.
8. Play chess, cribbage, cards, or a board
game. Sip some tea while outsmarting your opponent.
9. Take in a movie. Check the Isthmus or
one of the other newspapers for times. Westgate, Market Square, West
Towne, Point and Star Cinema are the closest.
10. Borrow one of our umbrellas for a walk
in the rain.
For day trip suggestions,
check out the Travel Planner in your room.
Restaurants and
Entertainment
Madison has an abundance of
quality dining establishments. And dining out is one of our favorite past
times. Here are a few of our recommendations:
To celebrate a special
occasion and money’s no object…
L’Etoile 25 N. Pickney St.
(downtown) 251-0500.
Odessa Piper is one of the
country’s best chefs, as noted by many major culinary magazines.
Memorable, sustainable, organic, gourmet cuisine with a great view of the
Capitol.
The Opera House 117 Martin
Luther King Blvd. (downtown) 284-8466.
This establishment boasts the
city’s most extensive wine list as well as incredible food. Also
appropriate for dessert and coffee or a glass of wine and appetizer at the
bar.
Harvest 21 N. Pickney St.
(downtown) 255-6075. Sustainable food and nearly downstairs from L’Etoile.
American & French cuisine. Quiet and well-lit with the most attractive
servers in Madison.
For a romantic dinner…
Pasta Per Tutti 2009 Atwood
Ave. (east) 242-1800. Light Northern Italian. Reminds us of Florence,
Italy if you squint.
Pepino’s 111 S. Hamilton
(downtown) 251-9500. A cozy downtown eatery.
Places we frequent…
Whole Foods 3313 University
Ave. (near west) 233-9566. This grocer’s deli offers healthy choices for
dine-in or take-out.
Café Continental 108 King
St. (downtown) 251-4800. Urban, upscale Italian. Order the calamari.
Lombardino’s 2500
University Ave. (near west) 238-1922. As best said by one of our frequent
guests, “It’s the best dining value in town.” Close by and
delicious.
Electric Earth Cafe 546 W.
Washington (downtown) 255-2310. We like their sandwiches, love the soup
even more.
If it’s fresh fish you
want…
It must be the Blue Marlin
101 N. Hamilton (downtown) 255-2255. Bustling with good conversations and
great seafood items.
Restaurant Magnus 120 E.
Wilson (downtown) 258-8787. South American style. Live music. We enjoy
taking friends here.
For groups or meeting up
with friends…
The Nitty Gritty 223 N.
Frances (campus) 251-2521. Baskets of food like burgers and fries. Extra
fun for birthdays.
Angelic Brewing Company 322
W. Johnson (downtown) 257-2707. Always a mature, festive crowd.
If you like to eat
outdoors…
Jolly Bob’s Jerk Joint 1210
Williamson St. (east) 251-3902. Caribbean cuisine. The coconut shrimp is
delectable. The atmosphere is wild at times.
The Great Dane Brew Pub 123
East Doty (downtown) 284-0000. Good sandwiches, beer brewed on site best
sipped in the beer garden.
Luigi’s 102 King St.
(downtown) 257-0750. Light Italian food, festive environment.
A steak would be great…
Johnny Delmonico’s 130 S.
Pickney (downtown) 257-8325. Currently the “it” place for steaks, has
a retro atmosphere.
Delaney’s 449 Grand Canyon
Dr. (west) 833-7337. Mile high pile of onion rings. Choice prime rib.
Smokey’s 3005 University
Ave. (near campus) 233-2120. Supper club atmosphere. Abundant portions.
Fyfe’s Bistro 1344 E.
Washington Ave. (east) 251-8700. East of downtown. Nice evening with
excellent pastas and fish.
If your party includes
vegetarians and meat lovers…
Monty’s Blue Plate Diner
2089 Atwood Ave. (east) 244-8505. Twists of creativity with their entrees,
unique atmosphere and save room for dessert.
Eldorado Grill 744 Williamson
St. (east) 280-9378 Spicy, fun atmosphere.
In the mood for good
pizza…
Urban Pizza Co. 1501 Monroe
St. (neighborhood) 250-4797. Games are a distraction while you wait for a
pizza with a zany combination of toppings. Free delivery to the inn.
Strolling down State
Street, our favorites include…
Casa de Lara 341 State St.
251-7200. Casual Mexican cuisine.
Wasabi (Japanese) 449 State
St. 255-5020
Gino’s 540 State St.
257-9022. We love their lasagna, good pizza too.
You can’t miss the big
game…
Babes Grill & Bar at the
Depot 640 W. Washington Ave. (downtown) 250-6411. Be prepared to watch
collectively, but it’s more fun that way.
For a local pub that you
can walk to…
The Laurel Tavern 2505 Monroe
St. (neighborhood) 233-1043. Late night eats, when most other places are
closed. Good to watch a game in a classic pub environment.
A dinner with a view…
Mariner’s Inn 5339
Lighthouse Bay Dr. (east) 246-3120. Quite a drive from the inn, but worthy
fish and steaks.
Ethnic wonders. Madison
scores high in this category, here are just a few…
-
Ginza (Japanese) 6734
Odana Rd. 833-8282
-
Maharaja (Indian) 6713
Odana Rd. 833-1824
-
Lulu’s (Middle Eastern)
2524 University Ave. 233-2172
-
Kabuls (Afganistan) 541
State St. 256-6322
-
Husnus (Turkish) 547
State St. 256-0900
-
The Dardanelles
(Mediterranean) 1851 Monroe St. 256-8804
-
Sukho-Thai (Thai) 1441
Regent. 255-1313
-
La Paella (Spanish) 2784
S. Fish Hatchery Rd. 273-2666
It’s a nice evening for
a walk…
Bluephies 2701 Monroe St.
231-3663. Huge salads, fresh pasta, unique sandwiches.
Pasquel’s 2534 Monroe St.
238-4419. Casual, Tex-Mex style.
Creole Café 2611 Monroe St.
233-6311. Somewhat spicy, but very gratifying meals.
Michael’s Custard 2531
Monroe St. 2313500. The neighborhood’s dessert hangout.
Fun for the whole family…
Ella’s Deli 2902 E.
Washington Ave. (east) 241-5291. 15 minute drive from the inn, but worth
it for its amusement park environment.
Timber Lodge Steakhouse 6613
Mineral Point Rd. (west) 827-6444. Relaxing atmosphere, yet child
friendly.
Avenue Bar 1128 E. Washington
Ave (east). 257-6877. For Friday Fish Fry.
Any Monroe Street
restaurant.
Most entertaining fish
fry…
Essen House 514 E. Wilson St.
(downtown) 255-4674. German style with warm pretzels and an Oompah band.
Captain Bill’s 2701 Century
Harbor Rd. (Middleton) 831-7327. Classic nautical, good seafood, on the
water.
The best TO GO we know…
Seafood Center Heritage
Square Whitney Way at Odana. (west) 274-5255. Shrimp, scallops, lake perch
and calamari - very fresh.
Relish Deli 1923 Monroe St.
(neighborhood) 255-8500. Good sandwiches, lots of cheeses.
Ordering in…
Yen Cheng 1300 Midvale Blvd.
(west) 273-2237. Dependable, hot Chinese food delivered to our doorstep.
Urban Pizza 1501 Monroe St.
250-4797. More pizza choices than you thought possible. Free delivery.
Please be available in one of
the common areas to meet the driver.
Peruse the menu baskets in the
historic house sitting room for more suggestions. We also have a dining
journal in which former guests have written about their Madison dining
experiences.
Entertainment
The Rhythm Section found in the
common areas of both houses and the Isthmus newspaper in your guest room are
great resources for entertainment. The daily newspapers are stored in the
literature rack in the sitting room for a movie listing. Your room’s
Travel Planner also lists clubs and other nightlife.
Amenities and Services
A full breakfast is served
Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 am in the Annex great room.
We would like guests to begin dining between those hours. On weekdays, the
continental breakfast is served from 8:00 to 9:00 am in the Annex.
Holidays are usually treated as a weekend morning. Coffee is available by
7:15 am and it may be requested earlier to your room. Just let us know. If
you have a specific time line and need to eat earlier, please let us know
and we will do our best to accommodate you.
A complete business center:
IBM PS1 computer (Microsoft software), laser printer, fax machine,
internet access, and single sheet copier can be found in the sitting room.
There is a $1.00 charge per page for sending a fax. Please see a staff
member for assistance.
Ask a staff member for a
canoe pass. This entitles guests to one hour of complimentary canoeing on
Lake Wingra (left on Monroe St. and right on Knickerbocker). Canoeing
begins Memorial Day Weekend through the end of September. The hours are 9
am to sunset. The inn’s mountain bikes can be used by adult guests
during daylight hours. The bike key is in the historic house porch.
Helmets are required and can be found on the porch.
Iced tea and hot tea can be
found in the historic house. These beverages are complimentary. Ice is in
the freezer and glasses and buckets are stored in the cabinet in the
historic house’s service kitchen.
Visit our Environmental
Resource Center (historic house porch) for hard cover books and the Green
Explorer computer program. Many of the principals we incorporated into
Arbor House can be found in these materials.
The Green Boutique offers
many of the inn’s favorite items for purchase. Items are on display in
the Annex. Please note that you may purchase a new natural mattress.
Please ask John for further information.
There are alarm clocks in
every room, but we would be happy to provide a wake up call for extra
assurance.
There is a wonderful,
licensed massage therapist available to Arbor House guests. Joyce Perkins
provides her service at her home just feet from the inn on Copeland St.
for $35.00 per hour. To make an appointment call 238-9565. Effrat Livney
also provides massage therapy. To schedule an appointment call 231-2515.
Rejuvenation Spa (663-7546) provides a full selection of spa services,
including massage therapy, body treatments, facials, and nail services.
The day spa is located at 449 Yellowstone Dr.
The sauna and sunroom is
located on the main floor of the Annex. Appointed in recycled woods and
tile, the sauna is our latest natural approach for a healthier lifestyle.
Please use the “in use” sign and the sauna takes 20 minutes to warm
up.
A complete 24 hour fitness
center is available to guests at the Princeton Club, located at 6680 Odana
Road (behind Market Square) 833-2639. A day pass is $10.00. Cardiovascular
equipment, weight room, pool, sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. Aerobic,
step and spinning classes.
Did you forget your hair
dryer, toothbrush? Lose a button? Do you need to press a shirt? Let us
know, we may have just what you need.
Check-in 3:00 pm. Check-out
11:00am.
Other Services
Cab Companies:
- Union Cab 242-2000
- Badger Cab 256-5566 (sometimes shared, least
expensive)
- Madison Taxi 258-7458
Mallat’s Pharmacy 3506 Monroe St. 238-3106. Hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat
9-5.Pharmacy, gifts, newspaper, wine, beer, cold
beverages
Parman’s 3502 Monroe St. 233-8912. Basic repair. They are the
neighborhood’s small business icons.
Amoco
3 blocks on Glenway, right on Speedway. For gasoline.
Copp’s Food Center 620 S. Whitney Way. 271-6565. Food store open 24
hours a day
Our Lady Queen of Peace 401 S. Owen. 231-4600. Our Catholic church.
Barrique’s Wine Cave 1831 Monroe St. 284-9463. Sample wines and visit
their Wall of 100.
Fritz & Associates Hair Salon
3526 Monroe St. 231-1919. Aveda products sold.
Deb & Sally - Hair Divas 449 Yellowstone. 276-9527. (In the same building as
Rejuvenation Spa.) This is a top recommendation by half the staff.
Public Transit - transportation to downtown or campus - bus stop
across Monroe St.
Ask us for complimentary bus tickets.
In case of a serious emergency, please use
your guest room phone to dial 911.
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