Madison-Downtown

Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Plaza Hotel

Postcard circa 1973

Madison-Downtown, WI

-- 525 W Johnson

The spring of 1973 saw the opening of Madison's conveniently located downtown Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant. Touted as a fully modern facility, it was considered a high-rise in HoJo's lore of the day.

An extremely successful franchise, the site was remodeled and redesignated as a Plaza Hotel in the 1980s. By the middle 1990s, the facility was remodeled yet again and its guest rooms were extended to the edge of the building, eliminating the traditional HJ sliders and balconies.

Brochure ca 1990: Courtesy of Dan Donahue

Left: Note the rainbow-like design on the back wall which was a decorative element used in many Restaurants including Gold Rock. Other familiar items included the ceiling lattice, lantern lights, booths, chairs, and tables.

Lasting into the FAI era, Madison-Downtown's HoJo's Restaurant remained in business until 1993.

Right: Madison-Downtown's lounge was no doubt a happing place in its heyday!

Image ca. 2003 from Internet site

Having won Howard Johnson International's award as "Best Hotel of 2004," Madison's owner gave up the ghost after thirty plus years in 2005, and the location was converted into an upscale but uninspired and nearly characterless Doubletree Hotel.

Photos May 2006: Courtesy of Phil Edwards