The Buckingham Inn — A Hidden Madison, Wisconsin Gem

Discover The Buckingham Inn in Madison, Wisconsin

In Madison, Wisconsin, The Buckingham Inn offers guests a stay shaped by Prairie-style architecture, thoughtful hospitality and the kind of personal touches that turn first-time visitors into repeat guests.

For innkeepers Heidi and Tom Notbohm, operating the Inn has become a second-act career that has introduced them to an extraordinary range of people—from international travelers from France and Japan to guests who return specifically for the experience they have created.

The property itself immediately caught their attention, but transforming it into the Inn they envisioned required considerably more than a cosmetic makeover.

A Prairie-Style Home With Plenty of Potential

When Heidi and Tom first saw the property, they immediately noticed its Prairie-style architecture, influenced by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. Abundant windows, charm and character gave the home a strong foundation, while the common entry and staircase made an especially polished first impression.

The apartment interiors, however, were dated and clearly ready for something better.

Their remodeling project soon demonstrated just how much work that would involve.

During a cold Wisconsin winter, the couple framed a new pantry and vestibule. When spring arrived and the frost came out of the ground, they discovered that the new exterior door wouldn't open. The solution required jacking up part of the house and digging a deeper foundation below the frost line. Even their contractor reportedly decided it was a job he never wanted to repeat.

What began as a property with obvious potential became a much more involved transformation—and ultimately the home of The Buckingham Inn.

A Hidden Madison Gem: Inside The Buckingham Inn — Image Credit: Jumping Rocks Photography/The Buckingham Inn

A Sunroom, a Hot Tub and a Very Unusual Chapter

The Buckingham Inn's history reaches back to the people who lived there before it became an inn.

Because of the property's proximity to a large university campus, the residence was occupied over the years by college faculty, administrators and students. Some former residents have even returned after the Inn's makeover to admire the transformation and share memories of their time there.

One story particularly stands out.

Some student residents once installed a hot tub in an interior sunroom. Their fall Sunday routine involved relaxing in the tub, drinking beer and watching Green Bay Packers games on television.

Their landlord was less enthusiastic about the arrangement.

But the students had apparently done their homework: they installed adequate plumbing and reinforced the floor to support the weight of the hot tub.

It's the kind of unexpected story that gives an older property character—and a reminder that The Buckingham Inn has had plenty of life before today's guests arrived.

The Innkeepers' Laundry Obsession

Ask Heidi and Tom what task they refuse to hand off, and the answer comes with unmistakable enthusiasm:

Laundry.

After learning stain-removal techniques from experienced innkeepers, they've become determined to handle it themselves.

It's a small glimpse into the level of hands-on attention that goes into running the Inn. For the Notbohms, even something as routine as laundry has become part of the craft of hospitality.

Guests From Around the World

Some of the guests who have stayed with Heidi and Tom have remained particularly memorable—not because of a single dramatic event, but because of the connections made along the way.

They fondly remember their international visitors, especially guests from France and Japan. Learning about their cultures has been one of the pleasures of running the Inn.

Some guests have subsequently sent travel books and other gifts. Others have gone even further, inviting Heidi and Tom to stay with them if they ever visit their home countries.

For the Notbohms, those relationships are among the most rewarding parts of their second-act career.

They marvel at the extraordinary range of people they might never have encountered had they not chosen innkeeping.

The Little Details That Make a Stay Better

One lesson from their first year has continued to influence how Heidi and Tom approach the guest experience: anticipate what visitors might need and make sure they can easily find it.

Early on, they realized there were several things they hadn't thought to make readily accessible, including down-free pillows, an iron and ironing board, and hot tea in the evening.

It became a practical lesson in hospitality.

The best guest experience isn't necessarily about grand gestures. Sometimes it's about anticipating a small need before a guest has to ask.

The First Thing They Do After Checkout

When the last guest leaves, Heidi and Tom don't immediately settle into a quiet moment.

First, they check the rooms for anything that might have been left behind.

That quick check has more than once made the difference between a guest losing something important and getting it back.

Jewelry, clothing and phone chargers are among the items they've discovered. On some occasions, they've even caught guests before they had traveled too far to return for their belongings.

It's another small but meaningful example of the attention that happens behind the scenes.

What It Really Takes to Run an Inn

The Notbohms have learned that successful innkeeping requires much more than simply welcoming guests at a front desk.

In their words, you need to “live and breathe hospitality every day.”

No two days are alike, they explain, which makes adaptability essential. Innkeepers need a varied skill set and the ability to think on their feet.

And while movies might portray innkeepers standing behind a front desk waiting to greet visitors, the reality is considerably more active.

As Heidi and Tom put it, most innkeepers don't have time to stand at a front desk.

How Breakfast Became Part of the Experience

One of The Buckingham Inn's traditions developed almost accidentally.

While serving breakfast, Heidi and Tom began getting specific about the ingredients in each dish.

Repeat guests noticed.

They told the Notbohms how much they enjoyed hearing about everything that went into their breakfast. That feedback eventually became part of the routine.

Today, as breakfast is served, the lead chef describes each entrée, giving guests an opportunity to learn about the ingredients—including Wisconsin bacon, home-grown herbs and locally roasted coffee.

What started as a simple explanation became another signature detail of the Buckingham experience.

A Madison Restaurant Worth Knowing

Guests staying at The Buckingham Inn don't have to travel far to find one of Heidi and Tom's favorite local recommendations.

Their pick is Greenbush Bar, a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant located in the basement of Madison's historic Italian Workmen's Club.

The setting is part of the appeal, with cozy tables beneath a ceiling of colored lights.

The restaurant also offers craft cocktails, select wines and beer, making it a distinctive place for guests looking to experience another side of Madison.

It's exactly the sort of local recommendation that can make a stay feel more personal: not simply where to eat, but a place the innkeepers themselves enjoy.

The Compliment Every Innkeeper Hopes to Hear

For Heidi and Tom, the ultimate measure of a successful stay is remarkably simple.

They hope guests leave saying:

“We can't wait to come back. What a hidden Madison gem this place is!”

It's a fitting sentiment for a property whose story combines distinctive architecture, decades of history, hands-on hospitality and the personal connections that have developed between the innkeepers and their guests.

For Heidi and Tom Notbohm, The Buckingham Inn isn't simply a place where travelers spend the night. It has become the setting for their second-act career—and a place where guests from around the world have left their own stories behind.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE BUCKINGHAM INN

Frequently Asked Questions About The Buckingham Inn

Where is The Buckingham Inn located?

The Buckingham Inn is located in Madison, Wisconsin, near a large university campus. Its location gives guests convenient access to the city and local attractions.

Who are the innkeepers at The Buckingham Inn?

Heidi and Tom Notbohm are the innkeepers of The Buckingham Inn in Madison, Wisconsin.

What architectural style is The Buckingham Inn?

The property features Prairie-style architecture influenced by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, with abundant windows and distinctive character.

What is the story behind the Buckingham Inn's sunroom?

Before the property became an inn, some student residents installed a hot tub in an interior sunroom. They used it on fall Sundays while watching Green Bay Packers games, and they reinforced the floor and installed adequate plumbing to support the hot tub.

What do Heidi and Tom enjoy most about being innkeepers?

They particularly enjoy meeting international visitors, especially guests from France and Japan, and learning about different cultures. Some guests have even sent them gifts or invited them to stay when visiting their countries.

What is served at breakfast at The Buckingham Inn?

The breakfast experience includes detailed descriptions of each entrée and highlights ingredients such as Wisconsin bacon, home-grown herbs and locally roasted coffee.

What restaurant do the innkeepers recommend near The Buckingham Inn?

Heidi and Tom recommend Greenbush Bar, a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant in the basement of Madison's historic Italian Workmen's Club. It offers craft cocktails, select wines and beer in a distinctive setting beneath a ceiling of colored lights.

What do Heidi and Tom hope guests say after staying at The Buckingham Inn?

They hope guests leave saying, “We can't wait to come back. What a hidden Madison gem this place is!”

A Hidden Madison Gem: Inside The Buckingham Inn