By Sandy Cullen, courtesy of The Wisconsin State Journal/McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
The presidential suite at the Sheraton Madison hotel now lives up to its name.
President Barack Obama checked into room 806 on the top floor of the hotel at 706 John Nolen Drive, across from the Alliant Energy Center, shortly after 3 a.m. Monday, said Ranette Maurer, director of sales and marketing.
By about 8 a.m., Obama was in the hotel's health club for a 30-minute cardio workout, then had breakfast in his room before heading out to one of his final rallies before Tuesday's election, Maurer said.
"You could have worked out next to the president" -- after being cleared by the Secret Service -- she said, adding that Obama "insisted he didn't want it closed. He didn't want to inconvenience any guests."
The top two floors of the hotel were rented by the Secret Service and White House staff, Maurer said, adding, "It was a flawless stay. It was really a lot of fun."
Maurer said there is talk about possibly renaming the room -- which costs a minimum of about $250 a night -- the President Obama Suite. But, she added, "Madison is so political, you hate to go one way or another."
Either way, the hotel is hoping Obama's stay will impress others looking for a place to rest their head or hold an event, Maurer said, adding, "If it's good enough for the president ..."
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