Best Hotels in Milwaukee

First opening its doors in 1893, The Pfister in downtown Milwaukee maintains its Gilded Age glamour, sporting period decor and Victorian artwork. However, that doesn't mean this hotel is stuck in the past. The Pfister's 307 guest rooms, though vintage in appearance, offer contemporary amenities such as LCD flat-panel TVs and wireless internet access (for a fee). Visitors praise the hotel's luxurious facilities, which include the WELL Spa + Salon, as well as the delectable Mason Street Grill and swanky Blu lounge. Many diners highly recommend sitting down for Sunday brunch at The Rouge dining room. Though a few recent guests mentioned they had issues controlling the room temperature, most agreed the staff gives everyone the star treatment while here. Guests also recommend making time to meet The Pfister's Artist-in-Residence; through this residency program, the hotel sponsors up-and-coming artists who, in turn, work right on the premises.

A newcomer to Milwaukee's Third Ward hospitality scene as of 2016, the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel has quickly become a favorite of business and leisure travelers alike thanks to its free happy hour, friendly staff members and tasty cuisine at the trendy Tre Rivali restaurant. The guest rooms and suites boast custom-made carpets, locally sourced artwork, modern decor, Atelier Bloem toiletries and Frette linens. If you're looking to break a sweat, yoga mats are provided in each room, and there's also a 24-hour fitness center and free bicycle rentals available. For those who would prefer to sit back with a cocktail, the rooftop bar is the perfect place to relax by a fire pit during the colder months or unwind under the trellis when the sun is out. An on-site ballroom and several event spaces can accommodate meetings and weddings. And because this pet-friendly Kimpton property is a member of InterContinental Hotel Group, IHG Rewards Club members can receive free perks (like free internet access; there's a fee for non-members) when staying here.

The Iron Horse Hotel is perhaps Milwaukee's trendiest hotel: Guests are welcomed into a space decorated in cow print, exposed pipes and one-of-a-kind artwork. Rooms are spacious and feature exposed brick walls and custom furnishings, as well as oversized rain showers, 42-inch LCD flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. But what really sets The Iron Horse apart from other Milwaukee hotels is its dedication to the biker crowd. Sitting within walking distance of the Harley-Davidson Museum, this property shows its love for two-wheelers with amenities like on-site motorcycle rentals, a washing station and on-call maintenance staff. For non-bikers, The Iron Horse Hotel impresses with its spa services and easy access to art and performance venues like the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Florentine Opera. No matter how you spend your time, recent guests highly recommend taking advantage of the hotel's dining spots and watering holes – Branded, The Library, Smyth and The Yard – which offer palatable sips and bites for morning, noon and night. Visitors are also quick to praise The Iron Horse Hotel's staff with such superlatives as "wonderful" and "delightful," saying the employees only further enhanced their stays. However, some say a stay here is on the more expensive side.

The Milwaukee Marriott Downtown sits between the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan in Milwaukee's East Town neighborhood. This Marriott outpost caters to both business and leisure travelers with its nearly 9,000 square feet of event space and close proximity to the city's iconic Bronz Fonz statue and art museum. According to previous guests, accommodations here are well-appointed and comfortable (albeit small and pricey), with flat-screen TVs, walk-in showers, Bath & Body Works toiletries and pillow-top mattresses. At the hotel's restaurant, Millioke - Meat. Cheese. Beer., local iterations of Wisconsin culinary staples (think: sausages and cheeses) are on the menu. There is also an on-site Starbucks, an indoor pool and a small gym with free weights and cardiovascular equipment. Complimentary Wi-Fi access is provided in public areas, but expect to pay $9.95 per day for an in-room connection. And keep in mind that Marriott Rewards members can accrue and redeem points by choosing to stay here.

This Westin outpost, the first Westin-branded hotel in Wisconsin, opened in June 2017. Since its debut, the Milwaukee property has garnered warm reviews from guests for its friendly, knowledgeable staff and its clean, modern interior. The hotel's 220 guest rooms and suites are outfitted with large picture windows (some featuring views of Lake Michigan), Westin-branded beds and toiletries, iHome radios and in-room Starbucks coffee and Tazo tea. Outside their digs, travelers will find a business center, a fitness center and Stella Van Buren, an Italian-American steakhouse. For more dining and fitness options, visitors can explore the hotel's neighborhood, the Historic Third Ward. Thanks to a partnership with a neighborhood yoga studio, guests who opt for the Move Well Milwaukee package can enjoy a 60-minute session at Yama Yoga – a studio in the Third Ward. The Westin Milwaukee's location also comes in handy for sightseers – several of the city's top attractions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, are within walking distance of the hotel, as is the lakefront. What's more, members of the Marriott Rewards program can earn or redeem points for choosing to stay here.

The Hilton Milwaukee City Center has a knack for making a great first impression. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, this Hilton outpost impresses guests with its stunning, classic interiors. Marble columns, cascading crystal chandeliers and art deco artwork have remained well-maintained since the hotel first opened its doors in the late 1920s. Accommodations contrast, offering up more subdued furnishings like Hilton Serenity Beds, flat-screen TVs and coffee makers. Guests also have the option of perusing the four on-site dining options, which travelers applaud for the overall excellent quality of food. The Milwaukee Chophouse is a traditional steakhouse, Miller Time Pub & Grill is a great place to catch a game, or happy hour, Edison's Brew serves Starbucks coffee and the Monarch Lounge offers up Mediterranean bites, American classics and live jazz in the evening. You can find this property in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, adjacent to The Shops of Grand Avenue and the Wisconsin Center, the latter of which is connected directly via bridge. And because this hotel is a member of the Hilton family, this property accepts and rewards points to Hilton Honors loyalty club members.

Guests say this Milwaukee hotel's great customer service and impressive rooms make it a superb accommodation option for both casino patrons and non-gamblers. Rooms here don't skimp on comfort, offering amenities like Beautyrest beds, coffee makers, minifridges, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi access and floor-to-ceiling windows with city views. Additionally, visitors have access to dry cleaning services, a fitness center, room service and complimentary valet parking. For meals outside the rooms, travelers can visit the coffee shop or the Canal Street Café, which serves classic American fare. More dining options are available inside the property's casino. The casino also hosts a variety of events, from comedy performances to live music. For those who want to explore Milwaukee, Interstate Highway 43 sits just a stone's throw away from the hotel. Top attractions such as Miller Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum and Pabst Mansion can be found less than 2 miles away.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee Downtown connects to the Wisconsin Center, and it is about a half-mile from Marquette University and other area attractions. The hotel has two bar and grill restaurants, although both are only open for dinner. Other on-site amenities include a fitness center and a business center. Each of the 243 rooms includes complimentary Wi-Fi access, a 50-inch flat-screen TV, a minifridge, a microwave and a workstation. Recent guests love how clean and spacious the accommodations at this Hilton property are. However, some reviews note that there can be distracting outside noise depending on where your room is located. Keep in mind that this is a DoubleTree by Hilton property, which means that Hilton Honors members can earn and redeem points during their stays here.

The Ambassador Hotel surrounds its visitors with art deco decor (from a neon sign outside to the original bronze elevator doors inside), and guests love it. Rooms here are spacious, and though hints of the 1920s can be seen in the decorative accents, amenities like Bluetooth-enabled media hubs and complimentary internet access keep guests connected to the 21st century. While visitors appreciate the hotel's charming decor, many say the accommodations are in need of some upgrades. Consistent with the hotel's theme, Caffé Deco serves up healthy doses of morning joe while the Envoy Restaurant & Lounge dishes out American fare in a bistro-style setting. Although you may not want to leave the property, one of the best things about this hotel is its location near major Milwaukee attractions, like Miller Park.

The Hyatt Regency Milwaukee appeals to both leisure and business travelers thanks to its prime downtown location and expansive event venues. With nearly 30,000 square feet of meeting space, plus 19 event venues, this Hyatt outpost offers plenty of perks for those orchestrating a business event or conference. Plus, it's connected via enclosed walkway to the Wisconsin Center that welcomes large-scale conventions and exhibitors. As for lodging, this Hyatt property features 481 rooms and suites; each of which is outfitted with an iHome stereo, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, a work desk and in-room yoga mats. While the hotel does not offer many on-site features, it does boast a fitness center and offers guests shuttle service to the nearby Potawatomi Bingo Casino with poker, slots, assorted table games and – you guessed it – bingo. Most travelers report a pleasant stay overall, citing excellent service and amenities as a reason to return, though some guests were upset with the additional (and pricey) charges for valet and self-parking. But Hyatt loyalty program members can offset costs by using points to cover a stay here.

The InterContinental Milwaukee is perched along the Milwaukee River in the heart of the downtown area, boasting enviable views and easy access to performance venues like The Pabst Theater and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. While this property clearly caters to theater buffs, business travelers will also feel welcome thanks to 13,000 square feet of meeting space and tech-friendly amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi. This hotel also has some neat features for non-suits. For one, there's CLEAR. This morning-time coffee shop turns into a bar by night and hosts weekly events like Bocce Ball Tuesdays, Wine Craze Wednesdays and live music on most weekends. Some recent visitors felt the guest rooms are showing wear and tear and could use some updating, but they appreciated the conveniences like the pretheater dinner menus and 24-hour room service from the on-site restaurant Kil@wat.

The Hotel Metro strives to be trendy in order to fit in with artsy downtown Milwaukee. The hotel's 63 suites are spacious and stylish with cream and green hues and hints of art deco, but some visitors feel that the accommodations would benefit from a facelift and warn of the loud slamming of doors. The bathrooms – large enough to fit big whirlpool baths (accompanied by Aveda bath products) – provide a place to take a load off after a day on the town. In case the in-room tubs don't do the trick, visitors are welcome to take advantage of Hotel Metro's saltwater hot tub and sauna. And when it's time for a bite to eat, travelers have great things to say about Pastiche at Metro, the in-house restaurant specializing in casual American fare.

Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport sits just 4 miles from General Mitchell International Airport and 10 miles from downtown Milwaukee. The hotel offers a variety of perks like complimentary parking, a fitness center and an indoor pool. Hungry travelers can grab a bite at the on-site restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. In each of the hotel’s 194 guest rooms, guests will find a workstation, a flat-screen TV and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Some past guests thought the accommodations were lacking in common amenities like microwaves or minifridges. On the positive side, recent visitors describe the staff as friendly, helpful and accommodating. Because this is an IHG Hotels property, this Crowne Plaza allows IHG Rewards Club members to earn and redeem points during their stays.

The Brewhouse Inn & Suites provides the perfect place to stay for beer-loving travelers in Milwaukee; the property was the Pabst Brewery headquarters before being renovated into a boutique hotel. Enjoy sipping your drink on the outdoor patio and beer garden or at the on-site Jackson’s Blue Ribbon Pub – which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night eats. In addition to a public terrace and fitness center, the hotel boasts 90 well-appointed guest rooms. All accommodations include a kitchen with a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV with premium cable, a workstation and a coffee maker. Recent guests appreciated the property’s spacious interiors, but some lament the high prices at this unique hotel.