The Pfister Hotel

424 E Wisconsin Ave | Milwaukee, WI 53202-4436  [SEE MAP]Milwaukee, WI  [SEE ADDRESS]
#1 in Best Milwaukee Hotels
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Courtesy of The Pfister Hotel

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Overview

Pet-friendly hotel with a renowned spa and gourmet cuisine
Some guests complain of difficulty with in-room thermostat
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. 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. Since it's a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts family, the hotel allows I Prefer members to earn or redeem points for stays here.
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Location
Milwaukee, WI
Hotel Class
4.5-star
Property Type
Hotel, 307 rooms
Primary View
City center, Bay, Lake
Style
Traditional, Historic
Best For
Business travelers, Couples, Groups, Families

Explore

Critic Reviews
Guest Reviews
Guest Rooms
Location & Parking
Dining
Pool
Spa
Kids
Fitness
Business
Pets
Wedding

Scorecard

  • 4.5Hotel Class
  • GOODCritic Rating

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 2204 reviews Based on 2204 reviews
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Critic Reviews

Other Awards

  • Condé Nast Readers' Choice List
  • AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards

Travel + Leisure

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Since it opened, this historic Grand Dame — which includes the 1893 building and a modern tower — in downtown Milwaukee has hosted every U.S. president since McKinley.

Fodor's

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Rooms are decorated with a Victorian flavor and some are odd shapes, reflecting the complications of pouring modern amenities into an old structure—but this actually adds to the charm.

Other Awards

  • Condé Nast Readers' Choice List
  • AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards
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Guest Reviews

A hotel's guest rating is calculated using data provided under license by TripAdvisor. A total of 2204 have reviewed the The Pfister Hotel, giving it a rating of 4.5, on a scale of 1-5.

TripAdvisor Travel Rating: 

TripAdvisor Travel Rating: TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 2204 reviews 4.5 (based on 2204 reviews)
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Guest Rooms

The hotel's guest rooms combine old-world elegance with modern conveniences like flat-screen TVs and free wireless internet access. Other rooms are more modern in design, featuring chrome light fixtures and leather headboards. In-room amenities include feather bed toppers and blankets, alarm clock radios with iPod/MP3 connectivity, luxe spa toiletries and laptop-sized safes. Some accommodations offer views of Lake Michigan, while others feature city views.

    Standard room size: 330 square feet

    • Premium channels
    • Workspace/desk
    • Minifridge
    • Bathrobes/slippers
    • Minibar
    • Shower/tub combo
    • Separate shower
    • Separate tub
    • Internet
    • Wireless internet
    • Free internet
    • Fee for internet usage
    • Guest rooms with patios and balconies
    • Adjoining rooms available
    See details for room types »
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    Location & Parking

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    The Pfister is situated in downtown Milwaukee within walking distance of the Milwaukee Art Museum, Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Cathedral Square, the Marcus Performing Arts Center and The Pabst and Riverside theaters, among other attractions. The hotel is also less than a mile east of the Wisconsin Convention Center, making this hotel an ideal lodging option for both leisure and business travelers.
    • General Mitchell International Airport is about 10 miles south
    • 24-hour valet parking ($33)
    • 24-hour self-parking ($29)
    • Airport shuttle
    • Car service

    Within walking distance of:

    • Bus stop
    • Restaurants
    • Movie theater
    • Train station
    • Beach
    • Theater
    • Subway/metro stop
    • Grocery store
    • Shopping
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    Dining

    The Mason Street Grill is a classic American grill that serves steaks, seafood and sandwiches in a casual setting with booth seating and live jazz six nights a week. The Café offers American fare for breakfast and lunch, as well as Starbucks coffee at the patisserie all day. Blu on the 23rd floor features live music on the weekends and serves wine and cocktails as well as light bites with views of downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan. The Lobby Lounge is the place to have a beverage and appetizers while sitting on sofas in front of a fireplace and listening to live piano music.
    • Sunday brunch is served in The Rouge
    • Afternoon tea held seasonally

    Number of restaurants: 4

    Cuisine Types: American

    • Fine dining
    • Casual dining
    • Quick service cafe/coffee shop/marketplace
    • Bar/lounge
    • Room service
    • 24-hour room service
    • free breakfast
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    Pool

    The hotel has a small indoor pool on the 23rd floor with sweeping views of the city. Limited lounge chair seating is available around the pool.
      • Lap pool
      • Wading pool
      • Lazy river
      • Family pool
      • Infinity pool
      • Whirlpool/hot tub
      • Adults-only pool
      • Lifeguard on duty
      • Poolside service
      • Waterslide
      • Deck chairs or cabanas
      • Pool bar
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      Spa

      The historic spa once housed The Pfister's Turkish Baths more than a century ago. Now called the WELL Spa + Salon, the facility offers treatment suites each equipped with a personal bathroom and shower, heated floors, robes and the choice of aromatherapy. The Remineralizing Hydrotherapy Bath and the Hamman Steam Shower + Mud are some of the treatments on the menu. Hair care, nail care, airbrush makeup services and eyelash extensions are available at the salon.

        Services offered:

        • Massage
        • Facial
        • Body Treatments (i.e. scrubs, wraps)
        • Salon services
        • Outdoor treatment area
        • Steam room
        • Sauna
        See more spa hotels in Milwaukee »
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        Kids

        Cribs and a small family-friendly pool are offered at The Pfister Hotel.
          • Kids Club
          • Free Kids Club
          • Fee for Kids Club
          • Cribs
          • High Chairs
          See more family-friendly hotels in Milwaukee »
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          Fitness

          The hotel's 24-hour fitness center offers several cardio and weight-training machines.
            • Weight equipment
            • Cardio equipment
            • Yoga mats
            • Free fitness classes
            • Premium fitness classes (with fee)
            See more fitness hotels in Milwaukee »
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            Business

            The Pfister's meeting rooms are outfitted with chandeliers, marble accents and Victorian artwork, along with modern technology like Wi-Fi and on-site audiovisual services. The property houses more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space in a variety of rooms that can accommodate small groups of 15 to receptions with 1,500 people.
            • Business center is open 24 hours per day

            Number of meeting rooms: 15

            • Business center
            • Meeting rooms
            • Meeting and event planners available
            See more business hotels in Milwaukee »
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            Pets

            Pet packages are available and include a donation to the Elmbrook Humane Society, a doggy gift basket and a pet cleaning fee of $100.
              • Pets allowed (with fee)
              • Dog walking (with fee)
              • Pet-sitting (with fee)
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              Wedding

              The Pfister offers grand spaces for weddings, including its two large ballrooms with antique chandeliers, rich draperies and marble accents. The Imperial Ballroom can hold up to 350 guests for dinner and dancing, while the Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,500 guests for receptions. Smaller spaces are available for more intimate affairs.
              • Marcus Weddings can take care of planning the details
              • Couples get a complimentary night and special rates are offered for guests

              Maximum wedding guest capacity: 1500

              • Hotel hosts weddings
              • Outdoor space for weddings
              • Wedding planners available
              See more wedding hotels in Milwaukee »
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              Editor’s note: Hotel information is updated periodically. If this is your property and you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know. If you are interested in obtaining a badge to display on your website or in other media, please contact us.

              Find the Best Price

              at the The Pfister Hotel

              Press the down arrow key to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

              Press the down arrow key to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

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