The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
Expert reviews
“Milwaukee’s grandest old hotel dates from 1893. The lobby’s long, high barrel-vaulted ceiling puts you in a Victorian frame of mind from the moment you step in. 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.”
“Milwaukee’s most historic hotel, the Pfister was built in 1893. The hotel exudes old-style European elegance.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Boutique style
- Comfortable beds
- Free Wifi
- Friendly staff
All you need to know
The Pfister Hotel is an expansive historic luxury hotel located in downtown Milwaukee. The building was opened in 1893 and was named the “Grand Hotel of the West,” and has since stood as an iconic landmark within the city.
The hotel is known for its grand architecture, lavish interiors, and elegant atmosphere and hosts many cultural and music events throughout the year.
The impressive Pfister Hotel has 307 guest rooms and suites, each with its own unique design and decor. The guest rooms have been designed with modern luxuries while retaining their historic charm.
Each room features modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, high-speed internet access, luxury bedding, and luxurious private bathrooms. The hotel also offers a range of luxury amenities and services, including a fitness center, a spa, and a salon.
The hotel has a variety of amazing dining options including Mason Street Grill, however, it is its impressive art collection that the Pfister hotel is noted for. With over 80 pieces of original artwork, the hotel is an important fixture in Milwaukee’s art scene and hosts many artists-in-residence, who live and work in the hotel’s studio space and interact with guests.
The glamorous Pfister hotel is well-located in the downtown area of Milwaukee, surrounded by many excellent restaurants and bars. The hotel is within walking distance of the Wisconsin Center, Cathedral Square Park, and the popular Pabst Theatre and is the ideal place for people looking to add a touch of old-style glamor to their stay.
Hotel deals & lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Agoda. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for this hotel. If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Location
Recent guest reviews
23 January 2025
our family visited MKE to attend a couple of shows. perhaps we should have found lodging that was a better value. ?? i
Common areas were gorgeous - albeit a bit crowded. we lodged in a suite so there was ample room.
What's not to like? the crowded reception area
22 January 2025
Wonderful stay. Would stay again.
Hard to beat the history and beauty of this property in the heart of Milwaukee.
7 January 2025
Exceptional
Great hotel!!!!
4 January 2025
I think Mr Pfister would be very proud of his hotel this many years later.
I love the decor, the history, the people-it’s just an amazing place to stay
2 January 2025
An extraordinary hotel; a memorable stay
It was an incredible stay. The Pfister has figured out how to combine history, timeless elegance and modern conveniences. Being in the lobby transports you to an earlier time--opulent, classy, artistic and still as comfortable as any modern hotel. We definitely will be back next time we are in Milwaukee.
Nothing needed improvement
31 December 2024
Gorgeous hotel. Staff was wonderful. Totally recommended.
Gorgeous hotel. Staff was wonderful. Totally recommended.
26 December 2024
Our Christmas holiday stay at the Pfister Hotel was perfect in every way! Thank You!
The Pfister Hotel is an iconic and classic beauty in downtown Milwaukee. The lobby decor is absolutely stunning. We were there during the Christmas holiday and the decor was gorgeous and well appointed! The newly renovated rooms were very pleasing with attention to comfort and detail. All the hotel dining / bar venues were great with delicious food and drink! All the staff were very welcoming and helpful. Parking garage elevator conveniently opened into the hotel lobby.
25 December 2024
It was fantastic!
It was a beautiful hotel with the kind staff willing to help and so very friendly.
17 December 2024
Exceptional
Beautiful decor, ambiance, location.
16 December 2024
Fun place to stay
Beautiful . Cafe
The room was a little worn down
9 December 2024
A must stay if you are choosing a hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
Beautiful hotel and everything was perfect.
Later in the night there was a lot going on in the hotel with Christmas parties, etc so it did get a little congested and was hard to get a drink at the bar but totally understandable.
9 December 2024
Great Location, Gorgeous Facilities
The property was beautifully decorated for Christmas. The staff was extremely nice, and they even gave us welcome glasses of champagne when we arrived. The rooms were a large size, and they were clean and fully stocked.
Nothing
8 December 2024
Beautiful hotel, loud guests
We enjoyed the room and the beauty of the hotel. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The location is great and the amenities very nice. It was a very busy and crowded weekend at the hotel.
However are room was on the 2nd floor near the lobby and the bar was open with people being loud until almost 2 am. I would stay again but ask for a room higher up.
5 December 2024
Bucket List Stay
I liked the size of the room. The sitting room plus the separate bedroom was well above my expectations. The lounge in the lobby with the fireplace was a fantastic place to relax with a drink and small plates. This historical hotel is one of my all-time favorites. I prefer the old ones to the new anytime! I worked at this hotel when I was at the university but never stayed there. Since I was in Milwaukee for a wedding I was determined to stay there. I was not disappointed!
We stayed during the last days of the 2024 Presidential campaign and due to rallies and candidates staying at the Pfister, we had to cancel plans for dinner and stay in the hotel all day. Not the fault of the facility.
1 December 2024
Can't wait to come back!!
Always beautiful, especially during the holidays.
Our view from a deluxe king suite was the alley to the west with gross roofs. Nothing they can do about it, but it's always neat to get the southern views..
1 December 2024
Exceptional
Excellent facilities, room was great,staff was friendly and professional.
Room was extremely comfortable, staff friending, we always have a great stay at the Pfister!
28 November 2024
Lovely building and history. Receptionists really nice however two emails now have not been responded to!
Comfortable bed, good shower, nice room.
25 November 2024
Great
Very nice lounge
Expensive and wish we could’ve stayed in the historic area but it was booked up.
22 November 2024
amazing
Everything
nothing
15 November 2024
it wasn’t what I expected
The room was very dusty. The carpet wasn’t clean.
Better housekeeping
14 November 2024
Great stay, definitely a splurge
Gorgeous! Great location! Amazing amenities!
Cost
11 November 2024
Exceptional
Breakfast was amazing. Wonderful staff, beautiful accommodations. Never disappoints.
11 November 2024
A pleasure as always.
It remains a grande dame of a hotel with all the modern amenities
Nothing
9 November 2024
Fantastic
I love the gold elevators I love the very elegant rooms. The bed was soft. The shower was beautiful.
Nothing
8 November 2024
We had a great time.
I think the hotel is beautiful. The staff is outstanding. The location was perfect for us.
There was really nothing that we didn't like.
6 November 2024
Just happened to stay here. It was a treat!
Historical
1 November 2024
Fabulous
na
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29 October 2024
We live the Pfister and always enjoy our stays!
Beautiful and the hospitality is exceptional!
The motion detector night lights are too bright!
29 October 2024
Fabulous
Shower was dated and low pressure.
27 October 2024
Exceptional
We loved our stay, the hotel was beautiful. The bed was so comfortable
22 October 2024
It was exciting for my sister and I since VP Harris stayed at same place for a night while she was campaigning!
It is historically splendid and they are doing upgrades and maintaining the history.
The streets around have a lot of construction right now so it was challenging to get around at times
22 October 2024
Spectacular, historical hotel!
The hotel is gorgeous and everything about our stay was perfect. Breakfast in the cafe was wonderful. Prices were as expected for the caliber of the property. I enjoyed learning more about the history of the Pfister and seeing the wonderful art throughout the building. Will most definitely stay here again and recommend to anyone traveling in the area.
19 October 2024
A historic stay in downtown Milwaukee at an excellent value and a prime location.
The hotel is in wonderful condition and well maintained. They have maintained the historic character and value while offering outstanding modern amenities.
I cannot think of a single negative thing.
9 October 2024
Very good
Beautiful building
9 October 2024
Exceptional
Great Hotel,Great Location ,clean,great service,staff
7 October 2024
Exceptional
The staff and atmosphere was very welcoming!
I couldn't stay longer
30 September 2024
I've traveled across US and across world. The Pfister Hotel is now one of my very most favorite.
I loved this hotel. Staff were fantastic--very nice, professional, and well trained. Bed was the best I've had in any hotel--pillows, too (and I'm including in many other luxury hotels). Hotel was very well located. Soap, shampoo, the heating and cooling in the room, the light-block shades--all such little details were fantastic. Very nice and effective cleaning staff. Hotel had outstanding gym. Excellent, speedy elevators. I even like the Allen Edmonds store and its people, too. Truly, this is a wonderful hotel. Thank you!
Maybe small fridge for room?
14 September 2024
This was the nicest hotel that I have ever stayed at. Holy balls!!
Everything! The detail at every turn left me mesmerized! I can’t even begin to explain how gorgeous this place was.
I loved every single little thing
11 September 2024
Exceptional
The hotel is GORGEOUS and staff is incredible
Although the reservation and everything says queen beds, we all mentioned the beds wr full sized and it was extremely odd we were given one pillow per person and no extra pillow or blankets.
11 September 2024
Exceptional
All
6 September 2024
Exceptional
Incredibly helpful and friendly staff. Beautiful hotel. Great food and drink
6 September 2024
Classic hotel in the heart of Milwaukee
Staff were lovely from arrival through departure. Many have served at the hotel for decades, and they care about their customers.
If you are looking for chrome and glitz, this old hotel is not your place.
4 September 2024
Warm, Welcoming in the Heart of MKE
Stunning historical property well situated to discover MKE on foot or by public transit. Históric tower recently renovated and well appointed. Warm and hospitable welcome by the staff for check in and all team members attentive and kind.
Property was great. The only minor things were that we opted in for housekeeping and they did not come so we had to call and ask for items and to take towels and in room dining trays. They eventually brought the items but didn’t take our trays or used towels.
30 August 2024
Wonderful
Services and food are fantastic
Could of had a better view, was facing the inner courtyard of the original building
20 August 2024
Exceptional
Everything!
Nothing!
20 August 2024
great old hotel
gorgeous hotel - great location — nice and quiet
price
17 August 2024
Wonderful stay!
Beautiful, historic hotel. Wonderful, friendly staff. Room was newly updated, bed was amazingly comfortable. We couldn't have been happier!
11 August 2024
Friendly wonderful staff. Beautiful hotel
Beautiful historical property
You do have to pay for parking every day
10 August 2024
I booked it to celebrate my father’s 80th birthday and it exceeded all expectations.
The property was beautiful and well kept. The staff was very attentive and really went out of their way to make sure we had a fabulous time.
I was completely satisfied.
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Barber/beauty shop
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Paid WiFi
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities
- - Business centre
- - Fax/photocopying
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Luggage storage
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Concierge service
Activities
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa and wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Indoor pool
- - Indoor pool (all year)
- - Evening entertainment
- - Spa facilities
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Couples massage
- - Head massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Live music/performance
Cleaning services
- - Dry cleaning
Parking
- - Parking garage
Pool and wellness
- - Rooftop pool
- - Pool with view
- - Heated pool
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming Pool
Miscellaneous
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Face masks for guests available
28 January 2025
An old Grand Hotel still very Grand!