The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
The Pfister Hotel, a true Milwaukee icon, has been the city’s “Grand Hotel of the West” since it opened in 1893. Designed by architect Henry C. Koch in a striking Romanesque Revival style, the building was a technological marvel for its time, featuring its own power plant, fireproofing, and individual thermostat controls in every room.
Beyond its grand architecture, The Pfister is famous for housing the world’s largest hotel collection of Victorian art. Over 80 pieces are displayed throughout the public spaces, intentionally curated to make guests feel as though they are wandering through a well-loved home rather than a gallery.
The hotel’s storied past is complemented by modern luxuries, including a 23-story guest tower added in the 1960s and the popular *Blu* cocktail lounge, which sits on the top floor and offers sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s long-standing tradition of hosting an Artist-in-Residence, who works in an open studio right in the lobby.
Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel is perfectly positioned for sightseeing. You are just blocks away from cultural heavyweights like the Milwaukee Art Museum, with its iconic Calatrava-designed wings, and the historic Pabst Theater.
Whether you are exploring the nearby Historic Third Ward or catching a performance at the local theaters, The Pfister remains a central, elegant base. It is a place where Gilded Age history meets the vibrant energy of modern-day 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
Location
Recent guest reviews
13 May 2026
Beautiful, comfortable, inviting
Beautiful historic hotel. Staff is so welcoming and attentive. Orlando in the cafe is a standout.
It was all great
9 May 2026
Exceptional
Amazing hotel, a lot of history and art there
7 May 2026
Great location and beautiful hotel.
Beautiful hotel, loved the piano player and welcome champagne upon arrival. Great restaurant at Mason Grill.
I was disappointed that the lobby bar didn’t have music every night.
4 May 2026
Cozy room
Our stay at the The Pfister Hotel was great — beautiful and cozy rooms, and classic atmosphere throughout. The location was perfect for exploring the city.
N/A
4 May 2026
Beautiful, historic hotel. Wonderful staff, excellent and comfortable rooms
Beautiful, well kept
Nothing
26 April 2026
Very good
Great historical hotel
23 April 2026
Amazing
Beautiful architecture and convenient parking.
Nowhere to find snacks.
22 April 2026
Exceptional
Room and decor
19 April 2026
I took two girlfriends to stay in this historical hotel for a fun and memorable night.
How well the history is preserved and displayed.
Not greeted right away in long line at check in. A little souvenir of some sort to commemorate the occasion would have been nice.
18 April 2026
Excellent
My experience was excellent in general. I like how clean the room is, and the bed was comfortable. The staff was helpful. Although their computer system was down that night, it was not very disruptive, and checking in was very easy. They were ready!
It is not major, but I would have liked in-room dining, and they were not able to accommodate it.
16 April 2026
extremely helpful & friendly staff. this was an experience i’ll never forget staying here while in milwaukee. don’t
very beautiful historic hotel! 10/10 experience.
there was nothing to dislike! loved everything.
15 April 2026
Exceptional
Dragica was very kind at Club Pfister lounge. She was exceptional. All staff were friendly and welcoming from the front desk to lobby bar to Club Pfister Lounge to Blu or tea time or workers. Everyone was great.
That it was time to leave 🤗
14 April 2026
Exceptional
The staff was superb! The accommodations were absolutely splendid.
Definitely N/A
9 April 2026
Exceptional
No
9 April 2026
Relaxing, Historical and Accommodating in Every Respect!
Historic, beautiful, and classy staff.
If you want spa services book in advance - they were completely booked during my stay.
7 April 2026
Look forward to staying again!
King suite is amazing, great jazz music Friday night at Blu, great location, very historic hotel.
Room service was PAINFUL. Both times we called it rang and rang forever and then someone at guest services eventually answered. Very slow and food didn’t live up to what I’d expect at a hotel of this caliber.
7 April 2026
Best hotel I have ever stayed at!
The rooms were amazing! Very clean and ambiance was excellent!
5 April 2026
Exceptional
The atmosphere
1 April 2026
Superlative as always
Excellent as always. Gorgeous hotel, beautifully lobby and well appointed rooms. Staff are superlative.
The croissants at breakfast restaurant/ coffee shop below par on 27th morning lumpy and dense. Almost inedible. The TV signal in bedroom was not functioning (didn’t matter as we didn’t watch TV)
31 March 2026
It was fun and professional. I felt important staying at such a beautiful historic hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
It is a beautiful historic hotel with a top-notch staff
29 March 2026
Fabulous
Phenomenal service from everyone at the hotel. Welcome champagne, complimentary waters, goody bags for kids, beautiful lobby. Pool on top floor was a hit. The cafe in hotel had something for the whole family. Close to restaurants and museums.
Minor issue with parking ticket validation that hotel quickly rectified.
29 March 2026
This was the nicest hotel experience we've had in a very long time.
We loved everything about the hotel. We were upgraded to a spectacular king suite. It was all just lovely.
Everything was perfect.
24 March 2026
Great location, beautiful hotel, large rooms and wonderful staff.
The staff was wonderful. Very accommodating and helpful.
23 March 2026
An impeccable hotel in an unbeatable location, with exceptional cleanliness, comfort, and service.
The location is truly unparalleled, offering effortless walkability to Milwaukee’s key attractions, restaurants, and cultural sites. The hotel itself is immaculate, and my room was maintained to the highest standard of cleanliness and comfort. It is clear why The Pfister has earned such a distinguished reputation—every aspect of the experience, from the environment to the service, reflects a commitment to excellence.
No complaints -- it was everything I anticipated and more.
23 March 2026
Beautiful hotel will be back for a weekend to enjoy
The complementary champagne was above touch
Didn’t have time really enjoy the hotel
23 March 2026
Exceptional
Everyone was so friendly and helpful! It is a beautiful place
Cannot think of anything!
21 March 2026
Family visit to Milwaukee
The location, and the room, and the accommodations were excellent.
The expresso machine clear container needed a good cleaning!
19 March 2026
Fabulous
Architecture and customer service.
Would be even more amazing if they had a hot tub in the pool area.
15 March 2026
Great hotel
Beautiful interiors
Our room overlooked the dumpster
13 March 2026
Exceptional
Great suite
There was nothing not to like
9 March 2026
Wonderful stay
Very clean respectfully friendly I love it
I liked everything
6 March 2026
Exceptional
Great location. Comfortable beds. Friendly staff.
6 March 2026
Courteous and professional
The courteous staff was quick to answer any question I had via the text message.
3 March 2026
Exceptional
Everything was very nice. Breakfast was delicious every morning and dinner at Mason Street Grill was phenomenal.
Could add a hot tub
1 March 2026
We would 100% stay here again. The hotel is beyond gorgeous.
The hotel is gorgeous!!!!
N/A
1 March 2026
AMAZING Staff, thank you for your service!
Exceptional place, will definitely return. Their attention to detail and customer respect is at a whole other level, genuinely impressed with their level of service. The rooms are ok, not impressive, which is expectable since it’s not a brand new building, but their staff make it all a fantastic experience.
We did have a small incident where I ordered room service one night and they basically.. forgot I guess? So I ended up having to wait about 2 hours on a club sandwich. But even that situation was handled with professionalism, and it was a really good club sandwich to be fair.
26 February 2026
Everything I expected from a historic hotel....and more!
I loved the historic feel, but everything felt fresh and updated. The suite was amazing. We enjoyed the cocktail lounge and a view of the lake at sunset.
No complaints
26 February 2026
A relaxing stay in a gorgeous piece of history - loved it!
The employee who checked us in was so wonderful and gave us complimentary club access when he found out we were celebrating a birthday. The glass of champagne at check-in was also an excellent touch.
My only "complaint" is that I wish they offered robes in larger sizes. We didn't get the chance to experience everything (spa, steakhouse, Blu), but what we did experience was fantastic!
25 February 2026
Beautiful hotel, great location and wonderful customer service.
We loved that there was room service, and a pool which we used- excellent view from top floor of the lake and city! We loved the location. It’s walking distance from Fiserv Forum and the riverwalk. Beautiful hotel and excellent customer service.
We ordered a blanket at night but it never came and our room’s minibar faucet didn’t work. I did mention it upon checkout and I was offered a $50 discount on the room which I thought was appropriate.
22 February 2026
Exceptional
Loved it all!!!!
21 February 2026
Exceptional
Most amazing staff, from moment walking in to restaurants, vell hops and bartenders. Never received such great service.
Our view from our room would be about the only thing I didn't like but we didn't really look out the window much, just being picky to try to think of something I didn't like.
19 February 2026
Exceptional
Everything..the hotel is amazing
The pullout bed was uncomfortable
18 February 2026
Amazing stay! Friendly staff, great food and coffee, incredible views of Milwaukee.
Classy, amazing views of the city, club lounge
None
14 February 2026
Exceptional
So gorgeous! The bars were great, staff was very attentive.
13 February 2026
The server Orlando was great
Proximity
Nothing
13 February 2026
Great, little getaway
Everything
Nothing
13 February 2026
Exceptional
Love everything about this hotel
12 February 2026
From the time I walked in I felt welcome room service was excellent. The food was excellent. The customer service was to
The property was clean and they had a very good customer service. Everything was excellent
There was nothing about the property that I didn’t like the art. The architecture of the building was just immaculate.
9 February 2026
Great staff!!
Great staff and ambiance!!
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 & 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

More photos

21 May 2026
Would definitely stay again