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Pfister Hotel
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Restaurants Hotels, Restaurants [Edit]
424 E Wisconsin AveMilwaukee, WI 53202
Neighbourhoods: East Town, Downtown
(414) 273-8222
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 am - 12 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
64 reviews for Pfister Hotel
Review Highlights
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"WIthin walking distance to art galleries, eats, and drinks." In 6 reviews -
"...going to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Bradley Street, and to..." In 4 reviews -
"This is for the Sunday brunch at the Rouge - outstanding." In 5 reviews
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64 reviews in English
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Review from Lisa M.
Milwaukee, WI
2/10/2012
There are so many angles to reviewing this classic grand dame of a hotel. As a local, I've never stayed there, but hear the rooms are solid. But as a local the lobby bar is one of my favorite places to visit with friends.
The service is wonderful there - attentive but not overly friendly unless you want to chat. It's great to get a bite of food and a cocktail and soak up the scenery. It's often a place we stop on the way to a show or out for the evening. It's fun enough to take your hip friends and classic enough to take grandma.
And truly there are few hotel lobbies in the country as elegant and historic as the Pfister's.
As we say in Milwaukee, 'stop by'! -
Review from TJ T.
Gary, IN
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good location if you are heading to the Art Museum. Also a brief walk to the nightlife. I enjoyed the hotel staff, they were very helpful.
I asked if there were any upgrades available at check-in, we were parking overnight ($25), we upgraded for $40 and got a suite in the corner, it was beautiful. I would highly recommend this hotel. -
Review from Vanessa J.
Seattle, WA
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here with my boss and his wife to patronize Pfister's dining/drinking establishments, Blu and Mason Street Grill. The valet was nice and friendly, without being informal, and valet parking was comped with our meal.
The hotel itself is absolutely beautiful: historic but updated to have all of the modern amenities you've come to expect. The bathrooms are clean and beautiful.
Mason street was great for dinner, and Blu was perfect for after dinner drinks. At the top of the hotel, Blu boasts sweeping views of the city and lake, and the table service is friendly and fast. My martini was really good, too.
Overall, all of the interaction I had with all staff at the Pfister was friendly and professional, and I hope I will have a chance to stay here soon. -
Review from Joe D.
New York, NY
5/14/2012
Totally top notch. I was given a tour of most room types by a very personable concierge. The restaurants were very good, and I made my first purchase from an artist-in-residence. Proximity to a lot of great downtown nightlife and eats, a walk down to the lake, art gallery, Summerfest, etc. Suh-weet.
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Review from Stephanie L.
Chicago, IL
1/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Nice, old, historic hotel....
So while we were there...a pipe burst and there was a flood in the lobby and spa area...please read my review of the spa for details.
Although, I have to say, the front desk here, ie Rae, really did her best to please us. She was doing the dirty work of a lot of people that day and stayed professional and cheery the whole time.
The rooms themselves were pretty standard...yes, old and historic but fairly nice. The bathroom is a very weird set up. The door is just in the way. Also I could have used better shades...I like my hotel room to be DARK. The linens on the beds were fantastic. AHHH, pure bliss.
I didnt get to check out the fitness center due to the flood and we experienced the spa...kind of.
The cafe in the front serves up s-bucks coffee. You can grab an on the go breakfast/snack or sit down. We did a sit down breakfast on Sunday. It was pretty good and ok prices for a lobby restaurant.
I also got a fantastic deal on this hotel on priceline....almost half off so it was worth it. I think if I would have paid full price, I would have been disappointed. -
Review from Brandon S.
Newport Beach, CA
12/1/2011
Stayed here a few nights for a wedding. The Pfister is an old historic hotel in the middle of downtown. There is a new wing and the original wing. All the rooms are up to date and nicely appointed. Everything is within walking distance, unless of course you're freezing your a** of....it is Wisconsin....and I'm from California. Staff was very friendly and accommodating to my wife and small kids.
We went to a Brewers game and afterwards we learned all the players from the other team were staying at the Pfister. It looks like the Pfister is THE place to stay in downtown Milwaukee.
Besides the nice hotel I have to say........WHERE IS EVERYBODY???? The city was dead! I'm used to SoCal but it was unusually quite for 3 days over a weekend......seriously empty, and it wasn't even snowing. I don't really keep up with Milwaukee, so tell me...did everybody run away, move away....what's the deal with Milwaukee?? -
Review from Janis F.
Westchester, CA
3/26/2012
WOWZA we stayed here right before Christmas and the lobby was stunning. The service was delightful and the rooms stunning. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is the coffee shop was a little tired with so so service. If you're ever in Milwaukee and you're not staying at the Pfister, just make a field trip to see the lobby, it's well worth the trip.
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Review from Jax B.
1/9/2012
We stayed at the Pfister Hotel for a night while downtown for a wedding. We enjoyed our stay in the historic section of the building. The room was traditional and clean.
Dislikes: Overnight parking in their structure was $25 and they charge for wi-fi. -
Review from Emily L.
Massillon, OH
3/13/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Such an old school rich feeling . The rooms were clean and comfortable . The cafe offers iPads for you to borrow , neat touch !
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Review from Ben M.
Milwaukee, WI
3/4/2012
Great hotel. It is a true Milwaukee staple. The architecture and decor is truly unique. Service was top notch, room was great. The hotel is close to everything on Milwaukee street..walking distance to great bars and restaurants. Plus great assortment of bars and restaurants in the hotel. You must go to the blu sky bar at the top of the tower. I would definitely recommend
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Review from Valerie W.
Arlington Heights, IL
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Almost every time I am in Milwaukee for business the company puts us up at the Pfister. Each visit is stellar - but I just got back from a 3 day stint - so, here goes!
Front desk staff - very friendly, helpful, accommodating, genuinely sincere. They enjoy their jobs.
Bell/Door men - also very friendly. Always hold the door open, greet you with a "hello" or "have a nice day."
Lobby Lounge staff - same as above. Attentive, friendly.
All staff is knowledgeable of the area, and are more than happy to make restaurant recommendations or give directions.
The rooms are comfortable, the location is within walking distance to several restaurants and bars. -
Review from Krystle H.
Lake Geneva, WI
2/8/2012
This was the perfect place for us: a romantic getaway in a historic and classy environment. It feels good to live it up in a ritzy hotel, right? The bed was a dreamy sleepy cloud. We ordered room service for breakfast and everything was perfect.
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Review from leah s.
Akron, OH
7/5/2011
After growing up in Milwaukee and now moving away I get to view the city as a tourist on my trips back. It's amazing how many things you miss when you live somewhere, this hotel being 1.
I got the Pfister for a great deal on Priceline. It was a steal for being last minute, holiday weekend and on a Friday night. Thank you Priceline for the $100 room!
Valet was easy and quick and this included our entire stay as we left a couple times to meet friends/family for dinner outside of the city. The check in was smooth and the girl helping us was very warm and friendly.
The hotel itself is gorgeous, especially the lobby. Our room was well appointed and very comfortable. Nice bath and products given. We also had a nice view which is always a plus.
The hotel has many bars and restaurants so we checked out BLU. A must stop for a drink- at anytime of the day. Gorgeous view and tasty drinks. I loved the ginger mojito. A bit pricey but the service was perfect and so was the view.
Location: Great! Easy walk to anywhere. We headed over to Water Street and spent the evening at Milwaukee Ale House, another spot I missed while living here.
Overall, we'll be back. Great hotel and staff in a wonderful spot. For someone who i always in a hotel they left a very good impression.Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 7/21/2011
Thank you so much for you kind words. We are glad you took… More » -
Review from Restaurant Vigilant E.
Schaumburg, IL
7/11/2011
We stayed 3 days over the recent 4th of July Holiday. What isn't to like? A great location, beautiful lobby, well appointed rooms, friendly staff. We stayed in a Tower room on the 17th floor. I would say that this is the best hotel in Milwaukee, certainly the most conveniently located. Its nearest competitor is a very fine hotel, but a bit more casual and way more expensive.
The Blu lounge on the 23rd floor is...well, very blue...but sophisticated and has amazing views. Go there for their beat the clock cocktail deals starting at 5 pm.
The Lounge bar in the lobby is great - I thought a $13 bloody mary was a bit steep, but it is a very opulent (though not really pretentious environment). I would probably expect to pay nearly the same at any other fine hotel.
Randy, the bar tender in the lounge was super friendly, had an extraordinary knowledge of beer, spirits etc...he was also a wealth of info on Milwaukee and we checked in with him nearly every meal time to find a new place to go for lunch or dinner. Sadly, he will be moving in a few months - The Pfister will lose a great asset.
My only critiscm...it would be that parking for guests is not included...it is an extra $25 per night. I would expect that in Chicago, but not really Milwaukee...still, parking is convenient and secure.
It doesn't get better than The Pfister...Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 7/21/2011
Wow, we like hearing the phrase "What isn't to like." We… More » -
Review from Noah C.
6/4/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Fantastic staff! The Pfister staff is easily one of the best hotel staff's that I've come in contact with, and that's saying a lot.
As for the hotel itself, there are definite plusses and minuses to staying here.
On the plus side, the hotel's old school charm and elegance is a total winner. On the minus, it's old, and that's not every one's thing. There are definite old school smells - mildew here, decaying wood there - that hit you out of nowhere on occasion.
On the plus side there downstairs bar is awesome, with some of the coolest bartenders ever. On the minus side, some of the bar clientele were...interesting, to say the least.
The rooms were nicely furnished, but again, had that old-school charm that was both a plus and a minus.
Since my wife and I arrived at 2am here, we decided to order room service - I got steak and eggs, she got french onion soup and fries. We were happy with everything, and it was actually really reasonably priced for room service food. -
Review from Colin U.
3/15/2011 ROTD 4/4/2011
Absolutely stunning. And historically Milwaukee!!! My mom stayed here for a conference for her profession and I came to visit her and take her to dinner. We had dinner in the Grill place they had there and i'm sorry I can't remember the name of it but thats not what this review is about but that restaurant WAS amazing! Now, when I met my mom I went to her room because she was impressed with it, and I can't say anything but. It was a gorgeous room elegant and modern clashing together in old-style Milwaukee. It was amazing. I also had a function here in their main... Ballroom? or Dining room on the first floor just to the right of the check-in counter. The check-in counter itself was so elegant and warms you like you have been a guest for years and nothing has changed.
The staff? Go way beyond the call of duty. I had forgotten that there was certain parking times downtime and I ran out just as our food was arriving. The manager or whoever this kind gentleman was ran to the valet and told him to move my car so my dinner wouldn't get cold! They gave me a valet ticket and parked me... FOR FREE!!!! This is what classy elegant Hotels do and the Pfister is no exception. The Ballroom or Dining room was gorgeous, massive chandeliers still in movement like frozen in time from when they were put up.
The food? Spectacular, even though it was made in bulk for as many people as we had there. Furthermore, the massive staircases gliding you to your floor made you feel like you were being whisked away in calming Victorianness. Great couches from early times offer a comforting rest from your journey.
The last thing was the bar in the lobby. This was great too! People were even having dinner there with a quiet drink and some work from the week. Simply an awesome (Websters dictionary defines Awesome as something that leaves you in Awe and Wonder) Milwaukee beacon and Everyone should have the privilege to stay or even visit here while residing in Milwaukee. -
Review from Sandy K.
3/22/2011
Great Hotel and a wonderful experience! Historically beautiful! The staff was warm, helpful, and friendly. The lobby is stunning. You can not beat the location. We enjoyed some drinks at the bar upstairs, Blu which is a must see.
I will most definetly be back! -
Review from Elan S.
Aurora, IL
5/2/2011
Was definitely not happy with both of my stays here. The first stay, I ended up in a hotel room that had its window boarded up. How can a hotel such as the pfister, or any hotel for that matter, have no window? Was pretty unbelievable. But, I was only there for one night and it was already fairly late so I did not bother getting another room.
Then, a couple months later, I had to visit downtown Milwaukee again so I figured I would give the Pfister another shot. This time, at night, I kept on hearing clicks/bangs from the pipes in the wall. It got so annoying.
But, other than that, Pfister was a nice hotel. Great customer service, an expensive steakhouse (didn't try it), and it's beautiful. Maybe I just had some bad luck with my rooms. -
Review from Shalin D.
12/7/2010
Yes, yes, the name is a little awkward but don't be afraid: this ain't no leather S&M bar.
This is a five star hotel at a three star price and possibly one of the best hotel stays I've experienced in the Midwest (even compared to Chicago).
Service:
Polite, helpful, and attentive. When I checked in, the clerk asked me if I brought a car with me. When I mentioned I dropped it off at the valet, he recommended a cheaper garage down the street if I wasn't going to use it when I was in town. The concierge was incredibly helpful in planning my stay in Milwaukee. His suggestion of going to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Bradley Street, and to the Lakefront Brewery were excellent! It's the small things that matter, too: a New York Times waiting for me in the morning, a free shoe shine when I called down to the front desk, and late night room service.
Accommodations:
This hotel is a grand dame. From the gilt wainscoting to the murals on the ceiling, everything about the lobby impresses (it reminds me of the Fairmont in San Francisco but less cheesy). It feels somewhat formal but cozy at the same time. The rooms are well-appointed. The sheets have high thread counts, the duvets are real down, and the rooms are decorated in a similar manner to The Peninsula or the Four Seasons in Chicago (but at half the price). Moreover, the rooms on top of the hotel have a breathtaking view of the Lake and the art museum (with its expanding and contracting wings).
Location:
Up the street from the art museum and lakefront, a bus ride away from Bradley Street, and a stone's throw away from a bunch of restaurants and shops - the location is perfect for the car-less.Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 12/8/2010
Thank you so much for this incredible review!! I am thrilled… More » -
Review from Karen A.
Chicago, IL
11/21/2010
The most pfabulous pflace to sleep in old world style in Milwaukee. The rooms are lovely and the environs are classic. The architectural and interior details still remain intact and kept up beautifully- unlike so many Chicago hotels of this class that sold off their decor and scaled down.
The lobby bar is cozy and has a fireplace and a pianist. Every person at this hotel was friendly and helpful. The location cannot be beat- you can walk to the historic 3rd ward or downtown, both which have many selections of wine bars, restaurants, art galleries, museums and boutiques.
Milwaukee is the most underrated city in the Midwest. If you go there you most definitely should get Pfisted. It was was a great value with ambiance and charm.Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 11/23/2010
Thank you so much for your Pfabulous review!! So happy you… More » -
Review from Augie R.
11/29/2010
My stay here was among the best lodging experiences I've ever had. The staff was spectacularly courteous and helpful, the room was well appointed and very comfortable, the common areas are ornate and beautiful, and the location in the center of Milwaukee's downtown is convenient. The bed was great and the shower may be the best shower I've ever experienced. We needed to request the room be defeathered due to my allergies, and they were very accommodating and quick.
Don't miss Blu on the top floor of the Pfister. Terrific view of Milwaukee and great drinks!Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 12/7/2010
Thank you so much for this incredible review!! It is amazing… More » -
Review from Dave C.
Chicago, IL
7/25/2011
Are you kidding? This was like staying in my grandparents house that hadn't been remodeled in 30 years and was definitely showing its age. Over the course of a year, I stayed in 7+ hotels in downtown Milwaukee. This was without a doubt the most disappointing.
1. The service was great, can't take that away from them.
2. The rooms were outdated. Definitely an old hotel in need of remodeling. Then again, I'm a W kind of guy, so maybe a certain segment likes staying in something that hasn't been updated since Nixon was president.
3. The bar and restaurant = do not waste your time.
4. Make sure you don't stay on a high level. We were right underneath the rooftop bar and the music went quite late, keeping us up.
5. The neighborhood. Boring.
In conclusion, are you serious, yelp people? The Pfister sucks if you're under 60. If you want top notch, the best thing in the city is the Iron Horse. If you want nice for less, go Intercontinental. I will never stay here again. I can't think of any reason to stay at the Pfister unless you're traveling with your grandparents and want them to feel at home.Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 8/8/2011
First of thank you for sharing your review with the other… More » -
Review from Mark R.
10/10/2011
This is an incredibly beautiful historic hotel centrally located in Milwaukee. I've stayed twice for business, once for personal. Convenient to many of Milwaukee's best offerings, the canal, lake front, art museum, third ward....the list does on and on. I've not eaten the food, only coffee from starbucks in the lobby. Staff have always been very attentive and helpful. Purchase the ramp parking option for the hotel, only couple bucks more than the public ramps but, you have unlimited exit and return. No free wi-fi in the rooms, my main complaint but, it is free in the lobby and restaurants.
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Review from Eric B.
11/29/2008
I have never actually stayed at the Pfister Hotel, but have been to a few receptions and meetings over the years. The Pfister remains a very classy and comfortable hotel with great service and flair.
I strolled in yesterday off a still "rough around the edges" Wisconsin Avenue. The lobby was awash in Christmas decorations and the tree was in the final stages of preparation for the upcoming tree lighting ceremony. This very comfortable oasis felt very homey and inviting. I could see taking Gayle here as part of a weekend that might include the Milwaukee Art Museum, a sporting event, a Friday Night Fish Fry and other fine dining, visiting friends and relatives, and even a walk on the beach.Listed in: Unique Places to Stay
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Review from Chrissy N.
Chicago, IL
6/29/2009
I stayed here with a large group for a wedding this summer weekend. I reserved a room in March (event is June 28th) for a queen room. When checking in, I asked if they had any king rooms left, and she said they are booked full, but she could manage to give me one. I thanked her, and the b'friend and I went to our room. The decor here is very lovely. Quite old fashioned, elegant, and reminiscent of another time of elegance.
We got to the room- it was a smoking room. I wish the lady at the front desk would have mentioned that. There were ashtrays and everything. I should mention that the boyfriend and I quit smoking not so long ago- so we would have preferred to avoid this. The room was quite lovely, very cush and luxurious. The view was a very pretty on of the lake and downtown Milwaukee. I don't think the A.C. was working properly though- it never did get "cool" in there, and we had it at its lowest-temp setting. The b-friend was quite irate about that once he started putting on all the layers of his shirt-suit jacket, tie, etc. So I blame the Pfister for making that difficult.
I also noticed while I was primping for the wedding event that our bathtub was very deep and long, and had jets in it. I decided Sunday morning after the event I was going to relax in there for a bit. Well, when I tried it- the jets didn't work.
The reception of the wedding we attended were in the Rouge Room near the lobby of the hotel and the room was lovely, it was cool, it was elegant, the catering was wonderful, the bar staff was great, and we had a very very good time. I would definitely recommend the Pfister for this type of event. If I had my choice again though, I may stay somewhere a little newer for the evening.
One last thing- in our room, there was a little tiny sink in the main room with a granite counter. Kind of cute, and so when the b'friend was in the restroom and I was out in the main room, I wanted to quick rinse my fingertips. Turned on the little brass faucet, and water came squirting out of the top of the faucet. AND- our TV remote control didn't work as well. Just a few too many things not working efficiently -or at all- for me to go back and spend the money I did. -
Review from Erika G.
3/8/2010 1 photo
Once you get over giggling about the name of this place, come on in and linger awhile at the gorgeous lobby bar. We stopped in here on a Sunday for Bloody Marys (I dubbed them "Bloody Pfisters").
A 5 star Bloody Mary, people. Welcome to Wisconsin. We like cheese, we like to drink, and we like our, um . . . beef sticks. Everything we like is represented here. a little beef stick, a chunk of cheddar, vodka, tomato juice, a beer chaser of your choice, AND a delicious, juicy shrimp - just to show you we clean up well and know how to class it up. Served by a charming, cute bartender who provides a pitcher of tomato juice so you can self-serve freshen your drink. Just great.
The lobby is gorgeous. Upscale elegance for a couple of casual upscale elitists. This is something Milwaukee continues to get right.
And the price is surprising for the Pfister, home of the $35 brunch buffet. -
Review from Roxanna K.
San Diego, CA
6/6/2008
Sexy. Old Hollywood Sexy. With beautiful, spacious rooms and nice views of the lake, it was a very nice stay. The beds are great with high thread count linens, real down comforters and real down pillows. After all the abuse my mother-in-law's trundle bed back in Chicago did to my neck and shoulders, this was pure heaven.
We arrived the morning of a wedding we were attending and sat in the restaurant cafe to enjoy a light lunch before the wedding. Food was very good and moderately priced. The waitress was very accommodating to our schedule. Overall, all the staff we encountered were professional and pleasant.
After the ceremony, we enjoyed some stiff drinks in the hotel lobby bar before heading off to the reception. We sunk into large cushy couches in front of a gorgeous fireplace. I felt like I was in an old black and white movie as I was enjoying my martini. "Hey, Doll. You look like you need another."
Not so sexy:
1. The toilet in our room was freakin' loud when you flushed! Gooood morning!!
2. The a/c never seemed to get very cool, but the weather was mild so it didn't matter much.
3. I had to return to the bed of nails back in Chicago. The End. :-( -
Review from Tom M.
Chicago, IL
8/12/2010
Last time I stayed here was for Valentine's Day - what a glamorous, romantic escape from Chicago! Loved the champagne, roses, and chocolate on the bed included with turn-down service!
It's a classic old hotel, that has been carefully appointed with all the modern touches we expect from a quality hotel: incredible beds, cool furniture, hd televisions, adequate wi-fi and data ports, etc.
Top-notch! WIthin walking distance to art galleries, eats, and drinks! -
Review from Dave K.
Youngstown, OH
8/6/2011
I spent a night at the Pfister while in Milwaukee for a wedding. The accommodations were top notch - especially for the price. I'd recommend heading up to the lounge on the top floor for a delicious cocktail and an amazing view of the city.
Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 8/8/2011
Thank you so much for your great review. I am happy to hear… More » -
Review from Michael S.
Denver, CO
5/12/2008
If you're even a little bit twisted you can't help but snicker at the name of this place. I was at the Pfister to see my sister and other family from all over the country.
The Pfister bills itself as the premier downtown Milwaukee hotel, which I have no reason to doubt. It is a Victorian jewel, and interesting (to a point) if Victorian turns you on.
The lobby bar is trite, and way too expensive for extensive pfisting. The food was pretty good. The piano player was unremarkable.
My Mom and daughters raved about the comfortable beds after they napped before the evening party; they loved the room.
We weren't sufficiently pfisted to stay the night, and came home.Listed in: Out of Town
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Review from Patrick W.
Hartland, WI
7/1/2011
It's this simple.....for over 300 bucks a night I expect hotel guests who know how to behave as adults, especially after midnight while others are trying to sleep; and if not, I expect the hotel to handle the problem. Unfortunately neither seem to be in vogue at The Pfister. disappointing is an understatement.
PS. Tip from the Valet - stay in the new tower as there are fewer rooms if you are in the main building be sure to get a room as far away from the banquet halls as possible which are located on six or seven and get pretty loud during events, especially weddings. -
Review from Jeff E.
Costa Mesa, CA
9/17/2010
Best and only hotel I'll stay in while in Milwaukee! Luckily for me, our home office ONLY uses the Pfister. Beautiful hotel, unbelievable staff and great amenities.
If you're staying here and need a place to eat, I offer Elsa's on the Park. Right up the street. Literally 2 blocks away.
And, there's Blu. The lounge on the top floor is a nice place cap off the night. Don't let the stuffy insurance guys bother you, in fact, they're actually good targets to make fun of! It's okay, I work with them... -
Review from Kristi H.
Chicago, IL
3/27/2010
Best hotel in Milwaukee. A little pricey for the rooms, but clearly worth it for the decor, service, and food. After a visit to a show and the casino (Potawatomi... ouch on the wallet, stupid craps table) we came back, had champagne in the room, and then ordered some buffalo wings. Standard order, great room service! They also brought me a toothbrush in the morning, and called to make sure it was delivered. Wake up call is a real person on the phone who has a charming voice. Free late checkout, validated parking, and complimentary breakfast service in the room (which has no limit mind you!) . We ordered our first breakfast at 7am and then brunch at 1pm with my grandparents. PERFECT. Wake up call, room service breakfast, nibble, sleep more, shower, nibble, brunch, nap, checkout. Yay!
May I highly recommend the brunch in the newly remodeled billiard room? AMAZING! You wont need to eat another meal for a few days. Unlimited mimosas, Bloody Mary bar, salad bar, hot food bar, pastry selection, omelette station, pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict, scrambles, sauteed veggies... need I go on?
Alas, I didn't see the bill for our lovely brunch as my grandfather is on the board there, but it surely wasn't cheap - but definitely worth it!!! -
Review from John B.
Alexandria, VA
12/15/2008
This is a must. If you don't stay here then PLEASE come have a cocktail at Blu and see the opulent old world lobby. Early happy hour usually finds the place empty then it fills up. The view is fantastic and the comfort and luxury of the surroundings make this a nice treat.
The staff at the Pfister are so nice and the room was really great. The lobby bar is fun but certainly no match for Blu upstairs.
Bring your bathing suit and take advantage of the fab indoor rooftop pool. It was empty when I was there and so peaceful. The cafe in the lobby is tasty but make sure that you go out to some of the tasty spots in town for german food. -
Review from gfiddy f.
Chicago, IL
9/6/2011
This is for the Sunday brunch at the Rouge - outstanding. One of the top brunch buffets I have been to, particularly in terms of the many options.
Comment from Joshua W. of Pfister Hotel 9/17/2011
Thank you so much. The Sunday Brunch is quite an… More » -
Review from Nicole C.
3/8/2010
The Pfister is a beautiful old hotel in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. (Chicagoans, think Palmer House).
I had an amazing weekend stay here a couple of years ago. The room wasn't large, but it was clean and immaculate.
The Sunday brunch buffet at The Rouge is awesome -- a plethora of meats, cheeses, omelette and pasta stations, fruits, veggies, and desserts for $35. -
Review from Mopsie B.
Chicago, IL
10/10/2011
Just got back from a two-night stay at the Pfister and I have to say, I do not understand the rave reviews. We were in town for a wedding and got a wedding rate. I would never stay here again for any reason. Aside from the place not being my taste at all (it's just so overbearingly stuffy and Victorian and full of itself for no reason), it just wasn't that special to me. So, I booked a room awhile back at the wedding rate for a king size room in the Towers. Instead, we were given a room with two full size beds. The bellhop (Thomas- who was incredibly professional and charming) called down to fix the error. They were "sold out" of rooms, so they gave us a room in the Governor's Suite in the main hotel as a "free upgrade" (I would think it would be free, since it was their mistake!). Later that night, we went to Blue, the nightclub at the top of the hotel, for some appetizers and drinks. They had some awful cover band playing and the element of person there was generally not well dressed. Since we'd come from a rehearsal dinner, we were pretty dolled up and expecting a little more elegance. In any case, we ordered shrimp skewers and vegetable tarts. The bartender said they were out of shrimp but brought us the tarts. They were FROZEN, served on a tiny plate and the bartender did not provide any utensils or napkins. When I told him they were frozen, he informed me that all of their apps are served cold. I then asked him for silverware and he looked totally confused before sputtering out that all of their apps are meant to be "bite-sized." I continued to ask for silverware and he finally brought me a fork ("We don't have any knives," he said) and about three paper cocktail napkins. I mean, are you kidding? This is supposed to be a luxury hotel??? We had a couple drinks and left, in search of food. Down in the lobby bar, we again ordered shrimp and...guess what?! We got it! My husband wondered aloud how the first floor had shrimp but the 23rd floor claimed to be out. We also had the thin crust pizza on the menu and that was very good. But still. Back in the room that night, we stayed up until 1:30. Unfortunately, a party was in full swing next door and we could hear every word. My husband called the front desk and we heard security come up and ask them to break it up. They didn't. So, we had to call again and this time the night manager took care of it. But again, really? I was expecting a luxury hotel. 1:30 in the morning is late enough for any guests with any class to have a little decency towards other guests. The next day, on our way to the wedding, we needed a bite to eat, so we went to the cafe off of the lobby. The host gave us menus and I decided on a dish, when she came back and said, "I apologize, but we stop serving at 2." It was two when we walked in. Could she not have said that before we came in?? And again, is this really the way a so-called "luxury" hotel operates? After the wedding, we came back about 9:30 and the valet acted as though he didn't even know us, even though we were checked in for a two-night stay. They don't keep track of your car and every time you leave, you have to re-introduce yourself to the valet and tell them what room you are in. Most hotels that I've dealt with have you on file after the first night. Also, the valets apparently feel free to mess with your radio settings because both times, they had on sports stations and my lights were messed up. I found that to be totally unprofessional, particularly at $30 a night. Overall, the only great employee we encountered was the waitress in the lobby bar and Thomas the bellhop. The room was only so-so in terms of views. The windows are nailed shut, so we couldn't get any fresh air and the bathroom had no vent or ventilation. The pillows were very mushy and the maids never cleaned the bathub/shower area on either day of our stay. I feel as though this hotel is way overrated, way overpriced and somewhat snooty. Milwaukee apparently doesn't have a lot of decent hotels and certainly no luxury hotels because if they did, the Pfister would be out of business. I feel bad saying all of this because I think some nice people work here but the hotel as a whole just doesn't work for me.
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Review from Larry J.
San Francisco, CA
10/10/2008 3 photos
Great hotel.
Friendly staff and a wonderful restaurant on top.
I had their cheese platter at the Blue Lounge on their top floor. -
Review from nancy l.
Atlanta, GA
8/22/2009 8 photos
When visiting Milwaukee, staying at the Pfister is a must! Rooms run ~$150/night. There are smoking and non-smoking available. The hotel has lower floor rooms in the main building and upper floor rooms in the Tower. For good views of the surrounding area, specify when booking that you want the Tower room located on floor 14 or higher. The Tower rooms have large, curved bay windows that capture the views beautifully! The hotel has 23 floors.
The rooms are large, spacious, and luxurious. The bed consist of a feather down mattress topper, high quality cotton sheets, and a light weight feather down comforter on top. Rooms come with the standard high plasma flat panel screen TV discreetly hidden in a armoire, writing desk and hard back chair, plush chair with ottoman, tea table, and luxury bed with side tables. The bath consists of the standard tub/shower and toilet (loud flush). The granite topped vanity contains a large well lit mirror, sink, and make-up mirror. Guests are provided with complimentary bath robes to use while staying at the hotel (Guests can purchase ones to take home in the lobby gift shop.) The hotel is suppose to have a hair dryer but I never located one and was forced to go buy one at Target after check-in. Note: mini fridge offered by request only ($50/night). No microwaves.
The Pfister offers guests and locals Sunday brunch in the main dining room @ $35/person (buffet). Otherwise guests can dine inside the hotel at the Cafe or the lobby piano bar. Breakfast menu is extensive with a variety of selections. As an example one can pay $10 for toast, coffee, fruit, and cereal with a complimentary 4oz. pear smoothie. Lunch menu choices are also extensive, pricing out at $12 for a large fresh burger with potato fries. Try the onion rings! They will blow your mind! Drinks at the bar are $8.
The Pfister also offers guests panoramic city views at the roof top bar called The Blu. Enjoy a late night martini @ $13 while gazing out at the sunset over the city's skyscrapers. If you are not a night owl, guests can also enjoy the views from The Blue on Saturday and Sunday at 3PM for afternoon tea.
The downtown location of the Pfister is convenient for guests who want to venture down to the famous Milwaukee Art Museum, walk along the beautiful riverfront boardwalk, ride the free Trolley for sightseeing through the downtown area (Summer only), shop at the historic Old World 3rd Street Market, bike along the lakefront through the extensive Veteran's Park, or drink at any one of Milwaukee's famous breweries. Be sure to check the festival schedule during a summer stay for access to a great show at the downtown fairgrounds.
The Pfister hotel is home to one of the most luxurious spas in all of Milwaukee. Be sure to book time at the Well Spa for a facial or a relaxing massage! The Janice Salon also provides guests with high quality salon care for hair, nails and make up. The fitness studio offering a complete range of fitness services and activities including select individual personal training and conditioning classes to hotel guests.
WiFi service inside the hotel is free only in the lobby and piano bar. Guests pay $10/ day to access the Internet by connecting to the cable inside the hotel rooms. There are various coffee bars located within walking distance of the hotel that also offer free WiFI service.
Note: The Pfister Hotel has no free transportation from the airport. To get to the hotel guests must book a roundtrip reservation on the downtown shuttle service (~$25/person) or take the taxi or bus. If guests rent a car, note that the Pfister has no free parking. Guests must pay $25/night to park in the Pfister parking garage.
If traveling to Milwaukee be sure to book a room at the Pfister Hotel. The hotel's eloquence and charm are reasons enough to stay at one of Milwaukee's finest gems. You will create memories here that will stay with you all of your life! -
Review from Natalie S.
Chicago, IL
8/8/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Ohhhh... fancy.
So we were going to the Wisconsin State Fair and wanted to spend the night in Milwaukee. Went to http://hotels.com and got a rate of $130 a night (plus taxes) at the Pfister and thought it sounded like a pretty good deal for a nice hotel, so we booked it. Last year we stayed at the Hilton in downtown Milwaukee but it was only so-so so we decided we wanted to switch it up.
The lobby is absolutely lovely and I was sad that I am prego because it would have been fun to have a martini in the lobby lounge. Oh well, maybe next year.
The staff were INSANELY friendly and pleasant. The woman that checked us in was not only efficient and helpful but SUPER nice. She even asked us if she could help us find dinner reservations. We had it under control but it was still a nice touch.
The rooms were above average, for sure. The view (we were in the tower and had a lake view) was lovely and we were even treated to a fireworks show off the lake around 9pm. The beds were comfortable and soft, just as I like them. The bathrooms were nice, toiletries were ample sized and good products.
It's conveniently located downtown within walking distance to lots of what appeared to be popular bars and restaurants. While walking to dinner we noticed restaurants serving sushi, Cuban food, Thai, steak... you name it, it seemed to be around the corner.
I didn't use the pool but my husband had some issues with the chlorine levels. His eyes were burning and really bothered him the rest of the evening after being in the pool for just a short amount of time. We probably should have talked to management about this but since we immediately left for dinner, didn't get a chance.
However, the sign near our door said that the regular rate for the room was $329 and I would have NEVER paid that much for what we got. I really liked our deal, however, and would definitely stay again with a similar rate.
