Where to Stay

Choosing the right accommodations when visiting Milwaukee can elevate your experience from mere sightseeing to full immersion. With a number of historic and boutique hotels showcasing the city’s Art Deco past as well as its Brew City present, Milwaukee’s hotels invite guests to stay and linger awhile. From youthful hotels with chic cocktail bars to the opportunity to stay in an actual work of contemporary art, choosing the right place to stay in Milwaukee can shape your entire trip. Whether you’re traveling for business or for fun, this guide to the best hotels in Milwaukee will ensure your bed is more than just a place to lay your head at night.

 

Hotels

The Iron Horse Hotel — A self-proclaimed “moto-centric” hotel, The Iron Horse is a top choice for visitors wanting to revel in an upscale adaptation of Milwaukee grit. Their onsite restaurant and bar drip with locally inspired flavors from Wisconsin’s beer, meat, and cheese. Guest rooms’ exposed wood and brick interiors pay homage to the architecture of this historic building.

Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown — The Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown puts guests in the heart of Milwaukee’s Brewery District, a short stroll to the Milwaukee RiverWalk. Enjoy a local beer from their bar while taking in the city’s skyline from the hotel’s bright and casual outdoor seating area.

Brewhouse Inn and Suites — Located inside the former Pabst Brewery, the Brewhouse Inn and Suites offers visitors a uniquely Milwaukee experience. The lobby’s copper brewing kettles remind guests of the building’s beer-laden history, while the rooms have luxurious modern amenities like oversized showers.

Radisson Milwaukee Airport — Fewer than three miles from General Mitchell International Airport, the Radisson Milwaukee Airport hotel offers complimentary shuttles to and from the airport, making it an ideal option for travelers only flying in for a short visit. Downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan are only a 15-minute drive away, so guests can make the most of a long layover.

Hotel Metro — Ideal for Art Deco enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic getaway, Hotel Metro Milwaukee fully embraces the city’s architectural heritage. This historic 1930s hotel in Milwaukee’s Art and Financial District features clean lines and fresh colors, bringing a contemporary vibe to traditional Art Deco. They also provide a Wag ’N’ Stay package if you’re traveling with your dog.

Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown — Located in Milwaukee’s historic Loyalty Building, which dates from the 1820s, the Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown has shed itself of a typical chain hotel atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city invites guests to stay inside, but the hotel’s short walking distance to Milwaukee’s best restaurants and museums ensure visitors make the most of their stay.

 

Luxury Hotels

Delafield Hotel — Ideal for those who want to experience Milwaukee as well as Wisconsin’s scenic Lake Country, the Delafield Hotel is technically located in a town of the same name, a half-hour’s drive from downtown Milwaukee. Delafield is in the heart of Wisconsin’s glaciated Kettle Moraine region, providing guests easy access to some of the state’s best hiking trails while still sitting right on Milwaukee’s doorstep.

The Pfister Hotel — Old World elegance defines the historic Pfister Hotel, which opened in 1893 as the “Grand Hotel of the West.” The ornate lobby features an opulent staircase and a painted ceiling that would impress Michelangelo’s fans. The Pfister sets the standard for lavish accommodation in Milwaukee, and with a relatively modest price point (rooms start at $179 USD per night), it’s hard to resist this luxurious hotel option.

Saint Kate The Arts Hotel — Inspired by the arts, Saint Kate The Arts Hotel recognizes established and emerging artists throughout the country in every guest room. Perfect for those who want to be inspired by their surroundings, guests can even opt to stay in one of the Canvas Rooms, a living piece of art designed by a local artist.

Milwaukee Marriott Downtown — In the heart of East Town, Milwaukee Marriott Downtown’s location is hard to beat. Mere steps from the Fiserv Forum, Lake Michigan, and the Historic Third Ward district, guests will have the best of Milwaukee at their feet. If even that feels too far, the onsite East Town Kitchen + Bar is a destination in and of itself — if only for the super-sized Blood Mary.

Kimpton Journeyman Hotel — Perhaps the most Instagrammable hotel in Milwaukee, the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the heart of the historic Third Ward begs for photos. They even offer guests a build-your-own pinhole camera with film to help them capture the moment. Excellent city views, attention to detail in every guest room, and luxurious bathrooms offer even more reason to call the Journeyman home when in Milwaukee.

Hyatt Regency Milwaukee — Standing tall in the heart of downtown, the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee features some of the best views of the city, especially from the rooftop ballroom. Their onsite restaurant serves Wisconsin favorites, like Usinger’s sausage and deep-fried cheese curds, both best washed down with an only-in-Wisconsin pour of Spotted Cow.

Ambassador Hotel Milwaukee — Every local knows the Ambassador Hotel Milwaukee, thanks to its iconic neon sign sitting high over downtown. Another excellent choice for architecture enthusiasts, the Ambassador’s facade features the region’s best example of Milwaukee’s Art Deco era. Though slightly outside the heart of downtown, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to many destinations throughout the city.

 

Hostels and Budget Accomodations

Cream City Hostel — Cream City Hostel, a Milwaukee newcomer and the city’s only hostel, offers affordable dorm-style accommodations. Perfect for groups on a budget or those who enjoy the social and communal atmosphere of cohabiting in a shared space, Cream City hostel features on-site bike rentals, evening activities, and a location in the heart of Riverwest, all within a historic 1920s former bank.

County Clare Irish Inn and Pub — Milwaukee’s best (if only) Irish-themed hotel offers a unique stay at a budget price, with Gaelic signage and hand-crafted bedding bringing an Old World charm to this often-recommended property. Enjoy traditional Irish fare and brews in the pub, but be careful — if you fall in love with all things Irish, staff can help you book a tour package to Ireland itself.

 

Guesthouses

Kinn Guesthouse — Kinn Guesthouse feels like staying at a friend’s house if that friend has impeccable taste and a knack for thoughtful touches, like a bright blue sliding bathroom door and framed art prints hanging just so. Guests enjoy access to the comforts of home, with a kitchen and laundry room, in addition to the luxuries of a hotel, such as the fully equipped gym. Owned and operated by Milwaukee locals, Kinn Guesthouse aims to ensure every visitor has a genuinely immersive experience in Midwest culture.

Manderley Bed and Breakfast Inn — For guests who want to feel like they’ve stepped back in time and stumbled into a Victorian mansion, the Manderley Bed and Breakfast Inn is a perfect choice thanks to its status on the National Register of Historic Places. Dating from the late 1800s, the home showcases hand-painted ceilings, stained-glass windows, and elegant furnishings that somehow don’t feel stuffy or outdated.

The Muse Gallery Guesthouse — Located in the heart of Bayview, the Muse Gallery Guesthouse sits conveniently in a residential area midway between General Mitchell International Airport and downtown Milwaukee. In addition to a cheese and wine welcome, the owners serve a gourmet breakfast every morning, and each room features pieces from local artists.