The Pfister Hotel
424 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
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Room & Suite (242)
Dining (71)
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View allAbout
4.5
#9 of 64 hotels in MilwaukeeLocation
4.8
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.7
Value
4.4
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Located just a few blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan, guests of The Pfister Hotel enjoy a four star luxury experience in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. The Pfister is moments away from the Milwaukee Art Museum, Summerfest Grounds, multiple museums, theaters, shopping, nightlife and dining destinations within walking distance. The Pfister is in the center of it all.
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Property amenities
Electric vehicle charging station
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Evening entertainment
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Taxi service
Valet parking
Paid private parking on-site
Free wifi in the business center
Paid internet
Pool with view
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Happy hour
Special diet menus
Vending machine
Rooftop bar
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Full body massage
Makeup services
Manicure
Massage
Massage chair
Neck massage
Pedicure
Salon
Waxing services
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Executive lounge access
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
ATM on site
Butler service
Doorperson
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Shoeshine
Room features
Allergy-free room
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Bath / shower
Interconnected rooms available
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
On-demand movies
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
City view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
424 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 91 out of 100
91
96 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
4.5
3,354 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Pfister Hotel garners acclaim for its historic elegance and central location, with guests often noting the convenience for exploring nearby attractions. While the amenities and service are highlighted for their luxurious feel and attentiveness, opinions on value are split, with some travelers finding the experience worth the cost and others deeming it pricey.
Room comfort generally satisfies guests, but complaints about noise and occasional cleanliness oversights are mentioned. The hotel's atmosphere, with its Victorian charm, is frequently praised, though some areas are pointed out as needing a refresh.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Historic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Noise level
Noisy
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Opulent
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3,354Reviews28Q+A100Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
The Pfister used to be an elegant escape from reality, even on a business trip. The property was beautiful, desk staff used to be friendly, professional, and accommodating. My recent business trip was marked by changes in that former charm. I'd booked a king suite. When I checked in, there was no comment about any change, but I went to the room and it was not a suite. A call to the desk assured me I would be moved. A return call from the desk told me that I had been "upgraded" to this room. I pointed out that it was smaller and less expensive than the king suite, for which I had paid. Then, the person at the front desk said that the king suites were being renovated, but that I would be granted complementary access to the Floor 23 lounge and that I would receive a room service credit. The room they had me in already had access to the lounge, and so, this was not a benefit. I asked if there would be a refund of the difference on the room rate and was told, no there would not. I ordered one room service dinner in a three-night stay and there was no room service credit. It just left me sad that this once grand facility was slipping closer to a Motel 6. Great service is really hard to find and to maintain, even for fine old hotels.
The hotel restaurants (Cafe and Grill) are still outstanding. And service there is excellent. Housekeeping is also efficient, friendly, and proficient. The property is still very well kept. The folks who staffed the lounge on the 23rd floor were friendly, efficient, and excellent, too.
The hotel restaurants (Cafe and Grill) are still outstanding. And service there is excellent. Housekeeping is also efficient, friendly, and proficient. The property is still very well kept. The folks who staffed the lounge on the 23rd floor were friendly, efficient, and excellent, too.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TerryT2081, Guest Relations Manager at The Pfister Hotel
Responded Feb 3, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us, BJK. We're very sorry to hear about some of the complications and inconveniences you encountered while at our hotel. I will inform the proper leadership so that we can try to fix and correct those issues.If you'd like to discuss the matter further please feel free to reach out to our hotel at 414-273-8222 at your convenience. We appreciate your patience and we hope you can join us again for future reservations. Yours in hospitality, Terry T. Pfister Guest Relations
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We love historic Hotels and found the Pfister in my historic hotels of America book… It turned out to be one of our favorites! And we have been to many. The lobby is breathtaking and the staff was the friendliest we have ever encountered! It started when we drove up and asked a very nice person sweeping the sidewalk where we should park to check in, then the person checking us in was so sweet and welcoming, next the person that helps with luggage (even though we didn’t need him for that) showed us which elevator to use, and a person delivering room service saw we were having trouble finding our room and showed us where it was… Upon leaving we ran into management and they were equally as friendly! Our room was really nice, clean & quiet, it was on the mezzanine level which had a lot of historic photos of the hotel and large sitting area. That evening we ate and had drinks at the lobby bar and the next morning had breakfast at the café ~ both were wonderful. I would definitely visit this hotel again and highly recommend it.
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Date of stay: May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveler reviews.
While many hotels did not even return my call, the Pfister offered me the use of a ballroom so that we could put each person as his/her own 6 foot table. The arrangement worked very well. The hotel has hand sanitizers available throughout the hotel, which I appreciated. I think the Pfister is doing everything it can to make travelers feel safe and I really salute the efforts.
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Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have had the most magical time at The Pfister and look forward to returning.
We were guests in room 1912 and celebrating a birthday. It was also convenient to our daughter who is an emerging professional resident at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Advance requests for in room amenities, dining reservations and other accommodations were responded to promptly, and with efficiency.
Time spent at the W spa was well worth it. The experience was magical and our therapists were exceptional. We enjoyed the nail salon, massages and facial from skilled aestheticians.
So necessary and overdue.
Our server at Blu was always friendly and a wealth of knowledge about the area.
The property was conveniently located to all points of interest. Traffic was light and the weather cooperated well. 😎
The property is amazing in many respects and we were awestruck with the thoughtful touches toward balancing preservation and modernization.
I’m writing this and have not yet seen our friendly ghost, but frankly really hope to miss!
Thank you for your efforts Pfister hotel. We appreciate your space during this difficult time and value everything seen and unseen involved in creating this haven for travelers.
NB
We were guests in room 1912 and celebrating a birthday. It was also convenient to our daughter who is an emerging professional resident at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Advance requests for in room amenities, dining reservations and other accommodations were responded to promptly, and with efficiency.
Time spent at the W spa was well worth it. The experience was magical and our therapists were exceptional. We enjoyed the nail salon, massages and facial from skilled aestheticians.
So necessary and overdue.
Our server at Blu was always friendly and a wealth of knowledge about the area.
The property was conveniently located to all points of interest. Traffic was light and the weather cooperated well. 😎
The property is amazing in many respects and we were awestruck with the thoughtful touches toward balancing preservation and modernization.
I’m writing this and have not yet seen our friendly ghost, but frankly really hope to miss!
Thank you for your efforts Pfister hotel. We appreciate your space during this difficult time and value everything seen and unseen involved in creating this haven for travelers.
NB
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Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken Gjika, Guest Services / Front Office at The Pfister Hotel
Responded Apr 20, 2021
Hello Cocoapuffstx, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us. We are thrilled you were able to enjoy so many of the marvelous amenities the Pfister has to offer. Our focus is to give you peace of mind and ensure a safe and exceptional stay at The Pfister Hotel. Nothing is more important to us than the well-being of our guests and associates. We do hope to see you again soon. Thank you
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If i could sum up my experience in one word, it would be INCREDIBLE. From the moment we checked in, the staff greeted us with smiles and were beyond helpful offering suggestions for things to do in the city. Andrew at Front Desk and Donovan(?) at the Bell Stand were two gentlemen that truly made our experience better. Our room was beautiful, the bed was comfortable and the rooms appeared to be upgraded while maintaining the old school charm of the hotel. They did an amazing job with safety and cleanliness which is a concern for many right now during the pandemic. The location was amazing as we were able to walk to everything we wanted to do such as the lake front trail, the riverfront and the public market. Although we were only there for 24 hours, it was beyond worth it. I wish we could have stayed longer!
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Date of stay: June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My family just spent a week in Milwaukee and we stayed at the Pfister during our stay. It was great from beginning to end. The staff was very courteous and always greeted us when we were walking around the hotel. If you are about to stay there just note that the Club Lounge is closed and they aren't doing daily housekeeping. We had Club access with our rooms, but since it wasn't open they upgraded us to King Suites. The do have a nice cafe downstairs that serves the typical breakfast fare. We had good service each day and the food was good. The hotel didn't get busy until Friday (July 4th weekend). All the surfaces were well-maintained and cleaned. There are two parts of the hotel depending on what type of experience you want. They have a tower ( currently not open) which has more contemporary rooms, and the historic part of the hotel. We stayed in the historic part. The suites are very nice and we didn't encounter any problems. Also, note that they currently aren't doing valet parking, but do have a parking garage which can be accessed off Mason St. The hotel is in a great location in the east part of downtown and close to many shops, restaurants and attractions. If you are staying in Milwaukee I would recommend the Pfister.
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Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've worked in the hotel hospitality business at a upscaleplace for many years so for me to give such a bad review is disappointing on all levels.
We were so excited for this trip, splurging on the heritage suite for the night and it was down hill from the time we got there. My fiance and I arrived for a one night stay on October 2nd and from the beginning it was a let down. We pulled up to a rude valet. I understand there was a wedding that night and they were busy but the welcome we received was less than enthusiastic. You could tell they wanted to be anywhere but there at the moment and it felt like we couldn't get our bags out of our car fast enough.
We walked up to the front desk and as we walked in we realized a big wedding g was there. Really wish we could have gotten some kind of advanced notice on that. Check in was supposed to begin at 3, we arrived at 430 and told the room still wasn't ready. Really? Im paying $650 for one night and you can't have the room ready when we arrive? The young man was very nice and asked us to wait and he'd let us know when it was ready. Sat in the very busy lounge for 30 minutes before I finally went up to the desk to ask about the room again. This time I spoke with a young woman and she called on the radio to ask about the room which the housekeeper told her,"I don't know." The front desk girl then had to run up to our room herself to check on it, come to find out it had been ready the whole time.
Finally we get to the room, its fine but not worth the money spent on it for one night. I was surprised after seeing the pictures online that it was just very plain.
I'm not sure what was going on in the city that night but we couldn't get a reservation for dinner anywhere before 9pm so we ended up ordering room service. It took 45 minutes for the food to arrive and then, they forgot our drinks so the gentleman had to go back downstairs to get them for us. I had asked for no tomatoes on my salad and shocker, it had tomatoes.
We ended up checking out early before breakfast since neither one of us got any sleep due to the loud people next to our room. Again, I understand there was a wedding there but some notice of this would have been nice, we definitely would have reserved a different weekend for example. Also at that point there was no reason to wait for breakfast as I'm sure it would have been just as crowded and disappointing.
Overall, we will not be back. Really glad we wasted $800 for our special night to only be severely disappointed.
We were so excited for this trip, splurging on the heritage suite for the night and it was down hill from the time we got there. My fiance and I arrived for a one night stay on October 2nd and from the beginning it was a let down. We pulled up to a rude valet. I understand there was a wedding that night and they were busy but the welcome we received was less than enthusiastic. You could tell they wanted to be anywhere but there at the moment and it felt like we couldn't get our bags out of our car fast enough.
We walked up to the front desk and as we walked in we realized a big wedding g was there. Really wish we could have gotten some kind of advanced notice on that. Check in was supposed to begin at 3, we arrived at 430 and told the room still wasn't ready. Really? Im paying $650 for one night and you can't have the room ready when we arrive? The young man was very nice and asked us to wait and he'd let us know when it was ready. Sat in the very busy lounge for 30 minutes before I finally went up to the desk to ask about the room again. This time I spoke with a young woman and she called on the radio to ask about the room which the housekeeper told her,"I don't know." The front desk girl then had to run up to our room herself to check on it, come to find out it had been ready the whole time.
Finally we get to the room, its fine but not worth the money spent on it for one night. I was surprised after seeing the pictures online that it was just very plain.
I'm not sure what was going on in the city that night but we couldn't get a reservation for dinner anywhere before 9pm so we ended up ordering room service. It took 45 minutes for the food to arrive and then, they forgot our drinks so the gentleman had to go back downstairs to get them for us. I had asked for no tomatoes on my salad and shocker, it had tomatoes.
We ended up checking out early before breakfast since neither one of us got any sleep due to the loud people next to our room. Again, I understand there was a wedding there but some notice of this would have been nice, we definitely would have reserved a different weekend for example. Also at that point there was no reason to wait for breakfast as I'm sure it would have been just as crowded and disappointing.
Overall, we will not be back. Really glad we wasted $800 for our special night to only be severely disappointed.
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Date of stay: October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have always wanted to stay at the Phister Hotel and finally had an opportunity to book a one night stay last weekend. So many of the historic hotels in other cities have been purchased by the large international chains that sell the art and collections and turn them into just places to stay.
Not so with this hotel. It is owned locally and it is a testament to the Marcus Family for maintaining the authenticity of this grand dame. Although totally modern in every aspect, it has a feel of traveling back in time to a more gracious period in our history.
The hotel is in the heart of Milwaukee, a few blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan. Parking is available and convenient and allows easy access if you need to leave the property. There is a charge for parking, but we had a promotion for parking for a penny, which is a great deal compared to most downtown hotels.
Make sure you check out their fine art collection in the ballrooms on the 7th floor.
Another great feature is the rooftop bar called BLU. Great cocktails and great views of the city. Try the new old fashioned. There is also an upscale steakhouse on the property called Mason Street Grill.
Last but not least, the service was as fine as any hotel I have stayed in, the staff well trained and helpful.
My only disappointment was not having a nocturnal visit from the spirit of the hotel's founding patriarch, Charles Phister. Perhaps on my next stay.
Not so with this hotel. It is owned locally and it is a testament to the Marcus Family for maintaining the authenticity of this grand dame. Although totally modern in every aspect, it has a feel of traveling back in time to a more gracious period in our history.
The hotel is in the heart of Milwaukee, a few blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan. Parking is available and convenient and allows easy access if you need to leave the property. There is a charge for parking, but we had a promotion for parking for a penny, which is a great deal compared to most downtown hotels.
Make sure you check out their fine art collection in the ballrooms on the 7th floor.
Another great feature is the rooftop bar called BLU. Great cocktails and great views of the city. Try the new old fashioned. There is also an upscale steakhouse on the property called Mason Street Grill.
Last but not least, the service was as fine as any hotel I have stayed in, the staff well trained and helpful.
My only disappointment was not having a nocturnal visit from the spirit of the hotel's founding patriarch, Charles Phister. Perhaps on my next stay.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TerryT2081, Guest Relations Manager at The Pfister Hotel
Responded Feb 3, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review with us, Don. We truly appreciate the gracious feedback you provided. We delighted to hear the views, the staff, the art and Blu could all add up to make your stay so wonderful! As The Pfister Hotel continues to strive for consistent excellence in service, it is our goal to make certain that all your expectations are exceeded by our People Pleasing philosophy. We hope we have done just that! We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Yours in hospitality, Terry T. Pfister Guest Relations
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The rooms are very outdated. The furniture was dirty, ceiling in the bathroom was moldy. Water pressure was very poor and the water very hard. We needed a rollaway bed, a crib and a microwave. All came within 10 mins of putting the request in. The microwave we received was insanely dirty inside and out. It literally was taken from a room and put in ours without it being cleaned. Got a replacement and that one was cleaner but the handle and outside was still sticky from old food. The pack n play we received was in decent shape but they do not have crib sheets. Thankfully I always bring my own, but if you are traveling with young kids, keep this in mind. Cafe which was supposed to close at 4pm (per your own website and everywhere I checked) closed at 3pm. Had to sit in the lounge with 2 small kids to get food. It took forever to get our food, once the food came it was cold and gross. Honestly, for the price we paid and it being a '4 star hotel' we expected a lot more. We stayed in 3 star hotels for a lot less and had gotten a lot more and much better hotel rooms. Staff was super friendly and helpful.
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Date of stay: July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I spent a short weekend here for our wedding anniversary.
It was a phenomenal experience.
This historic hotel is the height elegance and beauty with a staff overflowing with a welcoming and friendly attitude.
Walking past the stunning art, the artist in residence’s gallery, and the captivating ornamentation creates a seamless experience of wonder as you head to the luxurious and comfortable rooms.
With the variety of on-site delectable restaurants, cafe, pool, services and more - you almost forget that the location is perfect in the heart of Milwaukee, right off the lake, with a wealth of things to do all around you.
As vibrant as this exhilarating hotel is, a special thanks and note of appreciation for the “butler” and to Dominic for making our stay extra wonderful with amenities and advice and a generous spirit.
Will definitely return and highly recommend.
Well done!
It was a phenomenal experience.
This historic hotel is the height elegance and beauty with a staff overflowing with a welcoming and friendly attitude.
Walking past the stunning art, the artist in residence’s gallery, and the captivating ornamentation creates a seamless experience of wonder as you head to the luxurious and comfortable rooms.
With the variety of on-site delectable restaurants, cafe, pool, services and more - you almost forget that the location is perfect in the heart of Milwaukee, right off the lake, with a wealth of things to do all around you.
As vibrant as this exhilarating hotel is, a special thanks and note of appreciation for the “butler” and to Dominic for making our stay extra wonderful with amenities and advice and a generous spirit.
Will definitely return and highly recommend.
Well done!
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Date of stay: February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I never feel like there are any and I always stay in the old part.
No idea. I would guess it could be any age as long as the person has a valid credit card.
yes they do
"The Club Lounge not only has a private space for evenings but serves a fabulous breakfast buffet. "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$215 - $365 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
pfister hotel milwaukee
LOCATION
United StatesWisconsinMilwaukeeDowntown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
307
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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