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AAA Four-Diamond Hotel on the National Register of Historic Places
Powered By TripAdvisorCentrally located among famed museums, lakefront parks, and the city’s renowned breweries, Milwaukee’s grand dame, The Pfister Hotel has welcomed guests with its lobby lions, fireside lounge, and extensive art collection since 1893. To this day, this Victorian masterpiece and five-star architectural icon continues to be the top spot for all out-of-towners. Complementing this rich history, modern experiences set the AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel apart from other downtown hotels. Dine at the popular steakhouse Mason Street Grill, sip a signature martini while admiring Lake Michigan views from top-floor Blu, and take pleasure in the old-world charm of its guestrooms.
- Honored with the AAA Four Diamond Designation for 45 consecutive years
- Regularly listed among Condé Nast Traveler’s “World’s Best Places to Stay”
- Admire panoramic city and lake views — and inspired jazz — at the 23rd-floor bar, Blu
- Dine on tender wood-grilled steaks and delicious seafood at Mason Street Grill
- Treat yourself to a Remineralizing Hydrotherapy Bath or Hammam Steam Shower and Mud Spa at the WELL Spa + Salon
- Celebrate the expansive Victorian art collection — the largest of its kind of any hotel in the world — and world-famous Artist-in-Residence program
- Interact with the art and history of the hotel with the Augmented Reality Tour on your smartphone or tablet
Discover the impressive Victorian art collection on a hotel tour with the Artist-in-Residence, an up-and-coming artist who works in an open studio on the premises as part of a one-year partnership with the hotel. Learn from the Pfister Narrator about Antonio Torres’ "Grecian Girl," Alexander Pope’s "The Dog," and the two bronze lions, affectionately known as Dick and Harry, who have been watching over the hotel’s lobby and greeting visitors for more than 125 years.
Hotel Amenities
Accommodations
The 307 guestrooms and suites at The Pfister Hotel keep things classic with polished wood, cool pastel colors, floral bed throws, and feather bed toppers. Whether you choose accommodations in the main historical hotel or the renovated modern tower, you’ll benefit from majestic views of the city or Lake Michigan and amenities that anticipate every need. Freshen up in your Tower Room’s marble walk-in shower with WELL Spa toiletries or, if you upgrade to the three-room Pfister Governor’s suite, savor a long soak in the generous bathtub.
Club Rooms include access to the 23rd-floor Pfister Club Lounge for complimentary breakfast, light snacks, and evening appetizers in an atmosphere similar to a grand library. You can also make use of the club’s business services and concierge. There’s also 24-hour in-room dining available — ideal if you keep late hours — and special pet packages if you are traveling with your best friend.
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Dining
From breakfast at sidewalk terrace Café at The Pfister and brunch at The Rouge to dinner at Chophouse Mason Street Grill, The Pfister Hotel caters to all your dining needs. End the day with a house-specialty martini at top-floor Blu or in the grand Lobby Lounge.
Mason Street Grill – Take a seat in a leather booth at Mason Street Grill to dine on a succulent steak or fried surf clams in buttermilk batter. Take a Hendrick’s Mule gin cocktail onto the patio before the live jazz music starts, or sit at the chef’s counter to watch the bustling kitchen prepare a special themed menu.
Blu – With panoramic views of Milwaukee and Lake Michigan from the 23rd floor, Blu is one of the city’s most popular cocktail bars. There’s live music on Fridays and Saturdays and happy hour from Monday through Thursday — a great time to mingle with locals.
Café at The Pfister – Open for breakfast and lunch, Café at The Pfister serves quality coffee, and breakfast items, including buttermilk pancakes and eggs Benedict, a variety of sandwiches, and homemade soups.
The Rouge – Sunday brunch is served in the historic dining room of The Rouge. Indulge in waffles with whipped cream and chocolate chips, bone-in gusto ham, or ricotta and spinach ravioli with Maine lobster. Pair with an award-winning Bloody Mary.
Lobby Lounge – The elegant Lobby Lounge dazzles with ceiling art and chandeliers. Sip a fine whiskey on a couch by the fire with soft piano music playing in the background.
Activities at The Pfister Hotel
Engage with the hotel’s art collection with The Pfister Augmented Reality Tour. Download the app and wander through the hotel scanning various artworks to reveal the history of each piece. Swim laps any time of year in the 23rd-floor, city-view indoor pool, or work out in the gym. Then relieve tight, sore, over-stressed muscles with an extended massage at WELL Spa + Salon.
Milwaukee is famed for its festivals, especially during the summer, but there is no shortage of options for music and culture at any time of the year. Head to Milwaukee Art Museum, an architectural stunner with giant white wings that open and close each day; the Harley-Davidson Museum, home to the oldest known Harley; or PABST Theatre for jazz, blues, or world music. Browse the Historic Third Ward warehouse district for the public market and various boutiques. And don’t forget beer. Milwaukee’s rich history is rooted in beer, so there are brewery tours and a bar for every taste, from traditional Irish pubs to German-style beer halls and modern upscale clubs.
Location
In the heart of downtown Milwaukee, The Pfister Hotel is right in the arts and entertainment district, three blocks from Lake Michigan. Milwaukee is a 90-minute drive north of downtown Chicago, just over the state border in Wisconsin.
Address
424 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Transportation
- Airport
- General Mitchell International Airport is 8.5 mi / 14 km from the hotel.
- O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is 80 mi / 129 km away.
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Reviews
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"First Class Experience"in MIlwaukee is the benchmark for all others
Mon Apr 07 2025 09:40:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Ed L D
The entire classic Pfister experience was excellent. The new room renovations in the original wing of the building were excellent. The most memoralble where the professionlism of the entire staff. The buidling was spotless. My son's wedding was held in the ballroom over the weekend and that event was also flawless. The setup and transistion of the ballroom between the ceremony and dinner was perfect. Another example of the outanding staff and managemnt of the hotel.
Absolutely Lovely Experience!
Sun Apr 06 2025 22:08:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by legov65
From the elegant surroundings to the gracious and welcoming staff, our family stay was once again an absolutely lovely experience. We all love the Pfister and look forward to many happy returns. Thank you to the entire staff at the Pfister for helping us create beautiful family memories!
Great experience
Sun Apr 06 2025 14:05:44 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Sam K
Nice room. Nice bathroom. In room 214 there was a door to a closet which seemed unnecessary, but there wasn’t a door between the first and second rooms, which would’ve been nice and would have blocked out some of the noise from the second floor. There also wasn’t any coffee for the keurig
Consistantly Fabulous
Sat Apr 05 2025 22:43:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by t d
Thanks for the special touches for making my wifes birthday even better than expected. Wonderful dinner at Mason Grill after arriving. Used the special that included parking and club access. It included a nice breakfast upstairs. Appreciated the late checkout since we drove from Chicago. Made the rest of our day in Milwaukee a pleasure. The Pfister is consistantly fabulous.
Wonderful, classic hotel!
Sat Apr 05 2025 10:34:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by jimkrzmarzick
Wonderful, classic stay! We had heard about the Pfister being special. Our experience was everything anticipated and more. The history, the amazing fine details and uplifting atmosphere, the highly professional staff, and the overall culture is quite the impression! We are sharing with others about the Pfister Hotel.
