If you dream of staying at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you’ll want to know the truth about the Pfister Hotel rooms, restaurant, bar, spa, pool and even the hotel’s haunted history.
In this Pfister Hotel review, you’ll get a comprehensive look into all that the Pfister has to offer from a repeat guest’s perspective.
Not only have I visited the Pfister on numerous occasions, but I also got married there. You can read all about the good, bad and ugly of having a Pfister Hotel wedding here. You’ll see some of my wedding photos in this article, too.
Now, here is everything you need to know about the Pfister Hotel.
Pfister Hotel: Things To Know
Rating: 4.5-star luxury hotel
Average cost: $250/night
Check-in: 3:00 p.m.
Check-out: 11:00 a.m.
Highlight amenities: pool, spa, restaurants, bars, beautiful wedding venue
Pfister Hotel Review
As a luxury 4.5-star hotel and the fanciest hotel in Wisconsin, a night at the Pfister will run you an average of $250 USD per night. Is it worth it? In my opinion, yes. Here’s why.
Immediately as you walk under the timeless entrance balcony through the revolving doors, you walk back into history. You’re met with a lobby filled with servant-hearted staff, classy leather chairs, a swanky bar scene and Renaissance-inspired artwork.
Honestly, the lobby alone is worth the visit. Sometimes, my husband and I will even get food or drinks at the hotel just so we can saunter through the lobby.
You’ll read about all of the other fabulous hotel amenities below, but let’s dive into a quick room review first.
There are two types of rooms at the Pfister Hotel: the original, more historic rooms and the new, modern rooms that came with the hotel’s latest expansion.
While you can tell in the worn artistic details that the older rooms are indeed older, there is no shortage of luxury. The rooms are cozy, elegant and regal — equipped with tall ceilings, tall windows, royal carpeting and marble bathroom accents.
Likewise, the modernized rooms are equally regal but with fresher designs and decor elements.
Plus, despite the hotel’s fame, the atmosphere feels very family-run and personable. For example, my husband and I were welcomed to our room after our wedding with a congratulatory note and a complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot.
Does the Pfister have a dress code?
The Pfister Hotel does not have an official dress code. You will find most guests at the Pfister wearing casual attire.
Although, if you want an excuse to dress up, you’ll still fit right into the Pfister environment. I know from experience that it’s fun to dress fancy, strut through the Pfister’s masterpiece lobby, and enjoy dinner and drinks at the Pfister’s restaurant and high-class bar.
Pfister Hotel Restaurant
The primary restaurant at the Pfister Hotel is the Mason Street Grill. It offers a variety of upscale dinner options, such as steaks and seafood, as well as delicious sides, desserts and drinks.
My husband and I have been to the Pfister Hotel restaurant a number of times, and I genuinely have no complaints. I highly recommend the petit filet mignon, which has the best steak flavor I’ve ever tasted, along with the white cheddar and smoked gouda macaroni and cheese, which is served a la carte.
Furthermore, I’d like to mention that the staff at the Pfister Hotel restaurant is incredible. My husband made reservations for our anniversary, and the staff surprised us with a rich, smooth, celebratory chocolate mousse on the house.
In addition to the Mason Street Grill, you can also find great eats at the Cafe At The Pfister, which is located just adjacent to the lobby and serves Starbucks as well as sit-down brunch options.
I would recommend making reservations for the sit-down portion of the cafe. However, you do not need to wait for a table to order from the Starbucks menu. Just let the host or hostess know you’d like to order Starbucks to-go. You’ll be able to order at the barista counter.
Pfister Hotel Blu
Blu is the Pfister’s most envied bar and lounge. Not only does it offer incredible cocktails and appetizers, but it also boasts some of the best panoramic views of downtown Milwaukee.
Like much of the hotel, Blu’s ambience sends you back to the roaring 20s with its classy decor, timeless lighting and ritzy music.
If you’re lucky, Blu will have live jazz musicians playing when you’re there. You can find the bar’s live music schedule here.
Do you need a reservation for the Blu Milwaukee?
You only need to make a reservation for the Blu Milwaukee if you want the afternoon tea or the “View From Blu” champagne package experience. Otherwise, you’re free to walk into the bar and lounge area to order drinks like normal.
If Blu is full, you can also visit the Pfister’s Lobby Lounge, which, as the name implies, is the bar that is located in the hotel lobby.
Although the Lobby Lounge doesn’t offer the same 23rd-floor views as Blu, it is still a great alternative for upscale drinks.
Pfister Hotel Spa
For more laid-back luxury, the Pfister Hotel spa, known as WELL Spa + Salon, offers numerous luxurious spa services, such as hair, nails, makeup, massages, skin care treatments, body waxing and more.
As you can see, the spa has a full range of spa services compared to most hotel spas. Plus, like the restaurant, the staff at WELL Spa + Salon are phenomenal.
I got my hair done at WELL Spa + Salon on my wedding day (which was extremely convenient because I didn’t have to leave the hotel), and I was stunned by the above-and-beyond service I received.
I was worried about putting in my cathedral veil before the ceremony, so my stylist from WELL Spa + Salon insisted she meet me in the ceremony staging room on the opposite side of the hotel just before the ceremony to help.
Not only did she secure my veil for me before the ceremony, but she also touched up my hair with no additional cost.
Pfister Hotel Pool
Similarly, if you want to relax at the hotel without paying for spa services, check out the Pfister Hotel pool.
The pool is located on the 23rd floor, and, as you could imagine, has floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of Milwaukee just like its neighboring Blu bar and lounge.
Pfister Hotel Haunted History
Now, even though the majority of the Pfister is nothing short of elegant, the historical hotel unfortunately comes with a haunted history.
According to Haunted Rooms America, “The famed Pfister Hotel is one of the most haunted hotels in the country, and arguably the world.”
Legend has it that hotel legacy Charles Pfister is one of the ghostly figures that haunts the second floor of the hotel.
Numerous guests, staff members, celebrities and famous athletes alike have reported experiencing paranormal activity — from voices in the hallway to knocking sounds on the walls and headboards.
Even so, the likelihood of you encountering the paranormal during your stay at the Pfister is slim to none. I personally have never had such experiences at the Pfister.
Would you stay at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee?
Be sure to check out my Pfister wedding article to see more pros and cons of the hotel, as well as more photos of the hotel amenities, rooms, ballrooms and more.
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