By Jennifer Sullivan
Milwaukee’s hotel scene is catching up with its newfound cool factor, blending modern design with a laid-back, unpretentious vibe. Whether you're here for business, a weekend getaway, or just because you heard the cheese is that good (it is), these are the five best places to stay—where the spirit of Milwaukee comes alive.
The Best Hotels in Milwaukee
1. The Journeyman Hotel
Located in the heart of the Historic Third Ward, The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel manages to balance style with comfort, which is a hard trick to pull off in a city that invented beer as breakfast. It’s part of the Kimpton family, so you know the service is good, and the rooftop bar is where the locals and out-of-towners mingle while pretending they’re not paying for overpriced cocktails.
2. The Iron Horse Hotel
If you’re into motorcycles or just want a place with a little more grit, The Iron Horse Hotel should be on your radar. This converted warehouse near the Harley-Davidson Museum is Milwaukee through and through. It’s got that cool industrial vibe without trying too hard. Expect to find leather accents and a crowd that looks like they could ride off into the sunset at any moment (though, let's be real—they’ll probably just Uber).
3. Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel
Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel isn’t just a place to sleep—it’s where Milwaukee’s artsy side goes to hang out. Part hotel, part gallery, it’s perfect if you want to immerse yourself in creativity and culture without leaving the lobby. Plus, the on-site bar has a piano, so you can pretend you’re in some noir film while sipping your old-fashioned.
4. The Brewhouse Inn & Suites
Housed in the former Pabst Brewery, The Brewhouse Inn & Suites leans into its beer-soaked history with copper brewing kettles turned into décor. The rooms are spacious, and you’ll feel like you’re staying in a piece of Milwaukee’s brewing history (because you are). It’s perfect for anyone who wants to sleep where beer was made, because of course you do.
5. The Dubbel Dutch
The Dubbel Dutch is a boutique hotel in a restored 1898 mansion that somehow avoids being precious. It's small, intimate, and has all the charm of a B&B without the weird family photos. Staying here feels like you’ve found a secret—one that’s equal parts history and modern comfort, and the best part? No one else seems to know about it—yet.
The Complete Guide to Milwaukee
The Best Hotels in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s hotel scene is catching up with its newfound cool factor, blending modern design with a laid-back vibe.
Milwaukee’s Best Restaurants
Milwaukee is undergoing a bit of a culinary renaissance, and it’s not just about bratwurst anymore (though, I’ll never turn one down).
The Things to do in Milwaukee
Milwaukee might have a reputation for beer and bratwurst, but there’s a lot more to this city if you know where to look.
By Jennifer Sullivan
It was my ex-boyfriend, not my father, who took me for my first ride. I was sixteen, and it was love at first throttle—the speed, the noise, the way the world blurred as you tore through it. That boyfriend is long gone, but the love of motorcycles? That stuck. So, here I was, decades later, in Milwaukee—the birthplace of Harley-Davidson—not to chase ghosts, but to feel the weight of history rumbling beneath my feet.