The Pfister Hotel

Pros: History, grand architecture and good service come together here
Cons: Avoid the tower, prices can be expensive

Some cities have hotels which embody their history well. Milwaukee is lucky to have the Pfister as living testament to the vision and pioneer spirit of one of its early citizens, Guido Pfister. The hotel has preserved the best of its past and...

Pros: Excellent service, fine dining, opulent setting.
Cons: It's haunted.

Milwaukee's downtown is an odd little place (little, that is, when you live in a city like Chicago) that, no matter what time of day or year I happen to be there on business, seems just on the verge of being deserted. It's too bad, because it has...

Pros: Wonderful lobby, friendly staff, rooftop bar, location, style
Cons: Room layout and size, creepy hallways in old section, lost reservation

My family and I stayed in the hotel the weekend before Christmas. The lobby was the most impressive I have ever seen around the Holidays and is worth a walk-through visit if nothing else. The lights, trees, decorations and staff put us into a very good...