
The Pfister Hotel
Best for travelers who want a full-service downtown experience with multiple on-site restaurants, a spa, and a landmark property.
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The Pfister Hotel is a downtown Milwaukee landmark and full-service luxury hotel with a 23rd-floor pool and an on-site WELL Spa + Salon; read this if you want downtown location, historic character, and restaurants. Residence Inn by Marriott Milwaukee North/Glendale is a 3-star extended-stay option with suite-style rooms and kitchenettes; read this if you need longer-stay amenities, free breakfast, or self-parking.
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Best for travelers who want a full-service downtown experience with multiple on-site restaurants, a spa, and a landmark property.

Best for guests staying several nights who want suite layouts, kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast, and free self-parking.
When The Pfister Hotel wins: choose The Pfister for a central downtown base close to museums, theaters, RiverWalk access, on-site fine dining, and a full-service spa and 23rd-floor indoor pool with lake views.
When Residence Inn wins: choose Residence Inn if you need an extended-stay layout (kitchenettes and sofa beds), weekday/weekend complimentary breakfast, lower-star practical comforts, and free self-parking.
Bottom line: pick The Pfister for downtown luxury, dining, and spa-focused stays; pick Residence Inn for longer visits, kitchenette-equipped suites, and straightforward value.
| Category | The Pfister Hotel | Residence Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic Victorian-era luxury hotel with formal dining and a spa | Practical Marriott extended-stay hotel focused on suites and longer visits |
| Location | Downtown Milwaukee near RiverWalk, theaters, and museums (424 E Wisconsin Ave) | In Milwaukee (Glendale), outside the downtown core (7003 N Port Washington Rd) |
| Size (rooms) | 307 guestrooms, including 82 suites | 83 guestrooms (mixture of studio and 1-bedroom suites) |
| Audience / age policy | All ages welcomed; family-friendly with cribs and a small family-friendly pool option | |
| Pools | Indoor pool on the 23rd floor with Lake Michigan views (open daily 6:00 AM–10:00 PM) | Indoor pool (wheelchair-accessible) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple venues: Mason Street Grill, Café at the Pfister, Lobby Lounge, Blu (23rd-floor cocktail lounge) | Not published |
| Spa / wellness | WELL Spa + Salon with 11 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, Turkish bath/hammam (appointment only) | Not published |
| Known for | Historic landmark, event ballrooms, downtown access, luxury amenities | Suite-style rooms with kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast, free self-parking |
| Parking | Self-parking and valet available for a surcharge; EV charging station on site | Free self parking available onsite |
| Breakfast | Full breakfast available for a fee (not included by default); club lounge option for a fee | Complimentary full breakfast (weekday and weekend hours noted) |
The Pfister sits on E Wisconsin Ave in downtown Milwaukee, within easy walking distance of the RiverWalk, theaters, the Milwaukee Public Market, and museum attractions.
Choose The Pfister if you want to be in the middle of Milwaukee’s downtown attractions and dining scene.
Residence Inn is in the Glendale area of Milwaukee (7003 N Port Washington Rd), away from the downtown core.
Choose Residence Inn if you don’t need downtown walkability and prefer a suburban setting with car access.
The Pfister offers a mix of guestroom categories and several suite types in a landmark building.
Choose The Pfister for historic character and a range of suite and room upgrades in a full-service hotel.
Residence Inn focuses on studio and one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes for extended stays.
Choose Residence Inn when you need kitchen facilities, sofa beds, and an extended-stay layout.
The Pfister has multiple dedicated restaurants and lounges covering breakfast through late-night cocktails.
The Pfister covers formal dinners, casual meals, and cocktail lounges without leaving the hotel.
Residence Inn’s listing highlights a grocery/convenience store on-site and a bar/lounge; full restaurant details are not published.
Residence Inn is set up for self-catering and grab-and-go meals; it does not publish multiple signature restaurants.
The Pfister’s standout amenity is its 23rd-floor indoor pool with views of Lake Michigan.
If a scenic indoor pool and rooftop-like views matter, The Pfister is the clear choice.
Residence Inn provides a standard indoor pool for guests.
Residence Inn covers basic pool and fitness needs but without the high-floor lake views.
The Pfister combines a full-service spa with evening entertainment in its lounges.
The Pfister is set up for spa treatments and evening hotel-based entertainment.
Residence Inn focuses on fitness, business amenities, and practical on-site services for longer stays.
Residence Inn supports longer-stay practicalities rather than a pampering spa or hotel nightlife scene.

The Pfister — multiple on-site restaurants and 23rd-floor Blu lounge with live music.

Residence Inn — kitchenettes, sofa beds, and complimentary breakfast make longer visits easier.

The Pfister — WELL Spa + Salon with 11 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, and a Turkish bath.

Residence Inn — free self-parking available onsite.
The Pfister — it’s in the heart of downtown near museums, theaters, the RiverWalk, and has on-site dining and spa services.
Residence Inn — suite layouts with kitchenettes, free self-parking, and laundry facilities suit longer stays.
Yes — The Pfister has WELL Spa + Salon (appointment only) and an indoor pool on the 23rd floor with lake views.
Residence Inn provides a complimentary full breakfast; The Pfister offers breakfast for a fee and a paid club/lounge option.
Explore how The Pfister Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·