Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel

For my 30th birthday, I was looking for a cool pet-friendly hotel in Milwaukee, and Saint Kate stood out. The rooms felt thoughtfully decorated instead of plain, with a record player and ukulele in each one. I loved the artwork throughout the hotel and the live music in the lobby. The staff sent up a small gift and a whole bottle of champagne for my birthday. Breakfast at the second-floor restaurant the next morning was great. Staying there was just what I hoped for, and I'd highly recommend it.

We had breakfast at The Studio, where the sourdough was a highlight, and ate at Proof Pizza one night. Their ground-floor counter-service pizza was well made, Neapolitan style, and an easy casual meal without going out. The Upper Bar on the roof has river views, so it's worth sitting up there for a drink. The hotel is also walkable to the theater district, RiverWalk, and Fiserv Forum, which downtown Milwaukee doesn't always get enough credit for. A friend called Saint Kate “a hotel that actually has a personality,” and I get it. There's a bronze horse in the lobby, live music, and a gift shop with interesting things to browse. The room had a record player and a few vinyls, a ukulele on the wall, colored pencils and a sketchbook, plus original art with a pamphlet about the artists. It all felt deliberately chosen, not like a gimmick. The bed was comfortable and the room quiet, which mattered most when it was time to sleep. Staff were warm from check-in to checkout, and champagne on arrival set a nice tone. If art, design, or a hotel with its own character matters to you in Milwaukee, this is the one.

We were welcomed with free champagne at check-in, and there was more waiting in our room for Valentine's Day. The staff were so kind, and the hotel has cute, artsy details that make it feel special. We had a great espresso martini at the bar, and MKEbrathouse and a few other places are within walking distance. We loved our stay and would absolutely come back.

We came for a performance at the Pabst Theatre, and there's a direct indoor entrance to it from the hotel lobby, so we didn't have to step outside. The location was perfect. The next morning we had a healthy, tasty breakfast at The Studio with a lovely view of Milwaukee's streets. The rooms were clean and cozy, with an LP player, some vinyls, and a ukulele with instructions. The place feels like an art gallery, and the lobby has a posh bar with a local feel. I loved staying here and wouldn't choose anywhere else on a future trip.