Hotel Metro occupies a six-story art deco building at 411 East Mason Street in downtown Milwaukee and is one of the city's first boutique hotels. With only 63 rooms it is small enough to feel personal, and the deco styling gives it a character that most newer downtown properties cannot copy. It is owned by an affiliate of Milwaukee-based Ogden and Company and was converted into a member of Marriott's Autograph Collection, the brand's boutique line, so you get an independent feel with the points and standards of a large program. The hotel suits travelers who want a quiet, design-conscious base close to everything. Mason Street is a block from the Pfister and a few minutes from the lakefront, the Milwaukee Art Museum and the RiverWalk. Dogs are welcome, with pet food and water bowls offered, and the hotel has a restaurant. It is a good choice for couples, for travelers who like to stay in an unusual building and for anyone who finds the large convention hotels impersonal.
Location and getting around
The hotel's address puts you within a short walk of the Pfister, the lakefront and the RiverWalk, so you can do a first visit entirely on foot. The Historic Third Ward is about a fifteen to twenty-minute walk, and the Public Market sits beside it. The Art Museum is an easy stroll east. For farther sights such as the Harley-Davidson Museum, use a rideshare or the streetcar where it fits, and check the current route before you rely on it.
Rooms and who it suits
With only 63 rooms, the hotel gives a calmer experience than a large tower, and the art deco styling makes it popular with couples and design fans. Rooms vary in size and layout, as is common in a historic building, so read the description and ask for the kind of room you want. Families with several children may prefer a suite-style hotel such as the Brewhouse Inn, while couples who like a boutique setting will be happy here.
Good to know
Boutique hotels in older buildings rarely have the big pools and gyms of newer towers, so check the amenities if exercise matters to you. Parking downtown is an extra cost, and valet is usual, so ask the rate when booking. Rates rise during big events and festivals, particularly in summer. For a more lavish historic stay with a pool and spa, the Pfister is the neighboring alternative; for the most unusual lodging, look at the Brewhouse Inn in the old Pabst brewery.
Making the most of it
Because the hotel is small, it rewards early booking and a clear request, whether that is a quiet room, a particular bed type or a room for a dog. Staff at small hotels are generally good at tailoring a stay, so mention an anniversary or a special request when you reserve. Take an evening walk to the Pfister lobby and the lakefront, both a few minutes away, and you will see how much of downtown the hotel puts within reach.
Why stay here
- ✓Art deco building
- ✓63 rooms
- ✓Autograph Collection boutique brand
- ✓Restaurant on site
- ✓Dogs welcome
- ✓Pet food and water bowls
- ✓Walk to the lakefront
- ✓Near the Pfister and the RiverWalk
Good questions
Where is Hotel Metro?+
It is at 411 East Mason Street in downtown Milwaukee, a short walk from the lakefront, the Pfister and the RiverWalk.
How big is the hotel?+
It has 63 rooms in a six-story art deco building, so it feels smaller and quieter than a convention hotel.
Does Hotel Metro allow dogs?+
Dogs are welcome and the hotel provides pet food and water bowls. Ask about any pet fee when you book.
