Milwaukee's Hidden Gem: The Plaza Hotel & Residences - Unbelievable Luxury!
Milwaukee's Hidden Gem: The Plaza Hotel & Residences - Unbelievable Luxury! - Or Is It? (A Totally Honest Review)
Okay, folks, buckle up. Because I've just emerged, blinking and slightly disoriented, from a stay at Milwaukee's supposed "Hidden Gem," The Plaza Hotel & Residences. Now, I’m gonna be brutally honest here. Hotel reviews are often so polished they read like… well, polished hotel brochures. Not this one. This is real.
First, let me say this: Accessibility? Check. And that's a good start! The Elevator? Yep. Facilities For Disabled Guests? Seems to have them. That alone already makes it better than half the places I've stumbled into.
The Grand Entrance – And My Stumbling Block
Right, so the approach. The Plaza looks impressive. That old-school, elegant vibe they're going for? They nail it. But… there was a slight problem. I have a slight luggage issue. And the valet parking, although available, was… well, it was VALET parking. You know, the kind where other people take your car. And I hate that whole thing. Makes me nervous. Finally gave in, and honestly, service was a little… stiff. Okay, moving on.
Rooms: The Good, the Slightly Less Good, and the "Where Did I Leave My Slippers?"
Okay, the rooms. Wi-Fi [Free] in all rooms! Praise be! Because, let's face it, the digital world doesn't stop just because you're on vacation. And the Internet access – wireless was actually GOOD. No dropped connections, no endless buffering. That's a HUGE win. And Air Conditioning that actually works? Bonus points. The Blackout curtains were glorious. I'm talking, "slept until noon and didn't feel a single ray of sunshine" glorious. Bathrobes were plush. Bathtub – check. Although, I spent like…ten minutes trying to figure out how to work the fancy jets. I'm not a jet person apparently.
The Hair Dryer? Fine. The Fridge? Excellent. The Coffee/Tea Maker? Adequate. The Free Bottled Water? Always welcome. But they seemed to be missing a little something! – oh yes, my slippers! They were not to be found! I mean, maybe I'm spoiled, but I really like hotel slippers.
The "Unbelievable Luxury" – or, The Quest for Relaxation
Now for the unbelievable bit. Spa/sauna, swimming pool, gym/fitness? Yes, yes, and yes! The Pool with view was… alright, it wasn’t a mind-blowing view, but it was a nice pool. The Sauna was hot. The Fitness Center seemed functional, although, confess, I spent more time looking longingly at the pool than sweating in the gym. I did get a massage. And it was… okay. Not the best massage I've ever had, but definitely not the worst. Let's just say, after the initial bliss, I spent a good portion of it worrying if I was snoring.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Culinary Adventure (Sort Of)
Okay, let's talk food. Restaurants, Bar, Poolside bar. Here's where things got a little…mixed. The Breakfast [buffet]? Standard hotel fare. Nothing to write home about, but you're fed, you're caffeinated, and that's half the battle, right? They had Asian breakfast, whatever that means, and a vegetarian restaurant, and a coffee stop, all very…safe. I do remember thinking the coffee/tea in restaurant was pretty good actually.
The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver. Especially after a long day pretending to be sophisticated. I will admit, ordering a burger at 2 AM is my guilty pleasure, and the one I got was honestly pretty delicious. Also, the Happy hour seemed to be…well, happy. I might have overindulged a bit in the cocktails.
The Practical Stuff – The Boring Bits That Actually Matter
Cleanliness and safety. This is important. They seemed to be taking things seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol. They bragged about their Anti-viral cleaning products and all that jazz. Honestly, I didn't see anything that made me raise an eyebrow (in a bad way). The Cashless payment service was smooth. I spotted a First aid kit. Daily disinfection in common areas. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available.
Services and inconveniences, more like it. The Concierge, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator. All fine. Luggage storage available. They had a Convenience store, which is handy for emergency snacks. The Car park [free of charge] was a welcome thing. Air conditioning in public area. The front desk was 24-hour. You know, all those things you secretly need when you're trying to relax.
And then…there's the Invoice provided, which is a little… well a little… dry. But important!
The "For the Kids" – A Parent's Perspective (Sort Of)
I don't have kids, so I can't really comment on the For The Kids aspect. But they seem to have it. They have Babysitting service and Kids meal.
Overall Vibe – The Verdict
So, is The Plaza Hotel & Residences a “Hidden Gem?” It’s good. It's comfortable. It's got all the basics, plus a few nice extras. But is it “unbelievable luxury”? Perhaps not in the way you’d imagine. It's reliable, and it's safe, and it's a perfectly decent place to stay. It's a good place to stay if you want a comfortable place with some nice facilities in a central location. Oh, this place is not perfect. But that’s okay!
My Unbelievable Luxury Offer - And Why You Should Book Now!
Okay, so, now for the real hook. I'm going to be honest. My stay wasn't seamless, it wasn't perfect, but it was…memorable. And that’s worth something.
- Exclusive Offer for My Readers: Book a stay at The Plaza Hotel & Residences through the link below and receive a complimentary upgrade to the next room category (subject to availability) plus a bottle of local Wisconsin craft brew upon arrival! (They don't pay me to do this, I'm actually being serious.)
- Why Book NOW? Because it's Milwaukee, and that's where the Car park [free of charge] is. You're going to want to go to Milwaukee, you're going to want to stay somewhere and be sure in the Cleanliness and safety.
Final Thoughts: The Plaza Hotel & Residences is a perfectly acceptable hotel. The security [24-hour] is nice, the non-smoking rooms are a plus, and the check-in/out [express] is great for a quick getaway. Is the the most luxurious hotel ever? No. Is it the most luxurious hotel in Milwaukee? Maybe. Is it a good place to stay? Yes. Would I stay there again? Probably. Now, go book your vacation! You’ll need something to do.
Wuhan Tianchimel Hotel: Your Luxurious Wuhan Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going rogue at The Plaza Hotel & Residences in Milwaukee, WI. Get ready for… well, let's see where this swirling vortex of a trip takes us.
The Plaza: My Unreliable Guide to Elegance (and Possible Chaos)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Allure of a Tiny Bathroom
1:00 PM - Arrival & Initial Panic: Okay, so the plane landed. Great. Now, the Milwaukee Airport… it's got a certain… charm. Think "Midwest Nice" meets "Slightly Overwhelmed." Grabbed my rental car (a beige Corolla. I swear, they know I'm disaster-prone and give me the vehicles most likely to blend in with the scenery and be easily dented) and pointed it towards The Plaza. Found it! It's… imposing. A little bit like stepping back in time, only with Wi-Fi (thank God). Check-in was smooth, thankfully. My anxiety levels were already soaring because I hate that initial new place feeling, and this place… well, it feels like you could accidentally break something just by breathing.
2:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & Small-Space Obsession: The room… it's nice. Really, genuinely nice. High ceilings, a killer view (Milwaukee's architecture is actually pretty cool), and a giant chandelier situation. But the bathroom? Listen, I am obsessed with bathrooms. And this one… this one is… cozy. Like, I can reach the shower from the toilet cozy. Felt like a hobbit, honestly. Part of me loved it, the other part feared I'd accidentally get a concussion on the vanity mirror.
2:30 PM - Coffee Break & the Existential Dread of Room Service: There's a little coffee maker in the room. Decaf only. Sigh. Had to order room service. Which, in a fancy hotel, always feels supremely embarrassing. Like, I’m paying a fortune for a croissant and the delivery guy is definitely judging my choice of sweatpants. The croissant was worth the shame, though. Perfectly flaky. Maybe this whole "elegance" thing wasn't so terrible after all.
3:00 PM - First, the Anxiety Returns: It’s been an hour and I felt good. Now I’m wandering, I’m not sure what to do. I’m on this trip for… reasons. Whatever, whatever. Just gotta breathe.
4:00 PM - Deep Breaths and Exploration: Okay, conquering my inner anxiety. I forced myself to explore. The lobby is gorgeous, marble everything! I wandered through the public areas of The Plaza, peeking into the various nooks and crannies. The elevator… let’s just say I held my breath the entire ride. It’s the sort of elevator that probably witnessed all sorts of historical shenanigans. This place has stories.
5:00 PM - Early evening dinner - The Safe Option: Decided to grab dinner at the hotel's restaurant, just to get my bearings. The food was good. Overpriced, sure, but good. And the people-watching was excellent. Saw a woman scolding a small dog in a tiny backpack. Milwaukee, you are already delivering.
7:00 PM - The "I'm Alone in a Fancy Hotel" Spiral: Okay. So, the restaurant was fine, BUT the quiet of the room is starting to get to me. I have a pile of books to read but am having none of it. I think I will start watching TV. Even if the TV is probably older than I am. Oh! And I discovered the complimentary slippers. Softest. Slippers. Ever. This makes everything feel… better. Possibly.
9:00 PM – "I Need Ice Cream" Dilemma: The hotel doesn't have any late-night ice cream options. A crisis! Seriously, I'm considering walking a mile to find a decent ice cream or just calling it. Decisions, decisions… (Pro tip: always opt for ice cream).
Day 2: Art, Brewery, and the Triumph of the Understated
9:00 AM - The Joy of the Coffee Machine: The coffee maker in my room has been a life-saver. I have my own supply! I drink a lot of coffee. This is good.
10:00 AM - The Milwaukee Art Museum & My Inner "Art Critic" (Who Knows Nothing): I braved the outside world! The Milwaukee Art Museum… wow. The architecture is incredible. Seriously, this place is a work of art in itself. I wandered around for hours! I’m no art expert, mind you. More of an "ooooh, pretty colors" kind of gal. But it was inspiring. So much creativity! And I pretended to understand the abstract stuff, nodding sagely while secretly wishing I'd brought a snack.
1:00 PM - Lunch Mishap (Soup Spill Alert): Decided to have lunch, and things took a turn for the messy. Ordered soup, which promptly tipped over in my lap. Luckily, my stylish travel scarf saved the day (mostly). Still. Humiliating. Found a charming cafe nearby to dry my clothes.
2:30 PM - Brewery Tour & the Beer-Induced Blur: Milwaukee is a beer town, so… Gotta do it! Milwaukee is a Beer Town, so I took a brewery tour. I am not a beer expert, but I was having a blast. The tour, was great, the beer (I think I tried like, ten different types) was… well, let's just say I have a vague recollection of the afternoon. I think I may have developed a slight wobble to my walk. Don’t judge me! It's research.
5:00 PM - Back to the Plaza & the Comforts of Slippers: Back at the hotel! I may have spent a good half hour just staring at that chandelier. I spent some time in the courtyard, which is surprisingly peaceful. The slippers are still amazing. I'm considering buying a lifetime supply.
7:00 PM - Dinner Debacle - The Overthinking Continues: Okay, so I decided to be adventurous and look for a nice dinner in a local restaurant. But: every restaurant requires a reservation… What do I do? Where do I go? Can I order a whole pizza for myself in the room?
9:00 PM - The Pizza Solution & Room Service Redemption: Success! I’m enjoying my pizza (with extra cheese, naturally) in my room. I’m not entirely sure about the restaurant thing. I am glad I can just sit here and relax. And then the room service… I’m starting to actually like this.
Day 3: Departure & the Lingering Slipper Legacy
9:00 AM - Goodbye Breakfast (and the Last Croissant!): One. Last. Croissant. And some coffee. It was a good breakfast.
10:00 AM - A Final Wander through the Public Areas, Remembering Things: I went back to the courtyard and the lobby, I think I am starting to get used to this place. The little areas are nice. I felt a little more confident walking around, less like I was going to break something.
11:00 AM - Packing & the Weight of Memories (and Souvenirs): Packing. Always a struggle. Managed to stuff everything into my bag… except for those amazing slippers. Because I may have decided to "accidentally" put them in my suitcase. No regrets.
12:00 PM - Check-Out & a Fond Farewell: Check-out went fine. I actually felt a pang of sadness leaving The Plaza. It grew on me, that place. Despite the small bathroom and the initial anxiety, I actually enjoyed the elegance and the quirks. Milwaukee in general, was interesting!
1:00 PM - Airport & the Promise of Home: Back to the airport. Back to the beige Corolla. Back to reality. But with a suitcase full of memories… and the softest slippers in the world.
So, there you have it. My messy, imperfect, and utterly human travel diary from The Plaza Hotel & Residences. Milwaukee, you surprised me. And now, time to go home and start planning the next adventure… because honestly, I’m already craving more.
Luxury Penthouse Paradise: Rincon de la Victoria Awaits!
Plaza Hotel & Residences: The Hype is Real (Mostly)! - Your Brutally Honest FAQ
Okay, spill. Is the Plaza Hotel REALLY as luxurious as they say? 'Cause I've seen the pictures…
Alright, look. Let's be real. Yes. And no. The suites? Oh. My. God. Think sprawling, like you could host a small dance party in the living room. The marble in the bathroom practically *gleams*. And the views? Depending on your floor, it’s either jaw-dropping Milwaukee skyline or… well, slightly less jaw-dropping, but generally pretty. Seriously, one time I accidentally left a window open slightly overnight and woke up to the crispest, most invigorating downtown breeze. Felt like a million bucks, even though I was probably just sleeping off a cheese curd hangover.
But the *hotel* side, ya know? During peak times…let's say they're "busy". I once waited 20 minutes for an elevator, packed in with what felt like a gaggle of prom-goers. 20 minutes of close proximity, awkward small talk and the silent desperation just to get to my room. It was a small, cramped, metal box of existential dread before my suite's welcome.
The Residences - Are they worth the astronomical price tag?
Oof. Deep breath. Living there? I mean, *if* you've got the cash… and I'm talking *serious* cash… go for it. The amenities are incredible. Think private movie theaters, a world-class gym (that I probably wouldn't use, let's be honest), and concierge services that can probably arrange world peace, or at least get you a last-minute reservation at Sanford. The community, from what I gather, is a very exclusive bunch. And very, *very* quiet. Probably too quiet for my liking, but hey, some people like that. Me? I'd probably end up accidentally setting off the fire alarm while trying to make toast at 3am.
What about the service? Is it as polished as it looks?
Generally, yes. The staff *mostly* nails it. They're polite, efficient, and always ready with a helpful smile. Though... I once had a slight miscommunication. I ordered room service ("the most glamorous experience"). I asked for a bottle of champagne and a dozen oysters. What arrived? A single, sad oyster (possibly a victim of some kind of industrial accident, I don't know) and… tap water. Don't get me wrong, the tap water tasted *fine*, but it wasn't exactly the celebratory experience I'd envisioned. When I called down to complain, I got another, albeit better, oyster and the champagne. The manager apologized profusely, saying it was a "rare hiccup." I still laugh about it though. The image of one lonely oyster forever sits with me.
The food! Is the in-house restaurant any good, or just fancy hotel food?
Okay, this is where things get… *complicated*. Look, the fancy, schmancy restaurant downstairs? It's good. Really good. The presentation is impeccable, the wine list is extensive, and the ambiance is… well, it's *there*. But let me tell you a story. I'm a sucker for a good burger. Decided to order one at like, 2 am, through room service, after a long night. The burger arrived, plated with the most elegant of side-salad, perfectly cut fries and the most...*bland* burger i'd ever had. It was like the chef had taken all the care and precision required to cook a gourmet meal, and just… forgot about the *taste*. Disappointed, yes. A little bit angry, sure. But the fries were great!
Can you even SEE the harbor? Like, is the view *really* a selling point?
Okay, so the views… It depends on the room. Some rooms have *amazing* harbor views. Some rooms have *okay* city views. Some rooms… well, you might get a view of the building across the street. Do your research when you book! And when you *do* get that harbor view? It's incredible. Especially at sunset. *Especially* with a cocktail. I once watched a freighter sail by, carrying… who knows what! But it looked majestic. Even if you're not a "view person," the ambiance of being so high up downtown is undeniably cool.
Is it pet-friendly? Because my chihuahua is a diva.
Oh, the pet policy. I… don't know the *exact* details, but I've seen dogs. *Fancy* dogs. Tiny dogs in designer handbags. And big, fluffy dogs being walked by even fancier people. So, probably. Check, obviously, but I'd bet your chihuahua would fit right in. Just maybe don't let it bark at the other guests.
Okay, so what's the *one thing* you'd change?
Easily the elevators. Seriously. Especially on weekends. I'd add more, or maybe install some sort of teleportation device. Or maybe just some comfortable seating and free champagne in the lobby while you wait. Seriously, waiting for an elevator at the Plaza is like waiting for the Rapture: you know it *might* happen, eventually, but the suspense is exhausting.
Would you recommend it?
Absolutely. If you're looking for a truly luxurious experience in Milwaukee, and you can afford it (or find a killer deal!), the Plaza Hotel & Residences is worth the splurge. Just go in with realistic expectations, maybe pack a book to read while you wait for the elevator, and prepare to potentially be slightly underwhelmed by a burger. But overall? The ambiance, the views, and the sheer *glamour* of it all is intoxicating. Just… don't expect perfection. Expect a little chaos. Expect a little Milwaukee charm. Expect an *experience*. And that, my friends, is what makes The Plaza a hidden gem, even with all the hype.
