A Milwaukee hotel and two of the city's hotel bars have been nominated for USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards honors. And, your vote can help 'em make it into the top 10.
The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. — where former president Donald Trump is believed to have stayed during last week's Republican National Convention — is one of 20 classic accommodations nominated by a panel of hotel experts for the title of "best historic hotel/resort."
The Pfister — operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts Inc., a division of Marcus Corp — placed sixth in this category in 2023, the year the hotel celebrated its 130th anniversary.
After making its debut in 1893, The Pfister was billed as the "Grand Hotel of the West," according to USA TODAY's description.
The original building, known for its Romanesque Revival design, was the vision of business tycoon Guido Pfister, founder of Pfister and Vogel Leather Co., and his son, Charles. Marcus Corp. founder Ben Marcus acquired it in 1962 and added a cylindrical tower to help revive the business.
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Last summer, the Journal Sentinel reported that The Pfister was undergoing a $20 million renovation, which was scheduled to be completed by spring 2024, ahead of the RNC. Work on the ballrooms, meeting and event spaces, and historic guest rooms was finished before the convention, according to a spokesperson for the hotel. Finishing touches on the first floor, including the lobby, are continuing.
The Pfister has also become famous for its supposed haunted happenings, which have freaked out several MLB players who have stayed there while in town for games over the years, as well as rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
The USA TODAY story noted that The Pfister was the first hotel in America with a thermostat for each guest room and that it's home to "the largest collection of Victorian art in any hotel the world over."
Also mentioned: The hotel's 23rd-floor cocktail lounge, Blu, for its views of Lake Michigan and the city.
Speaking of Blu ...
These two Milwaukee hotel bars have been nominated for USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Blu and The Bar at Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel were among the 20 nominated by an expert panel for "best hotel bar" for their "great atmospheres and stellar mixologists."
USA TODAY's description of Blu gave shoutouts to its impressive wine list, fun cocktails and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. "Reserve a table with a view for live music performances — it comes with a chilled bottle of Moët et Chandon," the report said.
USA TODAY called The Bar at Saint Kate "a prime hangout spot from sunup to after dark." The Bar's "perfect" lattes over breakfast, as well as its locally brewed beers and curated wine list in the evenings were highlighted, along with its steady rotation of local live music.
How to vote for The Pfister Hotel as 'best historic hotel/resort'
For the "best historic hotel/resort" category, people can vote once per day until 11 a.m. CT Aug. 5. The top 10 will be announced at 11 a.m. Aug. 14.
Votes can be cast for The Pfister at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-historic-hotel-resort-2024/the-pfister-hotel-milwaukee-wisconsin.
How to vote for Blu, The Bar as 'best hotel bar'
For the "best hotel bar" category, people can vote once per day until 11 a.m. CT Aug. 12. The top 10 will be announced at 11 a.m. Aug. 21.
Votes can be cast for Blu at The Pfister Hotel at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-hotel-bar-2024/blu-at-the-pfister-hotel-milwaukee-wisconsin.
Votes can be cast for The Bar at Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-hotel-bar-2024/the-bar-at-saint-kate-the-arts-hotel-milwaukee-wisconsin.
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