Hilton HHonors - Hilton Milwaukee City Center

In May, I'll be staying six nights at the Milwaukee Hilton using points. The website of the hotel has an onsite indoor waterpark, and so I called the hotel to see if I would get free admission, since, in my mind the possibility existed that they would consider it an excercise facility. I was told, "no, but I'll make sure you get your free breakfast." Well, I'm Silver, and thus not entitled to a free breakfast as a right. Has anyone else had the experience of being given breakfast coupons when they were just at the silver level? In Las Vegas at the LVH, I was given a room upgrade, and took advantage of the hotel spa for free, but otherwise, I have not gotten too many perks at the silver level. Also, I am curious about what opinion those of you out there have about the Milwaukee Hilton in general.

Any comments on this property as to what is there to do close by? parking? upgrades? club lounge? weekend club lounge?

Any other Hiltons nearby that you might recommend and why?

thanks

This property in smack in downtown where
there are many restaurants and bars. I have
not stayed at the property and only a few
years ago on my first trip to MKE went to the
steak restaurant for a meeting. Hotel looked
tired and is older. Our office manager said
the Hotel has just been renovated. Check to
verify. I stay at Hyatt. Sorry that's all
I know.

Formerly 'The Mark' hotel. Have stayed 4 times in last year; ask for rooms in the 'high rise' section of the hotel. Solid B+ hotel. You could do a lot worse in downtown MKE!

They have one of Wisconsin's best (insert your own joke here) inside waterparks attched to the hotel.

An update - my "last night" there as a HHGold - I hadn’t stayed there in quite some time. I may not again for quite some time, although downtown properties in my 2 preferred programs are limited to this hotel.

Check in – there was an unmanned HHonors line, and I asked an unoccupied clerk if I should go to that line, to which there was no reply, and she kept standing there, unoccupied. There were 3 clerks total, and the other 2 were busy, but as I was first in line, it wasn’t important. Check-in was efficient, in fact, the unoccupied clerk decided to ask me if I needed help just as the other clerk became free. I chose the other clerk. One breakfast voucher in the key packet although the reservation was for 2 (I didn’t make an issue because my friend never made it up from IL). Room was unremarkable, and phone wasn’t connected properly for data use (which I finally fixed). Insufficient number of plugs for a laptop and what is already plugged in (ie, you have to unplug the lamp.) A tad of mildew /staining in the shower. Also, on the way to the room, as I was wheeling my bag down the hallway, a maid and service person were talking, with two big carts obstructing the hallway, and they just looked at me as I approached, and did not move. I thought I didn’t need to say anything, as I was clearly an arriving guest trying to get to my room, and I stopped, just staring at them when it occurred to them that maybe they needed to move a cart so I could get by, and the man mumbled something as I passed.

Then the screaming kids and slamming doors started – in fact, it wasn’t the room across the hall, it was across the hall and a door down, and I heard it loudly in my room. My evening shower was a trickle barely enough to rinse the soap and shampoo off, but better than the next morning’s shower. Morning started at I don’t know what time to slamming doors from across the hall. Morning shower water pressure was so poor at times that the thing you pull up to make the bath go to shower wouldn’t even stay up. At times the only way to have enough pressure was to have scalding hot water that still was at very poor pressure. The breakfast buffet included with the gold coupon appeared decent, but I didn’t have much appetite.

Upon checkout, when telling the clerk of my lovely stay (ie, one usually stays at a hotel to sleep and shower, none of which really occurred very well), the couple next to me checking out, who were staying one floor down, had the exact same experience as I did – screaming kids, slamming doors, and he said “the shower water pressure was a joke”. The checkout clerk apologized, and she would have taken breakfast off the room if I had paid for it, but since it was complimentary, instead, just offered her apology, I paid the bill, and left. I really didn’t feel like filling out a comment card, but may drop the manager a note after I get home.

Why didn't read these posts before today. I'm here in my MKE Hilton room. The desk has no electric receptacles anywhere near it. So I use my laptop for a couple of hrs and then put it on the charger.

Impressive lobbly but it stops there.

No wonder my room was only $107 (mid-week).

You may find the H MKE River (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MKEHIHF) a better alternative. My experience is dated, though, to 1999.

Pros: Nice service, good restaurant, decent rooms, nice North Shore location near park, easy access to downtown.

Cons: Poor (no) soundproofing, beds are rock hard, not downtown.

I was on a long term, high stress assignment in MKE. Because of the noise and the rock hard beds I was not sleeping well, so I moved right down the street to the Woodfield Suites (http://www.woodfieldsuites.com/properties/milwaukee.htm), which had much more comfortable beds and was quieter.

But the service at the H was definitely better, and, according to the website, the H was "renovated in 2001". If this includes soundproofing, then I would certainly give this H another shot.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Billiken:
[B]The desk has no electric receptacles anywhere near it. So I use my laptop for a couple of hrs and then put it on the charger.
B]</font>


Look under the curtain to the right of the desk where the lamp is plugged in. If your cord is long enough, you can use that one, and then plug your phone in the bathroom for recharging (which was my electrical plan for my fortunately short stay).

So is there anything in the Hilton family of hotels worth staying at in downtown MKE?

Well if its any consolation, the GM called me today, a day after receipt of the letter. He was apologetic, kind, and was going to "look into" the issues, and asked if he could offer me anything. I didn't ask for anything as I didn't figure I'd be in MKE in the near future. I should have asked for something off the bill or extra HH points, but didn't, as the entire stay was a disappointment. But it was a quick, polite reply from the top, within a day.

Spent my last weekend in MKE at the Hilton. I knew about the water park and the attraction that it is for kids, but clearly did not expect the expereince we had.

Check in was efficient, but not overly friendly or rude. We found the elevator after a bit of searching, near the entrance to the water park. The smell of chlorinated pool water was overwhelming because of the volume of people coming out of the park who didn't bother to dry themselves off before going upstairs to their room. So here we stand, bags in hand, sharing an elevator with ten other people dripping wet, half without towels. And this wasn't a unique experience (other than when we got back late at night)... every single time the elevators were swamped with pool goers, and kids.

Room was nice, and well presented, but it was an adjoining room which we didn't need. And then the slamming doors and kids running up and down the hallways began and lasted for hours. Someone earlier in this forum mentioned it... it's true, and it seems to find it's way right in to your room.

Received the appropriate HHonors packet on checkin, including two free bottles of water at the gift shop, and breakfast coupons. But,word of advice on breakfast, the cafe has an OK buffeet and omelet bar and service was prompt, but the place is yet again overrun with kids and all the trappings of said kinds including food on the carpet, etc. Management clearly understands the need to entertain the kids as they had a magicaian wandering the restaurant trying to capture the kids attention. But beware, if you're looking for a quite breakfast you will not find it there.

Hotel parking is steep for the city at $14 a day, compared to the ramps that are within a block that are a fraction of the price.

If you're looking for a better hotel downtown, I would suggest:

1) The Pfister
Milwaukee's best hotel. A member of Preferred Hotels.

2) Wyndham Milwaukee Center
Not a great hotel, but a very solid business hotel. I don't think you'll have any complaints staying here. Wyndham By Request is a great program.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rut Dog:
...I was on a long term, high stress assignment in MKE. Because of the noise and the rock hard beds I was not sleeping well, so I moved right down the street to the Woodfield Suites (http://www.woodfieldsuites.com/properties/milwaukee.htm), which had much more comfortable beds and was quieter...</font>

Interestingly enough, that hotel is owned by the Marcus Corporation (http://www.marcuscorp.com/), along with the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, the Pfister, and the Baymont Inns chain (formerly Budgetel).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TransWorldOne:
If you're looking for a better hotel downtown, I would suggest:

1) The Pfister
Milwaukee's best hotel. A member of Preferred Hotels.

2) Wyndham Milwaukee Center
Not a great hotel, but a very solid business hotel. I don't think you'll have any complaints staying here. Wyndham By Request is a great program.</font>

I try to stay with the Hilton family of hotels when I can. The Hilton in Madison, WI on the banks of Lake Monona is outstanding. However, in MKE, the only place I stay is Hotel Metro (hotelmetro.com). Great service/location and unlike the rundown Hilton and Hyatt a sharp, clean, functional hotel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by iflybos:
I try to stay with the Hilton family of hotels when I can. The Hilton in Madison, WI on the banks of Lake Monona is outstanding.</font>

This hotel also happens to be owned and operated by the Marcus Corporation, like the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal top 30 list.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
MILWAUKEE CHOP HOUSE
In the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 633 N. 5th St., Milwaukee (414) 226-2467

Why it's on this list: Excellent steaks and seafood served in a clubby downtown setting.

When you should go: When you're headed to an event at the Midwest Express Center or need a central location to meet friends for dinner.

What it does best: Steaks, salmon, ribs.

What to notice: The bone-in rib-eye and a well-crafted wine list.

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday.
Prices: $17-$67.

Credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa.</font>

http://www.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/dining/jun03/145849.asp

------------------
Visit FlyerTalk Dining http://flyertalk.com/diningfr.shtml

Road trip or mileage and mattress run?

It's up to you!

ORD-MKE is about $110 RT on Sundays.

Hi, I am a new Gold HH member. I have a reservation for February 14-16 at the Milwaukee City Center Hilton. I did a search, don't see any reviews on this property. Anyone with a stay that can help? This is the Hilton with a water park inside, we are going there with a few couples and their kids to kick back for the long weekend. Anything to expect as Gold? Advice appreciated.

Thanks!
CKL

I am Diamond level and have stayed at the Milwaukee City Center property many times. The hotel was remodeled about a year ago so the rooms are much nicer. It is an older hotel so expect smaller sized rooms. Ask for a corner room if available for a little more space. I've never been upgraded to a suite at this hotel, so the best you can hope for is a corner room on the Executive Level.

The hotel does have a jammin' indoor water park. Your kids will love it! You can walk to the Amtrak Station which will get you to downtown Chicago in about 1-1/2 hours for about $20.00 each way (adults). It would make for a fun day trip to travel to Chicago with the kids aboard the train. Shopping in downtown Chicago is fabulous.

Other than that, don't expect any other perks when you arrive. Have a great stay!

Boeing727. thanks for the info on the room size etc! I see you are in Naperville... I am sitting at my desk in Naperville right now. The info on Chicago is good, we will not be doing a visit to Chicago - we do that often enough. This trip is for the kids to blow off steam and us grown ups to get away from home for a few days. Any suggestions for dinner without the kids? I think we are going to get a sitter for a few hours one night.

Thanks again!

Anyone have any experiences/suggestions for the Milwaukee City Center Hilton.

We are planning on staying there this weekend and taking our 19 month old to the water park that is in the hotel.

Waterpark should be fun.
Make sure they put you in the new wing. The old wing is kinda old, though it has more "character" than the new wing. It's an okay hotel, but don't expect the Palmer House. Parking has been a problem, though they've been trying to do something about it. Perhaps someone else might have more recent experience about the parking situation.
Restaurants are pretty sad. Eat outside the hotel.
Personally I would not stay the the Mke City Center Hilton, though I understand the attraction of the waterpark. BTW, the waterpark is not free.

My last stay there (maybe a year and 1/2 ago) was rotten. From serious problems with water pressure and temperature, to parents who couldn't control their pre-adolescent kids running up and down the halls, screaming, etc., to parking being a royal pain, etc... it was bad. When I complained upon my departure, the couple behind me kept saying "yah, that happened to us, too" as to everything. The restaurant service for my included breakfast was just absolutely horrible. I seem to recall that I needed a room changed for some malfunction (on either the last, or a prior visit). I do recall that in the last room it was impossible to connect the laptop at the desk to both the phone line and plug without both unplugging things and having wires strung in places they shouldn't be.

Have to agree with you Eastbay. Stayed there this year as Gold at government rate, the room was small. Carpeting was odd. I felt like I was in Orlando, there were kids running around in the hallway with swimming suits. I will definitely not stay there again. I had to wait more than 20 minutes to be seated for breakfast.

The restaurant service for my included breakfast was just absolutely horrible. I do recall that in the last room it was impossible to connect the laptop at the desk to both the phone line and plug without both unplugging things and having wires strung in places they shouldn't be.

Did I experience these two problems on my last stay:

YES and YES

However, isn't the parking garage fairly new and attached to the building or am I thinking of another property? (I may have valet-ed it at MKE.)

We are planning on staying there this weekend and taking our 19 month old to the water park that is in the hotel.

oag123: Please post a report when you return. I may be forced to stay there for a wedding in November. I'm normally loyal to Hyatt, but the MKE Hyatt sounds even crappier.

Stayed there in January but took a cab from MKE so don't know about parking. I do remember that they did have valet parking, however, but not sure of the cost per night.

Was in a new room - very spacious and well decorated. No problems with plugs or computer hookups. Did not have screaming adolescents running up and down the halls but I was pretty far away from the water park entrance (although I was just down the hall from one of the viewing areas).

Breakfast - Had to ask for my breakfast coupons at check in and also had to seat myself every morning I went down to the restaurant. Buffet selections were plentiful but not always the same from day to day (had delicious cinnamon buns on the first day, not on the second, back on the third and gone again on the fourth). Service was mediocre at best - I think this had to do with the breakfast coupons - as soon as they see them, they shuffle off to work on other tables.

Ate out with clients each night so cannot comment as to dinner selections at the hotel. There are quite a few places within walking distance, however.

oag123: Please post a report when you return. I may be forced to stay there for a wedding in November. I'm normally loyal to Hyatt, but the MKE Hyatt sounds even crappier.
Take a look at the Pfister, or even the Wyndham. Personally I think they are much better. Oops, this is a HH forum. Sorry!

[U]However, isn't the parking garage fairly new and attached to the building or am I thinking of another property? (I may have valet-ed it at MKE.)

Yes, you're right. The Hilton Milwaukee has a new parking garage right next door so parking should no longer be a problem.

Stayed there this past July.

There is a parking garage next to it, so the parking is not a problem.
As a Diamond, I was upgrade to the top floor on the new wing, thougth not a suite. The room is actually bigger than the Drake I got at Chicago. I won't say it's a big room, but not small. Just an average size for city center hotel.

The executive lounge is probally the biggest lounge at any hilton hotels. Free alcohol during happy hours ( 4-7 PM) and decents finger food. Not just cheese and fruit, but 3 selection of hot dishes. I received breakfast coupons, and the breakfast buffet is excellent.

It's an above average experience compared to my other Hitlon stay.

I stayed the last month & had read about the water problem. It has been fixed. As a Diamond I had to to to the front desk & get moved to a new room on the new wing. The old wing has some unusual things going on, especially the 11th floor. The housekeeping staff confirmed that since it was an old hotel, weird stuff happens. While I've never seen a ghost I've had stuff happen in hotels I can't explain, and I was in the room at the time. :eek:

STAY AWAY FROM THE WYNDHAM. You old, desolate & crappy? There you go.

Mader's is a great German restaraunt in MKE.

Enjoy.

Thanks to all for their info.

I will post a trip report after the stay. I am staying there just to keep my very prestegious HH Blue Card (and associated points). Since we are taking my 19 month old daughter, I may be one of the people everyone was complaining about with the kids running around - but don't worry she usually is out by 8 pm.

OK. Here is my trip report for the Miklwaukee Hilton City Center.

Stayed there on a Saturday night. Arrived about 3 pm. There was a huge line to check in. Line was going no where. I currently have the very prestigious Hilton Honors Blue Card. So I decided to go into the Hilton Honors line. The line was not very long. Only 1 person in front me. Then, the wait started.

Appearently, the computers were down. From the time I got in line to the point I had a room key was 30 minutes. The people behind the desk would disappear for 10-15 minutes to get room. This was a disaster. I spoke to other people later and they waited as long as an hour and half to check in. The desk staff never explained to anyone what the problem was. No announcements or anything. They did provide punch and cookies. All guests seemed to take this pretty well.

Once, I had a room key I proceeded to the room with the bell hop. When we got to the room, I put the key in the door and heard noises in the room. The room was occupied. Appearantly, the people who had the room next door had my room as well the night before. They had connecting rooms. Since the room had not yet been made up, they decided to continue to use the room. Obviously, the hotel was only at fault for not having the room made up by 3:30. The bell man attempted to go into the room and fix the problem. He was very nice. He got another room. Went to that one, and it wasn't made up either. We finally got a room on the 3rd try. Ended up on the 14th floor.

Room was OK. 2 full sized beds (not even queens). Smallish bath room, but we had plenty of room for the pack and play for my daughter. Noise was not a really a problem.

Water park is nice. I think that it is $15 a day(on weekends) per person if you did not get tickets included in your package. So if you are going, make sure that get a package that includes this. I think that tickets do sell out. Also if you are doing the water park, then you may want to be in the 14th floor or lower - otherwise you will have to transfer elevators to get to the park.

Sunday morning there was a huge line for the restaurant, so we opted to go out on our own in Milwaukee. We found a small coffee shop that had breakfast burritos and sandwiches.

So all and all we are probably not going back anytime soon. This was a one time kinda place.

Many thanks for the follow-up!

I've stayed at this property maybe 10 times in the last 3 years. IMHO, it's a decent hotel and has a ton of character. I prefer it downtown. The HVAC system in the new wing is much better during the summer months for AC, but I prefer the charm of the old wing during the winter. They do give you a free hot buffet and that's pretty decent, IMHO. The room service is good and surprisingly affordable. There are a few flaws but this is one of the few Hiltons I've found with true character.

Stayed there last night (Thursday) on the employee rate. Don't know if we got new or old wing (2126). Room had two doubles (which we needed) and was easily twice as big as it needed to be. Stay was quiet, check in was fast, generally quite happy. No bathroom problems. There is a garage next to the hotel with $18 full in-and-out overnight guest parking, tho when we got there at 5:30pm there was an open metered space on the street. 15 minutes per quarter, free 6pm-8am. ^

There's also a self-park lot across the street, which is either $5 or $10 overnight depending on what is going on, park until I think 6:30am weekdays and 8am weekends.

So parking is no longer a problem, it seems.

I'll just chime in that we've stayed at the Hilton Milwaukee River twice now and besides one horrendous restaurant outing (which was last year, this year it was much better), we've liked it. It's only about 10 minutes north of downtown on I-43.

How is the Hilton River as an alternative?