TL;DR
- Prime spot: Third Ward, close to lakeshore and attractions.
- Stylish luxury: Kimpton design, chic decor, comfy Frette linens.
- Social perks: Complimentary evening social hour and attentive service.
- City access: Easy to explore Milwaukee by foot or bike.
- Check prices here
The Kimpton Journeyman is a Third Ward favorite that raises the bar for luxury boutique hotels in Milwaukee.
It doesn’t tie the space much to Milwaukee, though. It’s a bit like someone 3D printed it you could say.
It’s an IHG hotel and, as with a lot of the chains, there’s more of the feeling that you’re in a Kimpton/IHG hotel, rather than in a (insert city here) hotel.
Well, that’s the point, some might say, and anyway, there are far worse places you could find yourself, in Milwaukee or anywhere else.
With a complimentary social hour, excellent service, and decor worthy of a Coruscant antique shop, you’ll feel taken care of, and that’s the goal of any good hotel.
The location helps too, smack in the middle of one of the liveliest parts of town.
You’ll get to know the city pretty easily; all the best attractions will be at your fingertips.
And when you finally get back to your room, you can rest easy. The Frette linens might be predictable, but that doesn’t make them less welcome.
What are the rooms like?
- Variety: 158 rooms, Guest Rooms and Suites, King/Queen beds.
- Luxury: Premium suites with soaking tubs and city views.
- Amenities: Walk-in showers, Atelier Bloem products, work desks, giant TVs.
- See all the rooms in detail here
Rooms are divided into Guest Rooms and Suites, starting at a roomy 350 square feet.
Rooms range from King Singles through Queen Doubles and Premium options with extra space and a few soaking tubs.
Your basic suite is a perfectly serviceable 1-bedroom, but the Presidential Suite is the way to go if you want to feel opulent.
It’s rocking 900 square feet, has an extra-large tub, a dining room, and superb views of the Third Ward.
Decor is a symptom of the chain, we hate to say. It’s fine, even pleasantly filled with comfy chairs and soft lighting, and the odd furry throw.
We do like the color scheme as well; reds and subtle greens playing off the red and white, but there definitely is a very hotel-y vibe to it all.
Which is generally fine, not everyone needs a home away from home.
Indeed, with the walk-in showers, Atelier Bloem amenities, solid working desks and giant TVs, it might even be better than home.
What are prices like?
And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?
- Restaurant: Tre Rivali, Mediterranean, fresh and decadent dishes.
- Rooftop bar: The Outsider, cocktails, rare whiskeys, Japanese-inspired small bites.
- Fitness & transport: 24/7 cardio-focused gym, in-room yoga mats, complimentary hotel bikes.
Tre Rivali is the onsite restaurant, and it’s as stylish as you could expect.
The cuisine is Mediterranean, a nice mix of fresh and decadent, with plenty of craft beer and excellent cocktails that play with the flavors of the region. Zaatar Martini, we’re looking at you.
It’s open all day, with multiple dining areas that help you match whatever mood you’re going for.
Nine stories up, you have The Outsider, perhaps Milwaukee’s favorite rooftop bar and lounge. It’s a sophisticated place with plenty of indoor and outdoor space.
On the menu, you have more specialty cocktails, a selection of rare whiskeys, seasonal local beers, and a variety of wines to complement their Japanese-inspired small bites.
The fitness center is nice, but much more cardio-focused than your average. It’s open 24/7, and if you’re not one for exercising in public, they’ve done you the solid favor of stashing a yoga mat in each room.
Complimentary hotel bikes help you navigate the city without wearing your feet down or having to look for parking.
How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?
- Prime location: Third Ward, central, easy lake access.
- Nearby: Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum, Public Market, Juneau Town, Lower East Side.
- Walkable & bikeable: Lakeshore Park 20 mins, easy ride into Westown and Lakefront Brewery.
The location is one of the best in the city.
The Third Ward is a go-to for anyone visiting the city, a central area with plenty of cool restaurants and a nice proximity to the lakeshore.
Indeed, the walk to Lakeshore Park is an easy 20 minutes, even less if you grab a bike.
Walk along the lake to get to the attractions near Juneau Town and the Lower East Side.
Discovery World is a 15-minute walk, the Milwaukee Art Museum is another 5, and there are plenty more parks further along.
If you stay nearby, make sure to visit the Milwaukee Public Market, where you can wander around before grabbing lunch or dinner at any of the nearby restaurants.
It’s also an easy walk or ride into Westown, where you can visit the Lakefront Brewery (they moved from by the lake but kept the name) and some of the other hotspots along the Milwaukee River.
And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?
Some things guests liked:
“Location was perfect. Downstairs coffee/cafe was convenient and tasty. Sitting/relaxation areas were luxurious and pleasant. Restaurant and rooftop bar were fun and served quality product….”
“Dinner was fabulous- we ate on the first floor. We also had a cocktail on the roof top bar. Loved the atmosphere. We are definitely coming back….”
Some things guests didn’t like:
”Water pressure in the shower. Sectioned main mirror in the room was inconvenient. Two very small things I didn’t like. I requested a higher floor. Did not get it….”
”Rooftop bar staff was kind of rude. Just not very friendly….”
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