For our anniversary Nick and I decided it would be fun to visit a “new to us” city and explore. We chose Milwaukee because it was within driving distance and it had a historic hotel we were wanting to see… The Hilton Milwaukee City Center Hotel.

Photo of the Original Schroeder Hotel, courtesy of Historic Hotels

Constructed during the Roaring Twenties this Hilton stands as a model of Art Deco elegance. Known originally as the Schroeder Hotel, this hotel opened in 1928, boasting of it’s expansive architecture, grand furnishings, and impressive art deco interior.

We arrived and were promptly greeted by Millie and Sadie, the residents pups. These doodles were so precious and we had almost as much fun giving belly rubs as they had receiving them.

After checking in to our room we were whisked upstairs in this elevator that still exudes so much character and charm from years ago. I love when industrial things are embellished and fancy, I think it is so fun!

For our anniversary the hotel surprised us with an upgrade to the Royal Suite which was so sweet of them! It was definitely a room with a view as we could see all of Milwaukee from our room. While we enjoyed the living room and dining room, my favorite thing was the bathtub! It was so nice to soak in after sleeping in on Saturday.

You can see how the hotel accommodations have become quite a bit fancier and more expansive than when the hotel first opened:

Original hotel accommodations, photo courtesy of historic hotels

After an amazing breakfast and a long soak in the tub we were ready to do some hotel exploring. Which usually feels like hotel snooping as we are always just trying doors to see what is unlocked, but that’s the fun of exploring old hotels.

The ballrooms were magnificent. Each one held it’s own sense of elegance and style, varying gently or greatly from the one before. The history that these rooms must have seen is so wonderful to think of. And the details of all of the rooms were gorgeous.

The salon of the hotel, the entrance, was magnificent and breathtaking. With a lower entrance to the grand foyer, it definitely created a moment when you entered the quiet din of the grand room after taking in all of the noise and din from the world outside. The details are breathtaking. The front desk was a timepiece left from another time, with the bank style bars and all of the small details left from a world where the world took it’s time and things were done in a proper, certain way. Those are the details I cherish. Well, those and fancy doorknobs.

All of the small details. I can romance anything, I know, but the time taken to create all of the finial work, the mouldings, the hardware for the hotel, it is romantic and ethereal to look at. It is all a symphony of details that come together to form a masterpiece that has truly stood the test of time, coming out timeless, classy, and undeniably elegant.

Lest I mention my one true love, the lighting. Y’all know I love a good hotel light and this place did not dissapoint. The enormous chandeliers all in a row in the entrance? The wooden art deco circle lights? The stately french chandeliers in the salon? I am not sure which is my favorite but I know I loved them all.

We loved our stay at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center and highly recommend you visit. You will love how many details remain from the Art Deco movement, the peacefulness you’ll feel when sitting in the lobby, and all of the plush accommodations in the well appointed rooms. And make sure to say hello to the puppies for us when you visit!

For some fun historic hotel kitsch at home, shop our fun swizzle stick collections. These are so fun to keep on your home bar!

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