Top 11 Pet Friendly Hotels in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI, proved to be an amazing city to take our pets for a vacation. For starters, its location on the western shore of Lake Michigan guaranteed us sterling sceneries every time we take our pets for a walk. Furthermore, the sheer amount of public parks and pet-friendly spots shows that Milwaukee truly embraces its four-pawed tourists. We especially had a lovely time taking our pets to McKinley Beach and walking along the Lakefront Trail. And thanks to Milwaukee for having plenty of pet-friendly breweries, we got to enjoy some of the city’s best beers with our pets in tow. To top it off, finding top pet-friendly hotels in Milwaukee wasn’t hard at all. In fact, to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of all the best ones we’ve been to!

The Trade, Autograph Collection

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The Trade, Autograph Collection is a hunk of a modern pet-friendly hotel located near Milwaukee River. It’s relatively a new hotel in town, but its reputation for having exemplary hospitality and services is undeniable, seeing that they’ve won several awards already. That said, the thing that enticed us the most was its affinity towards furry guests.

The hotel warmly welcomes pet dogs for a $125 pet fee per stay. Each room is allowed a maximum of two dogs weighing under 100 lbs. In hindsight, the pet fee might seem pricey, but it does cover two dogs, so for us, it’s still in the reasonable range.

Plus, the cost comes with quality, too. For our dogs, the hotel provided them with treats, dog beds, and bowls. The room that we got was aesthetically decorated, with mid-century furniture and lots of amenities. It was also the perfect size to accommodate us and our two dogs. The extra amenities like free parking also come as a bonus point for us.

However, one downside of the hotel is that the nearest green area is a couple of blocks over. So, we had to walk for a few minutes for our dogs’ potty breaks. That said, the walk was so bad since it was along the riverside and it counted as daily walks for our dogs.

Sleep Inn and Suites Airport Milwaukee

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This time we made sure to check out Sleep Inn and Suites Aiport Milwaukee for all the pet parents who are traveling by plane and need accommodations near the airport. To our delight, the hotel turned out to be a great pet-friendly hotel with pet policies that are mindful of the pet’s comfort.

For starters, the hotel made sure that all the pet-friendly rooms were on the ground floor for easier access to the potty area. Secondly, to our convenience, it was okay for our dog to be left unattended in the room, provided they were comfortably put in their dog travel crate. Thirdly, there is a pet fee of $75 per pet, per night, with a maximum of two dogs up to 40 lbs per room. Unfortunately, cats aren’t allowed at the hotel.

Beyond that, the hotel had other notable features that we’d like to highlight. Their services, for one, are impeccable, especially toward our dog. The staff always made sure we had waste bags every time we took our dog for a walk or potty and provided one when we didn’t. There are also facilities like an indoor pool, for when we feel like taking a plunge. Lastly, the freebies were our faves. We got free parking, free breakfast, and free shuttle services to the airport.

Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel

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For a hotel filled with precious art installations, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, surprisingly, has a very inclusive pet policy. To them, pets aren’t only the furry ones but also the feathery and scaly ones. So if you have a pet bird or any kind of reptile, well, this is the hotel for you. Plus, the hotel also doesn’t discriminate between breeds or sizes.

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That said, this time, we brought our equally precious pet cat to experience the unique Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel together. For our first impression, we found the hotel to be aesthetically pleasing, especially with the contemporary art that decorates the walls of the lobby. As for our cat, she was a bit skittish at first, but with some gentle coaxing by the staff, our cat became comfortable enough to be given treats.

Now, seeing that the staff were excellent with pets in general, it wasn’t much of a surprise that they also pampered our cat with amenities of her own. Conveniently, there was a plush pet bed, cat treats, water bowls, and mats. As an extra gesture, we were also given a directory of nearby pet-friendly spots and activities. Now, such hospitality does come with a price, and the hotel charges a pet fee of $100 per stay, which for us, was reasonable given the extra mile the hotel goes to welcome our pets.

Aloft Hotel Milwaukee Downtown

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When in doubt, we can always rely on the Aloft Hotel Milwaukee Downtown to provide us with a satisfactory stay with our pets. Not only does the hotel welcome furry guests, but they also do it with immense enthusiasm. The staff’s warm smiles, combined with the hotel’s cheery and colorful decorations, only added to the upbeat vibe of our stay.

Now, our favorite part of staying here is the lack of pet fees throughout our stay. We had two dogs with us this time, and the lovely staff equipped them with goody bags filled with treats, bowls, and dog beds. If that wasn’t amazing enough, the hotel’s inclusive pet policy also extends to welcoming both cats and dogs weighing below 40 lbs. To think that we got all of these with no extra fees just further cemented our love for the Aloft.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the location was a desirable feature, especially since we weren’t allowed to leave our dogs unattended in the room. The hotel was right by Riverside with an ample walking trail for our dogs, and the grassy relief area was just outside the hotel. All the nearby pet-friendly pubs and restos were also just a quick 10-15 minutes walk from the hotel. That said, when we did spend our time in the guestroom, it was a comfy affair. The room was spacious enough for two dogs, and natural lights coming in made the room feel breezy and airy.

Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown

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The Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown is our go-to hotel for a guaranteed luxurious stay with our pets. For starters, the hotel ticks all the boxes of our ideal pet-friendly hotel. From a downtown location, available rooms for dogs, easy access to pets’ potty space, and quality hospitality. It also doesn’t hurt that the hotel was nice to look at with its modern layout and sleek furnishing.

Granted, all of these did come with a price. For our extra four-legged companion, we were charged a pet fee of $75, which was not that pricey, all things considered. The pet fee covers up to a 6-night stay, and for longer stays, there’s an additional $100 cleaning fee. Furthermore, while each room is allowed a maximum of 2 dogs, the combined maximum weight must be below 100 lbs.

Beyond that, everything was to our liking. The services were exemplary. The staff didn’t overcomplicate our check-in, helped us to our room, and even gave our dog some treats. The guestroom we had was simply splendid. The bed was cozy, and our dog got to laze around the big sofa. When we had to head out for a quick dinner, our dog was allowed to be left inside his crate in our room. That said, our favorite pastime with our dog was hanging out with him at the hotel’s outdoor terrace when the weather was nice.

The Pfister Hotel

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Having an extensive historical background, staying at The Pfister Hotel gave us a glimpse into Milwaukee’s “old money” style of glamour and elegance. Upon entering the hotel, we were greeted with beautiful artwork and intricate vintage furnishing.

To top it off, we were able to experience this luxury with our furry buddies for a reasonable price. For only a fee of $100 per stay, the hotel allows us to bring 3 dogs up to 50 lbs per room. This time, we had two dogs with us, and the hotel’s affinity for our four-pawed companion was evident in how much the staff pampered them. With the hotel’s “Rover Package,” our puppies were given amenities including dog beds, water and food bowls, and treats.

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Furthermore, the hotel’s stand-out features didn’t stop at the pretty interior design and fantastic pet policies. In fact, their hospitality is also impeccable. The guestroom we had was comfortable and spacious, with all the in-room amenities we needed. Plus, with our dogs being permitted to be left in the room, we were able to indulge in some of the hotel’s facilities, like the indoor pool and the spa center.

Beyond that, we loved taking our dogs to the nearby Cathedral Square Park. And since the hotel is located in Downtown Milwaukee, we could easily explore the city with our dogs.

The Westin Milwaukee

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Best Pet-Friendly Hotel With No Pet Fee. The Westin Milwaukee proved to be among the best dog-friendly hotels in Milwaukee, Wisconsin we’ve been to. This hotel has it all in terms of favorable location, globally renowned hospitality, and a pet policy that we guarantee every pawrent will love. For one, the hotel doesn’t charge any extra fees for their furry guests. Be it big dogs or small dogs of any breed. It’s also neat that they allow for a maximum of two dogs in each room.

On top of that, the staff never failed to make our dogs feel special. From the moment we arrived, our dogs were welcomed with head scratches and high-fives. And to commemorate them as guests, our dogs’ names were added to the chalkboard list of all the other four-pawed guests staying at the hotel.

Beyond that, the hotel’s downtown location was an instant plus in our books. We had no problem walking around town and checking out Milwaukee’s hotspot. Plus, courtesy of the hotel’s considerate staff, we were given a map of good areas to take our dogs for walks. If that wasn’t proof enough that the lovely staff would go above and beyond for our dogs, they also provided us with extra dog treats, bowls, and waste bags.

The Plaza Hotel – Milwaukee

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Best Location. The Plaza Hotel – Milwaukee presented us with a quaint and eclectic Art Deco-style boutique hotel amid Milwaukee’s historic Lower East Side. This pet-friendly hotel stood out to us for many reasons, one being its walkable location. The neighborhood was full of hip, pet-friendly cafes and restaurants, and we even got to walk along the nearby Lakefront Trail.

Furthermore, the hotel’s pet policy was also another highlight for us. For starters, there were no size and breed restrictions, so we had no problem bringing our big dog to stay with us. It’s also neat that the pet fee was a reasonable $50 per pet/stay. Beyond that, we appreciate how the staff were so dotting to our pet and even providing him with treats and toys.

As for the rest of the hotel, everything suited us perfectly. The guestroom, for one, was fantastic. It was clean and comfortable. The amenities, like the kitchenette, were a nice added feature that made our stay extra convenient. Other than that, the hotel’s little nook of vine-covered outdoor cafe was our go-to place to enjoy the day with our dog.

Kimpton Journeyman Hotel

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Best Pet-Friendly Hotel For Feline. The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel took it up a notch when it came to being one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Milwaukee. For one, who would’ve thought that staying at this high-end hotel also meant that we got to bring our feline pet free of charge?

That said, the hotel’s pet policy covers opening their door to pet cats and dogs of any size and allowing pets to be left unattended in the room, provided we leave a cell number at the front desk. For us, the best part of the pet policy was the pet amenities that came with it. Our cats were given a pet bed and bowls, and to our convenience, also cat litter and a litter box.

“Knowing how luxurious the Kimpton is, we knew that, for once, we were also gonna get a diva treatment like we do our cat.”

WOW Travel

The hotel itself was grand but in a welcoming way. The staff were so helpful and nice towards our cat. They seamlessly checked us in and escorted us to our room. We also got to check out the hotel’s famous rooftop bar while our cat was sleeping soundly in our room. Other than that, the hotel’s downtown location proved to be a fantastic starting point to enjoy the city.

Kinn Guesthouse Bay View

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To have an authentic Milwaukee experience as the locals do, we decided to stay at the Kinn Guesthouse Bay View. Unlike the pet-friendly hotels we’ve been to on this list, this one had no on-site staff. Just us alone with our pet and a guestroom filled to the brim with amenities that will ensure us a comfortable stay.

That said, at the Kinn Guesthouse, we were allowed a maximum of two dogs. The pet fee was $65 per pet with a weight limit of 65 lbs. We also made sure to get the Superior King Suite 8 since it was the only pet-friendly room at the guesthouse. The room had amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, and a seating area with a couch and TV. And there was a green area out front to take our dog to potty.

Beyond that, everything was peachy. The Bay View area was amazing to walk around. The quaint neighborhood was filled with trendy shops and coffee shops. All in all, staying here was a nice change of scenery, and we got a memorable experience out of it.

The Iron Horse Hotel

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Overall Best. Naming The Iron Horse Hotel as our overall best pet-friendly hotel on this list was a no-brainer, considering the hospitality we received here. When we first got to the hotel, the attentive staff immediately took care of us. From the check-in process to making sure that our dog had everything he needed to be comfortable. Then, before helping us to our room, the staff added our pup’s name to their cute chalkboard list with all of the fur guests’ names.

When it came to the pet policy, the hotel was beyond inclusive. They welcome cats and dogs of all sizes and breeds for a fee of $100 per stay. And as for our puppy, the hotel went ham in providing him with the necessary amenities. Treats were given upon checking in, and in our room, there were bowls, a doggy bed, and toys. Speaking of rooms, ours was incredibly comfortable. Not only were tons of amenities but the room’s exposed brick walls really tied up the whole cozy industrial vibe of the hotel.

Overall, we had a magnificent time staying here. The hotel’s other facilities truly enhanced our experience. We got to enjoy meals together, and the hotel was pretty lax in letting our dog in the common indoor spaces. Plus, having direct access to The Yard was pretty cool. We also got to check out the bar for a bit since the hotel had no problem leaving our well-behaved pup unattended in our room.

Our Verdict!

As you can see on this list, The Iron Horse Hotel really impressed us with how much they care for their furry guests. They also made sure that their pet policy is inclusive towards both cats and dogs of any size, plus the extra pet amenities were such an added convenience to us. That said, some of the pet-friendly hotels on this list also had features that stood out to us.

• Best Pet-Friendly Hotel With No Pet Fee: The Westin Milwaukee
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotel For Feline: Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
• Best Location: The Plaza Hotel – Milwaukee

Where To Stay in Milwaukee with Your Pet

When visiting a new place with our pets in tow, we always make sure that the area has nearby parks and pet-friendly spots. That said, in Milwaukee, we found those areas to be the Downtown Milwaukee, particularly the Historic Third Ward and the Bay View area.

Firstly, the Historic Third Ward is the epicenter of Milwaukee. The neighborhood is basically the hub for tourist activities. Expect to be overwhelmed but also excited by the sheer amount of trendy local pet-friendly spots like cafes, shops, and restos. It’s very walkable, so we could easily explore the area with our pets in tow. One of the best trails to enjoy in the Historic Third Ward is definitely the Lakefront Lake. It overlooks Lake Michigan and starts from Vateran Park to Lake Park.

Secondly, the other neighborhood in Milwaukee that caught our attention is Bayview. It’s in the southern part of Milwaukee and has a more laid-back vibe. Staying in the Bay View area, we mainly got to enjoy Milwaukee like the locals do. It’s more of a resident area but with tons of hip boho-chic cafes and shops.

Overall, Milwaukee, in general, is a fantastic destination to take our pets for a vacation with. The amount of pet-friendly parks and trails along Lake Michigan is enough reason for us to haul ourselves to this bustling city. It also helps that pet-friendly hotels in Milwaukee, WI, can be easily found all over the city. Now, for your next trip to Milwaukee, check out the best hotels in Milwaukee and the most romantic hotels in Milwaukee.

Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars in Milwaukee

• Harbor House – For a fresh and elevated menu of surf and turf, we couldn’t recommend the Harbor House enough. Their restaurant is very dog-friendly, and the staff seated us at the restaurant’s beautiful waterfront outdoor patio.
• The Yard – As the name suggests, this restaurant provided us with an ample outdoor seating area surrounded by lush plants, the perfect setting for dining with our pets. On top of that, they also serve some of the best cuisine we’ve ever had. The staff even provided a water bowl for our pooch.

Pet-Friendly Activities In Milwaukee

• Granville Dog Park – For quality time outside with our pets, we love going to the Granville Dog Park. The park has a huge wooded area with a walking trail by the river and creeks where our dogs could have a bit of splash.
• Milwaukee Boat Line – While in Milwaukee, we couldn’t miss out on going on a cruise along the Milwaukee River. Thanks to the Milwaukee Boat Line, we could enjoy this experience with our well-behaved pets on board.

Best Pet Stores In Milwaukee

• Bark ‘n Scratch Outpost – At Bark ‘n Scratch Outpost, we were able to find all sorts of pet supplies. With the store carrying various dry food and +14 freezers of raw diets, you can be sure that the store has something for your pets. Plus, they also have a large selection of pet accessories, like toys, leashes, and other grooming products.
• Skilos, A Family Pet Store – Located just off of downtown Milwaukee, the Skilos offers all the standard pet supplies we need. They have treats, supplies, toys, food and more. They also offer delivery services, so for any emergency needs, we were able to order through their website.