Stayed three nights in January. This downtown hotel is a great home away from home. Hotel seems a little worn out but still in great condition. Room was spacious and well appointed. Easy access to many downtown sites. Underground parking a bit cumbersome but greatly appreciated on cold snowy days. Morning breakfast was well stocked and tasty as usual. Evening light meals included free soda, beer, and wine. Overall, great place to rest after a days work.

I stayed here one night on a recent business trip and found that the hotel, while not particularly charming, covered the basics quite nicely. The hotel didn't impress me greatly upon arrival, set back from the street with a little half-circle drive that was a big empty space, quite unadorned and blank, the entrance shared with a couple of other commercial enterprises -- a bit confusing to someone who hasn't been there before. My taxi drove by it a couple times without realizing that's where it was. The check-in staff-person was kind of brusque and awkward. I had arrived after the restaurant closed (it was only 7:45 PM) -- unfortunate, because I was really hungry (luckily, Mo's Irish Pub a block away helped, with its excellent burgers!).

But on the positive side, my room was enormous, clearly geared to business people on longer stays than mine. I really appreciated all the space -- an entry, hall, large kitchenette, living room area, and a whole separate bedroom and bath area, really more of a suite than a room. It was on the corner, so I could look out and see both the lake, a couple blocks away, and the river -- lovely! The bed was comfortable and I slept well. The furnishings were basic but adequate. The coffee-maker, however, defied my understanding, and after 5 minutes of trying to brew a cup, I gave up and went down for breakfast at the very comfortable "Hearth" area where a full breakfast was available, included in the room fee. I also found the lighting system hard to figure out -- you had to flip the switches in a certain order in order to get them to work -- not so easy for a tired traveler to figure out.

My stay was short, but I would say that I found the hotel short on charm but good in terms of providing decent accommodations in a central downtown location. If you are a business-person in need of a place to stay for more than a day or two, the extra space, and business center on the ground floor, would no doubt be especially appealing.

This is the second year in a row that I've stayed at the Residence Inn Milwaukee Downtown and it is great for business travellers!

The staff are across the board friendly and helpful and greet regulars personally - the hotel is always clean and bright & extremely spacious in the beautifully restored Gimbel's building.

Pros:
Good gym - spacious & clean, never too busy (I normally go either 6:30am or 6:30pm times)
Good selection of complimentary breakfast options
Really spacious rooms with high ceilings and massive windows
Walking distance to restaurants & shopping in the down town area.
Love the iHome alarm clocks in the room - charges my phone and lets me have a little dance party to my own music if needed!

Cons:
Not a huge con but the hairdryer seems to overheat everyday! I can't bring my English one with me because of the voltage differences so have to use the hotel ones. The ladies would appreciate some more powerful salon style hairdryers (some hotels have them available, just don't put them in the rooms - I'd happy sign one out for the week!)

If I am back in Milwaukee I'll definitely stay here again whether its for business or pleasure!

If you are looking for a spacious, historical building that feels like a luxury accomodation, opt to stay in the Downtown Residence Inn in Milwaukee.

Formerly the "Gimbelss Department Store" located on the river in downtown Milwaukee, many of the architectual elements of this historic building have survived conversion to hotel.

Staff is accomodating, rooms are large, with lots of windows and very comfortable.