The Iron Horse Hotel

Motorcycles get preferential parking at the Iron Horse Hotel, and there's always a line of them right across from the front entrance of this 100-year-old building. The lobby of this old mattress factory opens into a two-story atrium, its original pine lumber beams and highly desirable cream city brick walls recalling Milwaukee's golden age as an industrial powerhouse. Wrought-iron chandeliers hang over the central lounge, which is fitted with reclaimed wood tables, aged leather chairs, and a gallery of vintage hardware. A large American flag anchors one end of the space, painted by a local artist whose canvas was made entirely of Wrangler jeans stitched together, opposite a custom bike on display from the owner's personal stable. 

The Iron Horse Hotel sits right off of a roundabout below the 6th St. Viaduct that connects Milwaukee's south side to its central downtown area. It's in an industrial section of the hip Walkers Point neighborhood, known as much for its acclaimed dining scene and expensive loft condos as its rusty railroad bridges and gritty alleys, with numerous bars and restaurants within walking distance. The Harley-Davidson Museum is just across the river, but most guests will opt to drive versus walking 10 minutes over the busy viaduct. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is a five-minute drive west, while the lakefront -- lined with cultural destinations like the Milwaukee Art Museum and Henry W. Maier Festival Park (known locally as the Summerfest Grounds) -- is less than a 10-minute drive to the east. The airport is about a 15-minute drive from here, or a half-hour via public transportation (a bus stops two blocks away).

The hotel's 100 loft-style rooms feature the same exposed timbers and brick walls as the rest of the building, with the cream city bricks -- a unique buttery/cream-colored brick found in Milwaukee -- setting the stage for a pleasant palette that's further enriched by wood tables and leather benches. Works from local artists adorn the walls, with some rooms getting large photographic wall murals. Layouts vary, but all are spacious and equipped with work desks, leather swivel chairs, and sitting areas that range from a single armchair to sofas and dining tables in studios. Flat-screen TVs and iPod docks come standard. The minibars are stocked and there are Keurig coffeemakers, along with bottles of wine and snack baskets (not included). The bathrooms have double vanities and large walk-in rainfall showers. 

The Iron Horse offers several dining options, which are also available for hosting events. Smyth is the most upscale option, with a seasonal New American menu and a full wine list in a chic dining room, while Branded is a popular cocktail bar that serves classic bar food. There's a pool table at one end of the bar and guests often spill out into the larger lobby lounge with their old-fashioned high balls and beloved domestic beers. Tucked between the side of the hotel and the 6th St. Viaduct, The Yard is a casual (and seasonal) outdoor eatery with tables and a full bar under sail canopies. It serves sandwiches, cheese boards, and wood-fired pizzas, and hosts regular nightly entertainment throughout the summer. Guests can dine with their dogs on the terrace, and the hotel also provides a dog-walking service. A full breakfast menu is served each morning in The Library (not included), and the space is used for events in the evenings. There are several other dedicated event spaces, each exuding the same vintage style mixed with flair from local artists, the largest of which can accommodate 200 guests. The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center and on-call massage services available in two private treatment rooms.