Kimpton Journeyman Hotel

The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property in Milwaukee's vibrant Historic Third Ward, generally receives positive feedback for its stylish ambiance and prime location, though some guests have noted inconsistencies in service and cleanliness.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Kimpton Journeyman Hotel is largely positive, with guests frequently appreciating its inviting atmosphere and excellent location. It boasts strong ratings for cleanliness, facilities, comfort, staff, and free Wi-Fi on Booking.com, scoring 9.0, 9.0, 9.0, 8.9, and 9.7 respectively. However, there are "significant complaints" regarding service and cleanliness, with some guests feeling that the value for money is not always justified. The hotel's value for money rating is 7.9, suggesting this is an area for improvement.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise the hotel's excellent location in the Historic Third Ward. A major highlight is The Outsider, the rooftop bar, which is celebrated for its fantastic atmosphere, strong drinks, and stunning panoramic views of the city, the Hoan Bridge, and Lake Michigan, particularly at sunset. The hotel's design, which combines historic charm with a fresh, eclectic, and industrial aesthetic, including large windows, stenciled concrete floors, and curated local art, is also a notable draw. Amenities such as a daily evening wine hour, complimentary morning coffee and tea service, yoga mats in every room, a 24-hour fitness center, and free PUBLIC bikes are also highly valued. The hotel is also pet-friendly.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at the Kimpton Journeyman are generally described as spacious and designed with updated Midwestern charm. Guests frequently commend the "extremely comfortable" beds, soft pillows, and premium Frette linens, ensuring a good night's sleep. Each room includes luxury Atelier Bloem amenities, a flat-screen television, a work desk with an ergonomic chair, and large windows offering great views. Many rooms feature a walk-in shower or a shower and bathtub combination, with King Spa rooms offering oversized soaking tubs and extra space. Standard amenities also include minibars and safes, along with blackout drapes/curtains. However, some guests have reported issues with cleanliness, including dirty rooms and worn-out carpets. There have also been complaints regarding the absence of coffee makers in rooms, or issues with their quality and replenishment when provided.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel features Tre Rivali, a Mediterranean-inspired American modern restaurant and cocktail bar located on the ground floor. Tre Rivali offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, utilizing a wood-fired grill and oven, and is considered a popular gathering spot in the neighborhood. It offers various dining areas, including a main dining room, café, bar and lounge, a private dining room, and a sidewalk patio. The Outsider, the hotel's rooftop bar and lounge, is another significant dining highlight, offering Japanese-inspired small bites, specialty cocktails, and a selection of rare whiskeys and local beers in an indoor/outdoor setting with glass walls and fire pits, operating year-round. The hotel also provides a complimentary morning coffee and tea service and hosts a nightly wine hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Customized catering menus, crafted by Executive Chef Paul Funk and featuring locally sourced ingredients, are available for events.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Kimpton Journeyman Hotel are often described as friendly, accommodating, and helpful, with some guests highlighting specific individuals who went "above and beyond." However, despite these positive remarks, there are "significant complaints" concerning overall service. Guests have reported issues such as cleanliness not being adequately addressed even after reporting, and persistent problems with in-room coffee amenities. These inconsistencies suggest that while individual staff members may excel, there can be lapses in operational execution.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel boasts a prime location in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, a neighborhood known for its galleries, shops, cafes, and the Milwaukee Public Market. The hotel is within walking distance of numerous attractions, including the Harley-Davidson Museum, Discovery World, the Pabst Theater, Milwaukee City Hall, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, and the Milwaukee Riverwalk District, all within 1.2 miles. Public transportation, including tram stops, is easily accessible nearby. For local exploration, the hotel offers complimentary bicycle rentals. The hotel is also committed to accessibility, offering accessible rooms with features like modified bathtubs or roll-in showers, accessible public spaces, restaurants, meeting areas, fitness facilities, and both self-parking and valet parking options. Communication features such as visual alarms and TTY capabilities are also available, and service animals are welcome.

7. Value & Pricing

The pricing at Kimpton Journeyman Hotel can be on the higher side, with recent room bookings on KAYAK ranging from $163 to $269. The average price for a weeknight is around $241, and for a weekend night, it's about $217. June is noted as the most expensive month to stay, while September is typically the cheapest. Some guests have voiced concerns that the hotel's value for the price paid is not always justified, with one reviewer stating a price of "not worth $300+ per night." A common point of contention is the absence of complimentary bottled water in rooms, which some guests find unexpected for a hotel in this price bracket. Additionally, valet parking incurs a significant charge of $45 per night.

8. Common Complaints

Recurring criticisms often center on "significant complaints" regarding service and cleanliness. Some guests have specifically mentioned dirty rooms, worn-out carpets, and issues with in-room coffee makers, ranging from their absence to problems with cleanliness or quality of replacement. The lack of complimentary bottled water in the rooms has also been a surprise for some. Furthermore, the steep $45 nightly fee for valet parking is a point of concern for several guests. For IHG rewards members, there have been instances of "lackluster" welcome amenities and room assignments that did not meet expectations, such as being placed on a low floor or near an elevator despite specific requests.

Sources

1. kayak.com
2. booking.com
3. kayak.co.in
4. michelin.com
5. travelocity.com
6. americanexpress.com
7. weddingwire.com
8. journeymanhotel.com
9. journeymanhotel.com
10. journeymanhotel.com
11. journeymanhotel.com
12. expedia.com
13. hotels.com
14. reddit.com
15. booking.com
16. journeymanhotel.com
17. journeymanhotel.com
18. journeymanhotel.com
19. journeymanhotel.com
20. boardingarea.com