Chicago & Milwaukee Trip: The Hotels
(July 4 - July 7, 2008)

1st Night: The Congress Plaza Hotel - Downtown Chicago

One thing I really like a lot when Pat plans the trips, he likes to stay in documented Haunted Hotels. While nothing haunting has happened to this point, the hotels are almost always older hotels each with their own style. For work, I travel and stay in many hotels of two or three brand names. As time goes on one hotel is the same as the other. Most of these “haunted” hotels are of class and have been around for many years, had many interesting guest, and most of all many historical stories. Every trip he books I can always remember the hotel we stay in because each one is unique and adds a lot of flavor to the city. Most hotels are old, but are historical monuments and still offer the same class, but however minus today amenities. The first night in Chicago, Pat booked the Congress Plaza Hotel for the night. This historic Chicago hotel was built in 1893 to host World’s Columbian Exposition visitors. Its Michigan Location is perfect for Chicago Visitors and is located within walking distance of Lake Michigan, the Navy Pier and close car/taxi ride to most Chicago Museums. I enjoyed the stay in this hotel and over the July 4th weekend we were within walking distance of The Taste of Chicago Festival, just across the street on Lake Michigan. Great Pick Pat…

Paul J. Lossner

2nd Night: Embassy Suites - Downtown Chicago

Embassy Suites - Downtown Chicago Website

OK, I was in charge of picking this night’s hotel. I have to use up those Hilton Honors Points I have accumulated from work some how! I was completely taken back by the extreme size of this hotel and the suites inside each room. I wish I would have gone for breakfast when I took the pictures. A half an hour later and there was a 20 minute wait in line for food and no place to site. This hotel holds a lot of people and is very big!

3rd Night: The Pfister - Downtown Milwaukee

The Pfister - Downtown Milwaukee Website

The final night Pat booked a “haunted hotel” in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Just like the city of Milwaukee, this hotel was a real surprise: lots of hotel for the money. The Pfister Hotel opened for business in 1893 with it Victorian style design. The hotel was located in downtown Milwaukee and within walking distance of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee Art Museum (the Swan item in the Photos). The hotel staff however were very snooty, I guess they knew we were from the South. Should have said "Ahe" a few times.