The hype
The staff is friendly and the airport proximity is great, but the building is showing serious wear and tear.
Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport
$81-170/ night
Book this if You need a budget-friendly layover near MKE with a free 24-hour shuttle and don't mind a property that's rough around the edges.
Why People Love It
- Free 24-hour airport shuttle to General Mitchell International
- Large indoor pool and hot tub for the kids
- Convenient location right off I-94 in Oak Creek
Quick Take: It's an aging, inconsistent airport hotel where your experience heavily depends on which room you get—and whether it faces the roaring highway.
Reviewed by @dannsing1: I crashed here during a quick trip and it was exactly what I needed. The bed was super comfortable and having the coffee maker right by the door saved my early morning. It's a great, no-frills spot if you're in a rush and just need some solid rest!
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
You might get a perfectly fine room, or you might get one with stained carpets, peeling bathroom wallpaper, and a dirty hot tub.
- You have an early morning flight out of MKE
- You're traveling with kids who just want an indoor pool
- You need a quick, cheap place to crash off the interstate
Cleanliness & Maintenance
4.5
- Housekeeping: Highly inconsistent. Some rooms are clean, while others have stained carpets, dusty corners, and missed spots.
- Bathroom hygiene: A major weak point. Frequent reports of peeling wallpaper, mildew in showers, and broken fixtures.
- Maintenance: Struggling. Guests report broken lampshades, peeling paint, out-of-order balconies, and doors that don't latch properly.
- Linens & towels: Hit or miss. Some report comfortable bedding, while others complain of linens smelling like unwashed laundry.
- Odors & scents: The lobby is blasted with a heavy, overpowering air freshener, while some rooms have a musty or stale odor.
Sleepability™
4.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- I-94 highway traffic (semi-trucks and cars)
- Thin walls between adjoining rooms
- Echoing noise from the indoor pool area
Before you book
Good to know
- Breakfast is not included and costs around $13 at the on-site restaurant
- Self-parking costs $8 per day
- The airport shuttle runs 24 hours and is completely free
What to pack
- Earplugs or a white noise machine to drown out the interstate traffic
- Your own toiletries, as some guests report empty dispensers in the showers
Room Genie
Best picks
- Top Floor Premium Rooms facing away from the highway for less noise and better upkeep
Rooms to avoid
- Any room facing I-94 due to constant, heavy traffic noise
- Rooms directly adjacent to the indoor pool due to echoing kid noise
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“Hi, I'd like to request a top-floor room facing away from I-94 to minimize highway noise, preferably away from the elevators and pool area.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there a free airport shuttle?
Yes, the hotel offers a free 24-hour shuttle to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE).
How much is parking?
Self-parking is $8 per day. They also offer extended parking for $5/day if you are leaving your car during a trip.
Is the hotel pet-friendly?
Yes, but it comes with a steep $75 fee per pet, per stay.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
No, there is a surcharge (around $13) for the breakfast buffet at the on-site Altitude Restaurant.
Does the hotel have a pool?
Yes, there is a large indoor pool and a hot tub, though the hot tub's cleanliness has been a point of complaint.
How far is the hotel from downtown Milwaukee?
It's located in the suburb of Oak Creek, about a 15-minute drive (10 miles) from downtown Milwaukee.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Skip the overpriced hotel breakfast and drive two minutes to Oak Creek Diner for a massive, cheap breakfast skillet.
- ✨
Ask the front desk specifically not to put you on the highway side—it makes a night-and-day difference in sleep quality.
- ✨
If the Wi-Fi is sluggish in your room, head to the business center where the connection is usually more stable.
5 things to know before you go
💡The hotel is actually in Oak Creek, a southern suburb, not in Milwaukee proper.
💡The lobby air freshener is aggressively strong, likely used to mask older building smells.
💡The $75 pet fee is exceptionally high for a budget-friendly hotel and can double the cost of a cheap night.
💡The hot tub has had multiple guest complaints about moss and murky water.
💡The hotel has over 20,000 square feet of event space, meaning you might be sharing the property with a loud wedding or conference.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport is located and what's nearby.