My stay at The Iron Horse Hotel was extremely disappointing, especially for a property that markets…read moreitself as a boutique experience.
From the moment I walked in, the lobby was overwhelmed with a heavy, Axe body spray-like scent--so strong it felt like walking through a middle school locker room. I assumed it was temporary and that my room would be a relief, but unfortunately, it was worse. The room smelled musty, like a house that hasn't been aired out in years. To make matters worse, the wallpaper was peeling off the walls, which is unacceptable for a hotel at this level.
Beyond that, the overall cleanliness of the hotel was lacking. For a boutique property, I expected a much higher standard, but the space felt worn and not well-maintained.
The bed was hard and uncomfortable, and the towels were rough--far from the soft, high-end feel you'd expect. The most concerning part of my stay, though, was waking up at 1:45 AM struggling to breathe. It genuinely felt like a reaction to something in the room--possibly mold or poor air quality. I initially thought I was getting sick, but after spending a few hours away the next day, I felt completely normal again, which makes it hard to ignore the room as the cause. If you have any respiratory sensitivities, be cautious.
I contacted the front desk to explain the situation and was told checking out early without being charged for another night wouldn't be an issue. I even offered to return around noon so they could turn the room, but was told not to worry since they weren't sold out. When I returned later that day, there was no note, and the staff refused to honor what I had been told, citing the late checkout time. While I understand policies, the inconsistency and lack of follow-through were frustrating.
I also dined at the hotel restaurant, which didn't help the experience. The food was overpriced for the quality--my salad was warm, fries were room temperature, and clearly sat out too long. Dessert was equally disappointing; the lemon tart was buried under an excessive amount of powdered sugar, making it unpleasant to eat.
It's honestly a sad day when I transferred to a basic airport hotel--Hyatt Place Milwaukee Airport--and had a significantly better experience. The bed was more comfortable, the towels were actually soft, and even the shampoo and conditioner were noticeably better quality. On top of that, the Hyatt was spotless, which only made the lack of cleanliness at Iron Horse stand out even more.
Overall, this stay fell far below expectations. Between the condition of the room, air quality concerns, cleanliness issues, and poor service recovery, I won't be returning.
