Cambria Hotel holds grand opening in downtown Milwaukee

Cambria Hotels celebrated the arrival of its first Milwaukee location with a grand opening celebration this past week.

The Cambria Hotel Downtown at 503 N. Plankinton Ave. had a soft opening on Aug. 20. Cambria Hotels, franchised by Choice Hotels International Inc., operates two other Wisconsin locations in Appleton and Madison.

The Milwaukee opening marked one of seven new Cambria Hotels opening this summer. Another Cambria Hotel opened in the Midwest in Bettendorf-Quad Cities, Iowa.

"Cambria is Choice Hotels upscale brand. As we've been growing and launching the new brand, what we've really focused on is markets that have really strong business demand as well as strong leisure demand," senior vice president of upscale brands for Choice Hotels International Janis Cannon said. "Milwaukee has got the perfect combination of all of that. It's one of the most progressive and fast-growing cities."

The 81,000-square-foot, four-story hotel includes 132 rooms. Its location, with proximity to downtown Milwaukee and Milwaukee Intermodal Station, aptly serves the community, Murphy Development Group chairman and CEO John Murphy said in August.

The Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown offers upscale amenities including a full-service gourmet bar and restaurant, 100-person meeting space, indoor heated pool, fitness center and outdoor courtyard.

Hotel bathrooms are equipped with spa-style amenities and Bluetooth mirrors. The new hotel incorporates many elements of Wisconsin and lifestyle into the décor and overall atmosphere. Its restaurant, 414, serves all locally sourced food. The accent walls in all of the rooms feature a water theme as an ode to Lake Michigan.

Cannon said the focus of the Cambria brand is the little luxuries that make a big difference.

"We've redefined what luxury is," Cannon said. "It's much more about experiential things that create memories and enhance your quality of life overall."

The Cambria brand has 48 hotels and will approach 50 by the end of the year. In each of the company's hotels, Cannon said, there is a local craft beer component to get "a taste for the city."

Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown also offers a “glamping package." The hotel worked with Clear Water Outdoor on the package. Guests will take a two-hour kayak ride organized by Clear Water. When they return to the hotel, they receive a six-pack of beer and s'mores kit, which they can enjoy by the Cambria Hotel’s outdoor fire pit.

Source:  Bizjournals.com/milwaukee