| Hotel Rating: |   | | Satisfaction: |   | | Reviews: 11 | Photos: 13 | | 17 East Monroe Street Box 75845 |
 | Chicago The Palmer House Hilton Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 11 |  |
 | |  |  | The Palmer House Hilton: 125 Years of Splendor...
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"No other city in mainland U.S.A. can offer a spectacle like the Loop, where dozens of major buildings lie within the compass of an afternoon stroll." Reyner Banham, British architectural critic, 1964
Don't even ask how many years ago I stayed at the wonderful Palmer House (before Hilton owned it)! I was a senior in high school & attended a Newspaper Convention in Chicago. Can you believe that we stayed at the magnificent Palmer House?
When my daughter Jill was married here in Chicago, my dear friends, Marilyn & Bruce Hart, stayed at the Palmer House Hilton. They loved it, bringing back my own memories.
It's such a part of Chicago, & for all 125+ years, people from all over the world have come here to stay when they visited Chicago. Why? Because of the Beaux Arts ceiling in the Lobby, the mythological statues all around, the famous EMPIRE ROOM, & because of its location near Chicago's business & financial district. It's also within walking distance of The Art Institute; Symphony Center; Goodman, Chicago, & Shubert Theatres; Grant Park & the Lakefront.
My friends said that the rooms were smaller than most luxury hotel rooms, but they were still more than satisfied.
It's a huge hotel with over 1500 deluxe rooms & almost 90 suites. The Penthouse Suite has 11 rooms!
The Palmer House Hilton has what they call "an Executive Level", which my friends belong to, & so they enjoyed the following:
a. complimentary Continental breakfast
b. complimentary hors d'oeuvres at cocktail time
c. private elevator to a private registration area, lobby, & lounge
Restaurants & Bars:
a. The French Quarter (American Cuisine)
b. Windsor's Lobby Bar & Cafe
c. The Big Downtown (new) Bar/Restaurant
d. Jacques for caffeine lovers who eat on the
run such things as pastries, muffins, or
bagels
There is also a Fitness Club with Nautilus equipment & other exercise gear plus massage therapy, sauna, whirlpool, & steam room. Oh, yes, there is an indoor pool.
Just a few days ago (July of 2004), Allan & I visited for old time's sake...the Lobby is wonderful with all the restoration of the ceiling by a Florentine artisan who also worked on the Sistine Chapel. A staff member let us into the famed EMPIRE ROOM, which has also been restored and is used for special parties. I'm so pleased, as you, too, will be when you experience this 1971 Landmark Hotel.
Note: Price is per person. Here in the USA, prices are quoted per room; however, the choice here is per person so calculate accordingly.
CLICK ON PHOTO FOR PANORAMIC VIEW Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averagePhone: 1 (312) 726-7500Other Contact: Fax: (312)263-2556 |
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| | | | The Palmer House Hilton: Old Landmark Building
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Small but fine rooms, with windows which open to let in fresh air, but also aircondition. Clean, crisp rooms, usual 5*hotel amenities, such as TV, Telephone, internet access, minibar.
The architecture inside makes you think you belong to that old age of glamour.
It also has a pool, sauna, a gym, which is for the number of guests too small.
Breakfast was deliciuos, in the Lobby Breakfast restaurant. Leave a Comment |
| | | | The Palmer House Hilton: Nice for the Money
Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
Well of course the first thing you have to say about the Palmer House deals with the outstanding lobby ceiling. Done in an art deco style, the lofty ceiling is quite something to behold. Frankly, it's worth seeing even if you're not staying there.
The hotel is located on Chicago's Loop, and within walking distance to many pubs, eateries, shopping, drug stores, and general shopping locations. Not the least of which being the tiny walk of 1.5 blocks to get to the Art Institute of Chicago.
About the only negative thing I have to say is that I feel that for the price, this place should have free wifi or high speed Internet. Instead it's a 9.95/day or 59.99/week.
I was in town on business and spent 12 days at this location.
Although my room was on the 14th floor with a view of the interior courtyard (aka the roof of another building down below,) I would still recommend this hotel for several reasons. First of which being the great service I received when I checked in. Now, I'm not sure if this was due to the fact that I'm a HHilton Honors member or what, but they seemed quite kind and caring about my wellbeing after flying into town. I was given coupons to put down in the room so I could drink the $5 bottled water for free.
Additionally, I was given access to the Executive Lounge on the 23rd floor. This worked great for me, as I was able to get a free breakfast, drinks throughout the day, pop as needed, and cookies as well whenever I liked.
My room was HUGE. I was shocked when I saw it after reading all the reviews about tiny cramped rooms - mine had two full bathrooms and two closets!!! But I will say that as I was walking back to my room one evening I happened past an open door of another room on my floor - and indeed! It was tiny!!! My recommendation would be to request the two double beds in an effort to get a larger room. Leave a Comment |
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| | | | The Palmer House Hilton: The Windy City
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This hotel was absolutely beautiful and absolutely too expensive for my particular need of being there. I would recommend this to someone on a tour of the city for a few days in a laid back mode, honeymoon, family reunion, or anniversary type occasion--something lasting a few days-not a week. The room was nice however, the bathroom was alot smaller than I like but the beds were very plush and comfortable. I ended up having to catch a cab to a self serve laundry mat away from downtown because the rates were ridiculous at the hotel. Cocktails at the bar were normal prices at any hotel. We ended up going to the breakfast spots enroute to Michigan Ave because a simple continental breakfast in the hotel was $16. A full breakfast started at $24 and for me that was stupid for breakfast to be priced that high. Breakfast isnt that high dollar in Europe or Asia! The great thing is, as soon as you walk out on to State St, plenty of restaurants are within a few walking steps--and women's clothing stores!
While I was there, apparently Janet Jackson was in the hotel as well during this same time just to give you an idea of its stature.
It has an amazing foyer, concierge service, boutiques, jewelry stores, salons, etc. Everything you could want for the appropriate occasion. It's centrally located downtown near the Water tower mall, Michigan Ave, Navy Pier, and plenty of shops. If I were having a wedding or a formal event, I would have chosen this hotel. My room went for close to $400 a night. I was here for a convention in 2006 for an entire week and thank goodness it was paid for. But this was way too extravagant for this occasion. The internet in the hotel room was overpriced along with breakfast and laundry service and even local phone calls were close to $1.00 a minute.
I would have done better at a Marriott Fairfield Inn away from downtown for this occasion. Leave a Comment |
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