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Hotel Class: 
4 Stars - 19 Reviews and 1975 Opinions
17 East Monroe Street, Box 75845, Chicago, Illinois, 60603, United States
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teleimac
- Reviews: 2
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The windy city - The Friendly City!
There is nothing for which I could say about my stay which was negative where this hotel was concerned. I was, obviously, a member of the International TV Media staying at the hotel to cover the election victory of President Obama. It was also my first visit to the United States of America. The hotel, it's staff and citizen's of Chicago did your country proud where I was dealing with any of you. I was afforded the warn and helpful welcome I hope Ireland will afford American tourists and workers! Thank you.
Unique Quality: Location, Friendly Check-In, Great rooms, Internet services, quality local restaurants.
- Opinion of Price: about average
- Written November 19, 2011
The Palmer House Hilton Photo: Chicago November 2008
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teleimac
- Reviews: 2
User Rating
The windy city - The Friendly City!
There is nothing for which I could say about my stay which was negative where this hotel was concerned. I was, obviously, a member of the International TV Media staying at the hotel to cover the election victory of President Obama. It was also my first visit to the United States of America. The hotel, it's staff and citizen's of Chicago did your country proud where I was dealing with any of you. I was afforded the warn and helpful welcome I hope Ireland will afford American tourists and workers! Thank you.
Unique Quality: Location, Friendly Check-In, Great rooms, Internet services, quality local restaurants.
- Opinion of Price: about average
- Written November 19, 2011
The Palmer House Hilton Photo: Chicago NOvember 2008
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leavingchicago
- Reviews: 1
User Rating
Not worth the headache
Promised a king bed and when I arrived (at 5 p.m.) I was tod they we "gone". Had to sleep on a "roll a way" for two nights and then had to call three times to get it delivered to my romm. Never again!
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Moustique
- Reviews: 135
User Rating
Helpfulness
Nice, but not like the pictures
It was a beautiful hotel, however our room was tiny. The room was not like the pictures on their website. We weren't in the room that often so it was okay. Their was a lot of construction going on around the hotel when we were there, I would like to try again without the construction. It was an okay stay, however I was bigger fan of the Sheraton.
- Opinion of Price: about average
The Palmer House Hilton
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NYSusan
- Reviews: 1
User Rating
Promises, promises . . .
Paying full fare and getting what one is paying for is the way to go if you ask me. Unfortunately, that may not be the best approach with the PHH as their disorganization, understaffing and poor management did not allow for that. Let me start this review by saying that Palmer House did a lot to try to make up for our disappointing stay there this past weekend. Let me say further to this that I would have gladly forgone the room credits and free drinks to have what I had reserved with them in the first place. . . happy to bypass the hassles and loss of sleep.
I will abbreviate the issues but . . . where to begin?
The good things:
It was pretty clean (upholstery in all three of our rooms needed cleaning but the bathrooms were spotless) and despite other opinions, not expensive for the area. I book hotels a lot and found their price reasonable. The beds were very comfortable, nice bedding. The lobby is beautiful - though inconvenient as you enter and exit through a lower level. They have an airport check in kiosk that is a plus.
The not good things:
Reservations were made months in advance with needed room configurations and a special request that two of the rooms connect. They advised me - gave a special number - to call the day prior to check in and make my requests again, which I did. I received an email comfirming my room needs and that we were guaranteed a connecting room for our 80 year old mother. After we traveled much of the day - from Colorado, Louisiana, Idaho and New York - we all arrived at PHH (40 minutes after their 3 PM check-in time) and met with a 55 minute wait in the long long check in line. When we finally got to the desk, they didn’t have the rooms available that they had confirmed by email the day before - AND what rooms they had were not ready. "We're really busy" I am told. Mind you it's now after 4:30 PM. We are told that we'll have three rooms - each two beds- on the same floor and are given keys to two of them. We are leaving soon for early dinner and theatre plans and are promised that the keys to the third room will be waiting upstairs in our room upon our return. 10:45 PM - we're back - no keys. I go downstairs, wait in another line at the front desk and finally get the keys. Back on the 10th floor, my brothers head to the third room - which turns out to be a KING bed, not two beds. I call back downstairs, they have no other room for them and offer to send up a rollaway bed saying that it will take 15-30 minutes to get there. It takes one hour and by now, it's just before midnight. My brothers head off to their room again - but something has changed and their keys no longer work. This time I ask that someone from the staff come up and bring new keys. He does and promises that FIRST THING in the morning housekeeping will come and change the bed in the king room so we can switch and put Mom in there instead and get my brother off the rollaway. "We've been really busy," he says. Just then, a single gal checks into the room next to ours - she's alone but she gets a room with two double beds. I was supposed to have a king room she tells me. We both stare at a pizza box that's been there since we arrived.
The next morning, off we go for the day at 8 AM - returning at 4:30pm to find that King room has not been cleaned yet!! Pizza box is still out in the hall too. I call downstairs, 45 minutes later the room is finally made up and Mom gets her nap. I call management and they nicely comp us for the first night in two of the three rooms. That was the right thing for them to do. "We've been really busy," he says - but agrees that that's a lousy excuse to offer someone paying for their services.
My opinion: While I woulld recommend this hotel, don’t go there with expectations and don’t believe that they will do what they say they will. Communication and organization there are nearly non-existent. . . and "they're very busy."
Unique Quality: Pool and spa "not part of hotel" - $15. service charge for use. Pool closed anyay.
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yooperprof
- Reviews: 3248
User Rating
Helpfulness
Grand Old Lady of the Loop
The Palmer House Hilton is a historic hotel in the heart of Chicago's Loop. Currently undergoing renovations, the Hotel was owned and owned and operated by Hilton International from 1945 to 2005, but it is now no longer part of the Hilton family. however, the current owners (an international investment group) have retained the rights to use the Hilton in the name. (Is that weird or what?)
The Lobby is the big attraction here. It was originally built in the 1870s, after the terrible Chicago fire, and it certainly earns its keep as an opulent and grand public space. When I stayed in the Palmer House in March 2008, the lobby was more chaotic and confused than normal - due to the ongoing renovations underway at the property. The lobby bar was operating in the lobby itself - peculiar, but (I hope) just a temporary expedient until the renovations are completed.
The guest rooms of the hotel date from the 1920s, when the present structure of the hotel was created by the architectural firm of Holabird and Roche. It's one of the largest hotels in the city - around 1600 rooms - and their quality varies: some of them are quite small, and very few of the rooms have interesting views. On the other hand, with Priceline I've been able to stay here for around $80 a night, and you can't beat that!
- Opinion of Price: about average
- Related to: Architecture, Historical Travel
The Palmer House Hilton Photo: Mrs. Palmer's living room
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Rachael71
- Reviews: 227
User Rating
A piece of Chicago's history
Just going into the lobby to register when you arrive is an eye-opener. The decor is just tremendous and reflects the wealth of the man who built it in the late 19th century - even if you don't stay here it's worth visiting the bar to have a look! Our bedroom was more in keeping with the 21st century. The bed was very comfortable and the room was spotless. The bathroom was small but fine for our needs, and the room was supplied with a coffee maker and TV. We didn't experience any street noise and slept like logs during our visit.
The hotel is well situated - a short walk from the Art Institute and not too far from the other sights of the city. We stayed on a room only basis so I can't comment on the breakfasts, but the hotel is close to plenty of restaurants where you can fuel up for a day of exploring.
The staff were very friendly and helpful and have great suggestions for places to visit and where to eat.
Unique Quality: This hotel has such character! It has undergone some very sympathetic restoration recently and it's not difficult to imagine yourself staying here in the days of Potter Palmer himself. The corridors are lined with pictures of some of the stars who entertained guests in the Empire Room in the 1940s and 1950s. This was fun, if not a little spooky - my husband said it reminded him of the wall of photographs at the end of "The Shining"!
- Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
The Palmer House Hilton
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GuitarStan
- Reviews: 58
User Rating
Stay In Downtown Chicago
You can get a very reasonable rate for this hotel by looking on the web. It has a parking garage next door (quite expensive though). It has a beautiful lobby area with huge paintings on the high vaulted ceiling. Subway station just a short walk out the door.
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Callavetta
- Reviews: 623
User Rating
Helpfulness
Old World Atmosphere
The Palmer House Hilton is the oldest continuously operated hotel in "...." (I have forgotten what goes in the blanks. Chicago? North America?) It definitely is a fun place to arrive. We drove up and the valet quickly took over the car. A bellman whisks away your bags after asking your name and tells you they will be in your room later.
The lobby is grand with a bar, lovely comfortable seating areas, and well dressed people milling about. Check in was relatively smooth and Lorna schmoozed the check in girl getting us an upgrade to a room with two bathrooms; not a bad deal when there are three women. Because we had two double beds she also offered to include a rollaway.
We got to the door just as the bellman was arriving with our luggage. "Welcome to the Palmer House Hilton. We've been expecting you." We heard that several times over the next 3 days! he insisted on showing us all the amenities of our room; "This is your light switch. There is your TV. There is your coffee maker. There are the bathrooms. There is no longer a minibar but there is a bar in the lobby. The fire escape is there. The bottled water is $3.95. Internet access is $17.95." And here is my hand, waiting for a tip for showing you all these important things.
Now why is it that the priciest hotels always make you pay extra for anything beyond a bed? There were three of us, myself and my two daughters. The extra person was $25 per night. For what? towels? We didn't get extra soap or shampoo. And then when we called down to ask about the rollaway we were told that would be $30 extra. (They waived the fee when we told them that Lorna had been promised one at check in.) Parking was $40/day. The thing is, I can stay at a Super 8 for $69.00 and get free wifi, free breakfast and free parking. But pay $350 for a nice hotel and everything is extra. Something doesn't make sense.
Unique Quality: The Palmer House has some excellent appointments and feels very much like a piece of history. There are lots of reminders that it's currently owned by the Hiltons, including a little book in the room about the Hilton family. There are places where things are worn and could use repair, but for the most part it was very nice. The beds were extremely comfy with pillowtop mattresses and plush comforters.
The location is also great. It's only 3 blocks to the Lake, a couple to the "Bean". And close to shopping.
- Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
The Palmer House Hilton Photo: Photo from the hotel website
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BellaMora
- Reviews: 129
User Rating
The Windy City
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.
Unique Quality: 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.
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The Big Downtown at the Palmer House Hilton.
Going to be in Chicago tonight thru Thursday. I was thinking about eating at the hotel tonight for convenience. Can anyone offer a review of the restaurant?
First time in Chicago, I would really like to try the Pizza. Is it good here or should I venture out.
Thanks
RE: The Big Downtown at the Palmer House Hilton.
If it's cold, stay in! I don't know Chicago well at all but was there for the first time about a year ago. Across from my hotel, people would line up to eat at Grand Luxe Cafe. I only had one night so I decided to try it. Maybe it's because I've been living in the UK for 3 years, but the food there was so good and just wanted I craved... huge hamburger, fries and great desserts. It certainly wasn't a diner - lovely place and really buzzing. Have some pizza for lunch - it's the thick crust variety and ask what's the best around.
RE: RE: The Big Downtown at the Palmer House Hilton.
It's not going to be very cold tommorow (Wednesday)--Chicago weather is much like New York's. The Big Downtown is ok, but not anything special. Just a bit south of the hotel at Wabash and Monroe there's a Geordano's which produces a good example of Chicago style pizza. In the Palmer House's main lobby there's a very pleasant bar where you can get sandwiches, etc. along with drinks--both alcholic and non-alcohalic. And Immediately south of the hotel on Wabash there's Millers,s Pub. It's a steak house cum sports bar (tv's tuned to every sorts even that's broadcast in Chicago all over the place.s Good steaks and ribs and various greek dishes, and even with its location it's not overly touristy; it's quite popular with Chicagoans.
RE: The Big Downtown at the Palmer House Hilton.
The Big Downtown's food is not bad. When I was working down the street we used to meet after work for happy hour. They have a good beer selection, margaritas and your basic bar food. They also have good salads and sandwiches. If you are looking for more finer dining I would try Rhapsody which is a block away (Adams and Wabash). They have a really nice dinner menu and a separate bar menu. It will be in the low 30s tomorrow nite. Not exactly frigid.
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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.
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The Palmer House Hilton
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Address: 17 East Monroe Street, Box 75845, Chicago, Illinois, 60603, United States