11/03/09

Great place to stay in Chicago

by YahtzeeGirl

We love to stay at the Palmer House, it has a great location in Chicago and all the times we have stayed there we have had nothing but great things to say.

By far our favorite Chicago hotel!

• Pros: great rooms, views, fitness center, location
• Cons: customer service

11/04/08

Great, Beautiful, Historic Hotel with a Super Location!!

by girlaudio

The Palmer House was a great choice for our vacation stay. The location was great. I have stayed at 3 other hotels and this was by far the best location. The staff was amazingly friendly. I can understand why people say the halls are hard to navigate, but there are signs all over leading to the room numbers and then back to the elevators. The lobby of this hotel is most beautiful. The only complaint I have is the elevator situation. There are nine elevators with three going LL-12, three going 13-17, and three going 18-23. The upper floor elevators (the ones I used) also went to LL-8. On both the weekday mornings I was trying to get downstairs, I waited about 7-10 minutes each time for the elevator to take us down. I had to plan that time into my budget in getting to the EL on time for the airport. I was also not to thrilled with the $7 per hour wireless fee (only available in the lobby or the $15 in room internet fee. After being told of the $7 per hour charge I didn't bother asking if the $15 was per day or hour. The room was spacious though and had 2 bathrooms with I loved. I have to say again, I was really impressed with how friendly all the staff was during my stay. Other than the elevators and internet fee, I loved the Palmer.

• Pros: Beauty, Location, History
• Cons: Elevators and Internet Fees

09/26/08

Bad Customer Service!!

by RKJ66

From what you read on their website, one would expect at the minimal you will have good if not excellent customer service. Not really!!! I was first greeted by a "joker" - Ron, who tried to make fun of my last name. Then took 5 minutes of "acting" to tell me that they didn't have any non-smoking rooms, despite my reservation requested. He went on to "entice" me to stay at a "Parlor" - a living room with a kitchenette but no "bedroom" - i.e. NO BED - but they will supply a rollaway!! Or my option was to pay to upgrade to a suite. He disappeared for 10 minutes to speak with the Manager on my behalf. I tried to use my cell phone to call the person who made my reservation but there were no reception in the registration area because of all the marbles surrounding us. Ron would not let me use his phone so I have to drag my lugguage around to find a spot with reception. Unsuccessful, I went back and asked to speak to the Manager. 10 minutes later, Manager Fayth Sosa showed up, offering no options. I gave up and agreed to take the "Parlor". Upon arrival in my Parlor, a tiny twin rollaway bed was up against the wall. I called to inquire if I was expected to set up my own rollaway bed and Noel, the other Manager told me that it was very easy to do i.e. you could do it yourself. He finally agreed to come up to set up my bed. But guess whatthere were no pillowsor blankets either. So one was expected to pay >$200 to sleep in a rollaway bed?? I surrendered and asked to switch to a smoking room - a small stinky room that obviously was not what was reserved for me. They agreed to switch me to a non-smoking room for my second night stay - but that room would only be guaranteed till 5 pm - Hilton's policy. In summary, this is the HOTEL that would consider providing a room without a BED to a customer!! This is definitely not my experience with other Hiltons. For a while, I thought I was at a Best Western!!

09/07/08

Best fitness center ever

by SpiderellaofChicago

Wow...i am amazed ..the new fitness center at the Palmer House is by far the best in downtown area.Spa Chakra is delivering for Palmer House the following : State of the Art Precor equipment, Three interconnected levels of fitness area, pool and expansive area for stretching and toning..Not to mention the luxurious men's and women's locker rooms complete with grooming amenities, steam showers and refreshments.Starting 25th September, Spa Chakra it is going to open on their 5th floor and i can't wait that because i know that they use only Guerlain skin-care. They will have 12 treatment rooms accommodating facial, massage and body therapies, Vichy shower, hydrotherapy and health assessments. Oh, i have to mention that i have all this information from the brochure that i received when i worked out over there. Hm, hm, hm .And last but not list complimentary valet with each appointment and for The Loop i think it's wonderful.

07/27/08

Absolutely gorgeous!

by maryjatkinson

Even though Palmer House was undergoing some construction affecting the outside of the building, the spa, and pool, this place was stunning and a wonderful place to stay. The lobby is simply breathtaking, and a fabulous place for cocktails -- even if you're not staying there! The rooms are clean and comfortable, with a vintage feel. Everything is elegantly decorated, the service is wonderful, and the rooms are surprisingly quiet, with great city views! Highly recommended -- and will be even better after the completion of Spa Chakra!

• Pros: Beautiful!!! Quiet, elegant, accommodating, and great location!
• Cons: Undergoing some construction while we were there.

Upscale hotel chain pampers business and leisure travelers with plentiful amenities and many of the comforts of home.

by Cory Birkett

In Short
The first Hilton opened its doors back in 1919 in Cisco, Texas. Known for its commitment to hospitality, the popular luxury hotel has expanded to more than 500 locations worldwide. Standard room amenities include high-speed Internet access, work desks, coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, and more. Guests who want to stick to their exercise regime can enjoy a fitness room, pool and even a personal trainer.

07/02/08

Amazing Hotel, Amazing Location, Awful view

by IceMouse

We recently got to stay at the Palmer House for three nights. The hotel itself is beautiful, however they were undergoing a renovation so much of the ground floor was blocked off for construction, and much of the exterior was also boarded off. They did a good job, however, of keeping the construction from getting in your way. The lobby was beautifully decorated with painted ceilings and large mirrors on the balconies overlooking it to give the illusion of a much larger space. The check-in process was smooth and the staff was very friendly. We got to the room with a quick ride up to the 11th floor(The elevator had a trivia Q and A thing which made the rides fun) and down a few hallways lined with pictures of people performing in the Empire Room and we came to our room. The furnishing was beautiful and the art was a wonderful touch, the bathrooms looked very nice as well but they were small. The only bad part of the room was that looking out the window gave you a great view of a concrete wall and the in-aesthetic roof of a building. We had to look at a considerable angle to even see if it was sunny or cloudy out. Also, a minor thing, but the ice/vending machine room looked like it came straight out of a two-star motel. It was a stark contrast to walk from a finely decorated hallway into a white room with pipes coming out of the wall and a crummy vending machine. Other than those two things, the hotel was a joy to stay at. The other amazing part was the area of the hotel. Right in the loop, it was on the same block as two El stations which can get you within walking distance of almost anywhere in the city, two blocks from the blue line which goes to the airport, and within walking distance of a LOT of shopping, parks, and other attractions. This made the trip so easy, daily you could step out of the hotel, pick a street and just walk north or south and find interesting things to do. I'd come back for the location alone, but the rooms were great too!

• Pros: Decoration, LOCATION
• Cons: View, construction, ice room

05/23/08

This classic Loop hotel has 19th-century charm and 21st-century service and amenities.

by Contributor

A Chicago landmark and downtown mainstay, this hotel's elegance remains undimmed after more than a century of operation. The breathtaking lobby ceiling features oil paintings of figures from Greek mythology. In the 1,640 guest rooms and 83 suites, the decor is more subdued than in the ornate lobby. The hotel's vintage charm remains, however, in the bathrooms' deep tubs. Suites have separate sitting and dining areas plus wet bars. Perks for business travelers include a high-end restaurant, Lockwood Restaurant & Bar, as well as a classic cocktail lounge, Potter's Lounge, on the lobby level. Audio/visual equipment rental, a business center and in-room ethernet data ports make for smoother meetings. Other amenities include a pet-friendly policy, a fitness center with steam room and sauna and an indoor pool.

04/21/08

Great Hotel in the Middle of the Loop!

by Exclusive1

We stumbled upon the Palmer after a 'less than nice' experience at the Marriott, and were pleasantly surprised at what we found.

My sisters and I were visiting Chicago on a girls weekend and we had a *great* time at this hotel. The Palmer is located on 'The Loop' which means you are close to great shopping and sights around downtown. We were within walking distance (20 minutes) from Navy Pier and with the sunny day we had it was a quick, beautiful walk. The hotel is located near great stores for shopping. Cabs wait in front of the hotel for your every need and the main bus route is just a quick walk down the street.

This hotel is in the center of everything and with a map and a good sense of direction you'll be able to find all of the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes that Chicago has to offer. For those on a budget, Subway, McDonalds, 7-11, Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts are short walk also. Since there is no continental breakfast offered at this hotel you may want to check out the Bakery just around the corner from the hotel. There is also a small sit down eatery with very reasonable prices right around the corner as well.

The hotel itself is historically grand and so beautiful and elegant. Black and white pictures of celebrities adorn the hallways and although the our room was small it was just right for the three of us ladies and our weekend luggage.

The staff is very friendly and helpful. Overall I'd highly recommend the Palmer House. We are already planning our next trip and will stay at this hotel each time we visit downtown Chicago.

• Pros: Romantic Ambience, Great Customer Service, Great central Location
• Cons: You have to pay extra for internet access

06/27/07

I do not stay anywhere else in Chicago!

by denke510

I started going to Chicago with my Mother over 20 years ago and we always stayed in the Palmer House. It is so ornate and beautiful. When you walk up from the Monroe Street entrance, up the carpeted steps and turn that corner and are standing in the huge lobby it is breath taking.

I lived in Chicago for 8 years and still managed to meet people at the Palmer House for a drink before we took off for the theatre or ballet or whatever.

The rooms are great. We always get the room with the two separate bathrooms....I love the deep tubs.

The closet space is good...one is much bigger than the other.

I have gone to two very big events in the ballroom and it is amazing. The staff is courteous...we love the concierge. They have pointed us to many great places, made reservations, even showed me how to turn on the PC located in the common area by the check in desk.

If you book ahead, you can get some great weekend rates.

They used to have a terrific brunch on Sunday but with the remodeling they have discontinued it. I hope they bring it back.

We will be there for three nights next week and I cannot wait.

• Pros: Valet front door parking. Good restaurants....close to the El and theaters and Lake
• Cons: I don't get to come and stay enough!