Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
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Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Monroe • 1 min walk
- Adams/Wabash • 2 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
102 reviews
Excellent
62
Very good
22
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
7
Nicholas W
Riviera Maya, Mexico1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Solo
4 Night Stay - Palmer House a Hilton
Nov 5th - 9th
I was informed during check-in about a $25/night "Urban Destinations" fee applicable for bookings made after September 17, 2023. When I questioned this, the hotel staff mentioned that the fee should have been displayed on the Expedia checkout page, but since I booked through Traveluro at a cheaper rate, it wasn't indicated there.
Additionally, I was 'upgraded' from a one-person stay in a room with one double bed to a room with two double beds. I appreciated the gesture, but it was unexpected.
Upon inspecting the room, I found popcorn, a glow stick, and a toy car under the beds. It was evident that the room hadn't been cleaned thoroughly, and I couldn't ascertain how long those items had been there.
During the first night of my stay, there seemed to be an air pressure issue on the floor, causing my door to slam against the door jam every 15 seconds. I reported this to the hotel staff upon returning from my conference, and they assured me that engineering would promptly fix the door. However, after waiting for three hours until midnight, no one arrived. As a result, I missed out on using my $25 restaurant credit for that day and lost several hours of much-needed sleep. Unfortunately, there was no follow-up from either the hotel or the engineering staff.
On the third day of my stay, I received a text message stating that checkout was available, even though I still had two nights remaining on my booking. When I inquired at the registration desk, they advised me to disregard the message and confirmed that I was indeed booked for two more nights. However, upon returning to my room, my key card didn't work. Assuming it was related to the text message, I went back to the desk to get my keys reprogrammed. However, even after this, the keys failed to work. Reluctant to return to the desk again, I called the hotel's number. After a few minutes, someone arrived at my door, checked the lock, and found that the lock's battery had died. Engineering finally arrived and replaced the battery.
Nov 5th - 9th
I was informed during check-in about a $25/night "Urban Destinations" fee applicable for bookings made after September 17, 2023. When I questioned this, the hotel staff mentioned that the fee should have been displayed on the Expedia checkout page, but since I booked through Traveluro at a cheaper rate, it wasn't indicated there.
Additionally, I was 'upgraded' from a one-person stay in a room with one double bed to a room with two double beds. I appreciated the gesture, but it was unexpected.
Upon inspecting the room, I found popcorn, a glow stick, and a toy car under the beds. It was evident that the room hadn't been cleaned thoroughly, and I couldn't ascertain how long those items had been there.
During the first night of my stay, there seemed to be an air pressure issue on the floor, causing my door to slam against the door jam every 15 seconds. I reported this to the hotel staff upon returning from my conference, and they assured me that engineering would promptly fix the door. However, after waiting for three hours until midnight, no one arrived. As a result, I missed out on using my $25 restaurant credit for that day and lost several hours of much-needed sleep. Unfortunately, there was no follow-up from either the hotel or the engineering staff.
On the third day of my stay, I received a text message stating that checkout was available, even though I still had two nights remaining on my booking. When I inquired at the registration desk, they advised me to disregard the message and confirmed that I was indeed booked for two more nights. However, upon returning to my room, my key card didn't work. Assuming it was related to the text message, I went back to the desk to get my keys reprogrammed. However, even after this, the keys failed to work. Reluctant to return to the desk again, I called the hotel's number. After a few minutes, someone arrived at my door, checked the lock, and found that the lock's battery had died. Engineering finally arrived and replaced the battery.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susan2909
Aberdeen, UK1,063 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Of course, we came for the brownie! We were not disappointed. The lobby is lovely, service is excellent and we made a great choice of wine. Our waiter was attentive, he was very busy so top marks. Grab a chair, some wine & people watch in this very grand lobby.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Von1287
Albany, NY771 contributions
Sep 2022
First of all, this lobby is stunning. We felt like a king and queen sitting their highback chairs with the opulent decor surrounding us. We were happy to grab a coffee here and try the original brownie! I do have to say that the amazingness ended with the scenery. Theb brownie truly was not good. i did not even want a second bite for fear of wasting calories and stomach space I needed later. But pretty cool to try the first brownie recipe I guess!
Written 3 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL18,030 contributions
Jun 2022
We stayed at the Palmer House and one of the reasons both the historic nature but also the way those old hotels used public spaces. This is one of best lobbies in hotels anywhere. We loved having drinks each night just to be in the lobby. Even if you don't stay here you may want to visit for a drink to see a great hotel lobby.
Written 23 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dese2
Auburn, NY2,687 contributions
Jul 2022
The public areas, including the lobby and bar are beautiful. There was live music each night while I was there. And look up at the ceiling!
Seating in the lobby area is in conversational groups, at small tables or at high top tables with electrical outlets.
There is a wait staff if you want drinks or food. I got drinks one night but not food.
It makes a great spot for gathering.
Seating in the lobby area is in conversational groups, at small tables or at high top tables with electrical outlets.
There is a wait staff if you want drinks or food. I got drinks one night but not food.
It makes a great spot for gathering.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Copia W
30 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
This lobby is amazing, and the food is too. It feels like sitting in a palace.
The only dowsides were:
1. A guy who gives tours soent a full half hour walking a crowd around the lobby, loudly announcing what tgey were viewing. No one sat down, had a drink, soaked it in. It downgraded our experience to the point that we returned to our room, rather than feel like we were part of the scenery on display.
2. Saturday night was crazy crowded! As we ate an (excellent) dinner with fun cocktails, there was a line of people waiting for and seating that opened up. The Palmer House should consider having the Lockwood sit down resturant (not just the lobby area) open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.
When visiting the lobby, don’t overlook checking out the ground floor shops too. The gorgous marble hallways are amazing, and there is still a shoe shine service available there.
The only dowsides were:
1. A guy who gives tours soent a full half hour walking a crowd around the lobby, loudly announcing what tgey were viewing. No one sat down, had a drink, soaked it in. It downgraded our experience to the point that we returned to our room, rather than feel like we were part of the scenery on display.
2. Saturday night was crazy crowded! As we ate an (excellent) dinner with fun cocktails, there was a line of people waiting for and seating that opened up. The Palmer House should consider having the Lockwood sit down resturant (not just the lobby area) open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.
When visiting the lobby, don’t overlook checking out the ground floor shops too. The gorgous marble hallways are amazing, and there is still a shoe shine service available there.
Written 3 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CNT
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Couples
Our stay at the Palmer house was awful.
First, we requested a disability accessible room and were surprised to find we had to walk to the farthest room from the elevator.
Second, the bed. The worst bed ever. Completely concave to the point that we were falling into the middle and into each other most uncomfortably all night long.
Third, everything seemed old and dirty and in desperate need of a deep cleaning.
It was so bad we left after one night but they refused to refund us for the second night.
If you’re looking for luxury, look elsewhere.
First, we requested a disability accessible room and were surprised to find we had to walk to the farthest room from the elevator.
Second, the bed. The worst bed ever. Completely concave to the point that we were falling into the middle and into each other most uncomfortably all night long.
Third, everything seemed old and dirty and in desperate need of a deep cleaning.
It was so bad we left after one night but they refused to refund us for the second night.
If you’re looking for luxury, look elsewhere.
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle R
Erie, PA91 contributions
Feb 2022
A beautiful hotel with excellent service…we enjoyed drinks after a show…the server was professional and treated us as true guest…a lovely experience
Written 2 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
russianwulfgar
Milwaukee, WI1,604 contributions
Jul 2021
On our Chicago vacation, I read that this is one of the best lobbies to see in the city. We were staying nearby, so we checked it out. Gorgeous! Definitely worth stopping in to see this lobby and ballrooms if you're in the area. Just beautiful.
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Jun 2021
Chicago's grand Palmer House Hotel has reopened. Located at 17 East Monroe Street, it is one of the most historic hotels in the world. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, it had been closed since March 2020. But even if you aren't planning to stay overnight or even have breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Palmer House, you have to visit the historic lobby, a reminder of the Gilded Age. The iconic French-inspired lobby was fully restored in 2019 with work focusing on the room's 21 Grecian ceiling murals from Art Deco painter Louis Pierre Rigal and its 1.25-ton, 24-karat gold winged candelabras designed by Tiffany & Company. The French-inspired aesthetic of the lobby can trace its roots to Bertha Palmer, wife of hotel owner Potter Palmer, who befriended French painter Claude Monet and amassed an impressive collection of impressionist art, the largest outside of France. The luxurious two-story, gilded lobby features a formal staircase, marble-topped tables, velvet seating, a garnet-draped chandelier and a ceiling mural depicting Greek mythology. The ceiling in the central lobby, often compared to the Sistine Chapel in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, is 28 feet high, 50 feet by 28 feet wide, about the size of a basketball court. It includes 21 distinctive pieces of artwork by Rigal, nine vertical paintings and 16 plaster frescoes, including priceless sculptures by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Three large circular panels illustrate classic romantic scenes from Greek Mythology.
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
l0vet0travel999
Chicago, IL66 contributions
I would like to know the names of theatres in walking distance from the Palmer HOuse.
Cheryl L
Fishers, IN36 contributions
For sure CIBC Theater where Hamilton is playing & The Chicago Theater. May be others but those were the 2 I saw. I was there to see Hamilton. An easy ride on the El takes you to Comedy Sportz which is kinda fun!
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Claim your listingPALMER HOUSE HILTON HISTORIC LOBBY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby:
- Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago (From S$46.79)
- Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Treasures of Chicago (From S$40.11)
- Holiday Hike Chicago-Style: Festive Food & Walking tour (From S$106.94)
- Private Speakeasy Pub Crawl in Chicago with Local Historian (From S$1,176.45)
- Discovering Vintage Chicago: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Loop (From S$9.34)
- Hotels near Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby:
- (0.03 km) Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
- (0.15 km) Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theatre District
- (0.15 km) Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown
- (0.18 km) Sonder Jewelers Row
- (0.25 km) Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
- Restaurants near Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby:
- (0.00 km) Starbucks
- (0.02 km) Starbucks at the Palmer House Hilton
- (0.03 km) Lockwood Restaurant
- (0.03 km) Freshii Palmer House
- (0.06 km) Sugar Bliss