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Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The next trip could be twice as rewarding with the 2X Points Package when you book your stay at select Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Book a week long vacation, escape for a weekend, or make the most of that next business trip. The Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel is rich in the history of Chicago, yet comfortably cool.
The Palmer House Hilton

Originating as a grand wedding gift from Potter Palmer to Bertha Honore Palmer, Palmer House eventually became known as North America’s longest-operating hotel with a notable history of innovation. It was the first hotel to incorporate the light bulb, the telephone, and the vertical steam lift (elevator) as well as being the creator of one of the world’s most adored confection, the brownie. Aside from the upgrade and free buffet, having the staff add my Honors number also let me text the hotel through the Hilton app — a great feature, at least in theory. I always received a response within a few minutes, but several confirmed requests never materialized, such as the robes I ordered and the Valentine's Day welcome I confirmed before arrival.
What kind of breakfast is served at The Palmer House Hilton?
The hotel was purchased in 1945 by legendary hotelier Conrad Hilton and it remains one of the company’s flagship properties. Today, the Palmer House remains an iconic fixture of Chicago and it's Loop District as the vibrant city continually expands and evolves. Receive for Free - Discover & Explore eNewsletter monthly with advance notice of special offers, packages, and insider savings from 10% - 30% off Best Available Rates at selected hotels.
The Palmer House Hilton (Hotel), Chicago (USA) Deals
Hotelier Spotlight: The Palmer House's Dinelia Smiles - Hotel Management
Hotelier Spotlight: The Palmer House's Dinelia Smiles.
Posted: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
While I normally wouldn't complain about not receiving an amenity that isn't guaranteed, I was excited about surprising my girlfriend on Valentine's Day, so I was bummed that the spread hadn't arrived as promised. I decided to upgrade to the full buffet, though, which got me access to hot dishes and made-to-order omelets for an extra $8. After checking my name off a list, the host handed me this fun HHonors Gold Member casino chip, which my server promptly collected before instructing me to head straight to the buffet. The hotel offered an array of Crabtree & Evelyn amenities, including soap, shampoo and body lotion, plus a hair dryer and plenty of washcloths and towels. I wasn't a fan of the lighting, though, especially in the bathroom — the lights were fluorescent and a bit too bright, especially during visits in the middle of the night.
Restaurants4 Restaurants On Site
With my Honors number attached, I did have access to my usual Diamond benefits, though, which was a very nice surprise! That meant executive-lounge access (or free breakfast downstairs), free Wi-Fi and a modest upgrade. While the hotel was kind enough to add my Honors number to the Hotels.com booking — it never hurts to ask! — I wasn't able to earn Hilton points for the first two nights of my stay. Stanley Turkel was designated as the 2014 and 2015 Historian of the Year by Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
As a result, things tended to get lost in the shuffle, from the lounge coffee machine often being empty to staff requests (or even phone calls from the room) going unanswered. The failed mobile check-in ended up working out in my favor, though, since I then used the chat tool to request an upgrade, landing myself an executive-level king room, free of charge. The hotel offered an upgrade to a Hip & Historic Suite for $100, and wouldn't budge on the price, despite some Hilton properties offering suites to Diamond members without an upgrade charge.
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Immerse yourself in history with every sip of our expertly crafted cocktails, including our iconic and famed old-fashioned. Wi-Fi was available free of charge to Hilton Honors members, or for $12.95 without an account. As a Diamond member, I received premium Wi-Fi for free, which worked well. We ended up moving some of the snacks around to make room on top before noticing the automated sensors, but never ended up getting hit with a charge. Despite receiving confirmation in the app, our "Champagne" and chocolate-covered strawberries weren't in the room as I expected and weren't delivered later in the night. After a couple of follow-ups they finally showed up the next day, but with prosecco, instead of Champagne.

Historic Golf Courses
At the Palmer House, we offer a wide variety of services and amenities to ensure you have everything you need, whether staying for work, leisure or with the kids. Situated just blocks from the Magnificent Mile and the downtown Chicago Theater District, the wedding gift from Potter Palmer continues to delight the weariest of travelers and the most demanding of hosts. While its hotel rooms are standard upscale fare, the Palmer House’s palatial lobby, conceived as a European drawing room, remains one of the most magnificent in the world. The First Palmer House (1870)On September 26, 1870, the first Palmer House opened for business at State and Quincy Streets. With 225 rooms, its furnishings alone cost $100,000, or half the construction cost. An additional Palmer House was under construction nearby, but both structures were destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.
Experience Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile.
Prices for cots and extra beds are not included in the total price, and will have to be paid for separately during your stay. Each of the 1,641 guest rooms is beautifully appointed with the latest conveniences and technologies, providing a glimpse of the extraordinary Palmer House legacy while providing modern comforts for a memorable stay in downtown Chicago. Requests for early arrival and/or late departure will be granted based upon availability and subject to additional charges. Prices for cribs and extra beds aren't included in the total price. Experience a throwback to the Prohibition era speakeasy, paying homage to this notorious period in Chicago’s illustrious history with a sophisticated lounge atmosphere bedecked with rotating digital historic imagery. While I was all prepared to have to check in the hip and historic way — in person at the front desk — a mobile key magically appeared on my day of arrival.
This year, the hotel will be celebrating the brownie’s 130th anniversary on December 8th, National Brownie Day. In 1893, Bertha Palmer tasked the Palmer House pastry chef Joseph Sehl with a dessert suitable for ladies attending the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. Her request was simple, a cake-like confection that could easily be transported to the fair within a boxed lunch.
Beautiful hotel, couldn’t wait for my granddaughters to see it.
The resulting seven-story, $13 million hotel designed by architect John M. Van Osdel opened on November 8, 1873, marking the start of what became known as the nation’s longest continually operating hotel. However, only 13 days after its grand opening, the Palmer House fell victim to the Great Chicago Fire. Determined to rebuild his hotel, Potter secured a $1.7 million loan–negotiated on his signature alone. On November 8, 1873, the new Palmer House welcomed its first guests, marking the opening of what would become the nation’s longest continually operating hotel.