Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
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The area
Address
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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Best nearby
Restaurants
3,139 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,015 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- susan2909Aberdeen, United Kingdom1,195 contributionsGrab a chair, some wine & people watch in this very grand lobby. Brownie!!!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.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 11 October 2023
- Nicole SAtlanta, Georgia41 contributionsPalmer House HotelBeautiful older hotel in downtown Chicago. Cleanliness of room was not up to my standards… high touch services like door knobs, light switches, walls and doors were not clean. No fridge in the room for personal items like bottles of water or leftovers from a meal. Hilton failed miserably in this one… My 3 must-haves for any hotel… comfy bed, cold air conditioner and a good hot shower. The bed is pretty comfortable and the a/c was amazing. Water pressure and water temp for the shower horrible! Would not stay here again.Visited May 2024Travelled on businessWritten 6 May 2024
- Amy CSan Antonio, Texas58 contributionsMust see - Palmer House Hilton and enjoy the Lockwood Restaurant and BarAlways enjoy visiting the Palmer House Hilton when we are in Chicago. The Lockwood bar is a welcome respite from walking downtown to see the sites and architecture! Shaunda was an excellent server. We visited at the end of July and enjoyed our long weekend. The ballroom views, peacock gate are just a couple of our favorites!Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
105 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
22
Average
7
Poor
5
Terrible
8
Martin J
9 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
The room has carpet that looks like it was installed in the 1900’s and most of the staff that I encountered acted extremely rude or, deliberately ignorant towards me and this was my first experience as a friends and family member. I didn’t get the full amount of points I was supposed to get according to the email I received when I signed up for the program and they didn’t offer to match the competitors price or give me the additional 25% discount too. The app was not working so I could not use the keyless entry plus the fact that they won’t allow you to validate your parking off their website makes it feel like they are holding you hostage and in line with people who want to check in which makes no sense whatsoever.
Written 18 March 2024
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.
russianwulfgar
Milwaukee, WI1,760 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.
dese2
Auburn, NY3,497 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.
susan2909
Aberdeen, UK1,195 contributions
Sept 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.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 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.
Amy C
San Antonio, TX58 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Always enjoy visiting the Palmer House Hilton when we are in Chicago. The Lockwood bar is a welcome respite from walking downtown to see the sites and architecture! Shaunda was an excellent server. We visited at the end of July and enjoyed our long weekend. The ballroom views, peacock gate are just a couple of our favorites!
Written 19 August 2024
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.
Irina
United States13,984 contributions
Dec 2019
Palmer House Lobby is one of the most memorable architectural creations. And nowadays, it is probably the best part of Palmer House Hilton. It is striking.
Its impressive dimensions, colors, beautiful ceiling, paintings, sculptures are unforgettable. The lobby is nicely appointed, and seating in huge, soft, comfortable chairs is very relaxing. Every day, thousands of guests visit and enjoy being in this atmosphere of historic opulence. Since the day of the foundation of this hotel in 1871, and after multiple restorations and renovations, this lobby has been an unquestionable attraction to people from all over the world.
And now they put a modern bar in this historic, magnificent, palatial lobby.
A bar! ... No comments.
Its impressive dimensions, colors, beautiful ceiling, paintings, sculptures are unforgettable. The lobby is nicely appointed, and seating in huge, soft, comfortable chairs is very relaxing. Every day, thousands of guests visit and enjoy being in this atmosphere of historic opulence. Since the day of the foundation of this hotel in 1871, and after multiple restorations and renovations, this lobby has been an unquestionable attraction to people from all over the world.
And now they put a modern bar in this historic, magnificent, palatial lobby.
A bar! ... No comments.
Written 20 December 2019
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, IL8,498 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.
Cobcop
Copley, OH61 contributions
Aug 2019
The Palmer House Hilton Hotel is a historical landmark in downtown Chicago that is in a great location for getting around the city. It's first-floor lobby area is quite interesting with many shops, and the mezzanine guests registration area includes a welcoming social area. The rooms are large and the bedding is very comfortable. The housekeeping staff were very cordial and accommodating to our needs.
Written 31 December 2019
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.
I would like to know the names of theatres in walking distance from the Palmer HOuse.
Written 15 November 2018
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!
Written 15 November 2018
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