Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

Reviews

• JB

  Jacinda Beason

  5 days ago
  3.0
  As many have shared, the Palmer House is a historic gem for the city of Chicago. The staff is phenomenal (Miss Rose and Gorge in Lockhart restaurant for breakfast, Shaq at front desk). The common spaces have maintained the luxurious illusion of the past while integrating modern amenities and style. It has the WOW factor! However, the rooms give the opposite reaction; a “bait and switch” marketing tactic feeling. We upgraded to a deluxe king located on the Executive floor (express elevator access to limited floors but anyone with a key can get to the executive floor). It was not worth it!!! They have discontinued the executive perks - NO executive breakfast, snacks, happy hour, exclusive lounge. The meal credit doesn’t cover a breakfast sandwich (which was 😋) In comparison to other “luxury hotels” the rooms are very basic in design, small, and even smaller bathrooms - think public handicap stall squeezing in tub and sink!). The rooms lack a relaxed ambiance, smart design, or the amenities such as robes, slippers, vanity amenities, water replacements ( you must go to front desk). The bed was comfortable but the room was just uninspiring thus the low score. We’ve been in smaller rooms in Europe that presented more luxury and amenities than the Palmer House.
• SP

  Shravan Patil

  6 days ago
  1.0
  The hotel is dated but overall okay. Given it's downtown and conveniently located around public transport. The hotel does a charade Common in the dying hotel industry of Chicago of providing you a "complimentary voucher" of $10 or 20 that you pay for upfront via a "resort fee" not covered in your booking amount (Generally 15 bucks more than the voucher). If you are naive enough to use this "voucher" as per their instructions at the bar or their cafe and sign your room number, I assure you that you will be charged for your entire purchase and the voucher will never be use as credit. Then proceed to enjoy remaining 45 mins on hold with their accounting department that doesn't exist and leave a voicemail for a call back which won't happen coz now you been fleeced and also wasted your time.
• CC

  codemanradiohead

  Feb 23, 2026
  5.0
  I fell in love with this hotel! It made a quick trip to Chicago with friends seem like a special occasion. The lobby is gorgeous and we enjoyed hanging out at the tables in the mezzanine which, surprisingly, were always empty. We reserved two king rooms and the layout was very different between the two. Mine (18212, pictured) had a dresser with a TV on top and a cabinet for the fridge and minibar, as well as a desk and bedside table. Their room (18211) was a bit smaller and had no dresser, the TV was on the wall, and the mini bar and fridge were just sitting randomly on the floor. An interesting quirk but not a detriment. Both rooms faced the interior courtyard and were very quiet. No street noise or sirens at all. The interior doors in the room are the old heavy wooden doors and still have the ornate brass handles. The bathrooms were on the small side but were clean. Housekeeping was performed daily. You can’t beat the location either. From the elevator lobby, you can turn right and exit by the stairs to the Adams/Wabash station on the loop or turn right toward State Street and exit by the stairs to the Red Line. I checked in and out with the Hilton app and never interacted with the staff, so I can’t offer a review on the service. I stayed at the Hilton Chicago on my last visit, and while I enjoyed my stay there, I liked this hotel more! Will definitely return!
• MR

  Michele Richard

  Feb 22, 2026
  3.0
  Did not live up to expectations-I booked a spa treatment and stayed one night. The spa was nice and the staff was professional. The hallway that you relax in before and after your treatment had staff pacing up and down which took away from the relaxing nature. Also, loud talking and laughing should never be heard from the staff while getting a service but that happened to me. The lobby is beautiful, the rooms are okay. There is a full mini bar which is nice. I found blood on the shower curtain- EW. See picture. When I told the staff they brushed it off. Next, the pool…so after my spa I go to the pool to relax a little bit but there are 3 kids doing cannon balls and spraying water everywhere. Not to mention some lady talking loudly on her cell phone for the entire pool to hear. Very annoying and not relaxing. Lastly, we bought the breakfast package- don’t do that. Food is decently good but service is majorly lacking. Also the hostess who sat us is not dressed professionally with red hair and piercings everywhere and an attitude. I live in the city and wouldn’t recommend this place, it’s pretty mediocre other than the lobby. If you’re going to pay higher than average the service should reflect that. They should rename this place to the La Quinta Inn.
• AW

  Annaliese Wilbur

  Feb 16, 2026
  5.0
  This 5 star review is for OJ's dining service alone. OJ was unbelievably fast, refilling my soda's with lime before I could even blink, and despite the holiday rush with hundreds of people flooding the lobby and restaurant, he made time for humor, kind conversation, answering my menu questions, and providing me with a personable, fast, and happy dining experience. He was running around with such efficiency that I was in shock at how fast I was taken care of, checked on, and served. I got the best Chicago recommendations from him and thoughtfulness that I have never received before. As a server myself from NYC, I was incredibly impressed by him and had to approach his supervisor Jesus after tipping as much as I could that he was a STANDOUT on the service team my entire week of being there. I suggest a raise for him or a promotion because his welcoming demeanor is EXACTLY what makes hotel customers feel comfortable, welcomed, taken care of, and appreciated. I extend my high praises to Jesus as well for being a sweetheart and leading with a regal nature and eloquence that blew me out of the water. These two people were highlights of my experience at Palmer House and I would stay there again just for their company! Thank you so much!

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