The continental buffet included a variety of cold items — deli meats, fruit, pastries and a diverse selection of cereal. Breakfast was included for anyone with access, and included a mix of fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee (that the staff didn't seem in much of a hurry to replace whenever it ran out, which was frequently). Hilton doesn't list the square footage for some room types, since they can vary significantly from one room to the next, given the historic nature of this particular hotel.
Learn About Reward Programs
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. 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.
Timeline
The original Palmer House was built in 1871 by Potter Palmer who began his career as a bank clerk in upstate New York. He later became a dry-goods store owner in Chicago where he revolutionized the retail trade. He was the first to make large window displays, to use big advertising spaces, to send goods on approval to homes and to hold bargain sales. He became a brilliant hotel man as he applied his successful department store methods to the operation of his hotel.
Family Fun Package
He saw no reason why clerks, chefs and head waiters should not be subject to the same discipline as floorwalkers and counter-jumpers. The Hotel Gazette said he could be seen at all hours in the lobby and corridors of the Palmer House watching and directing. I also had a chance to check out some of the event venues, since I was at the hotel for a wedding. The main ballroom felt especially historic, but the staff was friendly and accommodating, and the catering was very good overall.
The hotel attracted well-to-do permanent residents who enjoyed the spacious quarters, master bedrooms, walk-in closets, multiple bathrooms, housekeeping and porter services. By 1925, Palmer erected a new 25-story hotel which was promoted as the largest hotel in the world. The architects were Holabird & Roche who were well known for their groundbreaking Chicago School of skyscrapers. They also designed the Stevens Hotel, the Cook County Courthouse, the Chicago City Hall and the Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City. We booked the first two nights of the stay via Hotels.com, so TPG could collect night credits and 10x miles with his Capital One Venture Rewards credit card, at a total cost of $322, including taxes and fees. Since I had a wedding to attend at the hotel over the weekend, I booked a third night directly with Hilton in order to maximize my Diamond benefits — a perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — and earn points within the Hilton Honors program, instead.
Chicago Reader Events - Chicago New Year's Eve Countdown 2024 @ The Palmer House Hilton - Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader Events - Chicago New Year's Eve Countdown 2024 @ The Palmer House Hilton.
Posted: Fri, 29 Dec 2023 05:15:01 GMT [source]
Special Occasions & Celebrations
The first, known as The Palmer, was built as a wedding gift from Potter Palmer to his bride Bertha Honorѐ. It opened on September 26, 1871 but incredibly was destroyed by fire thirteen days later in the Great Chicago Fire. It was advertised as "The World's Only Fire Proof Hotel" and contained a grand lobby, ballrooms, elaborate parlors, bridal suites, cafes and restaurants.
Hip & Historic
I've stayed at many "brand-new" hotels over the years — as both a product reviewer and an average Joe, I tend to seek them out. Hotels that bill themselves as historic, meanwhile, remain an occasional curiosity, if for nothing more than a quick look. President Grant was married to Bertha Palmer’s sister Ida, and in 1879, the hotel hosted the “Greatest Banquet in American History” to commemorate the return of the President’s trip from around the world. A gala was hosted for 500 dignitaries and Civil War heroes, including General William Sherman and Phillip Sheridan, with Mark Twain, Potter’s friend, as master of ceremonies.
For the Love of Chocolate
After a couple of follow-ups they finally showed up the next day, but with prosecco, instead of Champagne. 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.
Scoring an upgrade to the executive floor made a big difference overall, since we could use the express elevators, but the lounge itself was overwhelmingly crowded, especially toward the end of Sunday breakfast and throughout the evening happy hours. Ultimately, while it's a decent business hotel, if a peaceful getaway is what you're after, Palmer House is not your spot. Designed in the style of the High French Empire, the room’s staircase, statuary and entry pay homage to the Paris Opera. The grand staircase catches the eye when entering the hotel, a sign that something extraordinary is taking place in the room. Originally the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, The Empire Room added dancing in 1933 during the World’s Fair and it was a quick crowd-pleaser. When Conrad Hilton purchased the hotel in 1945, he suggested entertainment be escalated to full cabaret reviews, with as many as three opening acts, including the Merriel Abbott dancers.
My favorite thing about scoring a room on the executive floor was having easy access to the lounge. 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. While the hotel was kind enough to add my Honors number to the Hotels.com booking — it never hurts to ask! 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 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. After not having much luck on the 21st floor, I headed down to 12, where I encountered an error every time, even though I added a valid credit card number. Guests can experience a night at this historic hotel by booking at palmerhousehiltonhotel.com. If you’ve stayed at Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, you’ve joined a long list of people who have spent a night at 17 East Monroe Street.
No comments:
Post a Comment