The story of downtown Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton is one of romance and undeniable charm.
Potter Palmer was a Chicago business magnate—well-known for a variety of endeavors, including his significant role in the development of downtown Chicago’s iconic State Street.
Bertha Honoré Palmer, 23 years Potter’s junior, was a wealthy socialite who also had a drive to learn and succeed.
An introduction by Potter’s former business partner, Marshall Field, sparked a romance—and eventual engagement—between Potter and Bertha that led to perhaps one of the most extravagant wedding gifts of all time – Palmer House. It was a grand Chicago Hotel—one destined to take its place among the most luxurious hotels in Chicago and beyond.
However, only 13 days after its grand opening, the Palmer House fell victim to the Great Chicago Fire. But that didn’t deter Potter. 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.
The Brushstrokes of Bertha
Shortly after befriending Claude Monet in France, Bertha Palmer began decorating the Palmer House with paintings and other pieces inspired by her French heritage. She eventually accumulated the largest collection of impressionist art outside of France. The Palmer House was bedecked with garnet-draped chandeliers, Louis Comfort Tiffany masterpieces, and a breath-taking ceiling fresco by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal. The fresco was described by columnist George Will as “a wonderful protest of romance against the everydayness of life.”
A House of Stars
By the turn of the century, the Palmer House had become Chicago’s liveliest social center, hosting a long list of prominent figures—including those ranging from U.S. presidents to Charles Dickens to Oscar Wilde.
In 1933, the Empire Dining Room of Palmer House was converted into an entertainment epicentre and supper club. It hosted legendary entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong, and Liberace.
The Never-ending Legend
In recent years the historic Chicago hotel, Palmer House has undergone a $170 million renovation to ensure that it includes all of the conveniences and comforts our 21st century guests expect while also preserving our significant history.
Clearly “the Chicago hotel the world knows best” has positioned itself for the next era in downtown Chicago accommodations–and the next generation of Palmer House Hilton with a hip and historic outlook.
Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America®, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America
HOTEL FEATURES
AT A GLANCE
- The birthplace of the Brownie
- $7M renovation complete
- Along the bus route to McCormick Place Convention Center
- 1,641 inviting guest rooms, including 177 Executive rooms and 53 suites − 11 of which are Presidential in style
- Over 130,000sq.ft. of meeting space with a 16,909sq.ft. Exhibit Hall and 77 breakout rooms
- 3 ballrooms accommodating up to 1,653 people
- Lockwood Restuarant and Lobby Bar offers simple plates of high taste quality accented by delightful cocktails and evening entertainment
- Potter’s Chicago Burger Bar offers signature burgers and craft selection, while Lockwood Express is the ideal gourmet market featuring Lavazza
- The Spa at Palmer House offer rejuvenating services and treatment options
- Magic Parlour performance by Dennis Watkins, the in-house Magician for over 10 years.
THE SPA AT PALMER HOUSE
The Spa at Palmer House is where luxury meets the latest trends in skin and beauty. This 8,000 square foot wellness oasis is located on the 5th floor of Chicago’s historic Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. Pamper yourself, plan a romantic couples escape or reserve the entire spa as the perfect venue for an indulgent and elegant group event.
- The Spa at Palmer House combines all aspects of modern spa and salon to create a full service menu with both classic and trending services.
- Start your journey and treatments at The Spa at Palmer House and complement your experience with 24-hour access to the fitness center located on the 8th floor.
- To book a treatment call +1-312-422-1336 or reserve online
Click the following links for more information about The Spa at Palmer House:
BUSINESS CENTER
Stay productive with our self-service Business Center offering complimentary computer use as well as complimentary high speed internet access, copying and faxing service.
EAT AND DRINK
LOCKWOOD BAR & RESTAURANT
The menu at Lockwood features local, seasonally inspired American cuisine. Simple dishes are prepared with fresh herbs and vegetables. Private event space can also be arranged for intimate gatherings.
Enjoy curated cocktails and shared plates. Raise a glass to the Sesquicentennial Celebration at Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel as you toast under a canvas of 21 Greek Mythological frescos lit by the warm glow of Louis Comfort Tiffany Winged Angel candelabras. An awe-inspiring living, breathing piece of history fully restored to its original beauty with careful attention to the intricate details, down to the most of important matters, a perfectly prepared cocktail.
- Located in the Lobby
- Open Daily
- Food | 11:00am – 10:00pm
- Libations | 11:00am – 11:00pm
POTTER’S CHICAGO BURGER BAR
Named after the Palmer House founder, Potter Palmer, the menu showcases burgers topped with a flavor profile of high taste ingredients. Gather with a group of friends, settle into one of the leather sofas, and enjoy an evening of great conversation over seasonal cocktails. Potter’s Chicago Burger Bar is located on the lobby level.
- Open for Service Thursday through Saturday
- Cocktails:3 pm-11 pm
- Dining: 4pm-10pm
LOCKWOOD EXPRESS
The perfect spot located just off of the lobby to pick up on-the-go favorites. Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Lavazza coffee, tea and chilled drinks along with savory breakfast sandwiches or house made pastries and parfaits. The world-famous Brownie is also available here.
- Lockwood Express will offer additional daily breakfast options throughout the month of January.
- Lobby Level
- Open daily | 6:00am – 10:00pm
PARKING
For your convenience overnight self-parking is offered at 55 East Monroe Street (across from hotel) and overnight Valet Parking is available at the Monroe Street entrance. The garage can be accessed from either Monroe Street (east bound traffic) or Adams Street (west bound traffic).
Overnight guests can charge parking to their guest room for payment at check-out. Simply present your parking or valet ticket to a Guest Service Agent for validation prior to departure. For non-overnight guests, please note that parking must be paid in the 55 East Monroe Street lobby level prior to entering your car to exit the facility.
- Self-Parking at 55 East Monroe Street – $52.00 per car, per night with no in/out privileges.
- Valet Parking with unlimited in and out privileges is available at the Monroe Street entrance of the hotel – $75.00 per car, per night. Attendant will issue a valet ticket upon arrival. Overnight guests can charge parking to their guest room for payment.
To retrieve your vehicle, call Valet at extension 5172 or ask the operator to connect you and present your valet ticket number, or simply present your valet ticket to the attendant at the Monroe Street entrance.
HEALTH CLUB & POOL
Make a splash at our new $2.2MM indoor, heated pool. Located in the Fitness Center on the 8th floor of the hotel, use of the pool is complimentary to registered hotel guests. Take a refreshing dip or relax poolside, either way let the stress of the day float away…
Pool Hours: Daily, 5:30am – 9:00pm
Enjoy a personalized workout regime in our 10,000 square foot Fitness Center facility on three interconnected levels including:
- State of the Art Preva™ by Pre-Cor® cardiovascular equipment
- Signature series resistance training circuit
- Strength training equipment
- Free weights including bench press, smith machine and dumbbells
- Adjustable Cable Crossover with TRX training system
- 5am-10pm gym access, pool hours are 5:30 am – 9:00 pm
- Eucalyptus Steam Room (currently unavailable)
- Locker Rooms supplied with a complete list of amenities
- Indoor, heated, recreational swimming pool
- New Year, New You – Peloton Pedal for Hilton Honors Points program
Located on the 8th Floor of the Palmer House Hilton, our Fitness Center is equipped with everything you need to stay in shape on the road. Featuring Precor® Cardiovascular and Strength Training Equipment including:
- 7 Precor treadmills
- 7 Precor elliptical
- 2 Precor AMT Elliptical
- 2 Precor upright bikes
- 3 Precor recumbent bikes
- 1 Concept rowing ergometer
- Precor single station strength machines
- Olympic bench press
- Precor Smith machine
- Barbells and Dumbbells up to 100#
- Multiuse Cable Station
- TRX, suspension training straps
Additional amenities include
- Classroom equipped with Yoga and exercise mats
- Dumbbells
- Resistance bands
- Medicine and stability balls
- Physio balls
- Air disc
- Kettle bells
- Battle rope
- Group Fitness Classes
**Fitness classes are currently suspended**
Gym Hours: Daily, 5a.m. – 10p.m.
STANDARD ROOM
- 1 king bed or 2 double beds.
- Maximum occupancy 2 people in a King Room or 4 people in a Double Room.
- 250 thread count sheets
- 27-inch TV
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Iron/ironing board
- Bathroom amenities
- Rollaway bed
- Connecting rooms
- Air conditioning
- Black-Out Curtains
- Bolster Pillow
- Clock Radio w/ MP3 Connection
- Connecting rooms
- Hilton Eat Right Menu
- Hilton Serenity Bed
- Hilton Serenity CollectionTM
- Lever Door Handles
- On-Demand Movies
- On-Demand Video Games
- Thermostat (adjustable)
- TV-Cable
- TV-Pay per view
- Work Desk with Adjustable Lamp
- Workstation
- 24 Hour Housekeeping
- Bathroom amenities
- Convenient Electrical Outlets
- Desk Level Electric Plugs
- Desk Level HSIA Connection
- Hairdryer
- High Speed Internet Access
- Iron/ironing board
- Newspaper M-F (USA Today)
- PrinterOn Remote Printing
- Remote-Controlled Television
- Rollaway bed (limited and for a fee)
- Self Laundry Available
- Telephone - Auto Wakeup
- Telephone - Two Lines
- Telephone - Two Phones
- Telephone - Voice Mail
- Telephone - with Dataport
- Telephone-with Speaker phone
- Two Phones with Dataport
- Two Phones with Speaker
- Two Phones with Voicemail
- Alarms - Audible
- Automatic Door Closer
- Double Locking Doors
- Electronic Locks
- Electronic Smoke Detector
- Glowing Light Switches
- Safe
- Secondary Locking Device
- Visual Strobe/Hearing Impaired
Check-in: 3 p.m.
Check-out: 11a.m.
Minimum check-in age is 21
Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603, United States