The Palmer House Hilton Hotel

We went as visitors from UK to a wedding. There were approximately 20 people staying in the hotel for the wedding and most had problems with their rooms on account of hotel negligence or stupidity.

Good points: Beautiful hotel and well-situated.The Housekeeping staff are very competent. That's it.

Bad points: Where do I start?

Regular staff competence generally poor. We were moved 4 times in 5 nights due to hotel negligence - planned works which meant we should never have been put in room x to start with. It ruined our trip completely. They gave us one free breakfast as a sorry which was offensive enough which they then tried to bill me for at the end of the trip.

The standard of food in room service was very poor indeed - shocking for a hotel boasting 4 stars. We used BB's around the corner every day for Breakfast along with the rest of the 20 or so people in our wedding party. I even overheard a couple of businessmen in the Exec bar say that if the Palmer House actually offered a level of competence and catering that was fitting such a beautiful environment, they would pay extra for it, as they were so cheesed off with the inconvenience of it all. The PH is missing out on a chunk of business from both executive and tourist classes and they seem to not care. They're trading on the Hilton name and architectural majesty of the place. Go for coffee and soak up the beauty but stay elsewhere, like the Silversmith Hotel, which another more Chicago-savvy member of the group spoke highly of.

I just love staying here at the Palmer House! The decor is absolutely beautiful! The hotel is located right in the center of downtown and there is so much to do inside of the hotel and in this vicinity. The views from the room are not great, but this hotel is right downtown amongst many skyscrapers. The rooms are lovely and elegant! This is just an elegant, classy and fabulous hotel! Great for families, children, business travelers and leisurely stays!

I stayed here twice for High School Model U.N. conventions. It is a beautiful hotel, especially in the main lobby, where you feel you either on the main deck of the Titanic, or in the Sistine Chapel with the beautiful roof.

That said, the Hotel is very idiosyncratic. I had friends at the hotel who stayed in a double that was barely larger than a closet, while I both times enjoyed a large quad with two bathrooms, which was quite comfortable for four teenage boys. The rooms were nice, but not luxurious. Very few cable channels, and as aforementioned, don't do room service or the mini bar. It will eat you alive! Ours was locked anyway, so we couldn't get at the liquor.

As far as amenities, the Hotel is also idiosyncratic. There is a pool, but it is tiny and tucked away on a random floor. My friends and I found a pool table, but were told that we would have to pay $10.00 an hour??? Forget that! One nice thing are the small shops that are set up by the entrance, they are great for grabbing a halfway reasonable snack. The executive suite is really nice if you can afford that.

The ballrooms for our sessions are also really nice, and are beautiful and all different. They are always well stocked with water and a few snacks. Of course, this hotel's biggest draw is it's prime location. For the business traveler, this hotel is good. If you have little kids, or are a little kid, you might want to stay away.

Not worth the money. Rooms too small, too impersonal and disorganized

Celebrating our 30th anniversary at the Palmer House Hilton.

I checked in and gave the front desk a $20.00 tip and explained it was our 30th anniversary. He took the money and said to me, I will do something special for you. When you get to your room you will be surprised! yeah I was! nothing. I called the front desk if I was missing something. He said he was sorry and he would have it sent right up! Never did. Tipping at the front desk when checking in at the Palmer House Hilton, don't. This really kills it for tipping industry!

The hotel was nice. Rooms very small especially the bathroom. Good location.

Parking, I was charged $90. for three nights. The Palmer House automaticlly charged my credit card and put the receipt under my door. When I left the parking structure I had to insert my parking ticket to exit and the meter said $61.00??

Don't have The Palmer House Validate your parking ticket It will cost you more!