My daughters and I stayed the night at The Palmer House the day before Thanksgiving. I chose this hotel because they were offering a special for honor rewards, close location to Union Station, and fond memories of staying there in my childhood. The great parts of our stay: we got to check in REALLY early, our train arrived early at 10:00am and we were able to check in as soon as we walked to the hotel. The location of the hotel is excellent, within walking distance to Michigan Street or State street shopping, the art museum, and Union Station. The hotel staff was wonderful, the front desk clerk was very friendly and gave us a room upgrade to the executive floor, she also gave us a very late check out on Thanksgiving(5pm) for a small fee. The hotel itself is fabulously beautiful, it was all decorated for the holidays and everything was so festive and like something out of a holiday fantasy! We had a two double bed and two bath room on the executive floor which was beautiful and spacious. The showers have a double shower head which is magnificent! The decor in the room is very sophisticated and classically elegant.There is also a concierge for the executive floors and she was very helpful finding us places to eat and shop! Now for the not so great: this may not bother most people, but I am kind of a neat freak so it really bugs me, the hotel beds had those thick brocade pillows and covers on them (that really can't be washed) and they seemed to have a bit of an odor to them, we ended up just putting them in the closet for our stay. We went for a snack at the executive lounge, and I have never seen such a long line, it seemed people were making dinner out of the evening hors d'oeuvre offering. Then our biggest issue was early evening, we were exhausted after being up since 4:00am and were ready to watch tv and go to bed at 8:00pm. However the kids, and adults, on our floor (the executive floor) were acting like it was a spring break hotel yelling up and down the halls, banging on doors, then the kids next door began (literally) bouncing off the walls and banging on the walls. The wall slamming continued for over an hour, only getting worse, so we ended up calling guest services for them to send up security to quiet them down. They stopped slamming the walls,but found new and inventive ways to be disruptive! It was very disappointing, I realize Palmer House doesn't have control over everything their guests do, but this seemed like It was a kind of "anything goes" situation, not appropriate for an upscale, classy hotel. We ordered room service for breakfast the next day because the executive lounge was too packed. When we got our food it was all cold, from the omelet to the croissant to the bagel. Overall, this is a spectacular historical hotel, with spacious rooms, and fantastic public areas, and I would love to stay her again especially since I have fond memories of staying here as a child and feeling very "elegant" and "sophisticated"! I hope the hotel finds a way to discourage disruptive guest behavior, because it certainly does not fit in with the atmosphere (or cost) of the Palmer House.

I stayed here for my second time in a decade as a captive hotel-conference attendee, but found the hotel to have the usual pros of an upscale historic property -- and one located at the heart of Chicago's Loop -- and the usual pros and cons of a big convention hotel.

I was placed, for some reason, on a Hilton Honors floor, so my room was huge, pretty, beautifully maintained, and very comfortable, with armchair, windows that opened (though facing the El train), multiple HDTV channels, big bathroom with nice lotions (though no robes), and, upon request, a coffeemaker. The long and nicely furnished hallways assured that the room was undisturbed by neighbors. There were extra charges for wifi, parking, minibar, etc. Despite the conference crowds, the desk and room service staff were fast, competent, and friendly.

The public rooms are turn-of-the-20th-century elegant, all carpet and gilded ceiling. However, with conference crowds milling about, one's focus was more on avoiding being trampled than on admiring the decor.

While I did not try the well-known hotel restaurant, a quick room service meal was good. On the other hand, drinks and dinner at the informal bar-restaurant off the lobby proved frustratingly slow and mediocre. The hotel's lower level has a Starbucks and informal cafes and stores, which come in handy when the weather is too terrible to venture out. However, it is worth it to make the effort, since Chicago is full of wonderful eateries and shops.

Spent a long weekend here, as a boys weekend. First time in Chicago, and loved the Palmer House. It took a little time to figure my way around (I did get lost a couple of times, the place is massive). Its old, and quaint, and maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but we loved it. Pay the extra for the Club Level. There was food all day, and breakfast, free water, and pop, hot snacks around 5, and things to nibble on all day, and late into the night. The staff was friendly, helpful, and well organized. We asked directions of the concierge, and ended up seeing a bunch of other things we would never have thought of. Would definitely stay there again and again.

Stayed for 5 nights. First night room smelled like cigarette smoke. No wifi for 300 per night? Water temp way too cold for showering. Small bathroom with no walk in shower for that much per night? doormen may or may not open a door. this hotel is running on its nostalgia only
Will definitely stay somewhere else next time in Chicago.