I often like to tell the story of two different trips to Chicago that I took a long time ago (before I was involved in the world of miles and points). I was taking a training class for work and it was on 2 different weeks in Chicago. The first week, the training was out in the suburbs, and I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in the Chicagoland suburb of Schaumburg, where I had free parking, free breakfast and free wi-fi. The 2nd week, the training was downtown, so I stayed at the Palmer House Hilton downtown, where it was $50 / day for parking, breakfast was only in the restaurant, and there was an extra charge for wi-fi (this has since changed if you’re an Honors member).
When I was complaining about this to a friend, he was like “But you’re at the freaking PALMER HOUSE!” And I was not super impressed – I mean sure it was historic, and it looked nice, but I was in a broom closet and getting nickel and dimed for every last thing! Even though it was not the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed at, it was one of my worst hotel stays.
I’ve shared this story at the Chicago Seminars a few times and it was the basis for my article titled 3 reasons budget hotels DESTROY “nice” ones. So when I was heading to Chicago recently, and I had the chance to try out the Palmer House Hilton (this time as a “Diamond Guest“), I knew I had to try it!
Palmer House Hilton location, ambiance and decor
The Palmer House Hilton is located in downtown Chicago, on Monroe Street between State and Wabash. The main entrance is on Monroe Street, but there are also entrances on both State and Wabash (Wabash entrance pictured below)
So depending on where you’re coming from or going to, one of those side entrances may be more convenient. Note that like many hotels, only the main entrance is open at late / early hours of the day.
The decor is quite ornate
The lobby and check-in desk is not on the ground floor but instead up one level
Palmer House Hilton room
As I mentioned, in my original stay, I got a super tiny broom closet, but this time I did ask for an upgrade and received an upgrade to an executive room, which was quite spacious.
I asked if there were any rooms that fronted State Street (I was there for the McDonalds Thanksgiving Day parade which goes up and down State Street), but there were not any.
My room had 3 (!) closets
And the bathroom was standard
Palmer House Hilton executive lounge hours and food
As a Hilton Diamond member, I had access to the Hilton Palmer House Executive Lounge, which is located on the 23rd floor (there are 24 floors total). You need to use your key to access the lounge, though I did find that you could also use the stairs, and there was no keycard required to get into the lounge via the stairwell (probably a bug)
Out of the elevator, there is a seating area, and there are more seating areas to the left and right. It was not too crowded for most of the time, but at breakfast and dinner it got VERY crowded.
During most of the day, the food area looks as it does below, with fruit and snacks and a complimentary pop machine
Palmer House Hilton executive lounge breakfast
Breakfast is served from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and has the standard stuff (eggs, pancakes, breads, etc)
Out near the elevator at the Palmer House Hilton Executive Lounge there is also fresh fruit and muffins / croissants
Hilton Palmer House executive lounge dinner
The Hilton Palmer House executive lounge also offers “complimentary hors d’oeuvres” between 5-7 p.m. which in my world is code for “dinner”
(SEE ALSO: Which hotels offer free dinner?)
The first night it was chicken tostadas, which were quite tasty.
The second night they had naan and tikka masala chicken. This night the hotel was much more crowded. I got up there a few minutes after 5 when dinner started and there was a long line waiting to get food.
They ran out of chicken tikka masala so they brought out chicken a la McNuggets 🙂
Which were also tasty.
Palmer House Hilton review
I had a good time at the Palmer House Hilton and it’s fairly inexpensive as well for some reason. I’m regularly finding rates around $100 and it’s booking about 23,000 – 29,000 Hilton Honors points a night.
Certainly having status with Hilton helps! 🙂 Thankfully many cards give Hilton Gold status. You can get Hilton Gold with any of the American Express Platinum cards or the Hilton Honors Surpass card (soon to be Ascend). You can currently beat the top public offer on the Surpass card using refer a friend offers (here’s mine for 85,000 Hilton points!) See other top credit card offers here
Have you ever stayed at the Palmer House Hilton? Leave your experience in the comments
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Dan, is the executive lounge open on weekends? (For breakfast only, or the full service?). Thanks!
I believe so but I am not 100% sure as we were there on a weekday. It was open on Thanksgiving Day though if that helps
YUGE convention hotel that saw its best days about 50+ years ago…crummy location too—tons of better options available in Chicago—regardless of its lounge
You are right and that’s probably why it’s so inexpensive to stay there now!
I was there two weekends ago; the lounge is open on the weekends. Expect large crowds. You will likely wait to get a seat. Drinks are pay as you go. Food tends to run out. The staff is a bit thin for the number of people.
Anyone who uses the word “pop” to describe “soda water” sounds like a hick.
“Pop” is what is used in the Midwest, never heard of “soda water” sounds like a specialty drink. I’ve heard people say “soda” or call it by name ie Coke, Pepsi, Sprite….
Or sounds like 92% of all Americans. And it was soda pop that was described, not soda water!
Pop is for coke, pepsi, sprite, etc
Soda is for club soda/tonic or seltzer.
So I am guessing that this stay was better than the last?
Slightly 🙂
The Palmer House is an iconic name to us native Chicagoan’s, but not my type of hotel. However we would never stay there, just not our kind of hotel. The Chicago downtown is not what it used to be 50 years ago when the Palmer House was still in its glory years. State Street is not the “great street” anymore, the grand department stores closed their doors long ago. Staying downtown does place you close to the lake and other attractions like the Art Institute (still great) but Chicago can be a dangerous city to wander around at night. Went to grad school downtown 40 years ago, and you had to be careful then.
“Chicago can be a dangerous city to wander around at night. ”
Get real, downtown and most middle income and wealthier neighborhoods are perfectly safe.
Ignore the safety comment above by NFA. D/T Chicago is perfectly safe day & night, even traveling alone. My wife and Igo there 4 or 5 times a year and NEVER have any issues. Stop watching the media hype regarding the 2 gang infested neighborhoods WAY outside D/T and the city boundaries..
sorry, I meant ignore the “safety”comment by Elsa
Palmer House is “magical” & it’s history fascinating… a rare gem; not like the 1000’s of hotel chains. Downtown Chicago a fabulous city!
Feel very safe walking downtown !
Been coming from California almost annually for 35 years .. NEVER a problem! The people that live here are great; the culture & vibe matches!