This business is Trusted — customers consistently rate it 4.2★ across 13,920 reviews, indicating reliable, quality service.
Well-established with 13,920 reviews. A 4.2★ average reflects broad customer experience.
Reviewers appreciate responsive communication and work delivered as promised.
Some customers note response times during peak periods.
Those who value consistent quality and professional service.
Review Rank Score (0–100) blends a Bayesian-adjusted rating, review volume, recent sentiment, and rating consistency. It's a predictive reputation estimate — not a replica of Google or Yelp's ranking.
Honestly underwhelming experience. The lobby is as grand and breathtaking as it appears in photos, but that’s about all I can say. I understand it’s the oldest hotel in the Midwest, but the rooms are nothing special for being a luxury hotel. We were on the Executive levels and I would’ve thought this was a Hampton Inn. Everything clean and comfortable, but nothing high-end at all. The front desk service was great and brutally honest saying this hotel is not known for its views. If you’re on the NE corner you may get a glimpse of the park and the lake, otherwise enjoy the rooftops. Cool experience, but not worth coming back. The brownie is pretty good. We did self-park and it was fine. A little walk, but not bad for the city. Expect to go up for a while. They will validate your parking ticket at Check In.
Our experience at The Palmer House was exceptional. The atmosphere throughout the hotel was amazing, and the lobby and much of the property are absolutely beautiful. The entertainment provided during our stay was outstanding and added significantly to the overall experience. The staff was friendly, professional, and prompt most of the time, which was especially impressive considering the hotel was hosting a convention with attendees from 10 different states, in addition to other guests and customers staying at the hotel. Overall, our experience was exceptional. The only drawback was the layout of our room. We had a second bed, and because of the way the furniture was positioned, the bed was much too close to the entertainment stand, which made the room feel somewhat cramped. Despite that minor issue, we truly enjoyed our stay and would definitely consider returning. The atmosphere, entertainment, beautiful surroundings, and overall level of service made for a memorable experience.
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Delores at the front desk started my visit off wonderfully in a welcoming way. She told me a few interesting things about the property and amenities. My stay was excellent all around. The lobby is huge, classic and lovely. The gym and pool areas are spacious and clean. I wasn’t able to check out the restaurants on site but the menus looked inviting. Unique and fantastic stay in a centralized Chicago location !
My husband and I stayed here for a nearby wedding and only needed the room for a short stay. In the end, that worked out well because I don’t think I would have wanted to stay much longer. The room itself was quite small and offered very few amenities beyond a mini fridge. The bathroom was especially unusual. The shower had no curb or threshold, so water flowed across the bathroom floor and drained through a drain in the middle of the room. After every shower, there was standing water throughout much of the bathroom. It appeared to be an intentional design, but it has clearly taken a toll over time—the vanity and baseboards showed visible signs of water damage. I understand that this is a historic building, and older hotels often have quirks. However, the bathroom also showed signs of deferred maintenance, including peeling wallpaper and chipping ceiling paint, likely made worse by the lack of ventilation. The elevators were the biggest concern during our stay. Guests have to scan their room key before selecting a floor, but the system is very slow to register. Combined with the elevators’ slow operation, this creates long waits, which seems to encourage people to crowd into already-full elevators rather than wait for the next one. On our first full day, we entered an elevator that already felt near capacity. Four more people squeezed in, and shortly afterward the elevator malfunctioned. The doors remained closed, but the elevator wouldn’t move. Someone pressed the emergency call button, and while an operator responded, what ultimately got us out was a maintenance employee who happened to be in the lobby. He instructed us to press a sequence of buttons, which caused the doors to crack open slightly, and then he manually forced them open the rest of the way. It was a frightening experience. This hotel is undeniably beautiful, and its historic character is part of its appeal. However, between the dated condition of the bathroom, the water issues, and the concerning elevator experience, I think the property would benefit from significant updates to improve both comfort and guest safety.
Honestly, if I hadn't been attending an event held in the building, I wouldn't have paid what I paid to stay here. The convenience of being on-site was the main draw. The lobby, hallways, and elevators do have a genuinely nice historic feel — a little worn, but that's part of the character — and the bed was comfortable. The room itself was another story, and the bathroom especially. There was no truly hot water, so warm showers only. White paint or similar splatter was all over the floor. The hot water faucet leaked whenever the cold tap was running, and the cold tap itself never actually shut off — it just spun continuously, with one point in the rotation where it slowed to a drip. The wallpaper was peeling in multiple spots. Out in the entry hallway, the closet doors had worn stripes running down them from years of rubbing. Beyond the bathroom, the new Android-based entertainment system was dysfunctional and kept resetting itself. The charging station worked the first night, then stopped working the second. None of these is catastrophic alone, but together they add up to a room that isn't being maintained to the standard the rate implies. If you're booking a historic luxury hotel, you expect the details to be handled. Convenient if your event is in the building — otherwise I'd look elsewhere.