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The Palmer House Hilton is an amazing luxury hotel in the heart of Chicago—an enduring symbol of history, legacy, and grandeur, and for my family, it’s deeply intertwined with our own stories. When our teen joined us for our recent visit, they became the fifth generation of the Gay family to stay at this historic landmark, a tradition stretching back to World War II. This wasn’t just a visit to a hotel; it was a journey into the past, tracing the footsteps of my father-in-law and his parents before him, all the way to my husband, myself, and now our child.
For me, the experience at the Palmer House began with stories passed down through the family. My father-in-law was in Chicago for training during World War II. We have letters describing his visits to the Palmer House, where his family stayed when they visited Chicago.
After the war, he returned with his new bride, continuing a tradition that had started with his parents and grandmother. Decades later, our family walked through the same ornate doors, experiencing the elegance and history that have been carefully preserved.
A Tour Through Time: Inside the Palmer House Vault
Upon arrival, I had the rare opportunity to take a private tour of the Palmer House, a privilege that went far beyond what most guests ever see. As I walked through the grand hallways, soaking in the opulence of the gold-leafed ceilings and ornate details, I was escorted to a private museum tucked away in the hotel’s inner sanctum. Here, I got a firsthand look at some of the Palmer House’s treasures—and I mean that quite literally.
The museum was a treasure trove of memories and history, starting with an intimate glimpse into the hotel’s inception. The Palmer House was originally a wedding gift from Potter Palmer to his bride, Bertha Honoré Palmer. That singular act of love has resonated through the years, imbuing the hotel with a sense of romance and grandeur.
One of the things that intrigued me most during the tour was the many peacock motifs scattered throughout the hotel’s design. Our guide explained that the peacock, a symbol of immortality, was chosen as a tribute to Bertha, who was an influential art collector and socialite. As I stood beneath the Tiffany lamps, taking in the rich décor, I marveled at how these details tied the Palmer House’s storied past into the present.
One of the most special moments came when I held a cookbook that my mother-in-law had a copy of. The same edition that likely graced her kitchen shelves decades ago. It was a poignant reminder of the connection our family has to this place—how intertwined our own stories are with the history of the Palmer House.
The tour then led me to the vault, an astonishing relic from a bygone era. The vault door was so heavy that it nearly took two people to open and close it! It felt like a portal to another time. Inside were stunning pieces of historic china, priceless photographs, and memorabilia dating back to the hotel’s early days.
I was invited to don white gloves to handle some of the hotel’s historical artifacts. It was easy to imagine the grandeur of the Palmer House’s early years, as this collection offered a glimpse into the past—one that has been preserved and cherished over generations.
I even learned of the Palmer House’s role during Prohibition. The hotel cleverly found ways to keep spirits flowing, even as the country went dry. A secret passageway allowed the Palmer House to remain a hub of high society, with parties continuing long into the night. As our guide shared stories of speakeasies and illicit gatherings, I could almost hear the clinking of glasses and the soft notes of jazz drifting through the halls.
Romance and Grandeur: The Palmer House Experience
Walking through the Palmer House is like stepping back in time. The lobby’s gilded ceilings and intricate frescoes harken back to an era of elegance and luxury. As I wandered the grand spaces, it was easy to imagine gliding down the magnificent staircase in a designer gown, an orchestra playing softly in the background, perhaps as a group of guests prepared for a grand ball in one of the hotel’s many lavish rooms.
The Palmer House is a historic stage for life’s most beautiful moments. Its design invites you to imagine the stories of those who’ve walked its halls before you, from presidents to poets, celebrities to everyday travelers. The grand staircase, the jewel-toned Tiffany lamps, the marble pillars—it all whispers of a time when Chicago was the glittering hub of a roaring, gilded age.
The Palmer House Brownies: A Delicious Secret You Have to Taste
No stay at the Palmer House Hilton would be complete without indulging in their legendary brownies. These are no ordinary brownies, though—they were invented right here at the Palmer House in the late 19th century for the World’s Fair, and they’ve become an iconic dessert ever since. But there’s something special about these brownies that sets them apart from any other you’ve ever tasted.
They don’t have a crunchy top, but they do have a signature topping that I won’t spoil for you. Trust me—you need to get to the Palmer House and experience them for yourself. When your eyes roll back into your head from that first bite, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!
Their brownie brittle was also a huge hit with the family—so much so that I barely managed to get a few bites before it disappeared! It’s yet another delightful treat that brings you back to the lavish yet welcoming atmosphere that the Palmer House so expertly cultivates. It’s the kind of place where even dessert becomes an unforgettable experience.
Dining Like Royalty
That evening, we dined at The Lockwood Restaurant and Bar, the Palmer House’s exquisite restaurant, where the service was nothing short of exceptional. The food? Absolutely superb! From the appetizers to the main courses, each dish was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The experience of dining here was one of luxury, but it also came with a dose of humor…
Throughout our meal, we were visited by several managers, each making sure everything was perfect. The attention was so frequent that it caught the attention of a nearby diner—a man dining solo, clearly puzzled by the attention we were receiving.
At one point, while I was recording a short video of our meal, we noticed him gesturing toward our table, trying to figure out who we were and why we were getting so much attention. The bewildered look on his face made the evening even more memorable!
And then there were the cocktails. As a Wisconsin native, I’m more familiar with beer than bourbon, but I found myself intrigued by the Palmer House Bourbon Old Fashioned. The richness of the bourbon, the perfect blend of sweetness and bitterness—it was sublime! I even tried their Brownie Old Fashioned, a playful twist on the classic cocktail, and it was every bit as delightful as the brownie itself.
A Family Tradition: Five Generations and Counting
For our family, the Palmer House is part of our story. As I watched our teen explore the hotel, I thought about the generations before us. While my father-in-law visited here as a young man during the war, his parents and grandmother in tow, all making their own memories in this storied place. Later, he returned with his bride, and now here we were, continuing the tradition with our own family.
The Palmer House is and incredible home base for exploring downtown Chicago, and it provided us with the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. Whether we were visiting nearby attractions or simply relaxing in the stunning surroundings, it felt like more than just a hotel—it felt like a piece of family history.
Final Thoughts: The Palmer House Hilton Is an Experience You Can’t Miss
Leaving the Palmer House was bittersweet. Was it the luxury accommodations, the rich history, or the impeccable service that made our stay so unforgettable? Yes, and much more! It was the feeling that we were part of something larger, a tradition of elegance and hospitality that has endured for generations.
The Palmer House Hilton is a living, breathing part of Chicago’s history. From the opulent décor to the storied past, every moment spent here feels like a journey back in time. Presidents, royalty, and celebrities have all graced its halls, but it’s the personal connections—the families like ours who return, generation after generation—that make the Palmer House truly special.
If you find yourself in Chicago, don’t miss the chance to experience the Palmer House for yourself. It’s one of those rare places where history, luxury, and hospitality come together to create an experience unlike any other. You won’t just stay here—you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime, in a place where time stands still, and every moment is steeped in grandeur.
Go out of your way to visit the Palmer House Hilton. Become a part of its legacy. Sit beneath the Tiffany lamps, wander through the historic halls, and indulge in the opulence that has made this hotel a Chicago icon for over 150 years. You won’t regret it.
