Palmer House A Hilton Hotel

One of my favorite discoveries in Chicago is the Empire Ballroom inside The Palmer House. It’s just up the stairs from the hotel’s magnificent lobby and has a rich history most anyone working at the hotel will be willing to tell you more about. This room with its shiny wood floor and opulent chandeliers is where Frank Sinatra used to perform. While the ballroom itself is beautiful, it’s most interesting feature is what’s hidden behind the mirrored wall in its corner. Push on the last panel and you’ll stumble into a dressing room where famous acts - including Sinatra - used to get ready to go on stage. Several autographed pictures are still hanging on the walls.

I primarily chose the Hilton Chicago for it’s South Michigan Avenue location which renders the hotel the best situated in the Windy City for delving into its wealth of cultural offerings. The Daley suite is spacious with tasteful decor, floor-to ceiling windows with a view of Lake Michigan and Grant Park, and attention to detail. The hotel boasts a club-sized work-out room (surrounded by a track), indoor pool, and -- best of all -- a well-cultivated rooftop pool. The Hilton Chicago provides several common areas for lounging, working, enjoying a coffee or cocktail, and people-watching. Ceilings are high and gold-leaf, murals and marble are commonplace. The Hilton Chicago is a grand, historic hotel perfectly situated for exploring the city’s cultural scene.

Stepping into the lobby of the Palmer House was like stepping into the lobby of Grand Central Station (minus the herds of people running to trains). With high opulent ceilings and Tiffany’s gold sprinkled among the stairwells, walls, and chandeliers, the property was breath-taking and filled with history. The “History is Hott!” tour run by the hotel’s energetic 32-year resident historian and Director of Public Relations, Ken Price, is a fun, interactive lunch and tour series that begins with lunch at the property’s Lockwood Restaurant and moves into the Palmer House Hilton’s historic museum. What a treat to have an in-house expert provide an intimate look at the hotel’s history! I stood by a stage where Sinatra used to sing, learned that nearly every president had either slept or dined in the hotel’s quarters, and even got a history lesson on the Great Chicago Fire. The property is only a three minute walk from the Art Institute of Chicago, and it’s the closest hotel in proximity to the museum. I found the Palmer House Hilton had the charm and service you may find at a boutique hotel, but 130,000 square feet of meeting space ideal for business travelers or large groups, which was particularly noteworthy. Oh, and it’s also dog friendly. http://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com