When we are looking for a hotel, we like to look at photos shot by other guests rather than those on the hotel’s website. To return the favor, we occasionally offer a look inside hotel rooms during our recent stays.
A Look Inside the Palmer House, Chicago’s Iconic Hotel
We just returned from a quick weekend trip to one of our favorite cities and a stay in its famous Palmer House, the nation’s oldest hotel in continual operation.
Originally a wedding gift from Chicago business leader Potter Palmer to his wife Bertha, the Palmer House opened its doors in 1871, only 13 days before the Great Chicago Fire. Potter rebuilt the hotel across State Street from the original location with the first guest registering on November 8, 1873, 139 years ago this week.
Today registration is off to the side of the soaring lobby, a magnificent place to sit down and peer up at the ceiling. As a tribute to her French heritage, Bertha decorated the Palmer House with artistic treasures, including the lobby ceiling of Grecian frescoes by French muralist Louis Pierre Rigal.
In 1996, Lido Lippi — the man who also helped restore the Sistine Chapel – restored the ceiling of the Palmer House lobby.
Since we arrived into downtown Chicago before 10: 30 am, we were thrilled to get an early check-in. Room 22-246 is a smallish room on the executive floor, with the nice perk of a separate elevator.
Here’s a look inside Room 22-246, which has traditional furnishings.
Along with modern business conveniences such as wi-fi and a large flat screen television. (Someone had been a little rough with the wall.)
The bathroom is tiny but well appointed.
We loved the double shower head that adjusted for tall heads.
We also appreciate the Peter Thomas Roth toiletries, especially the mouthwash.
Every time we’ve stayed at the Palmer House, our room seems unique in layout and decoration. Here’s a peek into Room 12-126, which you can see is quite different.
The holidays are a terrific time to visit the Palmer House, whether for a stay or a drink in the lobby bar to drink in the ambiance.
Do you have a favorite iconic hotel? Please share it in comments.
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