^ My first trip to Chicago so I deceided to stay at the historic Palmer House Hilton. As a HH Gold I checked in the day before online and was upgraded from a "room assigned at check-in" AAA rate room to room XX172 in the executive tower. (the room was assigned to me online) It is a nice corner King room that has two windows. Not much of a view, since the hotel is in the middle of the loop. But it is definitely nice to be on the top floors away from the street noise.

The room is very elegantly decorated with a tapestry bed spread and two large european pillows, taffeta curtains, crown moldings, and gold leaf accented furniture. Very comfortable King bed with triple sheets and down comforter. The room is nicely sized, the bathroom is smaller than newer hotels, but The Palmer House has done a good job appointing it to make it feel elegant.

The executive lounge serves continental breakfast and the Latte Machine makes a darn good latte! The lounge appears to be open all day for free refrenshments and appetizers in the evening. I was not at the hotel in the eve to see what the appetizers were like, but at 10:30 when I returned, the lounge had chocolate chip cookies available - yum!

The hotel is very close to the blue line which makes it an easy $1.75 subway ride away from O'Hare. My flight out was later in the day so I asked for an extended check-out time and was offered an extension to 2:00, which is nice.

The lobby of the hotel is very grand, and the front desk reception at the HHonors line was very quick.

One note - In the welcome letter that I received with my key - I was instructed on my future returns to call (312)422-1834 within an hour of reaching the hotel, and my room key would be waiting for me at the bell desk on Monroe Street, and I would be able to bypass registration totally. I'll definitely try this next time.

All in all - a very nice hotel, and I would not hestitate to return. :-: