Chicago’s Palmer Hotel Celebrates Its 150 Year Anniversary
After first opening its doors in 1871, Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel will celebrate its 150th anniversary on December 8th, with an open house event, inviting guests to peruse the hotel’s collection of valuable artifacts, and learn about its iconic history in Chicago. It’s sweet justice that the date also marks National Brownie Day, and guests of the event will be able to enjoy the chocolate fudge confectioner treat first invented at the hotel in 1893.
Lobby at Palmer House, Chicago
Chicago’s Palmer House began as an extravagant wedding gift from Potter Palmer to his new wife, Bertha Honoré Palmer. Only 13 days after its grand opening, The Palmer House fell victim to the Great Chicago Fire, but was rebuilt on November 8, 1873, marking the opening of what would become one of the nation’s recognized hotels.
By the turn of the century, Palmer House had become Chicago’s liveliest social center, hosting a long list of prominent figures, ranging from U.S. presidents to Charles Dickens to Oscar Wilde. In 1933, the Empire Dining Room hosted legendary entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong, and Liberace.
President Bill Clinton at the Palmer House
“Through the years, Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel has been a pinnacle of resilience, ingenuity, haven of inclusivity, and institutional part of the growth of Chicago. As a hotel built on love, Palmer House remains engrained into the city of Chicago, serving as a beacon of light following a challenging year,” said Hilton Area General Manager, Dean Lane.
Palmer House is the first fireproof hotel, the first to employ the vertical steam lift, which would later become the elevator, the first hotel to use the lightbulb, and home to the first-ever Polaroids from the 1893 World’s Fair. In the past 174 days, Palmer House has unveiled a brand-new indoor swimming pool following a $2.2 Million renovation and introduced Lockwood Express, a grab and go concept that includes daily baked pastries, Lavazza coffee, selection of warm artesian meals, and even small batch cocktails for travelers on-the-go. For the anniversary celebration, the hotel has introduced the Bertha Brownie Latte, a playful spin on the original fudge brownie.
The Spa at the Palmer House
Located in the heart of Downtown Chicago, Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel is within walking distance to Chicago’s famed cultural, business and shopping destinations such as the shops along State Street, the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Joffrey Ballet. With 1,641 rooms, the hotel offers several dining options, including the seasonally inspired cuisine at award-winning Lockwood Restaurant and Lockwood Express, a grab and go concept providing guests with warm artesian meals, Lavazza and small batch cocktails. The property also features an 8,000 square-foot treatment facility known as The Spa at Palmer House, full fitness center, indoor pool and The Magic Parlour.