Marked by its 150th Anniversary, the Historic Hotel Demonstrates its Staying Power in Chicago and Ability to Rise through the Face of Adversity  

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CHICAGO – June 17, 2021 –  Following a difficult year for the travel and hospitality industry, it is with the utmost excitement that Chicago's Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel announces its reopening after a year-long temporary closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The historic hotel will open doors to guests on June 17th, 2021, coinciding with its 150-year anniversary, allowing it to continue its legacy as the most iconic and famed hotel in North America.  

Palmer House first opened on September 26, 1871. The hotel began as an extravagant wedding gift and was immediately regarded as one of the most luxurious hotels in Chicago. Just 13 days after its grand opening, Palmer House was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire and was later rebuilt by founder Potter Palmer.

Palmer borrowed $1.7 million to rebuild the hotel and surrounding Chicago area, developing Lake Shore Drive and reimagining State Street, the socialite couple were integral in creating the city structure as it stands today. After using their influence to rise Chicago up from the ashes, the grand hotel welcomed its first guests again on November 8, 1873. Proving its staying power through the years, the Palmer House remains a steadfast beacon of light for the city of Chicago following a challenging year.

“We are incredibility proud to reopen the iconic Palmer House doors, and welcome guests back to the epicenter of Chicago's rich history for our 150th anniversary year. Reopening a grand hotel of this stature is no easy task, in the months leading up to reopening day, the team at Palmer House vacuumed over 4 miles of carpet, changed 10,000 light bulbs, and for the first time, filled 14,600 gallons of water into our new swimming pool.” said Dean Lane, Area General Manager, Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. “We have faced the most challenging year for the travel industry and Chicago community, but in the face of adversity, Palmer House has continued to rise like a Mythological Phoenix, allowing our legacy as one of the most iconic hotels in Chicago to live on.”

Reflecting on 150 Years

Known for many firsts and claims to fame, Palmer House is the birthplace of the original chocolate fudge brownie, the first fireproof hotel, the first to employ the vertical steam lift, which would later become the elevator, and the first hotel to use the lightbulb and telephone. The legendary Empire Room that first opened as a dinner club in 1933, quickly became one of the premier nightspots in the country having hosted performers including Liberace, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Phyllis Diller, and more.

Today, guests can still marvel at the striking grand lobby that dates back to Bertha Palmer befriending Claude Monet in France, where she began decorating the hotel with paintings and other artistic treasures inspired by her French heritage. The stunning features include the Tiffany & Co. 24-karat gold “Winged Angels” that weigh in at 1.25 tons each, the intricately painted ceiling that features 21 Grecian murals by French artiest Luis Pierre Rigal, the Tiffany & Co. brass door handles, 24-karat gold hinges and hardware throughout the hotel, as well as Bertha's signature French Havilland bone china, valued at $1.8 million.

The in-house History Museum and archive opened in 2013 and features a collection of historical artifacts and findings from the hotel's storied past. The assortment includes scrapbooks from the archives of Bertha Palmer, the beer stein used by Mark Twain to toast a historic dinner, ads from the fabled Empire Room featuring a complete dinner and star-studded floor show for $2.00, and original polaroid photography taken from the World's Fair during its debut.

The 1,641-room hotel continues to stand as an icon within walking distance to Chicago's cultural, business and shopping destinations such as the shops along State Street, the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Joffrey Ballet.

Reopening an Icon and Looking Ahead  

Upon reopening, Palmer House will unveil its brand-new indoor swimming pool following a $2.2 Million renovation including a newly outfitted pool, uncovering the once hidden vaulted glass-domed ceiling. The new poolside furnishing and interior design pays homage to hotel's history with texturally rich deep woodgrain contrasting against white-washed Chicago brick.

At the lobby bar, guests will also be able to enjoy the 150th anniversary cocktail - the 1871, original recipe brownie and other elevated plates. New to Palmer House is Lockwood Express, a grab and go concept that includes daily baked pastries, Lavazza coffee and cold brew, a selection of warm artesian meals, and even small batch cocktails for travelers on-the-go. 

As the first guests arrive on opening day, Palmer House will feature special entertainment by famed magician Dennis Watkins of The Magic Parlor. In addition, he'll be appearing at random with 'surprise & delight” pop-up performance throughout opening week in the lobby. Dennis will wow guests with the classic magic and mind-reading featured in his critically acclaimed one-man-show, The Magic Parlour, which is celebrating its 10th year running at the Palmer House. 

To Kick-off the re-opening during the hotel's 150th anniversary year, Palmer House is offering exclusive over-the-top booking offers and experiences. 

The hotel will also introduce a one-time 150th Anniversary History is Hott & Magic Parlour performance on September 26th. The performance will share the history of the hotel and dynamic personalities of those who shaped it with mind-bending illusion.

All guests checking into the hotel during the opening week will receive a complimentary Brownie Bite at check-in. 

Palmer House will also implement Hilton CleanStay protocols to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection.  Guests who desire a contactless arrival experience can check in, choose their room, unlock their door with a Digital Key, and check out using their mobile devices through the free Hilton Honors mobile app. This option is available for guests who book directly via the Honors app or at Hilton.com. 

With 130,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space including 3 ballrooms, 77 breakout rooms,16,909 square feet of Exhibit Hall, and 11 hospitality suites, Palmer House will utilize Hilton EventReady with CleanStay guidelines. The program offers reimagined ways to meet and gather from creative food and beverage offers to thoughtful technology resources. For meeting and event inquiries, please visit www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com.

Opening rates start at $189 per night. Palmer House is located at 17 East Monroe Street. For reservations, please visit  https://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/ or call (312) 726-7500.

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About Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel                                                                     

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.  Acknowledged for its deep-rooted history, Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel first opened on September 26, 1871, the hotel began as an extravagant wedding gift and was immediately regarded as one of the most luxurious hotels in Chicago. Just 13 days after its grand opening, the Palmer House was completely destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire. However, not to be deterred, founder Potter Palmer rebuilt the grand hotel and the new Palmer House welcomed its first guests on November 8, 1873, marking the opening of what would become the nation's longest continually operating hotel. 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, coffees and small batch cocktails. The property also features an 8,000 square-foot oasis known as The Spa at Palmer House.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests' evolving needs. With more than 575 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world's most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Begin your journey at hiltonhotels.com, and learn more about the brand by visiting newsroom.hilton.com/hhr and following Hilton Hotels & Resorts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,500 properties and more than one million rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World's Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 115 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors mobile app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.