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The Palmer House and the Joffrey Ballet Duet for Nutcracker Teas

Where: 17 E. Monroe St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60603

Chicago's Palmer House Hilton is getting into the holiday spirit with its new series of Joffrey Nutcracker Teas with the famed company's ballerinas and danseurs making an appearance.

The teas, held Saturdays through December 26, kick off on November 21 with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the South Loop hotel's grand lobby. Kiddies can help decorate the tree beforehand and garnish some Nutcracker cookies.

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Tags: Hotel Desserts / Hotel Food / Hotel Restaurants / Chicago Hotels / → All Tags

Did You Know The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago Invented The Brownie?

Where: 17 E. Monroe St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60603

Chicago's Palmer House Hilton has some serious bragging rights when it comes to dessert. The hotel invented the brownie. According the Palmer House, socialite and owner Bertha Palmer asked the hotel chefs to create a sweet for the Women's Pavilion at the the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and they came up with the all-magnificent brownie.

We headed to the Palmer House to see if the first brownie house served up a killer dose of chocolatey goodness after 116 years. The newest brownie incarnation in the hotel restaurant, Lockwood, is different from the original treat, which supposedly had an apricot glaze and nuts. Our version, our waiter told us, is only the base of Bertha's original brownie.

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Tags: Hotel Renovations / W Hotels / Chicago Hotels / → All Tags

Inside the New Room at The W Chicago-City Center

Where: 172 W. Adams St. [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60603

Since the W considers itself the purveyor of cool, it makes sense that the chain would decide to redo the W Chicago-City Center. It was the first W hotel to come to the city in 2001 and it was looking a little shabby.

The $35 million makeover targeted the W Living Room, a.k.a. the lobby, and the hotel's 235 guestrooms and suites. What was hot back in '01, aside from 'N Sync, was dark decor with oversized furniture. The hotel tried to get away from that dated look throughout the hotel with bright, airy spaces.

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Tags: Hotel Renovations / TripAdvisor / W Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags

Is W Chicago City Center's New Look Too Ikea-ish?

Where: 172 West Adams Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60603

Ch-ch-check it out, Chi-town: W Chicago City Center just underwent a major, major reno (the first since its 2001 opening, obviously) that includes a redesign of the hotel's 235 guestrooms and suites, the W Living Room (goofy W lingo for "lobby," for those of you just tuning in), and a new brand new look for the meeting and event spaces throughout the hotel.

Warning: going over to TripAdvisor to check out reviews of this hotel may be a wee bit risky, as the reviews are about as all-over-the-place as they get. Here's one guest's take on the newly renovated rooms:

The renovated rooms look like a page out of an Ikea catalog. White, cheap furniture. I was reminded of the super-small rooms you get in European hotels where all the furniture is attached to the walls.

Whoops. Management responded to that comment, though, with this:

We ensure you that our furniture was created exclusively by the W Hotels Design team for the comfort of our guests. In implementing our recent 35 million dollar renovation our design team carefully thought of the guest experience – installing sound proof windows and creating more space by making it brighter and recessing furniture.

Probably a good thing that they're trying to make the rooms seem bigger and brighter, at least, since a couple other reviewers on TA complained of the small room size.

Rates here start around $199.

Tags: Hidden Hotel Fees / Hotel Fitness / Chicago Hotels / Hilton Hotels / Hotel Gyms / → All Tags

Is a Surprise Hotel Fitness Fee Worse Than a Steep WiFi Charge?

Where: 17 East Monroe St [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60603

Just when we thought paying for WiFi to be the worst of hotel extra evils, a reader has reminded us of yet another devil in the details: additional charges for using the hotel's gym. Calling out Chicago's Palmer House Hilton in particular, our tipster uncovers more than just the fee, but also the lack of signage regarding it:

Just discovered -- the Palmer House charges $18 (!!) for guests to use their fitness center. I'm sure it's lovely, but at the news of $18 I turned around and left. Outrageous on several levels: the price (although I wouldn't pay anything) and the fact that there was absolutely no clue until I walked and found a front desk that there were any fees involved. Even then, nothing's posted.

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Tags: HotelChatter Reader Deals / W Hotels / Hotel Deals / Chicago Hotels / → All Tags

HotelChatter Reader Deals :: 15-20% Off at W Chicago City Center

Where: 172 W Adams St [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60603

W Hotel Chicago City Center Insider Discounts
15-20% Off Room Rates

If you're planning to check out Chicago in the fall or winter (gorgeous -- and a wee bit cold, depending on when you visit, but gorgeous nonetheless), check out the W Hotel City Center if you think you may be staying a while.

It's kinda hidden on the hotel's website, so here's the scoop: during select days through the end of the year, you can receive 15% off. Stay 4 nights, and score 20% off.

The valid dates are actually not too shabby at all:

· October 1-24, 29-31

· November 1-9, 12-29

· December 5-30

Ah, it's oh-so-nice to be able to relay a discount that does not involve waking up early and trying to beat other people to the deal -- and then getting shut out. Not naming any names, though.

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Have a hotel deal you think we should consider?  Or have a destination and date where you want us to check for hotel rooms and rates for you?  No guarantees on either, but you can try your luck by hitting us here: tips@hotelchatter.com. Please include "For Reader Deals" in the subject heading.

Tags: Anti-View / Hyatt Hotels / Chicago Hotels / → All Tags

Room With an Anti-View: Uninspiring at Palmer House Hilton Chicago

Where: 17 East Monroe Street [map], Chicago, il, United States, 60603

You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view.

And today's award for an unspectacular, dreary view out of a hotel room window goes to: Palmer House Hilton Chicago. A Flickr photographer who goes by the name of scaryspice was sarcastic enough to describe this view with the phrase "amazing isn't it ..." and we agree: amazing that the buildings here which actually are potentially quite beautiful just end up looking so drab when you see them up too close.

[Photo: scaryspice]

Tags: Hotel Restaurants / Chicago Hotel Reviews / Hilton Hotels / → All Tags

Hotel Restaurant Food Porn: Palmer House Hilton

Where: 17 E. Monroe St. [map], Chicago, il, United States, 60603

The Palmer House Hilton's new restaurant is finally ready, and will open with lunch and dinner service Monday, November 19. While the menu makes it sound like an expense-account paradise, we're considering it now that we've drooled over some food porn shots of Chef Phillip Foss' grub.

The presentation is a lot more artful than we originally suspected, with foams and sauces dabbed and dolloped on entrees like the Surf, Turf and Turf, a plate full of lobster, spare ribs and steak. Also looking good is the Faux Gras. We'll take two, please.

Related Stories:
· New Restaurant Coming to Palmer House Hilton [HotelChatter]
· Hotel Restaurants coverage [HotelChatter]
· Chicago Hotels [HotelChatter]

Tags: Chicago Hotel Reviews / Hilton Hotels / Honeymoon Hotels / → All Tags

Why It Pays To Save Your Hotel Receipt

Where: 17 East Monroe Street [map], Chicago, il, United States, 60603

The Palmer House in Chicago gives a discount to its return customers. But there's a catch -- you're only shot at nabbing the deal is if you visited back when the hotel housed WWII vets returning home to their sweeties. One-time guests who visited more than 50 years ago can stay for the price of their original visit as long as they can provide the original receipt.

Last week, 81-year-olds Larry and Mariam Orenstein stayed in the hotel's $1,600-a-night suite for $10 -- the price they paid when they honeymooned in the room in 1947. And actually, they didn't even have to pay the $10 as their grandson Ze graciously paid the bill.

The hotel, which first opened in the 1800s, started offering the deal in 1925. But customers have taken advantage of the offer fewer than 10 times over the last 25 years, said hotel spokesman Ken Price.

[Photo: Chicago Sun-Times]

Related Stories:
· Former Guests Get Discount [Associated Press]
· Hilton Hotel News [HotelChatter]

Tags: Hotel Restaurants / Chicago Hotels / Hilton Hotels / → All Tags

New Restaurant Coming to Palmer House Hilton

Where: 17 E. Monroe St. [map], Chicago, il, United States, 60603

The Palmer House Hilton will soon have a shiny new restaurant to match its gleaming lobby. We're a little suspicious of the "November" opening date, but Lockwood Restaurant is scheduled to open soon, with French and Italian food perfect for the expense account crowd.

Executive Chef Phillip Foss will skirt Chicago's foie gras ban with "faux gras" (duck liver terrine) then follow it with entrees like osso bucco, pan roasted codfish and "surf, turf and turf," a combo of tenderloin, short ribs and lobster. Obviously, a lengthy list of wines will be on hand.

Dessert is more interesting than you might imagine. Chicago is the home of the brownie, and Lockwood will serve its version with milk mousse, shiraz-chocolate ice cream and an almond cookie.

Related Stories:
· Hotel Restaurants coverage [HotelChatter]
· Chicago Hotels [HotelChatter]

[Photo: Tripadvisor]

Tags: Anti-View / Chicago Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Room with an Anti-View: Club Quarters Strikes Again

Where: 111 W Adams St [map], Chicago, il, United States, 60603

You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view.

Since we're talking about Chicago hotels this week, this anti-view is especially appropriate. This is the view from the city's Club Quarters hotel taken by JazzLovr who wrote:

The Club Quarters hotel was great. Good location, nice room, comfortable bed, fabulous service... But apparently the view was so bad that they had blocked off the bottom half of the window to spare us from seeing it!

This is the second time a Club Quarters hotel (which is a private sort of hotel for business travelers) has had a crappy view or in this case, no view at all.

Related Stories:
· JazzLovr's photostream [Flickr]
· Club Quarters Chicago Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Room with an Anti-View: Club Quarters Philly [HotelChatter]

Tags: Good Rate / Chicago Hotels / Hotel Deals / → All Tags

Good Rate :: Solo 199 Dólares for W Chicago Latin Groove Package

Where: 172 West Adams Street [map], Chicago, il, United States, 60603

[Ed. Note: Welcome to our Good Rate/Bad Rate feature where we look at hotel prices in the same city and decide which is better worth your hard-earned benjamins. The screenshot here was taken on August 15, 2006 and rates are subject to change.]

Get your Latin groove on at Grant Park during the day, then retire to the stylish W Chicago City Centernearby, for $199 to $259 per night.

The Viva! Chicago Latin music and culture festival takes place August 26 and 27 and you can still get a good room for a decent price.

According to the city:

"Chicago's Hispanic community boasts the largest Mexican population outside of Los Angeles, California and is home to Hispanics from around the globe including the Americas and the Caribbean. Chicago celebrates this diverse group of people through music, food, dance and art. Last year 170,000 people attended the festival."

We're a little worried about the double bed listed in this "wonderful room" rate at the W, so you may want to upgrade to one of the packages on the web site and pay $239 to $259. That way you won't get stuck with a closet and you can justify it by enjoying the free parking and/or welcome cocktails they throw in to sweeten the deal.

Related Stories:
· W Chicago City Center reviews [TripAdvisor]