Bad experience at the Palmer House in Chicago
Jan 1st, 2003, 06:36 PM
#1
Guest
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Bad experience at the Palmer House in Chicago
Stayed at the Palmer House 12/31 check out 1/1/03.
Taking into consideration of party imbibers,
I was understanding of the noisy, festive atmosphere. People being noisy on the floor
we were staying on.
By about 2:00 am I wanted to sleep.
The noise was so loud, people partying yelling ect.
Called security twice....then fire alarm was activacted. It is now 3:30 am, fire alarm, noisy party next door, fire truck arrives.
Called front desk, again 1st I want to know if there is a fire!!! She informs me it is a false alarm.
To make a long story short, I contacted security again. The manager is sorry but it is New Years eve....
Lets just say I am not impressed with how this was handled.
Too many fine hotels in Chicago to be left sleepless!!!
When you have problems arise thats when you know what class of hotel you have!!
Taking into consideration of party imbibers,
I was understanding of the noisy, festive atmosphere. People being noisy on the floor
we were staying on.
By about 2:00 am I wanted to sleep.
The noise was so loud, people partying yelling ect.
Called security twice....then fire alarm was activacted. It is now 3:30 am, fire alarm, noisy party next door, fire truck arrives.
Called front desk, again 1st I want to know if there is a fire!!! She informs me it is a false alarm.
To make a long story short, I contacted security again. The manager is sorry but it is New Years eve....
Lets just say I am not impressed with how this was handled.
Too many fine hotels in Chicago to be left sleepless!!!
When you have problems arise thats when you know what class of hotel you have!!
Jan 2nd, 2003, 04:12 AM
#3
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While I sympathize with PJ's situation, I find it hard to believe that someone is shocked that they can't sleep on New Years Eve in major city hotel. In a perfect world, yes, but remember that a large portion of our fellow man is made up of total buffoons. Our neighbors partied all night as well. After 2 calls to the police, I turned on the stereo to block some of the noise and went back to sleep...
Jan 2nd, 2003, 06:07 AM
#5
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I agree with you Ken, in a perfect world there would not be any buffoons!!
My complaint is with the hotel itself, they should have policys that their guests should be able to sleep!!
If this was a fleabag hotel or hostel, well such is life.
I am dissapointed in the whole situation. I would not stay there again.I thought I would post my experience, this is not how a truly upscale hotel would have handeled this.
My complaint is with the hotel itself, they should have policys that their guests should be able to sleep!!
If this was a fleabag hotel or hostel, well such is life.
I am dissapointed in the whole situation. I would not stay there again.I thought I would post my experience, this is not how a truly upscale hotel would have handeled this.
Jan 2nd, 2003, 06:32 AM
#6
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You are correct, PJ. Rooms are for "quiet enjoyment", or sleep. If people want to party, they should rent a banquet room, not a sleeping room.
I worked for places that would try to handle complaints like this inhouse, "diplomatically" - but drunks do not respond to that kind of treatment. You have to tell the hotel that you will call the police and press charges for disturbance of peace if the problem is not resolved, then DO IT if the hotel does not resolve it. I also thought the Palmer House to be a classier place than you've described.
I worked for places that would try to handle complaints like this inhouse, "diplomatically" - but drunks do not respond to that kind of treatment. You have to tell the hotel that you will call the police and press charges for disturbance of peace if the problem is not resolved, then DO IT if the hotel does not resolve it. I also thought the Palmer House to be a classier place than you've described.
Jan 2nd, 2003, 06:51 AM
#8
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For those who have stayed in world class hotels like the Four Seasons Chicago, or Peninsula Chicago, I have a question.
Could you even fathom something like pj's story occurring at those other hotels?
I seriously doubt it, having stayed at both several times.
Not only would management be all over those kinds of things like a SWAT team, but the guests who stay at those hotels wouldn't behave like that in the first place (OK, 95% of them wouldn't...I suppose there are always exceptions).
My point is that the Palmer House is an OK hotel, certainly not a cheap hotel. But that hotel attracts a business crowd during the week and they'll do whatever it takes to fill rooms on weekends and holidays. They attract a very mixed crowd.
Plus, it's not a luxury hotel and staff aren't trained to maintain the highest possible standards.
Palmer House is not much above an Embassy Suites for service and value.
Could you even fathom something like pj's story occurring at those other hotels?
I seriously doubt it, having stayed at both several times.
Not only would management be all over those kinds of things like a SWAT team, but the guests who stay at those hotels wouldn't behave like that in the first place (OK, 95% of them wouldn't...I suppose there are always exceptions).
My point is that the Palmer House is an OK hotel, certainly not a cheap hotel. But that hotel attracts a business crowd during the week and they'll do whatever it takes to fill rooms on weekends and holidays. They attract a very mixed crowd.
Plus, it's not a luxury hotel and staff aren't trained to maintain the highest possible standards.
Palmer House is not much above an Embassy Suites for service and value.
Jan 2nd, 2003, 10:48 AM
#10
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Sometimes, stuff like this just happens--no matter how classy the hotel may be.
I've stayed at the Ritz-Laguna Miguel and had similar problems that went unresolved by management, same at the Biltmore in Arizona. It shouldn't happen, but it does sometimes. New Year's Eve strikes me as one of the biggest nights of the year for it to happen--combo of drunken louts and less-experienced staff working that shift because everyone else wants it off.
I really like the suggestion of calling the cops.
I've stayed at the Ritz-Laguna Miguel and had similar problems that went unresolved by management, same at the Biltmore in Arizona. It shouldn't happen, but it does sometimes. New Year's Eve strikes me as one of the biggest nights of the year for it to happen--combo of drunken louts and less-experienced staff working that shift because everyone else wants it off.
I really like the suggestion of calling the cops.
Jan 2nd, 2003, 07:29 PM
#15
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PJ, thanks for posting. I too would have been annoyed at the noise; I'm not "old" and I'm not "cranky" but I believe the room is for relaxation, not to host your own version of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve". I would have thought the hotel would have handled it better, kind of lame on their part! Let us know if you are offered some type of compensation.
Jan 2nd, 2003, 07:39 PM
#16
Guest
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We stayed at the Palmer House a few months ago and found the attitude of the staff (especially those at the front desk) to be very unhelpful.
Any queries or requests were treated with contempt and overall it was most disappointing, as we had heard such good things about the hotel in the past.
So maybe they are going through a 'bad patch' at present.
Any queries or requests were treated with contempt and overall it was most disappointing, as we had heard such good things about the hotel in the past.
So maybe they are going through a 'bad patch' at present.
Jan 3rd, 2003, 04:24 AM
#20
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So you stay at Palmer House, a 4 star only on BiddingForTravel and a 3 star in ratings that are meaningful (Mobil), on New Years Eve, paid what, $56 a night and are griped because people were celebrating on the one night of the year most of the world celebrates. You get what you pay for. If you're lucky you'll get all of your $56 back. Big frickin' deal.
!!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
!!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
