Pros

  • Comfortable, high-tech rooms
  • Great indoor pool with stunning views
  • Free evening wine tasting
  • Close to galleries, shops and restaurants
  • In-room spa services available
  • 24-hour concierge and 24-hour room service
  • Stylish, reasonably priced American restaurant
  • Free Wi-Fi for Kimpton In-Touch members (free to join)
See More Pros

Cons

  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi — unless you're a Kimpton In-Touch member (it's free to join)
  • Pricey valet parking
  • Small bathrooms with shower/tub combos
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The 261-room Hotel Palomar is one of the best Kimpton hotels in the city, and the only one in River North, near the Magnificent Mile. Its lovely indoor pool with a sundeck and its free nightly wine hour are both highlights, and the big, stylish rooms are equipped with iPod docks, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and Etro bath toiletries. All in all, it's a great pick for the price.

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Chicago

Scene

A warm, stylish boutique within walking distance of both the Mag Mile and the Loop

The Palomar manages to feel both high-style and homey. In the lobby, shiny black-and-rust marble tiles, a front desk with cushioned tan sides and a lit-up yellow counter, and a long, skinny gas fireplace create an atmosphere that is inviting and a little retro. Lots of original art is displayed throughout the property; the hotel honors its neighborhood in arty River North (home to more than 100 art galleries — a higher concentration than anywhere besides New York City) with an "art in motion" theme.

The Palomar is one of several Kimpton properties in Chicago, and it strives to achieve the typical intimate Kimpton experience with a free nightly wine hour, plenty of kid-friendly amenities (kid-size robes, welcome gifts, and even "mocktails" during the wine reception), and a come one, come all attitude toward pets (there are no fees and no weight restrictions).

See More Scene

Location

In vibrant River North, home to art galleries, boutiques and restaurants

Hotel Palomar is located in the bustling River North neighborhood, within walking distance of both the Magnificent Mile and The Loop. The area is home to numerous art galleries, dining options, shops and a vibrant nightlife, and boasts a mix of beautiful historic and contemporary architecture.

  • 9-minute walk to the Loop
  • 10-minute walk to the Theatre District
  • 15-minute walk to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 16-minute walk to the Chicago City Hall
  • 18-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 20-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 14-minute subway ride to the Old Town
  • 12-minute drive to Kenwood neighborhood
  • 12-minute drive or 45-minute subway ride to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 16-minute drive or 20-minute subway ride to the Wrigley Field
  • 20-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 30-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Big, comfy rooms with high-end amenities, but bathrooms are small

The Palomar's comfortable rooms start at 325 square feet — large for the price — and are equipped with 37-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and contemporary decor in shades of red, blue and beige. Bathrooms are small, but at least they come with high-end Etro toiletries. Some feature deep soaking tubs with seperate rain showers.

  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi (but free for the Kimpton In-Touch members, which is free to join)
  • iHome docking stations
  • 37-inch flat-screen TVs with cable access
  • Fully-stocked mini-bar
  • 24-hour in-room dining provided by the restaurant
  • Etro bath toiletries
  • In-room spa services available
  • Frette linens and a pillow menu
  • Bathrobe
  • Safe big enough for a laptop
See More Rooms

Features

A smoke-free, pet-friendly Kimpton Hotel with an indoor rooftop pool and a 24-hour fitness center

  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi, but free for the Kimpton In-Touch members (free to join)
  • Indoor heated rooftop pool with a sundeck; poolside food and beverage service provided by the hotel’s restaurant
  • Hosted evening wine hour in the lobby daily
  • Large 24-hour fitness center with cardiovascular machines and yoga equipment; the hotel also offers weekly yogalates classes on the rooftop overlooking the river through Barre Bee Fit for a seperate fee.
  • 24-hour valet parking for hefty nightly fee
  • Free overnight shoeshine
  • 24-hour concierge
  • 24-hour business center with laptop stations and printer
  • 25 percent off parking for hybrid vehicles
  • In-room spa services
  • Babysitting services
  • 5,800 square feet of meeting and events space with multimedia and AV equipment
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Quality American restaurant with reasonable prices

  • Sable Kitchen & Bar serves New American cuisine and cocktails in a sleek room with modern decor and a fireplace. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch on Sundays, lunch, and dinner.
  • 24-hour room service provided by the restaurant
  • Poolside food and beverage service provided by the restaurant
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Oyster Hotel Review

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Chicago

Scene

A warm, stylish boutique within walking distance of both the Mag Mile and the Loop

The Palomar manages to feel both high-style and homey. In the lobby, shiny black-and-rust marble tiles, a front desk with cushioned tan sides and a lit-up yellow counter, and a long, skinny gas fireplace create an atmosphere that is inviting and a little retro. Lots of original art is displayed throughout the property; the hotel honors its neighborhood in arty River North (home to more than 100 art galleries — a higher concentration than anywhere besides New York City) with an "art in motion" theme.

The Palomar is one of several Kimpton properties in Chicago, and it strives to achieve the typical intimate Kimpton experience with a free nightly wine hour, plenty of kid-friendly amenities (kid-size robes, welcome gifts, and even "mocktails" during the wine reception), and a come one, come all attitude toward pets (there are no fees and no weight restrictions).

See More Scene

Location

In vibrant River North, home to art galleries, boutiques and restaurants

Hotel Palomar is located in the bustling River North neighborhood, within walking distance of both the Magnificent Mile and The Loop. The area is home to numerous art galleries, dining options, shops and a vibrant nightlife, and boasts a mix of beautiful historic and contemporary architecture.

  • 9-minute walk to the Loop
  • 10-minute walk to the Theatre District
  • 15-minute walk to the John Hancock Observatory
  • 16-minute walk to the Chicago City Hall
  • 18-minute walk to the Millennium Park
  • 20-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 14-minute subway ride to the Old Town
  • 12-minute drive to Kenwood neighborhood
  • 12-minute drive or 45-minute subway ride to the Museum of Science and Industry
  • 16-minute drive or 20-minute subway ride to the Wrigley Field
  • 20-minute drive to Midway International Airport
  • 30-minute drive to O’Hare International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Big, comfy rooms with high-end amenities, but bathrooms are small

The Palomar's comfortable rooms start at 325 square feet — large for the price — and are equipped with 37-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and contemporary decor in shades of red, blue and beige. Bathrooms are small, but at least they come with high-end Etro toiletries. Some feature deep soaking tubs with seperate rain showers.

  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi (but free for the Kimpton In-Touch members, which is free to join)
  • iHome docking stations
  • 37-inch flat-screen TVs with cable access
  • Fully-stocked mini-bar
  • 24-hour in-room dining provided by the restaurant
  • Etro bath toiletries
  • In-room spa services available
  • Frette linens and a pillow menu
  • Bathrobe
  • Safe big enough for a laptop
See More Rooms

Features

A smoke-free, pet-friendly Kimpton Hotel with an indoor rooftop pool and a 24-hour fitness center

  • Daily fee for Wi-Fi, but free for the Kimpton In-Touch members (free to join)
  • Indoor heated rooftop pool with a sundeck; poolside food and beverage service provided by the hotel’s restaurant
  • Hosted evening wine hour in the lobby daily
  • Large 24-hour fitness center with cardiovascular machines and yoga equipment; the hotel also offers weekly yogalates classes on the rooftop overlooking the river through Barre Bee Fit for a seperate fee.
  • 24-hour valet parking for hefty nightly fee
  • Free overnight shoeshine
  • 24-hour concierge
  • 24-hour business center with laptop stations and printer
  • 25 percent off parking for hybrid vehicles
  • In-room spa services
  • Babysitting services
  • 5,800 square feet of meeting and events space with multimedia and AV equipment
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Quality American restaurant with reasonable prices

  • Sable Kitchen & Bar serves New American cuisine and cocktails in a sleek room with modern decor and a fireplace. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch on Sundays, lunch, and dinner.
  • 24-hour room service provided by the restaurant
  • Poolside food and beverage service provided by the restaurant
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.