There are better, more updated hotels in this area...
The Palmer House Hilton is rich with history -- but you can gain that history by going there and having a drink at their bar, getting a famous brownie at their restaurant, or having tea in their opulent lobby. Don't waste your money on their rooms. Our first room reeked of smoke when we opened the door and we immediately went back downstairs -- to a person who told us that "it's impossible, as we are a non-smoking facility." Well, guess what, sometimes guests just don't cooperate. Thankfully, we were moved -- to the room right next to the ice machine and right off the elevator bank. The noise was loud enough to be disturbing. Thankfully, we were tired enough for it not to bother us enough to complain. That, and our ipods, got us through. 
While there wasn't any ambiance to the room, the bathroom was really poor. There was grout missing on the cheap tile, and the granite sink base and modern basin didn't mesh with the 70+ year old door knob. 
While the room didn't appear dirty in any regard, it gave you the feeling that it was shabby. I wouldn't go back.