Thank goodness I got a discount on the room..
I stayed at the ‘great’ Palmer House for 2 nights while attending a job training in Chicago. PL accepted my bid for $110 + tax/night, which was awesome since the hotel runs for about $260 + tax/night. I arrived on a Wednesday night; everyone was very nice; check-in was smooth once I found the registration desk on the 2nd floor I think. The Palmer House is a gorgeous hotel, I just loved the décor. The bed was comfortable. The bathroom was tiny but its character made up for the size. I didn’t have much of a view of the city even though I was in the 19th flr. I could hear my neighbor snoring the 1st night =(.
As other reviewers have stated, you pay for everything - $62/day for valet parking, $10 to use the fitness center (each time).. that was all I indulged in. Chicago is expensive period – thank goodness I got a discount for the room. 
The hotel was conveniently located to my office building so I walked to and from; the weather was perfect and there were tons of people walking about the city. Downtown Chicago has the best atmosphere for walking/site-seeing. There’s so much to see and do. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do/see much since I was in & out but I did get to dine out at the Grand Lux Café with my cousin who lives in Chicago; great food, even better desserts.