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Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago

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Congress Plaza Hotel

520 S Michigan Ave Chicago, 60605 Illinois

Historic Chicago hotel across from Grant Park

Location
Built in 1893, this downtown Chicago hotel offers a convenient location across from Grant Park and close to Lake Michigan. Show more
Property Amenities
The public areas of Congress Plaza feature ornate chandeliers, statuary, and murals; a lounge and two restaurants are on site.
Guestrooms
Congress Plaza Hotel's guestrooms offer high-speed Internet access and cable TV; many have Chicago or Lake Michigan views. Hide

GUEST REVIEWS

3.5out of 5

Expedia Guest Rating

72%

of guests recommend

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

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Rooms & Rates

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Please complete the highlighted fields below. The check-out date must occur after the check-in date. Please change the date. Date format should be dd/mm/yy. Please provide the ages of children below. The check-in or check-out date is prior to the current date. The check-in date cannot be after 27/06/2013. The check-out date cannot be after 27/06/2013. The check-in date is missing. Please add the check-in date. The check-out date is missing. Please add the check-out date.
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Room type  
Standard King or Double
One king bed or two double beds. Cable TV. High-speed Internet access (surcharge). Pay movies. Coffeemaker. Renovated bathroom (2007)with new tiling, bathtub, and fixtures. Iron/ironing board. In-room safe. Air conditioning.
Lakeview King
One king bed. View of Lake Michigan and Grant Park. Cable TV. High-speed Internet access (surcharge). Pay movies. Coffeemaker. Renovated bathroom (2007)with new tiling, bathtub, and fixtures. Iron/ironing board. In-room safe. Air conditioning.
Standard Queen
One queen bed. May have city view. Smaller room. Cable TV. Pay movies. High-speed Internet access (surcharge). Coffeemaker. Renovated bathroom (2007)with new tiling, bathtub, and fixtures. Iron/ironing board. In-room safe. Air conditioning.
Standard Lake Front Suite
1 king bed in bedroom separated by door from living room. View of Lake Michigan and Buckingham Fountain. Walk-in closet. Cable TV. Pay movies. High-speed Internet access (surcharge). Coffeemaker. Renovated bathroom (2007)with new tiling, bathtub, and fixtures. Iron/ironing board. In-room safe. Air conditioning. Nonsmoking.
Nonrefundable Standard King or Double - Nonrefundable
1 king bed or 2 double beds. Desk. In-room safe. Cable television service. Cable/satellite television channels. Premium television channel(s). Pay movies. Phone. Voice mail. Clock radio. Coffee/tea maker. Shower/tub combination. Hair dryer. Complimentary toiletries. Iron/ironing board. Air conditioning. Climate control. Smoking permitted.
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There is only room left for . More rooms of this type may be available at higher rates. There are only rooms left for . More rooms of this type may be available at higher rates.

Hotel Policies & Fees

The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.

Know Before You Go
  • There are no room charges for children 17 years old and younger who occupy the same room as their parents or guardians, using existing bedding.
Policies
  • Pets not allowed
  • Check-in time starts at 3 PM
  • Check-out time is Noon
  • Minimum check-in age is 18
Fees
  • The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
    • Self parking fee: USD 35 per day (in/out privileges)
    • Valet parking fee: USD 39 per day (in/out privileges)
    • Deposit: USD 25.00 per night
    • Early check-in fee: USD 49.00
    • Late check-out fee: USD 49.00
    • Fee for wireless Internet in all public areas: USD 7.75 (for 24 hours, rates may vary)
    • Fee for in-room high-speed Internet (wired): USD 9.95 (for 24 hours, rates may vary)
    • Refrigerator fee: USD 10.00 per night
    • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.00 per night
  • The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Accessibility Options

  • Accessible path of travel
  • Accessible bathroom
  • Handicapped parking
  • In-room accessibility
  • Accessibility equipment for the deaf

Property Amenities

  • Concierge desk
  • Pool table nearby
  • Bar/lounge
  • Restaurant(s) in hotel
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Multiple large conference rooms
  • Event catering
  • Exhibit space
  • Banquet facilities
  • Multiple small meeting rooms
  • Ballroom(s)
  • Business services
  • Total number of rooms - 870
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Doorman/doorwoman
  • Security guard
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Hair salon
  • ATM/banking
  • Gift shops or newsstand
  • Shopping on site
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Shoe shine
  • Arcade/game room
  • Elevator/lift
  • Air-conditioned public areas
  • Wireless (high-speed) Internet access - surcharge
  • Year Built - 1893
  • Self parking (surcharge)
  • Valet parking (surcharge)
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Wedding services
  • Coffee shop or café
  • Fitness facilities
  • Airport transportation
  • Internet access - wireless
  • Express check-in
  • Luggage storage
  • One meeting/conference room
  • Parking limited (surcharge)
  • Business center
  • Room service
  • Self parking
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Rooms

Congress Plaza Hotel features 870 guestrooms, many with views of Grant Park, Lake Michigan, or the surrounding city. Rooms vary in layout, but all have dark-wood furnishings and draped windows.

Rooms offer high-speed Internet access (surcharge), pay movies, and in-room safes. The bathrooms were renovated in 2007 with new tiles, bathtubs, and fixtures. Other amenities include hair dryers, coffeemakers, and cable TV.

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Room Amenities

  • Premium television channel(s)
  • Pay movies
  • Climate control
  • Air conditioning
  • Phone
  • Voice mail
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Wake-up calls
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Complimentary toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower/tub combination
  • Cable television service
  • Wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge)
  • Electronic/magnetic keys
  • Iron/ironing board
  • In-room safe
  • Window opens
  • Clock radio
  • Desk
  • Rollaway beds available
  • Cribs (infant beds) available
  • Non-smoking only
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding available
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Dining

Gazebo Restaurant - Casual ambience, American cuisine. Open for breakfast and lunch.

Rafael Steak House - Serving Midwestern cuisine. Open late afternoon through late evening for dinner only.

Congress Lounge - Located just off the lobby. Cocktails, beer, wine, and light fare. Open daily.

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Recreation

  • Golfing nearby
  • Golf - driving range nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Rowing or canoeing nearby
  • Boat launch nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Pilates classes/instruction nearby
  • Yoga classes/instruction nearby
  • Aerobics nearby
  • Running track/path nearby
  • Basketball nearby
  • Volleyball nearby
  • Bicycle rentals nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Playground nearby
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Verified Reviews: All guest reviews are verified as submitted by our customers and reflect their stay at Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5
out of 5
avg. guest rating
Hotel service:
3.6
Hotel condition:
3.2
Room cleanliness:
3.7
Room comfort:
3.5
Location:
4.5
Neighbourhood:
4.3
72%

of guests recommend

out of 480 reviews

Write a review of this hotel

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A Traveller
3.0
out of 5
Does not recommend this hotel
Posted 12 Dec 2011

“Not the worst, but not the best.”

Staff was not overly hospitable, but not rude. Pretty good location, most of Chicago's main attractions were within walking distance or a short bus ride away. Don't plan on getting left overs from any of the great restaurants because they charge $10 per night for a refrigerator rental. Also, if you are a light sleeper you may want a hotel further away from the train, it could get pretty loud at night. Overall it was a decent room for the price, however, I will probably stay somewhere else the next time I visit Chicago.

When to go
Chicago is a better summer destination. It is a city where you do mostly walking and with the wind and lake so near by it could get bitterly cold in the winter. Also, some of the main attractions are not on/inoperable during the winter months.
Getting around
I definitely wish we would have figured out the bus system earlier on in our trip. It would be totally worth it to purchase a multi-day bus pass (depending on how long you're staying). Taxis are a waste of money and by the second day of walking everywhere you will be too exhausted to do anything.
A Traveller
3.0
out of 5
Recommends this hotel
Posted 11 Dec 2011

“Great location / cold showers”

Maybe the 3rd or 4th time I have stayed here. 'Faded glory' best sums the place up, awesome location, good price, gorgeous building but past its prime. Last two times I stayed there I had little / no hot water for showers - not sure if they regulate it but my 11pm and 5am showers were both cold and miserable - I complained but not much changed.

M.j. C from Toronto
1.0
out of 5
Does not recommend this hotel
Posted 6 Dec 2011

“Oh the horror!”

Stayed three nights and never once got housekeeping once to tidy up our room. On checkout, was erroneously billed for bar charges not ours. Complaints to the manager went without any satisfaction. We chose this hotel due to its location as we know Chicago well enough. While the staff for the most part were courteous, it seems management is not so- confused, uncaring and rather than try to solve a problem, are quick to lay blame and make excuses.

A Traveller from Chihuahua, Mexico
3.0
out of 5
Recommends this hotel
Posted 4 Dec 2011

“Good, but..”

Had problems with door keys, they failed every single day. The heat was to hot, that we had to open the window, in winter. How ever house keepers, concierge were very nice, even though they were on a strike.

Area recommendations
I would recomend the magnificent mile, and everything nearby. You have everything at walking distances
Dining
Giordanos
Jianxing C from Madison. WI
4.0
out of 5
Recommends this hotel
Posted 3 Dec 2011

“It's good.”

Overall, it's fine hotel and I enjoy the days living there. Only thing I don't like is that internet access is not free..

Area recommendations
Michigan ave and state street. definitely go to art institute of chicago.
A Traveller
3.0
out of 5
Does not recommend this hotel
Posted 1 Dec 2011

“Needs renovation on the floors”

Was not impressed. Rooms were in ok condition but floors need to be renevated.

B S from Peoria, IL
2.0
out of 5
Does not recommend this hotel
Posted 1 Dec 2011

“As Close to H_ll As I Want To Get”

Chicago Christmas Shopping is legendary as are the hotel prices just before Christmas. We chose the Congress to save money this year. What a mistake! The hotel staff are to be commended for working in such a place and still being cheery. Our room number was 665 thus the title example! This room on a good day shouldn't cost a third of what we paid. The bathroom door was so beat up it wouldn't close and the trim around it was pieces that didn't fit properly and caused the door issues. No hot water several times a day, no way to control the heat so had to open the windows which only opened about 8 inches for safety purposes. The decor was from the Teddy Roosevelt years. The outside of the building needs a good power washing as it is black and the windows haven't been washed in a decade. The curtains were plastic like picnic table cloth material. The upside was we had more money to spend on those we love and we had a great laugh that the room number was a close to 666 and H_ll as we wanted to ever get!

Area recommendations
Stay on North Michigan Avenue Hotels or the fabulous Palmer House Hilton
Shopping
The Chicago shopping experience is not to be missed. The ladies in fur coats strolling Michigan Avenue and the sharply dressed businessmen hurrying about while the the fantastic window displays of the stores capture your attention. Michigan Avenue and State Street are the Rodeo Drive of Illinois and the weather warrants fur coats as it nips your nose and reminds you that Christmas is the wonderful season of winter!
Eric C from Dayton, OH
2.0
out of 5
Does not recommend this hotel
Posted 29 Nov 2011

“Disappointed for the $$”

Very old which I thought would be nice "authentic" stay for me & my girls. Sink was cracked, hotel lost cooling & it became very warm in the rooms and lobby. It is further from the Magnificent Mile than I preferred and price was higher than rooms on the strip. Overall, I would not recommend this hotel.

Area recommendations
On the strip closer to the Magnificent Mile
A Traveller from East Lansing
2.0
out of 5
Does not recommend this hotel
Posted 28 Nov 2011

“This hotel is too old.”

This hotel is a little bit old, and te position is not very good.

Area recommendations
Marriot The environment is good and the position is pretty good.
A Traveller from Kansas City, MO
2.0
out of 5
Does not recommend this hotel
Posted 23 Nov 2011

“Not too impressed....”

The women at the front desk were very rude and acted as if I was inconveniencing them when I asked a question or needed help. I was very surprised, never ran into that problem before. Usually the front desk people are very nice and willing to help. I know everyone has a bad day, so I didn't take it personally. I know I've been rude to someone before. But I was surprised at how much they made me feel like I was inconveniencing them. Location was great for me, but it was clear the hotel was very old and the room had a very unrelaxing feel to it. And it smelled bad, very old and musty smelling. Not exactly worth what I paid I guess.

Back to Hotel Details

Congress Plaza Hotel

520 S Michigan Ave Chicago, 60605 Illinois

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Nearby Points of Interest

  • Auditorium Building and Theatre - 0.1 km / 0 mi
  • Museum of Contemporary Photography - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi
  • Fine Arts Building - 0.2 km / 0.1 mi
  • Chicago Public Library - 0.3 km / 0.2 mi
  • Buckingham Fountain - 0.3 km / 0.2 mi
  • Grant Park - 0.4 km / 0.2 mi
  • Symphony Center - 0.4 km / 0.3 mi
  • Art Institute of Chicago - 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
  • Fisher Building - 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
  • Old Colony Building - 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
  • Monadnock Building - 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
  • Film Row Cinema - 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
  • Haskell Building - 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
  • Millennium Park - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
  • Pritzker Pavilion - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi

Location Highlights

  • Marina nearby
  • In city center
  • In business district
  • Convention center nearby
  • Water nearby

The closest major airports to Congress Plaza Hotel are:

Chicago, IL (MDW-Midway Intl.) - 13.7 km / 8.5 mi

Chicago, IL (ORD-O'Hare Intl.) - 25.8 km / 16 mi

The preferred airport for Congress Plaza Hotel is Chicago, IL (ORD-O'Hare Intl.).

Distances are calculated in a straight line from the property's location to the point of interest or airport and may not reflect actual travel distance.

Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometre.

Nearest Major Airport:

  • Chicago, IL, United States (ORD-O'Hare Intl.)

Area:

The Loop - Downtown, Illinois, United States of America: Locals call downtown Chicago “The Loop.” The famous Marshall Field’s, now a Macy’s, is on State Street. Cultural attractions include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Lyric Opera, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Grant and Millennium parks are along the lakefront. Visitors can enjoy complimentary concerts (summer only) and the annual, two-week “Taste of Chicago” in June at Grant Park.

Congress Plaza Hotel

520 S Michigan Ave Chicago, 60605 Illinois

Most recent booking for this hotel: less than 45 minutes ago.
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