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Reviews of Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Congress Plaza Hotel
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 2461 out of 6690 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1887 out of 6690 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1122 out of 6690 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 696 out of 6690 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 524 out of 6690 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Dennis

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very old
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 10 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Kendra

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Everything was nice except there was no heat or hot water when we checked in and they didn’t inform us of that. I had to call the front desk and ask how to work the heat and that’s when I was informed the heat was out in the building and they could bring me up a space heater. That morning when getting ready to start my day the water was freezing. Maintenance had to come in and do something to get the water hot. The cleaning people knocked on the door at 8 am and we were checking out late that day. Why???? I was disturbed about that as well. Other than this the property was nice and I would probably stay again when I’m in town. We were there to visit the Shedd aquarium. Also the parking the terrible 65$ to park with no in and out. Had to find parking garage which was 3 mins walking distance for 31$ with in and out access
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 10 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel. sorry we do not own or operate parking

6/10 Okay

Meghan

Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
In desperate need of updating. Staff was not friendly. Walls are thin-- could hear everything going on in the room next to me. Halls smelled horrible. Would definitely not stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 10 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Lowell

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Quaint gem
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Rumy

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel looked rundown and poorly maintained. The staff, especially the bellhop, were impolite and seemed more interested in making money than providing good service. The windows and doors were cracked, allowing cold air to seep in, and there was no thermostat to regulate the temperature. Moreover, the doors had significant gaps at the bottom, making it possible to hear everything from the neighboring rooms, including intimate conversations and noises. The hotel needs substantial renovations or a significant reduction in room rent prices. To add to the unprofessionalism, at least four cleaning crew members came next door and overheard them talking negatively about guests' attires and shopping items. Moral: It's best to avoid this hotel as you can find better hotels within a few blocks at similar prices that may lack the view.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Jeanine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Jacques

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very convenient location and friendly staff. A bit noisy with cars and motorbikes.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Brian

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very dated. Air conditioner didn’t work.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Justin

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Wasn't completely awful but it is near the L train which is quite noisy, the hallway lights were bright and leaked under the door, bathroom was not the cleanest (stained shower, sink, etc). Would have been nice to have a bigger desk and better outlets in the room too.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Angela

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Honestly the staff was rude! No one smiled and treated me like I was a bother by simply asking questions.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Olga, MATTHEWS

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Since the building is quite old, the heating is problematic. But when we addressed the room service, we were immediately given a portable modern heater, which did the job. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 10 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is our favorite place to stay in Chicago. Will be returning.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Girish, San Francisco

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good for the price.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Kazuma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Always clean and staff very helpful
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Sami

Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Andrew, Royal Wootton Bassett

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The rooms are ok but the public areas are very tired and in need of refurbishment. Parking was outrageously expensive.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 7 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

MOHANA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
good location
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 7 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Theresa

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 7 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Gabe

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Reasonable location but the property is old and dirty. Our floor (5) was run down. Our bathroom door did not work. For an “iconic” hotel in this part of Chicago, the experience was extremely underwhelming.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 7 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

2/10 Terrible

Van

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This property is old and the room is so tiny, there's no Heat in this property there's no microwave in the room its a total waste of money it was my first time there and I will never come back to this hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 7 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Debra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The lobby and common spaces look great. The rooms are tired and old. The HVAC in the room was ancient but surprisingly effective. The bath towels are the Super 8 variety. The bed and pillows were comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 7 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Elizabeth

Travelled with family
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Main doors not working. Musty smell in lobby. Few conveniences. Furniture was akin to ikea. Drawers and cabinet doors didn’t not stay shut. No chairs beside desk chair. People who worked at The Congress were the best thing about it.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 9 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 7 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Edicleia

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
i
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 3 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

edwin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great view
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 3 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Laquan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I was on floor 8 in the middle of the night, I could hear a young lady yelling. Both nights. I was unable to sleep due to this.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 3 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Lisa, St Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Older venue with some interesting architectural features. Modern room. I had a fantastic view of Buckingham fountain and Lake Michigan. Staff were very helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 3 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Darlene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved my stay at the Congress Plaza Hotel! Check in was easy, especially since I got to check in at 12 noon, instead of 3PM. My room was very spacious and my king size bed was made up nicely and it was very comfortable too! There were plenty of towels in the pretty bathroom. The flatscreen TV was nice to watch. My room was very chilly at night because the HVAC registers are now set for warmer outdoor climates, but the lady at the front desk gave me a warm thick blanket to use. There are lots of things to do on Michigan Ave within walking distance. I also walked across the street to Millennium Park. My concert at the United Center was only 3 miles away and my Curb Taxi was less than $17. The doorman Steve hailed my Curb Taxi and it pulled right up to the front door of the of the hotel. The doorman also told me about the Harold's Chicken and the Subway restaurants around the corner from the hotel and that made my day! I will be staying at the Congress Plaza again in the future!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 2 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Tenesha

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I had the lake view room. It's the only reason to stay here. My room was in the south tower and the restroom was badly in need of an update.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 2 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Gerald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I was pleasantly surprised, nice room, older but well kept facility.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 2 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Ryan Daniel

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location and a beautiful historic hotel. Unfortunately cleanliness does not appear to be of top priority. Upon entering the room I found hair in several places around the bathroom and on the linens. This hotel is also joining the trend of not offering housekeeping every day. Though they said it was available on request, when I did request it from the front desk, I never ended up getting it.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 2 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Mark Roger, Alexandria

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
I like the Congress Plaza because it's still a reasonably priced downtown hotel that is close to a lot of downtown attractions. I didn't find the counter staff particularly professional, friendly, or helpful this particular visit. Was a bit disappointed by that. Otherwise, we liked our rooms (539 and 539A). Will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 2 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Abigail

Travelled with group
Liked: Amenities
nice and clean room, nice bellman, creepy halls perfect
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 2 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Midaja

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The things I did not like was the bathroom. It was small. We were also in a joint room and another guest was able to access our room when I was in the shower luckily my fiance was in the room. We had to secure the room with a chair.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
For a first time staying a hotel it was great
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Andrew

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great value for the area
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Jessica

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was very unique and clean. Loved being so close to downtown attractions. Perfect for walking around to the sights.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Andrea

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The receptionist very rude at the moment of check in, no parking, no hot water, the room was very hot because of the old air condition . The location great
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Sydney

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
I really loved this hotel. First time staying there. Definitely had some problems but it’s okay. Not really any hot water and the closet light didn’t really work and no heat but like I said I managed. The staff was really nice and help me out with bags with an hurt hand I have. Very friendly and helpful
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Arthur

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 3 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

William

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Amanda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Very nice place to stay. Parking was off site but not hard to find a spot that wasn’t over priced. Very friendly staff in bar. Rooms were updated.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Jonathan

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed two nights everything was good, beds are a bit on the rougher side, parking was expensive, the restaurants inside had good food. Other than that would definitely stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Uriah

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property as bad as I wanted to like it, it was an awful experience I do not recommend this hotel whatsoever!! Maybe this WAS a nice place to stay in the 60s but it doesn’t look like it’s been restored since then! Well at least the hallways!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Matthew

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Stll priced reasonably an in a great location in the South Loop downtown. Have stayed here for years
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Renee

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Good location, good price. A bit older looking in certain parts but overall a good value
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very convenient. Everything was walking distance
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Kyle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 1 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel