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Congress Plaza Hotel
3 stars

Congress Plaza Hotel

520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
Chicago, IL
See location+1 312 427 3800
From
$72
Cheapest

rate per night

7.4
Good
based on 7642 reviews
7,642 reviews
Room type
Provider
Nightly total
Standard room
Double room
King room

Photos of Congress Plaza Hotel

Overview

Rating

The iconic Congress Plaza Hotel in downtown Chicago has served solo travelers, families, couples, politicians, and celebrities for the last 125 years. Its gracious lodgings and close proximity to many local attractions make it an ideal destination for guests from around the globe.

Congress Plaza Hotel is located across from Grant Park, which overlooks Lake Michigan, and is about 30 minutes away from O’Hare International Airport. It's walking or driving distance from many major Chicago landmarks, including Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and Magnificent Mile.

Accommodations at Congress Plaza Hotel are stately and spacious. Guests can choose from the Lakeview King Room overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan, the Family Suite with two bedrooms, two TVs, and one bathroom, or the Deluxe Suite with picturesque views and a jacuzzi. There are smoking and non-smoking rooms available, and all have complimentary WiFi access.

Congress Plaza Hotel offers many on-site amenities and activities. The 24-hour fitness center can set pulses racing, while the on-site barbershop, shoeshine, and same-day dry cleaning services can help prepare guests for an important meeting or a special night out. A full-service business center is ideal for sending or retrieving documents, and the charming gift shop offers one-stop shopping for special Chicago souvenirs. The hotel's Gold Room has been an in-demand spot for holding dream weddings for over a century.

Congress Plaza Hotel offers various dining options that are as elegant and inviting as the hotel itself. Sidle up to the bar at Congress Lounge and enjoy a craft cocktail or beer while watching the latest Cub’s game. Gazebo Restaurant serves crave-worthy breakfast fare to get your day started right, and Rafael’s Restaurant dishes out classic American fare for lunch and dinner while diners enjoy stunning park views.

Rating
7.4
Good
Based on 7,642 verified guest reviews

Latest deals for Congress Plaza Hotel

Tue 4/8
Wed 4/9
Double room
bed type unknown
bed type unknown
2 double beds
Deluxe room
bed type unknown
King room
bed type unknown
bed type unknown
bed type unknown
Standard room
bed type unknown
bed type unknown
bed type unknown
Queen room
1 queen bed
bed type unknown
1 queen bed
*Total includes estimated local taxes & fees payable on check out.
Prices are based on 1 night, not including taxes and fees

Amenities at Congress Plaza Hotel

  • Fitness center
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Room service
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Tea/coffee maker
  • Coffee machine
  • Business center
  • Wi-Fi available in all areas
  • Flat-screen TV

Basics

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi available in all areas
  • Internet
  • Linens
  • Towels
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Free toiletries
  • Shampoo
  • Smoke alarms
  • Heating
  • Body soap
  • Air-conditioned
  • Trash cans
  • Conditioner

Accessibility and suitability

  • Entire unit wheelchair accessible
  • Increased accessibility
  • Elevator
  • Shower chair
  • Accessible by elevator
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Adapted bath
  • Allergy-free room
  • No smoking
  • Toilet with grab rails
  • Upper floors accessible by elevator
  • Designated smoking area
  • Private entrance

General

  • Quiet street view
  • River view
  • Family rooms
  • Sea view
  • Seating area
  • Interconnected room(s) available
  • Sofa
  • Lake view
  • Landmark view
  • Telephone
  • Carpeted
  • City view
  • Storage available

Services and conveniences

  • Conference rooms
  • ATM on-site
  • Business center
  • Wake-up service
  • Concierge service
  • Safety deposit box
  • Meeting/Banquet facilities
  • Mini-market on site
  • Room service
  • Key card access
  • Express check-out
  • 24hr front desk

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Tea/coffee maker
  • Refrigerator
  • Food can be delivered to guest accommodation
  • Coffee machine
  • Vending machine (drinks)
  • Vending machine (snacks)
  • Dining table

Bathroom

  • Raised toilet
  • Shower
  • Shower cap
  • Bathtub
  • Hairdryer
  • Toilet
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush
  • Private bathroom

Media and entertainment

  • Radio
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Cable or satellite TV
  • TV

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Ironing service
  • Laundry service
  • Iron and ironing board

Things to do

  • Gift shop
  • Bicycle rental
  • Golf
  • Beauty salon

Bedroom

  • Socket near the bed
  • Alarm clock
  • Wardrobe or closet

Workspace

  • Fax/photocopying
  • Laptop safe
  • Desk

Parking and transportation

  • Parking
  • Airport shuttle

Health and safety

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Safe

Family friendly

  • Cribs available
  • Kid-friendly buffet

Fitness

  • Fitness center

Reviews of Congress Plaza Hotel

7.4
Good
7642 verified ratings
Wonderful
2059
Very good
1461
Good
1581
Okay
848
Fair
779
Mediocre
365
Poor
548

Summary of reviews

Guests say
Guests generally appreciated the hotel's location, describing it as wonderful and conveniently situated near cultural attractions. Cleanliness was frequently mentioned positively, with many guests noting clean bathrooms and well-maintained rooms. However, there were considerable complaints regarding service, particularly the front desk and customer service experiences. Issues such as inconsistent room temperatures, uncomfortable beds, and noise from outside events were also pointed out, detracting from the overall experience.
AI-Generated from customer reviews
Location8.5 out of 10
Cleanliness8 out of 10
Room Size5 out of 10
Service3 out of 10
Bed Comfort3 out of 10
Atmosphere2.5 out of 10
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All reviews

2.0
Poor
Mark, Aug 2024
Bad customer Service, at the front desk
8.0
Very good
Henry, Jun 2024
I’m in a wheelchair. Most everything was accessible but the shower/tub was a conventional bathtub so I couldn’t shuffle into it. So I did sponge baths.
8.0
Very good
Anonymous, Aug 2023
We traveled for Lalapalooza. Location is perfect! Hotel is expensive for what it is and needs updating.
2.0
Poor
Anonymous, Jun 2023
The room was so outdated, the bed hard, the tub handle rusty, the shower/tub area are dirty, hot water not working, no sound cancellation (ended up can’t sleep). Ac can’t be adjusted. Not worth for the price i paid Only good is location
8.0
Very good
Idalia, Nov 2022
The spacious double room was great. My only complaints would be the old furnace/AC which we couldn’t control the temperature of so the room would be too warm and some of the pillows being too stiff.
10
Wonderful
Alexandra, Jul 2022
I loved the great view and access to Lollapalooza. I think what could’ve been better is an earlier check-in time since I had to wait over an hour to check due to others checking in at the same time.
1.9
Poor
Matthew, Aug 2021
This hotel has profoundly uncaring, incompetent staff and management and is dangerous. Elevators failed frequently. Seriously, no exaggeration. Elevators were out of service multiple times during my stay, and it was clear that that’s an accepted norm at this hotel. Lighting throughout is random and mostly absurdly inappropriate for a hotel, a mix of appropriately warm lighting and cool, body-clock...
Read more
4.2
Mediocre
Marina, Jun 2020
Pros (+) location
Cons (-) the customer service could be improved. My Expedia reservation took a while, I sat in the lobby for a while (this was okay), but afterwards they charged double, and I had to call 3 times, and involved Expedia team to have the issue solved and get the reimbursement.
8.5
Very good
Peggy, Dec 2019
Pros (+) The bed was great as were the amenities. The hotel is lovely and spacious. When I commented in a different review that I was surprised not to have been offered an upgrade in a very slow time, I was immediately given one. Our 3 night stay was very pleasant.
Cons (-) Many of the staff seemed indifferent to us as customers. Only after my poor review did the front desk take any interest in us and even then there were no smiles. The maintenance man we met on the elevator seemed to be the only person happy to work there.
7.4
Good
Anonymous, Dec 2019
Pros (+) Location was great and the room was nice
Cons (-) No parking. The price was good but the parking was not included, it and was about $50 a night so it kind of defeated the purpose of getting a good deal.

Location

520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605

What's nearby

  • Grant Park227 yd
  • Symphony Center0.3 mi
  • Art Institute of Chicago0.3 mi
  • Cloud Gate0.5 mi
  • Millennium Park0.5 mi
  • Chicago Cultural Center0.6 mi
  • Willis Tower0.6 mi
  • Field Museum0.7 mi
  • Chicago Theater0.7 mi
  • Shedd Aquarium0.7 mi
  • Chicago Lakefront Trail0.9 mi
  • Chicago Riverwalk0.9 mi

Policies

Check-in/Check-out

Check in anytime after 3:00 PM, check out anytime before 12:00 PM

Cancellation/prepayment

Cancellation/prepayment policies vary by room type and provider.

Essential information about Congress Plaza Hotel

Low season

January

High season

August

Average price (weeknight)

$247

Average price (weekend night)

$178
Cheapest month to stay with an average 53% drop in price.
Most expensive month to stay with an average 45% rise in price.
Average Sun - Thu price over the last 2 weeks.
Average Fri & Sat price over the last 2 weeks.

When to book a room at Congress Plaza Hotel

Price per night. Prices are not fixed and may vary with time.
Average nightly price per month
Average nightly price

KAYAK's top tips for your stay at Congress Plaza Hotel

  • If you’re after a cheap room at Congress Plaza Hotel, then you should consider staying during the low season. The cheapest deals can generally be found in January and February.
  • Prices can also vary depending on which day of the week you stay. For the best room deals at Congress Plaza Hotel, plan to stay on a Saturday or Friday. The most expensive day is usually Thursday.
  • The cheapest price a room at Congress Plaza Hotel was booked for on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $126, while the most expensive was $228.
  • How long should you stay at Congress Plaza Hotel? KAYAK users usually book their rooms here for 2 days.
See more tips

FAQs when booking at Congress Plaza Hotel

  • What deals or special offers can guests receive at the Congress Plaza Hotel?

    If you are hoping to eat some of your meals at the Congress Plaza Hotel during your trip, consider booking the Bed and Breakfast package, which will provide you with free daily breakfast for every member of your party. Depending on how many nights you will be staying at the hotel, you may also be eligible to receive a discount on your booking.

  • What wedding packages are offered by the Congress Plaza Hotel?

    When couples are planning their special day at the Congress Plaza Hotel, there are several reception packages that they can choose from. The basic package provides a selection of amenities, including a personal wedding planner, a sparkling wine toast, decorations, a 4h open bar, and a custom designed wedding cake. Different catering packages can be selected, with the A Moment in Time package costing $129 per guest and providing entree choices such as beef wellington, pot stickers, and crab cakes. For a fancier menu, opt for the An Elegant Affair package, which costs $159 per guest and includes the option of filet mignon and lobster tails.

  • What meeting amenities are offered by the Congress Plaza Hotel?

    For those that are planning on hosting a meeting or workshop at the Congress Plaza Hotel, there are many services that you can take advantage of. For an additional fee, guests can receive access to audio equipment, technical personnel to help with logistical set-ups, lighting, and special effects. It is also possible to purchase access to flip charts, easels, markers, and an AV cart, as well as computer data equipment and video equipment. There is an on-site catering team that will work with you to customize your perfect menu for the event.

  • What popular sites and attractions are located near the Congress Plaza Hotel?

    If you are interested in science, consider visiting the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, a unique experience that is only a 5m drive from the Congress Plaza Hotel. For those that enjoy art, the Museum of Contemporary Art can be reached by car in under 7m and is known for being one of the world’s largest contemporary art venues. The Field Museum is a 6m drive from the hotel and focuses on natural history, making it a popular choice among children.

  • What choices do guests have when traveling from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to the Congress Plaza Hotel?

    If you will be traveling with a lot of luggage or just simply want to go from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to the Congress Plaza Hotel as quickly as possible, it is best to either rent a car or use a ridesharing service. A standard UberX will cost you approximately $31 to $39 each way, while an UberXL will be closer to $50 to $65. If you would like to save money, opt to use public transportation instead, such as the local train. The Blue line will bring you to the hotel in around 50m, and a single-fare ticket will cost $2.50.(Prices checked 06/06/19).

  • Where is Congress Plaza Hotel located?

    Congress Plaza Hotel is located at 520 South Michigan Avenue in Loop, 0.2 miles from the center of Chicago. Grant Park is the closest landmark to Congress Plaza Hotel.

  • When is check-in time and check-out time at Congress Plaza Hotel?

    Check-in time is 3:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 PM at Congress Plaza Hotel.

  • Does Congress Plaza Hotel offer free Wi-Fi?

    Yes, Congress Plaza Hotel offers free Wi-Fi.

  • How far is Congress Plaza Hotel from the airport?

    Congress Plaza Hotel is 8.7 miles from Chicago Midway.

  • How does KAYAK find such great Congress Plaza Hotel hotel deals?

    KAYAK scours the web for all room deals available at Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago and lets you compare them to find the best rate for your stay. Many different travel sites will offer discounts or deals at different times for rooms at Congress Plaza Hotel and KAYAK will provide you with prices from a huge range of travel sites. That means that you can always find a great deal for Congress Plaza Hotel.

See more FAQs

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Good to know

Value for money

7.4

Distance to city center

0.2 mi

Nearest Airport

Chicago Midway

Distance to airport

8.7 mi