Vacation packages
Stays
Cars
Flights
Support
AARP Member Savings
My Trips
AARP.org
Join
Renew

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 star property
Hotel with 2 restaurants, steps from Columbia College Chicago

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Congress Plaza Hotel

Banquet hall
Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace
Junior Suite, City View | Living area | TV
Exterior detail
Lobby
Experience the vibrant energy of Chicago at Congress Plaza Hotel, where shopping and dining meet. Enjoy a meal at one of the two on-site restaurants, unwind with a coffee or cocktail from the coffee shop/cafe or 2 bars, and stay connected with free in-room WiFi. Guests rave about this hotel's central location near Auditorium Building and Theatre.

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Breakfast available
  • Room service
  • Bar
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Sep 28 - Sep 29
Check availability for tonight Sep 28 - Sep 29

Tomorrow

Sep 29 - Sep 30
Check availability for tomorrow Sep 29 - Sep 30
Available filters for rooms
Showing 9 of 9 rooms

View all photos for Accessible Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Accessible Standard Room, 2 Double Beds | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Accessible Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

7.8 out of 10
Good
(53 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Deep soaking bathtub
Hair dryer
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Junior Suite, City View

Junior Suite, City View | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Junior Suite, City View

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Separate bedroom
Blackout drapes/curtains
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside

Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside | Living room | TV

Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(20 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Separate bedroom
Blackout drapes/curtains
  • 50 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Queen Room, Interior View

Queen Room, Interior View | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Queen Room, Interior View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(139 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Deep soaking bathtub
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Family Suite

Family Suite | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Family Suite

7.8 out of 10
Good
(65 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Deep soaking bathtub
  • 50 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(203 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Deep soaking bathtub
  • 23 sq m
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

7.8 out of 10
Good
(488 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Deep soaking bathtub
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Lake View

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Lake View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(123 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Deep soaking bathtub
  • 23 sq m
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(521 reviews)

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Deep soaking bathtub
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

You may also like

Ad
Meeting facility

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Downtown Chicago
  • Pool
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, 1,517 reviews
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

About the neighborhood

Map
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60605

What's nearby

  • Art Institute of Chicago - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Millennium Park - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Michigan Avenue - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Grant Park - 16 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Chicago Riverwalk - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile

Getting around

  • Chicago Van Buren Street Station - 2 min walk
  • Harrison Station - 5 min walk
  • Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Epic Burger - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Fontano's Pizza and Subs - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Lounge At Congress Hotel - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Kitty O'Sheas - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Lao Sze Chuan - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Congress Plaza Hotel

Hotel near Columbia College Chicago
Located close to Auditorium Building and Theatre and Museum of Contemporary Photography, Congress Plaza Hotel provides shopping on site, a coffee shop/cafe, and a hair salon. Be sure to enjoy a meal at the two on-site restaurants. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as dry cleaning/laundry services and 2 bars.
Other perks include:
  • Full breakfast (surcharge), self parking (surcharge), and express check-out
  • A 24-hour front desk, secured bicycle storage, and an elevator
  • Wedding services, luggage storage, and a porter/bellhop
  • Guest reviews say great things about the central location and helpful staff
Room features
All 870 rooms include comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces and air conditioning, in addition to perks like free WiFi and separate sitting areas. Guest reviews speak positively of the clean rooms at the property.
Other amenities include:
  • Recycling and LED light bulbs
  • Bathrooms with eco-friendly toiletries and deep soaking tubs
  • TVs with premium channels
  • Separate sitting areas, refrigerators, and coffee/tea makers

Similar properties

Lobby

Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
7.2 out of 10, Good, 2,388 reviews
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transportation

  • Uncovered self parking on site (USD 62 per night)

Food and drink

  • Weekend full breakfast available 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: USD 16 to 23 for adults and USD 12 to 18 for children
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • 2 restaurants
  • A coffee shop/cafe

Restaurants on site

  • Tavern Tap
  • Tavern Tap

Things to do

  • Bicycle storage
  • Gym
  • Shopping

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Guidebooks
  • Hair salon
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 50,000 square feet of conference space
  • Business center
  • Meeting rooms

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Elevator
  • Hand-held showerhead
  • Smooth flooring in room
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business center
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 100% renewable energy
  • 14 floors
  • 3 buildings
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1893
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding

Bathroom

  • Deep soaking bathtub
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Limited room service
  • Refrigerator
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • LED lighting
  • Phone
  • Recycling
  • Safe
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 49.00
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 59.00
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 17 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 25.0 per day

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 25.00 per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately USD 16 to 23 for adults, and USD 12 to 18 for children
  • Uncovered self parking fee: USD 62.00 per night
  • Early check-in fee: USD 49.00 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: USD 59.00 (subject to availability)
  • An in-room refrigerator is available for an additional fee
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 25.0 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Congress Hotel
Congress Hotel Plaza
Congress Plaza
Congress Plaza Chicago
Congress Plaza Hotel
Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago
Hotel Congress Plaza
Plaza Congress Hotel
Congress Hotel Chicago
Congress Plaza Hotel Hotel
Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago
Congress Plaza Hotel Hotel Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Is Congress Plaza Hotel pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Self parking is available for USD 62.00 per night.

What time is check-in at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Early check-in is available for a fee of USD 49.00 (subject to availability).

What time is check-out at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Check-out is at noon. Late check-out is available for USD 59.00 (subject to availability).

Where is Congress Plaza Hotel located?

Located in Downtown Chicago, this hotel is steps from Columbia College Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography, and Auditorium Building and Theatre. Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies and Fine Arts Building are just steps away. Harrison Station and Chicago Van Buren Street Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Congress Plaza Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 4088 out of 9339 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2523 out of 9339 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1434 out of 9339 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 721 out of 9339 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 573 out of 9339 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice place to stay and friendly staff!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scot

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice place , clean, good location
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Sal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Location is perfect. Would definetly stay here again on my next trip to Chicago
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adrian Hazael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Nora

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Old charm, lots of history. Rooms are ok. Great location.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Blaise Martin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is great. The view from our room overlooking the Buckingham Fountain and Grant Park could be a tourist attraction on its own.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abby

Liked: Amenities
Everything was really nice and close to Grant park which is fabulous.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good price, solid hotel stay for a quick concert trip!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jenni

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location, staff, and price were great!
View from the room. Beautiful!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marcia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was excellent. We so enjoyed our visit. The staff went out of their way to make our visit GREAT.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

ronald

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Great value for the location
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

William

Hotel is older, but very well maintained.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Sri Sujana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff and services were amazing
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Twainesse

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great location. Could use some remodeling but overall was a decent stay for the price.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Location
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gabriela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Un poco vieja para mí gusto, sin embargo el servicio es muy bueno, y la ubicación es maravillosa
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erik

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean room, Confortable bed
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jaime

Liked: Amenities
The hotel give me a nice room view, excellent service.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ande

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had a lake view room
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really enjoyed the architecture of the building. Convenient for bus lines and trains. Very accessible as well. Beautiful hotel
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was excellent
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ralph

Liked: Amenities
Great
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Easy check in and affordable.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Congress Plaza Hotel is in a great location, the staff is friendly and helpful. We requested a lake view room and received one, the view was fantastic. The hotel is a bit dated but very clean with a nice staff.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

  • † More information about the $50 gift card with flight package benefit may be found at: https://www.expedia-aarp.com/lp/b/vacationpackages50prepaid

  • English Copyright 1995 – 2025. All rights reserved. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Expedia User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purpose of AARP. All goods or services and discounts offered via the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia ®, are provided by third-party suppliers. AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia® directly for full details. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.