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Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 star property
Downtown Chicago's iconic landmarks like the Museum of Contemporary Photography await exploration, with convenient dining options to fuel each day's adventures

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Photo gallery for Congress Plaza Hotel

Lobby - Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago)
2 restaurants, breakfast served - Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago)
Junior Suite, City View | City view - Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago)
Exterior detail - Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago)
Banquet hall - Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago)
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

  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Business services

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 12 of 12 rooms

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
(234 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Queen Room

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

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free wired internet

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
(22 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • 50 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Family Suite

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

Family Suite

  • Sleeps 6
  • Free WiFi

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
(572 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free wired internet

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
(508 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free wired internet

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
(132 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Family Suite

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

Family Suite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(75 reviews)
  • 50 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Double Beds
  • Free wired internet

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
(60 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Queen Room, Interior View

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

Queen Room, Interior View

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free wired internet

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
(164 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free wired internet

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

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free wired internet

About the neighborhood

Near a metro station, Congress Plaza Hotel is in Downtown Chicago, a walkable area in Chicago with good shopping. Auditorium Building and Theatre and Museum of Contemporary Photography are cultural highlights, and some of the area's notable landmarks include Fine Arts Building and Mergenthaler Lofts. Columbia College Chicago and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies are two other places to visit that come recommended. Looking to get your feet wet? Windsurfing and sailing adventures can be found near the property. Guests love the hotel's central location for the sightseeing. It's also convenient to public transportation: Harrison Station is 5 minutes by foot and Harold Washington Library Station is 6 minutes. Visit our Chicago travel guide
Map
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60605

What's nearby

  • State Street
    State Street
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Art Institute of Chicago
    Art Institute of Chicago
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Reflection of a Chicago buildings in a mirror of Chicago Bean, Millennium Park, Chicago city, USA., Shutterstock ID 1129809965, Purchase Order: SP-2109, Order Number: SP-2109 Qantas AU US Sale New Ads
    Millennium Park
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Auditorium Building and Theatre
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Columbia College Chicago
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles

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
  • Starbucks
    5 min walk
  • Fontano's Pizza and Subs
    3 min walk
  • Maharaj Indian Grill
    5 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 WiFi in public areas, 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 porter/bellhop, a front-desk safe, and wedding services
  • A gift shop, multilingual staff, and an elevator
  • 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 internet 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

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free 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
  • Desk
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Heating
  • 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

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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)
  • 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
This property provides central air conditioning in summer and central heating in the winter. In-room climate control is not available.

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Frequently asked questions

Is Congress Plaza Hotel pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

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.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Congress Plaza Hotel Reviews

8.0

Very Good

8.2

Cleanliness

7.4

Amenities

8.4

Staff & service

7.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 4562 out of 10151 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2666 out of 10151 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1569 out of 10151 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 740 out of 10151 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 614 out of 10151 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and clean
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Darrin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Congress is old but it never fails!!! Great location!!! I have stayed there many of times …
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tanya

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Walkable to all the downtown attractions. Historical hotel with updated rooms. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Bed was super comfy and location was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Angel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect location and views!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joanna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It’s in a great location and the staff is always nice.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Angelia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The room was small and was missing modern convinces-microwave-better seating space. The staff were friendly and the restaurant was great! I only wished we had gotten a better room! Special shout out to Steve P. the doorman for his service and friendly demeanor!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Older hotel but good historical feel
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

KAREN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking was a little difficult, but the location is great and there was a lot to do in the area. The staff was wonderful and we enjoyed the history of the hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, beautiful architecture and haunted! Wonderful hotel in downtown Chicago with amazing views of the lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

skyler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love this hotel! It’s very clean and very beautiful.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Destiny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It’s was clean and easy to check in and out. It was near the city and staff was friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The whole hotel was very clean. Everyone was super helpful and nice. Parking was close and affordable.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Towels were dirty, staff were hide to find for help, but overall great stay and comfortable place to stay and sleep!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Tia

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No heat, toilet was broken, no hot water. I left. Front staff was very rude. The staff who came to fix the toilet and bring me more blankets and a portable heater were very nice.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Steve, the doorman, was excellent and helpful. The hotel has a charming, old world elegance with a friendly vibe. Great location. Would come back.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Sinead

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and historic building. Guest rooms bathrooms could do with updating. Guestrooms are great size and high ceilings.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Fausto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The location is great Towels are small even for a standard size person Restaurant is not good but rest staff is friendly
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property is always well maintained, very clean and tidy
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Anelia McLavy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Room was bright and open. Great view. Doorman Steve was so helpful and friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Donna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Did not have hot water when we returned to room after concert. Next morning called and maintenance came to fix. Good location to walk to South Shore train station and Grant Park
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Alice

The cool thing about the location is that it's close to a park for scenery, the museum, the art institute and baseball field. The older side of the hotel needs updating in their rooms, and needs a bigger or faster elevator. A.C/heater panel was stuck, so needed someone to get it opened. The floor rug in the hall needs to go, and probably a bigger front desk area for their workers it looked cramp in there. Staff were cool.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Diane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
We hope that someone buys The Congress and loves it and cares for it .. it is a beautiful hotel in an amazing location BUT it needs some TLC
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Our hvac unit in the room was one of the loudest I’ve ever had the displeasure of sleeping near. Had to turn it off to get sleep. Great views but definitely some historic wear that needs new paint in halls, elevator entries, etc. front doors were partially defunct our entire stay. No onsite parking available for length of stay - must use 7th st garage nearby for affordable parking
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026