Skip to main content

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 star property
Hotel with 2 restaurants, near Columbia College Chicago

Choose dates to view prices

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

  • Parking available
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym
  • Bar

Main amenities (12)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges
  • Breakfast available
  • Fitness centre
  • Self parking
  • Room service
  • Coffee shop/cafe
  • Business centre
  • Meeting rooms
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Air conditioning
  • Front desk safe

Feel at home (6)

  • Fridge
  • Private bathroom
  • Separate sitting area
  • Premium TV channels
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Coffee/tea maker
The current price is AU$181
includes taxes & fees
8 Sept - 9 Sept

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 12 of 12 rooms

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

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a window with curtains, and a view of the outdoors.

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(250 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Queen Room

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with a lamp, a chair, and large windows with curtains.

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free wired internet

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

A modern living room with a flat-screen TV, two sofas, a coffee table, and a TV stand.

Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(23 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
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

A bedroom with a bed, nightstands, a painting, and a patterned rug.

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(598 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

A bedroom with two beds, a nightstand, a lamp, and a view of the city through a window.

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

7.8 out of 10
Good
(519 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free wired internet

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

A hotel room with two beds, each with a blue quilted bedspread and matching pillows. There is a bedside table with a lamp between the beds.

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Lake View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(139 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Family Suite

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, and a window with curtains.

Family Suite

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

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

A modern hotel room with two beds, a round dining table, and a small seating area.

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible

7.8 out of 10
Good
(63 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Queen Room, Interior View

A hotel room with a bed, two bedside tables, a desk, a chair, and a window with curtains.

Queen Room, Interior View

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

A modern bedroom with a city view, a large bed with blue bedding, a desk with a computer, and a flat-screen TV.

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(175 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free wired internet

View all photos for Junior Suite, City View

A modern bedroom with a large bed, two bedside tables, a window with curtains, a radiator, and a view of a building.

Junior Suite, City View

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

Similar properties

Lobby
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
Downtown Chicago
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning
  • 24/7 front desk
7.6 out of 10, Good, 2,742 reviews
The price is AU$195
includes taxes & fees
30 Aug - 31 Aug
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
Compare similar properties
Mod logo
Sign in to view eligible discounts and perks. More rewards for more adventures!
Sign inSign up, it's free

About the area

Map
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60605

What's nearby

  • Grant Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Auditorium Building and Theatre - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Columbia College Chicago - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Buckingham Fountain - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Millennium Park - 9 min walk - 0.8 km

Getting around

  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 26 min drive
  • Chicago, IL (PWK-Chicago Executive) - 32 min drive
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - 37 min drive
  • Chicago Van Buren Street Station - 2 min walk
  • Chicago Museum Campus-11th Street Station - 10 min walk
  • Millennium Station - 13 min walk
  • Harrison Station - 5 min walk
  • Harold Washington Library Station - 6 min walk
  • Jackson Station (Red Line) - 7 min walk

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪South Loop Club - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Epic Burger - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Fontano's Pizza and Subs - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Congress Plaza Hotel

  • You'll be in a fantastic location at Congress Plaza Hotel, only a five-minute walk from Columbia College Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Photography. After visiting the fitness centre for a workout, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the 2 restaurants or unwind with a drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. Also, Millennium Park and Auditorium Building and Theatre are within a short 10-minute walk. Fellow travellers like the central location for the sightseeing and because it's only a short walk to public transportation: Harrison Station is 5 minutes and Harold Washington Library Station is 6 minutes.

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 870 rooms
    • Arranged over 14 floors
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
    • Express check-out available
    • Early check-in subject to availability
    • Minimum check-in age – 18
    • Check-out time is noon
    • Late check-out subject to availability
DONE

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
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Pets

    • Pets not allowed
    • Service animals welcome
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi and wired internet access in public areas
    • Free wired internet access in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Uncovered on-site self-parking (USD 62.00 per night)
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast (surcharge) on weekend mornings 6:30 AM–11:00 AM
  • 2 restaurants
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • Coffee shop
  • Room service (limited hours)

What to do

  • Shopping
  • Bike rentals nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Working away

  • Business centre
  • Meeting rooms
  • Conference space (50000 square feet)

Services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry services
  • Hair salon
  • Luggage storage
  • Wedding services
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Bike storage

Facilities

  • 3 buildings/towers
  • Built in 1893
  • ATM/banking
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Fitness centre
  • Bicycle parking
  • Uses some LED lighting
  • Banquet hall

Accessibility

  • Lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Assistive listening devices available
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible fitness centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible business centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Hand-held shower heads
  • Smooth flooring in room

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • Television
  • Premium cable channels

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning and heating
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Iron/ironing board

Sleep well

  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Blackout curtains
  • Bed sheets provided

What to enjoy

  • Separate sitting area

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Deep-soaking bath
  • Shower/bath combination
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels

Stay connected

  • Desk
  • Free wired Internet
  • Phone

Food and drink

  • Fridge

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Uses some LED lighting
  • Recycling
  • Guidebooks/recommendations
  • Restaurant dining guide

Special features

Dining

Tavern Tap – This sports bar only serves breakfast. Open select days.
Tavern Tap – On-site sports bar. Open selected days.

Fees & policies

Refundable deposits

  • Deposit: USD 25.00 per night

Optional extras

  • Full breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately USD 16 to 23 for adults and USD 12 to 18 for children
  • Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge of USD 49.00 (subject to availability)
  • Late checkout can be arranged for an extra charge of USD 59.00 (subject to availability)

Children & extra beds

  • Rollaway beds are available for USD 25.0 per day

Pets

  • Service animals exempt from fees

Parking

  • Uncovered self-parking costs USD 62.00 per night

Policies

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards on-site.
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.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Carte Blanche
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.

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

Does Congress Plaza Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund?

Yes, Congress Plaza Hotel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.

Are pets allowed at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.

Is parking offered on site at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Yes. Self-parking costs USD 62.00 per night.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. There's a charge of USD 49.00 for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is noon. Late check-out is available for a charge of USD 59.00 (subject to availability). Express check-out is available.

Is there an on-site casino at Congress Plaza Hotel?

No, this hotel doesn't have a casino, but Bally's Casino Chicago (2-min drive) is nearby.

What is there to do at Congress Plaza Hotel and nearby?

Have fun with activities such as cycling, sailing and windsurfing, and practise your swing at the nearby golf course. Enjoy amenities such as 2 bars and a fitness centre.

Are there restaurants at or near Congress Plaza Hotel?

Yes, there are 2 on-site restaurants.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel have rooms with private hot tubs?

Yes, each room has a deep-soaking bath.

What's the area around Congress Plaza Hotel like?

Congress Plaza Hotel is in Downtown Chicago, a short 5-minute walk from Harrison Station and 8 minutes' walk from Millennium Park. Travellers say that the local area is very central perfect for sightseeing.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Reviews

Congress Plaza Hotel Reviews

8.0

Very good

8.2

Cleanliness

7.4

Amenities

8.4

Staff & service

7.2

Property conditions & facilities

Guest review summary

What guests liked

  • The in-house restaurant and bar offered good food and drinks, with some staff members being friendly and helpful. (194 reviews)
  • The hotel offers convenient access to public transportation for easy airport travel. (15 reviews)
AI Sparkle Icon
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Popular mentions

Room
Location
Service staff
View
Bed
Bathroom
Shower
Lobby
Parking
History

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

It was wonderful location, got to see the fire works at Navy pier. Hotel was clean and the breakfast was delicious
Mischelle, 1-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Our stay was great, best was comfortable and room was clean.
Angela, 1-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

There is no doubt that this is an older hotel, but it was clean and comfortable.
Katherine, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Great hotel - would stay again. Only downside was noise from the street late at night but nothing they could do anything about
Ronnie, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Staff were kind and were prepared to help.
Belinda, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Dated hotel but the rooms are kept clean, updated flooring and really nice bedding. Fantastic location downtown, less than a mile walking distance from Museum Campus.
Aleksandra, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

On my stay in Chicago, i chose the Congress because of a previous stay here. Love the location, nice size room and the helpful staff Gabriel in particular! Thank you! Definitely stay here again!
Frailan, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Location excellent, staff helpful. Bathroom needs renovation.
Esther, 1-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

We loved it. Great property with a great location.
Casey, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Perfect location right across the park for a phenomenal price. Room was a little warm but the fan could keep the temp down thankfully.
Joseph, 2-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

They held my bags for me after I checked out! Everyone was very kind as well.
Jacqueline, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Our stay here was fantastic! We needed up having a tornado warning and the staff were amazing at keeping everyone calm and happy! The hotel itself was beautiful and in a perfect location! Thank you so much for having us!
STEVE, 1-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Convenient to many interesting and beautiful places in Chicago. The hotel was well maintained and the staff was attentive and efficient.
Lenore, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

A beautiful and historic hotel. Our room was comfortable and we enjoyed our one night there. We really enjoyed looking at the items and pictures that were part of the history of this hotel. The highlight was being allowed to see the magnificent Gold Room (Thank You Jane!).
Mark P, 1-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Good location, our shower didn't have much pressure but we managed, we will definitely be back. Bed was comfortable. Air was nice and ice cold lol
Chazra, 2-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Good hotel good staff only thing has no parking garage. I had too pay 62 dollar in the lot behind the hotel.
carlos, 1-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

The property is old and has so much character. The rooms are spacious and clean and the staff is always ready to help.
Jennifer, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Good spot. Nice staff. Great location.
Jason, 2-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Parking was difficult, trying to trek luggage around and find parking was terrible, but the staff was helpful. You can pull in front of the hotel and unload and they will hold your luggage. There is a parking lot behind the hotel, spaces were very tight and prices were about $45 a night. Hotel was built in 1893 so the rooms aren’t extravagant, they have character. Great location for walking the city.
Charise, 1-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Apparently it's haunted and I had the room across the hall from the haunted room. I didn't know this until my third night there, but it was quiet and calm.
Erica, 3-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Large room with a great view of the lake. Could have used some black out curtains for the morning sun. Bathroom was large but the sink was small with a shelf right over it since it was difficult to wash your face. Room was pleasant and well designed and bed was huge.
Thomas, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

We able to checkin early for a small fee. Room was clean and good size. Shower was nice. Had shampoo conditioner and body wash. Sink was a little small for toiletries. Had a mini fridge and TV was fine. They stored our bags when leaving and concierge was very helpful. Very close to Millennial Park and had a great view for fireworks at Navy Pier. Close to the L if coming from Midway. A very nice stay
Catherine, 2-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

The stay was great! It’s more of a historic hotel vibe. Spent a lot of time waiting on the elevator only one was working. Room was clean and bed was comfy. Tv in the room is from like the early 2000’s. But we didn’t spend much time in the room do that was oaky. I am always a little disappointed when I have to go search for a place to fill up a water bottle. But they provide to complementary bottles of water in the room. Just wish there was a bottle fill station somewhere.
Joe, 2-night trip
Verified review

6/10 Good

I would only stay here for the location or a one to two-night stay. No thermostat in the room so we needed a portable heater because it was so cold. The water pressure in the shower was pathetic and the tub didn't work. Our toilet was running and we had to have two separate calls to have it fixed. The bed is really firm and the tiny TV is mounted on a wall with zero art. Ice machine on our floor never worked the 5 days we were there. We were high up so the street noise wasn't bad. Pros: Super fast elevators, a nice bar, helpful staff, easy wifi. We did not try the restaurant.
Sharyn, 5-night trip
Verified review

4/10 Fair

Very poor check-in experience. Initially couldn’t find the reservation, told me no rooms available, then only a smoking room, then a colleague stepped in and sorted the situation. Poor attitude and borderline rude which isn’t lovely after a long journey! Room was very poor. Noisy old aircon unit blowing freezing cold stale air (had to get someone to the room to turn it off), a throw on the bed which I’m sure hasn’t been laundered between every visit, and just generally dated. I suspect some rooms have been updated, but mine was in dire need. Free water was a bonus, and amenities were fine.
Peter, 1-night trip