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Congress Plaza Hotel

3.0 of 5
520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 (The Loop)
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Hotel amenities
Special Price
10% off room rate
Congress Plaza Hotel
Ranked #116 of 164 hotels in Chicago
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770 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    61
    223
    221
    116
    149
See reviews for
Families
114
 
Couples
199
 
Solo
55
 
Business
157
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    3 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    3 of 5 stars
  • Service
    3 of 5 stars
  • Value
    3 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    3 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
9 hotel reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2013 NEW

Great location and view! I watched the sunrise every morning over Lake Michigan. The room was very spacious and clean. The beds are a little odd, framed in 2x6s giving it a waterbed look but we slept great. Buddy guy's nightclub, Legends is only a few blocks away. Also an easy walk to the new SkyDeck, formerly Sears Tower, the... More

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See 7 more reviews by fitz49525 for Chicago
Brooklyn, New York
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2013 NEW

While the location is very good, I'm quite sure there are other hotels available in the price range that are much nicer. The place looks like it is stuck in time several decades ago. The paint is chipped, the wood banged up, the carpet sticky, etc. Basically, I wanted to spend as little time as possible in my room, which... More

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Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2013 NEW

I've stayed at the Congress numerous times when I've been in Chicago for conventions. I can only imagine what it must have been like when it was truly THE place to stay in Chicago. It's a terrific location which is the main reason I keep coming back. Besides, I really like the historic feel of the place. I guess I've... More

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Brooklyn, New York, United States
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2013 NEW via mobile

I stayed in this hotel while attending work related business ... The price was goodness very nice location. The hotel is very old and doesn't look like anything is being renovated . The room was big but lacking simple comfort things, like mini fridge and towels hooks . When opened the drawer to put in my clothes , a huge... More

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Whitehouse, Ohio
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2013

Now I read the reviews before I stayed at The Congress and to be honest, I was a little worried. Everyone seems to complain about the building "falling apart". Maybe I was lucky, but the two double lakefront room we booked was just fine for our stay. We walked into the room and we were impressed with the size alone.... More

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Grimsby
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed May 11, 2013 via mobile

The location was excellent. Directly opposite millennium park and within walking distance of Lake Michigan and the Buckingham fountain. The hotel is beautifully decorated with an impressive lobby. However from the moment we arrived we felt rushed by the doorman and we felt like we were an inconvenience to the staff. On the first morning our coffee and condiments were... More

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Tacoma
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed May 10, 2013

My friend worked at the Front Desk for almost a year recently. Against their recommendations, I stayed at the Congress because of the location for a conference at the Hilton. This hotel definitely has some room for improvement. This can be such a beautiful hotel, but the management does not care to put the money into the property. There is... More

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Mumbai (Bombay), India
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

The hotel has a huge potential...both in terms of its history and even more its wonderful location at South Michigan Avenue. Needs to keep up with the times in terms of service....pizza is not served in the room. No Wifi. Internet comes at a cost and would not work. My room did not have a view of South Michigan Avenue... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Charlotte, North Carolina
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 6, 2013

Location is great. The room was clean. The hotel is old but I like vintage. I do think they could add some more elbow grease. Staff says Jerry Springer guest stay there. I would stay there again. I didn't care about other ammenities.

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Plainsboro, New Jersey
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed May 5, 2013

This hotel has the potential for a lovely old-world charm but looks like it hasn't been taken care of at all. The room smelled horrible and the carpeting in the room was really old. I think the owners of this hotel are just trying to keep making money while spending the absolute least amount possible. The location of this hotel... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 9 more reviews by Elana T for Chicago
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Hotel Summarization (Beta)

What travelers say

  • Grant park(37)
  • Great location(28)
  • HOT WATER(20)
  • Very nice(14)
  • Navy pier(11)
  • Lake view(10)
  • Flat screen TV(9)
  • Art Institute(8)
  • Michigan avenue(8)
  • Very old(7)

Additional Information about Congress Plaza Hotel

Address: 520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Illinois > Chicago > The Loop
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Business Center Fitness Center Restaurant Room Service
Hotel Style:
Ranked #116 of 164 hotels in Chicago
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:3 star (3*)
Reservation Options:
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Also Known As:
Congress Plaza Chicago
Hotel Congress Plaza
Congress Hotel Chicago
Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

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Congress Plaza Hotel
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