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
Lobby
Exterior detail
Junior Suite, City View | Living area | TV

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60605
  • Place, Auditorium Building and Theatre
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Columbia College Chicago
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Millennium Park
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Chicago, IL (ORD-O'Hare Intl.)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(212 reviews)
  • 251 sq ft
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(22 reviews)
  • 538 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Family Suite

  • Sleeps 6

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(549 reviews)
  • 278 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

7.8 out of 10
Good
(493 reviews)
  • 237 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Lake View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(128 reviews)
  • 251 sq ft
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Family Suite

7.8 out of 10
Good
(69 reviews)
  • 538 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Double Beds

Accessible Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

7.8 out of 10
Good
(55 reviews)
  • 251 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Queen Room, Interior View

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(146 reviews)
  • 194 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Lakefront Suite

  • Sleeps 2

Accessible Room

  • Sleeps 4

Standard Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2

Standard King Room

  • Sleeps 2

King Room with Lake View

  • Sleeps 2

Standard Two Double Room

  • Sleeps 4

Two Double Room with Lake View

  • Sleeps 4

Junior Suite, City View

  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Suite

  • Sleeps 2

Suite with City View

  • Sleeps 2

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About the neighborhood

Chicago

Located in Downtown Chicago, Congress Plaza Hotel is next to popular attractions like Columbia College Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Photography. This 870-room hotel welcomes guests with conveniences like 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and a gym.

What's nearby

  • Auditorium Building and Theatre - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Columbia College Chicago - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Buckingham Fountain - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Art Institute of Chicago - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Millennium Park - 9 min walk - 0.5 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
  • ‪Fontano's Pizza and Subs - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Gazebo Restaurant at Grant Park - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Lounge At Congress Hotel - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Thai Spoon - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Congress Plaza Hotel

Hotel with 2 restaurants, steps from Columbia College Chicago
Guests of Congress Plaza Hotel enjoy a gym, free WiFi in public areas, and meeting rooms. Self parking is offered for USD 62.00 per night. Multilingual staff at the front desk are standing by 24/7 to help with dry cleaning/laundry, securing valuables, and concierge services. Additional amenities include conference space, a business center, and express check-out.
Guests can expect free wired internet and TVs with cable channels. Bathrooms offer deep soaking tubs, hair dryers, and free toiletries. Other standard amenities include sitting areas, refrigerators, and coffee makers. Housekeeping is available on request.
Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Similar properties

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)
  • Limited onsite self parking

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

  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children 17 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 25.0 per day

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay these charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 25.00 per night

These are all of the charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • 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

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might 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
  • Check-in: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out: noon
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is open 24 hours a day, and checking out is easy with express services. Driving? This property offers parking (fees apply).

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash.
  • The credit card used at check-in for incidentals must be in the name of the primary guest who made the reservation.
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed in 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 a free cancellation option available at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Congress Plaza Hotel offers free cancellation on some room rates. To learn more, take a look at the cancellation policy on Orbitz.

How much does it cost to stay at Congress Plaza Hotel?

As of Jan 5, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Congress Plaza Hotel on Jan 6, 2026 start from $88.56, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What's there to see near Congress Plaza Hotel?

This hotel is situated in Downtown Chicago within a 10-minute walk of Millennium Park, State Street, and Art Institute of Chicago. You'll also find Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan less than a mile away.

Will I be able to park at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Yes, uncovered parking is offered for USD 62.00 per night. Bicycle parking is also available for guests.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel include a casino on the premises?

No, Congress Plaza Hotel doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at Congress Plaza Hotel?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hotel.

What will couples enjoy most about a stay at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Couples will appreciate amenities at this hotel, including a soaking tub and free Internet access in each guestroom with some featuring lake views.

Are there hot tubs at Congress Plaza Hotel?

No, this hotel doesn't have a spa tub.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel feature a restaurant that includes a breakfast menu?

Yes, Congress Plaza Hotel has 2 restaurants, and serves a full breakfast on weekend mornings for a surcharge.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at Congress Plaza Hotel though service animals are welcome.

Are there connecting rooms at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Yes, this hotel has connecting guestrooms you can book for your group event or vacation.

Where is the closest airport to Congress Plaza Hotel?

The closest major airport to Congress Plaza Hotel is Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), which is 12 mi away (26 minutes by car). Another top airport is Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD), which is located 18.9 mi away (37-minute drive).

Are there rooms with balconies at Congress Plaza Hotel?

No, there aren't any guestrooms with balconies at Congress Plaza Hotel.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel host weddings?

Take advantage of the wedding venue at Congress Plaza Hotel if you plan to say "I do" during your trip.

Congress Plaza Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 4343 out of 9770 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2614 out of 9770 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1500 out of 9770 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 721 out of 9770 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 592 out of 9770 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Olivia

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was beautiful & the staff was amazing
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Kim

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
The rooms have no climate controls, so the preset temperatures on the unit is all you get. The equipment in the fitness rooms did not work, and the room itself was messy.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

David

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Room was clean, but the rest of the hotel was rough, not cared for.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Did not Have breakfast. Room clean and area felt old and falling apart
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

John

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Natalie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean and comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Samir

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Zachary

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

James, New Orleans

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic experience all around!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

TED

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
NO HOT WATER!!!! Two night stay, and ZERO HOT WATER!!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The location is great, and the lobby is ornate, but the rooms have not been updated for decades , and I would expect more for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jona

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very clean
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

guohua

Traveled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
OK
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Lisa

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Esteban

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Courtney

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Bathroom was filthy and room was outdated.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

HAYDE

Traveled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Considering how old is the building, it's historic, the conditions are not 100%, but it was clean and personnel service was nice. we would stay again and recommend it
Attending WEFTEC Chicago 2025 from Puerto Rico. Booth exhibitors PolyGhost Technologies
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Anyelys

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is very outdated, the sheets were stained and it just seemed very old. The towels were also stained and the hallway area seemed like it was straight out of the Jeffery D. film. The area is great because it is near literally EVERYTHING and only 3 blocks away from the bean but I would not stay here again. The Bell boys were AMAZING front desk seemed to hate their job. But it did get the job done just wouldn't pay that amount for a hotel like that again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Lynne, Cameron

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was excited about staying in a historic hotel until arriving. Was given a room as far from elevator possible on top floor with small door accessing old fire escape with only small latch as lock! Upon asking for room change, the front desk clerk was reluctant and defensive. The room we did finally receive was average but had a 24" tv on a huge wall. When asking about no hot water, front desk told me "it is an old hotel so let it run 20 minutes." I have stayed in historic hotels across the nation and have never experienced these issues. will not recommend this hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Eshana

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was dirty when we got there. They was dirt and mud in the bathroom. I did not expect this for a room that I paid over $350 for. It’s not like I checked in early where they did not get time to clean the room. I would expect better from this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love the Congress! Very convenient location- walking distance to everything! Comfortable room and clean!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was clean and very large. comfortable bed. Bathroom was clean despite showing signs of wear. Excellent shower. Good location for access to city centre, parks, lakeside and Institute of Art - excellent! Staff were friendly and helpful as needed but not intrusive. Didn’t use cafe or restaurant as lacking vegetarian options.
Ornate interior typical of the period
Hotel near park
Millennium Park, the bean, nearby
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Justin

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and because it’s an old hotel it’s quiet. Could use a bathroom upgrade toilet is very low.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025