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7.3

5,963 reviews

Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60605, Illinois, United States

Choose dates to view prices

Restaurant

Free wifi

Room service

Fitness center

Air conditioning

Kid-friendly buffet

Bar

Private entrance

Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago is a 3-star hotel in Chicago. Located at 520 South Michigan Avenue, it is about 2.2mi from the city center. The property offers a range of amenities including free Wifi, air conditioning, non-smoking rooms, a private entrance, elevator access, and a 24-hour front desk. On-site options include a restaurant and a bar, with bathtubs and free toiletries for added comfort.

Other conveniences include a fitness center (free), parking (extra charges), a business center (extra charges), and meeting/banquet facilities (extra charges). A golf course is part of the offerings, and a kid-friendly buffet, plus views of lake, river, or landmark views, add extra charm to the stay.

Reviews total 6,492, signaling a long-standing presence in the area. Price starts from $93.

Rafael's Restaurant on site serves American cuisine, making it a reliable go-to for a casual bite without leaving the building. A bar is also on site, perfect for unwinding with a cocktail after a day of sightseeing. The dining options are convenient accents to the central lobby level, ideal for quick meals between adventures.

For getting around and staying productive, the fitness center is free to use, and parking is available for an extra charge. A business center and meeting/banquet facilities are also available for an additional fee, great for small conferences or events. A golf course is part of the offerings, and a kid-friendly buffet adds a playful option for families in the mix.

Located at 520 South Michigan Avenue, the hotel sits about 2.2mi from the city center, putting Chicago’s highlights within easy reach. Plus, views of the lake, river, or landmark add an extra layer of charm to the stay. A 24-hour front desk, private entrance, and elevator access provide practical convenience, while non-smoking rooms and amenities like free WiFi help keep the trip comfortable.

Closest airports

Chicago Midway International Airport

8.7mi

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

16.1mi

Most popular amenities

Restaurant

Free wifi

Room service

Fitness center

Air conditioning

Kid-friendly buffet

Bar

Private entrance

24-hour front desk

Lake view

Non-smoking rooms

River view

Landmark view

Elevator

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Free toiletries

Bathtub

Rooms

King Suite with Lake View in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 12 photos

Suite, Lake View

1 King Size Bed

430 sqft

Lake view

Landmark view

River view

Private Bathroom

x8

+

x5

More details

King Room with Lake View - Non-Smoking in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 8 photos

King Room, Lake View

1 King Size Bed

260 sqft

Lake view

Landmark view

River view

Private Bathroom

More details

King Suite with City View in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 8 photos

Suite, City View

1 King Size Bed

390 sqft

Landmark view

City view

Private Bathroom

Bathtub

x8

+

x5

More details

Family Suite in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 8 photos

Family Suite

1 King Size Bed

2 Double Beds

590 sqft

Landmark view

Private Bathroom

Bathtub

Private entrance

+

More details

Double Room with Two Double Beds with Lake View in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 9 photos

Room - 2 Double, Lake View

2 Double Beds

335 sqft

Lake view

Landmark view

River view

Private Bathroom

+

More details

 Double Room with Two Double Beds - Disability Access in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 6 photos

Room - 2 Double, Accessible

2 Double Beds

310 sqft

Private Bathroom

Bathtub

Private entrance

Wifi

x4

+

x3

More details

King Room in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 4 photos

King Room

1 King Size Bed

215 sqft

City view

Private Bathroom

Bathtub

Private entrance

+

More details

Standard King

Queen Room in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 4 photos

Queen Room

1 Queen Size Bed

130 sqft

City view

Private Bathroom

Bathtub

Private entrance

x4

+

x3

More details

Double Room with Two Double Beds in Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Show 4 photos

Room - 2 Double

2 Double Beds

270 sqft

City view

Private Bathroom

Bathtub

Private entrance

x4

+

x3

More details

Deluxe Suite

1 Double Bed

Free wifi

x8

+

x5

More details

Room With Lake View

1 Twin Bed

1 Double Bed

x4

+

x3

More details

Lake View

Queen Room, No Window

1 Double Bed

1 Queen Size Bed

+

More details

Guest reviews

7.3

5,963 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇰🇷

Paehwan

8.2

June 2024

Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago is a huge and historical building. The inside and my room looks a bit old fashioned, due to its time-honored standing. The staff were very friendly and supportive. The neighborhood has a grand park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and other attractions of downtown in a walking distance and with safety. I stayed one night with family, which was good enough. The price was acceptable in some degree, I think.

I love staying at the hotel due to its close access to cultural attractions and downtown during my short stay. The hotel is well secured by professional helpful staff. Thank you!

🇩🇪

Barbara

8.2

July 2024

The price of the room when booked was FAR LESS then what the actual price I had to pay. I believe I booked a double for 150 or so then ended up having to pay 270 - by booking.com. There was no way to actually compare hotel prices. What I thought was a good deal was actually a horrifying price change that pretty much ruined enjoying the stay.

🇮🇪

Rebecca

8.2

July 2024

Location was fabulous No complaints at all

None

🇺🇸

Cody

8.2

July 2025

In terms of location, being close to a lot of different things is a big plus. Millennial Park, an L Station, The Art Institute, and a handful of restaurants are all within walking distance (10 mins or less). The rooms were nice and spacious. We were traveling with our new born and had plenty of room to move around comfortably with a pack and play out. You can tell they had been recently renovated, beds were not too soft or too firm and included reading lights on the headboards. Windows are also sealed tightly to cancel out city noise (aside from all those crazy cars).

The renovations did not extend to the hall wall and it had that "antique" kind of smell. The bathrooms also seem to need some TLC, nothing was super bad about them but you can tell the bath, sink, and toilet had seen better days and are most def in their twilight years. Also, this isn't anything the hotel can do about but a lot of folks smoke right outside the main entrance on Michigan Ave, so just beware of that. My wife also didn't like they had a "tacky tourist" type giftshop right off the main entrance as well.

🇦🇺

Maree

9.1

May 2025

Our room 1137 was very spacious and comfortable. Good size bathroom and huge closet. Beautifully maintained gold room, reception and bar area. So close to everything we wanted to see and do. Beautiful riverwalk is so close as well. It did take us about 80 minutes in a taxi from the airport, due to peak hour traffic and cost about 55USD. We caught the train back to airport, as it was not to far to walk even with luggage.

Our room safe was locked from a previous guest and the deadlock did not work on the door. Resteraunt was closed on Monday night so we ordered from the bar. Our meal took a very long time to arrive and was only just warm, after we asked about it. Mine was hummus with vegis and pita bread that was left to long after heating before being served. The bar had a door to the street open to get customers from the street come in, however it was absolutely Freezing !!!

🇺🇸

Shannon

9.1

June 2025

This hotel is a get what you pay for hotel. This time around, I booked a king suite with a landmark view, and it was stunning. The vaulted ceilings were a highlight in the cheap room and gorgeous with the view. There is so much closet space. Between the walk-in in the front hall to the sliding glass door in the bedroom. The location remains superb.

It's still an old hotel. The air units are probably older than I am but they work so if you don't mind a bit of rattle it's not a big deal. The exhaust fan in the bathroom was a bit shaky as well. The bathtub was slow to drain and the TV in the bedroom wasn't connected to cable. However, all of these details truly are insignificant in comparison to the value of the room size and view.

🇺🇸

Robbie

8.2

December 2024

I went to DePaul and had always wanted to stay at Congress but had no reason to until this year and I was FLOORED at how beautiful it was. Sometimes you have an urge to be in an old ornately designed building and this made me feel like I was in the Tower of Terror but in a good way! AND THE ROOM. omg I felt like Eloise at the plaza. I feel like it is perfect for feeling fancy on a budget.

It is a hundred-year-old building with hundred-year-old heating. This was not totally bothersome, I'm used to older buildings where you don't have much control over the temp, but if you are sensitive to that it is definitely something to consider especially in the summer and winter. TV was also useless and grainy but again wasn't really a big deal, we just ended up watching Friends.

🇺🇸

Bethea

8.2

December 2024

The location was great. The facility was very clean with a clean smell. The staff was friendly esp the guy that helped us with transportation information. He gave us an awesome experience.

We stayed two nights. I was disappointed to know that they don’t clean your room until after the second night. I didn’t like that our room was not tidied up and we weren’t given fresh towels and wash clothes our first night. However, they did quickly provide them after I called and requested it. The TV’s in the room are from the 90’s. Also, the hotel does not have its own parking, and the lot charged 60 dollars a day. However, we did find a lot across the street for 30.00 a day.

🇺🇸

Mandi

8.2

August 2025

Location. It was right next to the park we were going to. Staff were great. Anytime I needed anything, they were mostly helpful. I liked that you had to show your key to get in. It felt safe. Frustrating that food deliveries can’t go to your door- but I guess you can’t have it both ways. And I’d rather have safe. Just had to go to the security office to get it, so not a huge deal.

Beds aren’t the most comfortable, not the worst either. THE ROOM WAS HOT. My phone didn’t work and they never replaced it. I just used my cell to call down.

🇺🇸

Andrew

9.1

August 2025

The room was much larger than expected and there was plenty of room for the 3 of us to move around - and the closet was as big as the bathroom! The beds were very comfortable. The check-in experience was quick and efficient The hotel was very well located and was only a 20-25 minute walk from Soldier Field; we attended the EPL Summer Series.

The bathroom was a little small and the toilet did not work correctly; we had to manually raise the handle after every flush. While the rooms are very nice, the hallways certainly need updating. The floors were stained and the wallpaper was peeling in places.

Points of Interest Around Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Attractions

Harold Washington Library Center (Chicago Public Library)

0.2mi

Marquette Building

0.4mi

Chicago Board of Trade Building

0.4mi

Shedd Aquarium

0.7mi

Chicago River

1mi

Chicago Pedway

1mi

Prairie Avenue Historic District

1.6mi

Chicago Chinatown

1.6mi

United Center

2.6mi

Chicago Loop

3.5mi

Trickery

5mi

Wrigley Field

5.3mi

Wrigleyville

5.4mi

University of Chicago

6mi

Jackson Park

6.6mi

Restaurants

Rafael's Restaurant

Cuisines

  • American

Amenities of Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Restaurant

Free wifi

Room service

Fitness center

Air conditioning

Kid-friendly buffet

Bar

Private entrance

24-hour front desk

Lake view

Non-smoking rooms

River view

Landmark view

Elevator

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Free toiletries

Bathtub

Stay rules - Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property

Frequently Asked Questions - Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

At what times are check-in and check-out at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago?

The check-in time at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago is 03:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Is there parking available at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago?

Yes, there is parking available at the Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago. However, please note that parking charges may apply. The parking is public and located at a nearby location. It is also worth mentioning that a parking reservation is not required.

What are the rates at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago?

Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago's room rates start around $93. Rates, however, may vary depending on room choices and stay period. Please provide your dates for real-time prices.

What are the room types available at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago?

The Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago offers a variety of room types including double rooms with two double beds and queen or king suites. All rooms have a non-smoking policy and offer different bed sizes, such as queen or king beds. The room sizes range from 194 sqft to 538 sqft. The occupancy varies, accommodating either 2 adults or up to 4 adults with children.

Which amenities can guests enjoy at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago?

Guests at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago can spend their time enjoying a range of leisure amenities. The hotel features a golf course, perfect for golf enthusiasts who want to relax and play a round of golf. Additionally, there is a bar on-site where guests can unwind and enjoy their favorite drinks. For guests who want to stay active during their stay, the hotel offers a fitness center where they can work out and stay in shape. Moreover, the hotel provides a business center, making it convenient for guests who need to attend to work-related tasks.

In terms of dining options, guests have the opportunity to dine at Rafael's Restaurant, located on-site. This restaurant specializes in American cuisine, providing guests with a delicious dining experience without having to leave the hotel premises. Overall, guests have plenty of options to keep themselves entertained and well-fed during their stay at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago.

Is there an in-house restaurant at Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago?

Yes, the Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago does have a restaurant on site called Rafael's Restaurant. The cuisine offered at the restaurant is American.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago accept credit cards and cash payments?

No, Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago does not accept cash payments. However, they do accept credit cards including Discover, American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club, Visa, and Carte Blanche.