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Reviews of Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Congress Plaza Hotel
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 2520 out of 6809 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1919 out of 6809 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1138 out of 6809 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 704 out of 6809 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 528 out of 6809 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

William

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice well maintained older classic hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Supreet

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
No parking available
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 25 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

2/10 Terrible

william

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The location of the hotel is excellent but the room that I was in the toilet wouldn't work properly somebody had put a iron on the carpet and burnt a impression into the carpet it was generally just an old hotel could you some updating bad. If I could give zero Stars to a hotel I would before you book at this hotel check and see if they have some conventions coming in that might not be something that you want to be anywhere around this was my first trip to Chicago and I booked it through Expedia little that I know that I was right slapping the middle of some kind of Gay leather convention at the hotel it was absolutely sickening to see this I did not know this was going on the first night I was there I noticed some strange looking people checking in but I had no idea that it was a full-fledged convention by the second night I was there but the hotel was packed with this group of people I complain to the management desk and they told me since I booked through Expedia that couldn't do anything about it giving my money back and let me move on to another hotel so I still think that somebody should reimburse me for that second night that I was there I know it probably won't happen but that's the reason I'm riding this review I've never wrote a review. I want somebody from Expedia or that hotel to get in touch with me I'm expecting to be refunded for that second night of staying at that hotel I left at 4:00 in the morning to get out of there as soon as I could I want my money back
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 25 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel. .

10/10 Excellent

David E, Washington

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful old building. A little faded around the edges. Room was great.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 25 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Jessica

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great historical hotel which is undergoing massive updates at the time we visited. Whole wings were being done. Our room smelled of fresh paint. Large gaps under doors made privacy and noise an issue between guests. However, the panoramic view of the lakefront from the 10th was breathtaking and location was very convenient to lots of sites. Nice staff and everything was clean and pleasant.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 25 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Ami

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful architecture in hotel and room. Beds were extremely firm. Bathroom was accommodating for handicapped. No air conditioning, room had an older fan with on, low and high settings. Luckily we had great weather. Staff was friendly and helpful. Parking is limited with no in and out privileges. Happy to have stayed here, looking forward to seeing other properties in Chicago.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 25 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Jordan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It's a great location across the street from the park, close to transit and walking distance to many attractions.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 25 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Chelsea

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hair was all over the walls of the bathroom, warped floors, peeling paint virtually on every part of the building. Having 3 deadbolts on my door but no lock on the adjoining room door? The elevator was out of service twice in the 2 days I stayed here on the 10th floor. Housekeeping standards said they wouldn’t enter the room until day 3, but they came in anyway and moved my things. Will not stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Fatemeh

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
During my stay, we wanted to try and make some coffee in the room using the coffee maker machine. But the cord was only 30 cm( less than one foot) long! It was on the drawers and unplugged and there was no outlet close enough to plug that oddly short cord into! I don’t even know why they put the coffee maker there if you can’t even plug it. So we started looking behind the drawer to find an outlet and my boyfriend found a men’s underwear behind the drawer! That was unbelievably disgusting. Looks like someone was lazy to clean the room and they just hid the trash behind the drawers. We got suspicious and started looking behind all drawers in our room and well we found more trash. We decided not to look under the bed for our own’s sake. The hotel’s location is convenient for sure but I’d recommend that you try someplace else, we are not coming back either.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel great staff. The parking is the only thing that was confusing but overall great hotel I would rebook again!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Christina, Germantown

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Looks like old antique hotel. It was quiet and felt very safe.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Nora

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Quiet,clean . No microwave in my room.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Emma

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice stay however parking is way to expensive!!!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Victoria

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It seemed like they were doing lots of renovating. The room we had was very quiet. Their area around it wasn’t so clean as they were doing remodeling work.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

2/10 Terrible

Levi

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Was not happy with the cleanliness of the room, the parking situation that was different to instructions we received from the hotel after booking, lots of people hanging around the hotel
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Bridget

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Congress Plaza Hotel is so poorly maintained ; it’s a shame! The location is perfect. It is located directly across from beautiful Grant Park and so many lovely sites. Yet, the hotel is a disgrace. The initial concierge to housekeeping is awful! Peeling wallpaper, missed housekeeping, threadbare towels, doors that work against you while pulling luggage. Do yourself a favor , spend a few more bucks and find a hotel that cares about customer service! Not worthy of a return visit!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was renovated, and very nice and clean. For an old hotel, this was a very nice experience!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Stefan

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Check-in with a car was tough. No parking, no help.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Breanna

Travelled with family
Recieved a notice that my room was ready, but one i got inside to check in was told i had to wait another hour because they were behind. The bathtub had some black mold. Over all the stay was fine, but not worth the price.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 20 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Bonny

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the character of the property. Room lacks temperature controls. Great stay. Would recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 20 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Marianna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
They upgraded us without telling us, amazing!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 20 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Dennis

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Old place, nice staff. Found a dead bug (roach) in the bathroom. Close to public transportation, parks and museums. I would probably stay there again as it cheapest in the area.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 20 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Peter

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Great location
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 20 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

2/10 Terrible

Rishabh

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff is super rude and arrogant, not going to recommend this property to anyone, neither going to come stay here ever
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Marne

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Pictures do not represent property, very old and worn out, not updated rooms and common space, outside sidewalks smell like urine. Was once probably a grand hotel 80 years ago.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved the esthetic, the halls are set up a bit unusual but we liked it. The wallpaper and baseboards in the public area could use a good scrub. Staff was friendly and helpful
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Cecillia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 19 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Fabiola

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Its close to manny atractions manny food places near and it is clean.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 18 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Hotel vintage bien situé. Matelas assez dur. Courbatures à tous les matins. Oreillers peu confortables et trop petits pour un lit king size. C'est un vieille hôtel et il faut s'en attendre. Peu de rénovation dans les chambres mais le lobby est magnifique. Si vous n'êtes pas trop difficile, je le recommande
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 23 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

2/10 Terrible

carlos

My reservation wasnt received. I did not get stay here.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from shakeel on 18 May 2024
we show you had a reservation inmarch

6/10 Okay

Fengyi

Business traveller
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Outside beautiful; inside just so so.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 18 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Jason

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My wife and I enjoyed are stay. It was quiet and convenient.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 20 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Carla

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Close to everything. Great historic hotel is absolutely beautiful. Great location
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 16 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Nathan Allen, Maple Grove

Business traveller
The room was small and the bathroom was extremely small with no bathroom vanity. The TV was also small for the size of the room
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 16 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Katya

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unbelievable views and a reasonable price point. Bathtub was chipped, in case that is important to you. We loved our experience!!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 16 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice, beautiful hotel. The staff is amazing, both friendly and professional. My only issue was the shower, which we found lacking in both temperature and water pressure. It wasn’t a major problem, and somewhat understandable given the age of the hotel. Otherwise, it was a great stay.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 16 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Lyn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful view of the lake and Grant Park! When I was checking out the doorman was extremely nice. Told me “we’re going to miss you and come back soon!” Thought that was so dope bc honestly I was in and out a lot, shopping, so I would talk to them in passing. Def would go back to the Congress!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 16 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really liked how clean the room was.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Evelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 16 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Russell

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
fast elevator
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Paula

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location for walking to both museums and Magnificent Mile. Restaurants on site if you don't get out to eat. Late check out (noon).
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

Frank

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
staff availability and service was poor.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Cherry

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I chose this property because it was close to everything and relatively inexpensive. The staff was extremely friendly. We were able to store our luggage and explore the city before check in - and after check out. The hotel is old - and it shows, but the interior is beautiful. The rooms were clean but warm. I had to go to Target and buy a small fan for comfort at night. My husband and son were the opposite and found the temperature to their liking. There was a fridge in our room - but no microwave. All in all, If you are looking for a property close to train stations, shopping, dining, parks and art - you can't go wrong with Congress. Enjoy your stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent

Jenna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

Andrew

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice lobby first floor. Room need to up kept a little better. Exhaust fan in bathroom didn’t work which made the room wet.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

4/10 Poor

nicole, Port Richey

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
This hotel is very old and I get that but they really need to do a lot of upgrading for the prices they charge. The staff at the desk is also not very helpful. They only had decaf coffee in the room we called down and they said we were welcome to come get it. We should not have to come down in our pajamas to get something that is already suppose to be in the room. The water pressure is terrible the bathroom sink barely ran the water. The toiletries are no good. I rarely complain about hotel stays but for 300 a night I would expect better regardless of location. They really need to do better.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

2/10 Terrible

Thi Tho, Corning

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean, but the bathroom is terrible, the shower is so slow, the towels so old .
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel

8/10 Good

kevin, chino hills

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I could sightseeing without rent car.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 12 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress Plaza Hotel

6/10 Okay

Karla

Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from shakeel on 15 May 2024
Thank you for staying at Congress plaza Hotel