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Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 star property
3.5-star hotel near Columbia College Chicago

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Congress Plaza Hotel

Lobby
Banquet hall
Exterior detail
2 restaurants, breakfast served
Junior Suite, City View | City view

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

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

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View

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

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

Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside | Living room | TV

Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside

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

View all photos for Family Suite

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Family Suite

  • Sleeps 6

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

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

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

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

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

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Lake View

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

View all photos for Family Suite

Family Suite | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Family Suite

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

View all photos for Accessible Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Accessible Standard Room, 2 Double Beds | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Accessible Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

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

View all photos for Queen Room, Interior View

Queen Room, Interior View | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Queen Room, Interior View

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

View all photos for Standard Lakefront Suite

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Lakefront Suite

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Accessible Room

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Accessible Room

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Standard Queen Room

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Standard King Room

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard King Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for King Room with Lake View

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

King Room with Lake View

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Standard Two Double Room

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Standard Two Double Room

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Two Double Room with Lake View

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Two Double Room with Lake View

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Junior Suite, City View

Junior Suite, City View | Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Junior Suite, City View

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

View all photos for Deluxe Suite

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Deluxe Suite

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Suite with City View

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Suite with City View

  • Sleeps 2

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Exterior

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About the neighborhood

Chicago

City center stay.With a stay at this Downtown Chicago hotel, you'll be steps from Auditorium Building and Theatre and Columbia College Chicago. Museum of Contemporary Photography and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies are also within half a mile (1 km).

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
  • ‪Maharaj Indian Grill - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Fontano's Pizza and Subs - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Relish Chicago Hot Dog Stand - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Potbelly Sandwich Shop - ‬5 min walk

About this property

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5-star hotel near Columbia College Chicago
There are 2 restaurants on site, along with a coffee shop/café. You can unwind with a drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. Business amenities include a business center and meeting rooms.

WiFi and wired Internet are free in public spaces. Event space at this hotel measures 50000 square feet (4645 square meters) and includes conference space. A fitness center, a vending machine, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly Congress Plaza Hotel. For a fee, parking is available.

This 3.5-star Chicago hotel is smoke free.

  • 870 guestrooms or units
  • 14 levels
  • 3 buildings
  • 2 dining venues
  • 2 bars or lounges
  • Meeting rooms
  • 50000 sq ft of conference space
  • 4645 sq m of conference space
  • Built in 1893
  • Business facilities
  • Conference space
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-out
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Concierge
  • Wedding services available
  • Gift shop
  • Beauty salon
  • ATM
  • Onsite shopping
  • Bellhop
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Coffee shop
Congress Plaza Hotel offers 870 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and coffee/tea makers. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas. Premium cable television is provided. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations with deep soaking bathtubs, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

This Chicago hotel provides complimentary wired Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Hypo-allergenic bedding, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Lobby
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
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Mar 29 - Mar 30
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator

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)

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

Things to do

  • Bicycle storage
  • Gym
  • Shopping

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

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • TV with premium cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding

Bathroom

  • Deep soaking bathtub
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

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

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! 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

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 25.00 per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

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

  • 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 may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. 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 Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Carte Blanche, debit cards, and cash.
    For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards in each accommodation.

This property provides central air conditioning in summer and central heating in the winter. In-room climate control is not available.

We should mention

  • Children 17 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be 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

How close is Congress Plaza Hotel to the airport?

Congress Plaza Hotel is 12 mi (26-min drive) away from the Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

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

As of Mar 21, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Congress Plaza Hotel on Mar 30, 2026 start from $145, including 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.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Congress Plaza Hotel.

How close is Congress Plaza Hotel to the beach?

This hotel is 2.2 mi (8-min drive) from Ohio Street Beach and 2.6 mi (8-min drive) from Oak Street Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Congress Plaza Hotel offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t offered at Congress Plaza Hotel, but full breakfast is offered for a fee of between USD 16 and 23 for adults, USD 12 and 18 for children.

Is there a casino at Congress Plaza Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this hotel, but Bally's Casino Chicago (2-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Early check-in costs USD 49.00 (subject to availability).

Is there free parking at Congress Plaza Hotel?

Free parking is not available at this hotel. Self parking is available for USD 62.00 per night.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel have a pool?

Congress Plaza Hotel does not have a pool.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel have a restaurant?

Yes, there are 2 restaurants on site.

Does Congress Plaza Hotel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Congress Plaza Hotel to downtown Chicago?

Congress Plaza Hotel is 0.3 mi away from Chicago.

Congress Plaza Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 4461 out of 9976 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2655 out of 9976 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1529 out of 9976 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 721 out of 9976 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 610 out of 9976 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lamont

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a great stay
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Harry

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was great. Clean rooms ,great location
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

RUSSELL, WHITEFISH BAY

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Memory

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Gregchen

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Both times I showered the water was not hot it was barely warm. The walls and doors are paper thin you can hear everything. The burger at the restaurant didn’t taste like real beef. The staff was definitely friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Lance

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is in a prime downtown location. The weather was bad so we didn't get to walk around that much, but it is close to a lot of things to do. I'd definitely stay there again if I need to be downtown.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lance

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, clean room. It's an older building, but everything was in good working order. Staff was excellent as you must use bell staff to get bags to your room. Parking was $62 for 24 hours, so brace yourself for that.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very large room. Good location for subway travel and view of park
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Troy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Jacoya

Traveled with family and small children, Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was nice , it had a few errors ! It gave old need an update . They let anybody hang out in front , it was a lot of kids without parents just hanging out . For it to be an upper scale hotel it didn’t give that . The door man was super helpful , but for the price I wouldn’t book again .
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
The breakfast menu was good but I was staying all week and I felt a little entrapped to pay for full breakfasts every morning since I stay there the year prior and there was plenty of complimentary items at the buffet that was included to fill me up. The free breakfast item options were pretty thin. I understand the people from the street walk in and just try and take all the free breakfast buffet but sounds like a security problem and not a guest problem.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2025

4/10 Poor

Daniel

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Room was ok. Condition of hotel is terrible, and worn out. Elevator and hallway smelled like raw sewage. Hotel common areas were like a ghost town. Restaurant was closed. Pealing paint, slabs of marble that looked like they were ready to fall off of the wall. Bed sheets were terrible. Room heater/air conditioner was rusty and looked like it was 60 years old.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Miles

Liked: Cleanliness
I was completely satisfied with the service and the cleanliness. Also, the elevator was always prompt to arrive and took me up to my room or down to the lobby quickly, which is not something that I can say about every hotel that I have stayed in. But the building shows its age, and the rooms are rather grim. The walls of my room had had so many coats of white paint applied to them over the years that the edges and corners have become rounded. The furniture was recent manufacture, but very cheap. The light above the door in the room---the only light controlled by a wall switch---was a bare LED bulb that cast a ugly, desolate blue light. The bathroom had a glass shelf fixed immediately above the sink that made it impossible to bend over the sink to wash one's face. The toilet seat was fixed askew to the toilet. Everything was clean and functional; it was just somewhat depressing to behold.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Vincenzo

Disliked: Amenities
Dirty
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Whitney

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was ignored by the woman at the counter when I went down for breakfast, so I had no idea that I was supposed to be assigned a table number. I entered & picked up a plate, grabbed a muffin, and pressed the button on the self-serve machine for a latte. An employee ran up to me, just to tell me that the coffee was $6. Someone else came out to tell me that the machine was actually broken. I asked her where I could order hot breakfast to bring to my room and was told that the woman who ignored me at the front counter was the one who could take my order. She was very terse & didn’t really seem interested in helping me. I watched her type in the modification for my order incorrectly, so decided to have breakfast delivered from elsewhere. Also, I was told that I couldn’t take the plate back to my room, so if you’re planning to eat continental breakfast & enjoy the view from bed, you’re not allowed to take the plates. Other than that, everything was fine.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Dejuan

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sierria

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alexis

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Mariah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfy
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ray

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We did not eat breakfast at the hotel, staff was fine and i didn't use the laundry
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Domenic

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect spot
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great view and room and bar and classic old money look and feel
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025