Congress Plaza Hotel

This has to be the worse kept hotel I have stayed in in the past 10 years! Beds were horrible, pillows like rocks, could get hot water for my shower, and decor has not be improved in years!!!! Will never go back!!!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A hotel that hasn't aged well, but in a convenient location and with rooms that are cleaner and in better condition than the hallways and common areas, which is important.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I enjoyed the stay and the location was perfect. They did everything to accommodate us if their was an issue. The only complaint I have is their internet connection and the fact they charge for each device. They did refund me the charge because i was not able to get online the whole time we were there.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The Congress is a veyr nice place to stay. Rates are very good on week days and raise considerably on weekends but the cost is still lower than most other downtown hotels. The room was well kept with a view f tghe lake and park.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The front desk agent was extremely unfriendly upon check-in, and throughout the stay. Thankfully it was only two nights. Also, the fitness center is essentially a few cardio machines in a tiny space, with no tv, and surrounded by street-level glass so that all passersby can watch you exercise in the evening. The water pressure in the room's shower was […] terrible, and the water from the tap tasted awful. Not an enjoyable stay. Finally, there was a union picket line I had to cross and/or avoid for some reason. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel is old but that is what is unique about it. Wonderfully located close to the lake. The room was very comfortable. If you are a walker you can walker little over a mile to the Aquarium, Field Museum and the Planetarium. The hotel has easy access to buses, trains and subway to take you where ever you want to go. Literally hundreds of restaurants, […] cafes and specialty foods within walking distance. If you get a City Pass you get to visit 5 attractions in the city. We did it in two days but I would recommend three days. The City pass cost us each $94 and got us into the Planetarium, Aquarium, Field Museum, Willis Tower Sky Walk [formerly the Sears Tower] and the Museum of Science and Industry [ the best of all 5 attractions]. The pass also gets you into some special 3D movies at the museums and several other pay-to-enter exhibits in them It is well worth the price and saves you some money. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Our room was clean, but the room needs updating as does the hotel. The people who work there are very helpful. My room was very tight, the bathroom so small that only one person could be in there at one time. If more than one person is staying in the room, ask for a room that has a better layout than 720.One of the other rooms in our party had a bed […] that broke when it was sat upon. The wifi was iffy, didn't work all the time. While the value was good for the location, the beds and rooms really need new furniture, new decor. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

good hotel. pillows too hard, bed comfortable. room fine, location very good.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

costly internet service

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I enjoyed the stay. The only problem was the air-conditioner noise.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

the hotel room was very old looking only thing that was up to date was the lounge and bar area and it was a straight shot to downtown if you choose to walk or catch a taxi or bus. Had to let the water run in the sink for about 5 min before it got hot. The carpet was old and stained which it matched the drapes and boarders on the wall. It had a funny […] smell in the hall ways.. You would think for the price per night (which was over price for the way the rooms look) they should've offered free breakfast.. Thats 1 hotel i will never stay at again. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We moved rooms after the first night to lake side and it was very enjoyable after that. View was unreal

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We were very pleased. Yes, the hotel is quite old but convenient; our room was clean; the view was outstanding. Had a fantastic breakfast; the night before dinner was okay. We will definitely stay again at the Congress when we need to be south of the loop. Can't beat the price!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Stayed here overnight for Shamrock Shuffle so we didn't have to drive downtown from the suburbs. Booked a few months in advance for a room with a view, and while you are not guaranteed a view, when we checked in we were given the fire escape room. When I called down to ask if we can switch rooms, the front desk clerk was rude and acted like I was bothering […] her to even ask such a question, so she put me on hold and said she just asked her manager and she can't do anything. When I stressed that I booked a deluxe room and that we checked in right at 3pm, so said there's nothing she can do, so I asked to speak with her manager and she huffed at me and said the manager is out, and I responded that didn't you just talk to her a minute ago? She replied that she just stepped out. All in all the location is perfect, but the room was terrible. And for spending the extra money for a deluxe room and being stuck in what shouldn't even be a room I was not happy about, especially considering friends of our purchased a basic queen room for less money and ended up getting a king room overlooking the lake with a beautiful view. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

My son thought it would be fun to stay because of its history. The hotel has not been kept up. Lights out, hole in ceiling etc. The bed really od from the 1940's. There was a race so the street was closed so we walked a block to get our car and they charged 39. For valeting it. The location is great but would probably stay somewhere else.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel was perfect for what I needed. Not a bad walk from Navy Pier with lots of shopping and food along the way. Hotel was comfortable and clean and perfect for what I needed. Rooms are smaller but fine for an overnight stay.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel costs too much to not have a microwave and refrigerator in the rooms. Valet service was great when you could get it. Waited nearly 45 minutes one day to get my car and the Service Manager didd'tn bother to apologize for the apprarent mix-up or make some kind of token-gesture to make me feel better. However, the location was EXCELLENT!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This hotel was opened in 1893 and is in serious need of a renovation. There are wonderful old touches and the rooms feature 10 foot ceilings from a bygone era, but everything is wearing down. The concierge is a kickback hack, do not go there for advice about where to go to eat or anything else. For me being adjacent to Columbia College was paramount […] and for that reason alone it served its purpose. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hallways were a bit confusing and hard to find room. Other than that, excellent lobby and comfortable room.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Love this old hotel and its old world charm. But like most old hotels not everything will work at the same time. Last stay the heat wouldn't shut off and had to sleep with the window open, so no sleep due to all the street noise and this time there was no heat. But we take it all in stride and will continue to stay at our favorite hotel. Besides it's […] haunted! And we love that! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Yes, this hotel is old, but that is part of it's charm. Very well kept up and clean. Price was great through hotels.com. Parking was cheaper than almost any place else downtown. The man at the front door - Steve - is what really makes the place - very friendly and helpful. Best location for walking to all the many things to see in downtown Chicago!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Althought the hallways and the rooms have been spruced up alot the original doors on all the rooms with their gouged wood and numerous layers of paint made me feel as though the place was rundown and a bit seedy.On the otherhand the room rate on a saturday was terrific and the location to sightseeing was great.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was small, no couch, no microwave or refrigerator. We used a roll-away bed that had springs poking out of it. The blanket on the king bed was covered with sheets, however the sheets were not wide enough. Every morning I woke up with a nasty old blanket uncovered by the sheets and surrounding me. Yuck! The location was perfect. We were able […] to walk to the museums. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Was not impressed at all, dirty, outdated, the staff at the front was not very helfpul, creepy. I travel a lot for business and would not recommend this place.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We went to Chicago for a weekend family vacation. We chose the Congress because of its close location to museums we wanted to visit while in town. In addition, the hotel's parking fees were less than some other hotels we were looking at. However, this hotel was a little run down and could use a face lift. There was a strange wooden base board along […] the entire room, which made it difficult to plug in our electronic devices. However, our trip was still a wonderful experience. Read more

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I enjoyed my stay, the room was ok, the staff were very friendly, and the hotel was decorated beautifully.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The Congress Hotel is in a great location, easily accessible to all the tourist sites such as Michigan Ave. and Millineum Park. At first I was worried because I heard the hotel was old, but the the age ads to its character and charm. The highlights were great service, bar downstairs and easy check-in and check-out.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The Congress is an older hotel, but depending on your needs can be a worth while stay. The rooms are spacious, but the bathrooms are quite small. Its interiors are dated, however if you're not planning on spending a lot of time in it really doesn't matter. The location is perfect. Close to a lot of sights and close to a lot of trains. the staff was […] friendly and accommodating. I would recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a downtown hotel. Bonus, the valet fee is cheaper here than most other hotels in the area. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Last stayed here ~ 10 years ago & the rooms have not been upgraded since then. The lobby and bottom floors are still in great shape & have nostalgia. The rooms are spacious but have not enjoyed any recent renovation. We had two different rooms. Had to move because the first one had a broken (futon like) bed frame. No box spring, only mattresses on the […] wood frame. Comfortable enough, but not what I was expecting at a downtown hotel. Huge bathroom in the 2nd room. Both rooms were on the warm side. We were on the 12th floor & had a great view of Grant Park & the lake. Staff was nice, no problems there. Would I go back? Yes, it's still a low price for downtown. I'm not the type that spends much time in the room. It all depends on your budget Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Sure the Congtess Plaza is old, but it's clean and the location can't be topped. It's downfall is the mattresses, absolutely dreadful. Spiney and soft. It's taken my back a week a a half to come back into condition. I'd love to stay there again, make it my Chicago go to, but my sleep was so bad, I'd need to take an air matress.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The door man and staff were so very helpful on locations, cost estimates of taxis etc.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Everything was more than satisfactory - not the restaurant, but the overpriced underwhelming fare was offset by a great personable server named August. We listened in on the Friday night "ghost tour" stop which peaked my granddaughter's interest, we spent the rest of our stay getting off on various floors and looking for ghost activity (!) tho found […] none. The lobby has a comfortable elegance and the rest of the hotel has a charm found only in old buildings. Concierge helpful and recommendations were appropriate to someone traveling with a 9 yr old. Room was very very warm, as mentioned in almost every review, but windows are able to be opened a bit to offset this problem. We were able to walk to most of our destinations and only took taxis a few times because we were cold and lazy. Have stayed several times on North Michigan Avenue area but this will now be our go-to hotel. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great Location, but the bedding was bad, it didn't have a fitted sheet not to mention the comforter cover comes off. They don't have separate heating and cooling systems so we had to open our window in order to cool down. It needs an update.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A little bit of a dated hotel. Nothing special but no problems either.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room smelled like it was doused with Fabreeze. The heater could not be controlled (there was no thermostat) ... had to open the window and it was 17 degrees outside. The furnishings had not been updated for decades. The carpet was disgusting. Plaster was cracking and paint was peeling. I have stayed in youth hostels with better conditions. The bed […] was comfortable, had a nice view of the lake and park, and the location was convenient. Spend the extra money and stay somewhere else! If someone put some money into this place, it could be a fabulous old hotel. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

My girlfriend and I enjoyed this hotel a lot. Front desk service and housekeeping was great. Didn't order room service due to the pricing. You don't see hotels like this anymore. I think a lot of the poor reviews are geniuses thinking this is the Trump tower or something. It's old and has minor flaws but with these flaws comes character. Tall ceilings […] and beautiful crown and moldings. The price in the area is the best for what you'll get. The location is perfect too! It's next to everything. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Improved since my last stay a couple of years ago

Genuine Hotels.com guest review