€107.90 Avg/night
Rate and special offer based on Check-in 27 May 2013 Check-out 28 May 2013

Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

3 stars
520 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Hotel Overview
Reviewer score
3.3
out of 5
818 reviews
Great Location!

Loved the location of this hotel. Right near the train, which I highly recommend using to get... See full review

  • Dan Bzly
  • 12 May 2013
congress stay

had a wonderful time. this hotel is a great part of history. See full review

  • jewellr22
  • 17 Apr 2013
Historic hotel on Michigan Avenue by Grant Park
Guests at the Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park hotel enjoy value prices and a convenient location across from Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, Millennium Park, the Art Institute and Lake Michigan. Designed to accommodate large groups, the 850-room hotel has hosted legions of tourists, conventioneers and even the nation’s presidents since the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Its presence among Chicago architecture is unmistakable: Just look for the oversized sign in all red caps.
Highlights
  • Spectacular views of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, Lake Michigan
  • Two restaurants and a lounge on site
  • Wireless Internet in the lobby
Rooms
Rooms at the Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park hotel favor space over flash. Find rooms and spacious suites of various sizes -- many with lakefront views -- as well as high ceilings and parlor seating. Wired and wireless Internet access are available for a fee.
Features

The Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park serves as a top reception site for weddings, conferences and other formal events. The lobby with its massive mosaic-tiled ceiling inspires awe in both guests and architecture fans. More than 50,000 square feet of meeting space, including the gorgeous Gold Room with its gold-leaf covered walls and ceilings, lend opulence to any occasion.

Diners visit the Gazebo Restaurant, a casual restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, or Rafael's Steakhouse, a more intimate dinner venue. Cocktails and pub fare are available in the lounge.

Other property amenities include a barbershop, game room and fitness center.

Transportation
  • O’Hare International Airport (16.1 mi/25.8 km)
  • Midway Airport (8.9 mi/14.4 km)
  • Blue Line (LaSalle) (0.9 mi/1.5 km)
  • Orange Line (Library) (0.3 mi/0.5 km)
  • McCormick Place Convention Center (1.7 mi/2.7 km)
Nearby attractions
  • Grant Park (across the street)
  • State Street (0.1 mi/0.2 km)
  • Buckingham Fountain (0.3 mi/0.5 km)
  • The Art Institute of Chicago (0.4 mi/0.6 km)
  • Millennium Park (0.5 mi/0.9 km)
  • Soldier Field (1 mi/1.6 km)
  • The Magnificent Mile (1.3 mi/2.1 km)
Policies and fees
  • Valet Parking $39.00 for overnight parking
  • Self-Parking $35.00 for overnight parking
  • In-room wired/wireless Internet access is charged at $9.95 + tax for 24 hours.

This is not a comprehensive list of fees. Any amounts listed above may not include taxes and are subject to change.

Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park Rooms

Lakefront King
Guest room with one king-sized bed. Rooms face Lake Michigan and Buckingham Fountain and can accommodate a maximum of 2 quests. All rooms have cable satellite T.V., coffee maker, radio and voice mail, high speed internet connection for $9.95 + TAX for 24 hours and Movies on Demand.
Lakefront Suite
Guest room with one king-sized bed. Rooms face Lake Michigan and Buckingham Fountain and can accommodate a maximum of 2 quests. All rooms have cable satellite T.V., coffee maker, radio and voice mail, high speed internet connection for $9.95 + TAX for 24 hours and Movies on Demand.
Standard Double
Guest room with two double beds and can accommodate a maximum of 4 guests. All rooms have cable satellite T.V., coffee maker, radio and voice mail, high speed internet connection for $9.95 + TAX for 24 hours and Movies on Demand.
City View King Suite
Guest room with one king-sized bed. Accommodate a maximum of 2 guests. All rooms have cable satellite T.V., coffee maker, radio and voice mail, high speed internet connection for $9.95 + TAX for 24 hours and Movies on Demand.
Standard Room - 1 Double Bed
Guest room with one double bed and can accommodate a maximum of two guests. All rooms have cable satellite T.V., coffee maker, radio and voice mail, high speed internet connection for $9.95 + TAX for 24 hours and Movies on Demand.
Standard King
Guest room with one king-sized bed and can accommodate a maximum of two guests. All rooms have cable satellite T.V., coffee maker, radio and voice mail, high speed internet connection for $9.95 + TAX for 24 hours and Movies on Demand.

Amenities

  • High speed internet
General
Concierge
Activities
Health club
Dining
Restaurant
Room service
Internet
High speed internet

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Hotel Map

41.8751 -87.6243
Area served
Chicago, IL
Nearby airports
Midway and O'Hare International Airports
Area description
Adjacent to Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain. Near Millenium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Campus, Symphony Center, and the Sears Tower.

Nearby points of interest

  • Auditorium Building: 0.1 km
  • Harold Washington Library: 0.3 km
  • Chicago Architecture Foundation: 0.4 km
  • Buckingham Fountain: 0.5 km
  • Symphony Center: 0.5 km
  • Grant Park: 0.5 km
  • Printers Square: 0.5 km
  • Art Institute of Chicago: 0.5 km
  • Crown Fountain: 0.7 km
  • Bank of America Theatre: 0.7 km
  • Chicago Board of Trade: 0.7 km
  • State Street: 0.8 km
  • Cloud Gate: 0.8 km
  • Shubert Theatre: 0.9 km
  • Pritzker Pavilion: 0.9 km
  • Auditorium Building: 0.1 km
  • Harold Washington Library: 0.3 km
  • Chicago Architecture Foundation: 0.4 km
  • Buckingham Fountain: 0.5 km
  • Symphony Center: 0.5 km
  • Grant Park: 0.5 km
  • Printers Square: 0.5 km
  • Art Institute of Chicago: 0.5 km
  • Crown Fountain: 0.7 km
  • Bank of America Theatre: 0.7 km
  • Chicago Board of Trade: 0.7 km
  • State Street: 0.8 km
  • Cloud Gate: 0.8 km
  • Shubert Theatre: 0.9 km
  • Pritzker Pavilion: 0.9 km
  • Sears Tower: 0.9 km
  • Yacht Club: 1 km
  • Chicago Cultural Center: 1 km
  • Marshall Fields: 1 km
  • Harris Theater: 1 km
  • Oriental Theatre: 1.1 km
  • City Hall: 1.1 km
  • Chicago Theater: 1.2 km
  • Goodman Theatre: 1.2 km
  • Prudential Plaza: 1.2 km
  • Field Museum of Natural History: 1.2 km
  • Cadillac Palace Theatre: 1.2 km
  • Shedd Aquarium: 1.2 km
  • Harold Washington College: 1.2 km
  • Chicago Mercantile Exchange: 1.3 km
  • Carson Pirie Scott: 1.3 km
  • Opera House: 1.4 km
  • Union Station: 1.4 km
  • Marina City: 1.5 km
  • Soldier Field: 1.5 km
  • Museum of Broadcast Communications: 1.6 km
  • Wrigley Building: 1.6 km
  • Merchandise Mart: 1.7 km
  • Tribune Tower: 1.7 km
  • Adler Planetarium: 1.7 km
  • North Michigan Avenue: 1.8 km
  • Hull House Museum: 2 km
  • Chicago - Mag Mile - Wacker Dr: 2 km
  • Lake Point Tower: 2.1 km
  • Michigan Avenue South: 2.1 km

Dining

Gazebo Restaurant
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner served from 6:30am to 10:30pm. Breakfast includes full American Breakfast, lunch- a variety of salads and sandwiches, dinner- chicken, beef, pork and seafood dishes.
Tavern Tap
A relaxed setting to enjoy cocktails or play pool or watch your favorite sports

Meeting facilities

Meeting Info
50,000 square feet of meeting space. World renowned gold room

Hotel Policies

Check-in:
1500
Check-out:
1200

Terms and conditions

Extra charges may apply for children. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the quoted rate.

The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.

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Guest Reviews (818)

Ratings and reviews for Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Overall score

3.3 / 5
818 out of 818
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3.7
Hotel staff:
3.7
Room comfort:
3.4
Location:
4.5
Value:
3.5

72% would recommend to a friend.

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Review this hotel
Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

1
ad259302
Business
Madison
23 Sep 2012

Not Recommended

I booked this hotel because all the other hotels in the downtown area were booked. The location is pretty good being right on Michigan Ave with Grant Park across the street, but those pros do not come close to offsetting the cons. The hotel is very very old and is in much need of a major renovation. The room was huge, but the air in the room was bad stall (perhaps mold) infused that would not go away (the hallway did not have the same issue). The carpet didn't seem clean and I wore flipflops the whole time avoiding walking barefoot. This hotel is also supposedly one of the most haunted places and in my opinion is just creepy. I didn't have any paranormal encounters but was expecting them around every corner (this would probably be better should the update the hotel). If you are okay with the above, this hotel does have a good location at one of the best prices you can find in the loop.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
2
Hotel staff:
2
Room comfort:
1
Location:
4
Value:
1
Holiday purpose:

Business

Dining tip: Short walk from hotel

The Gage is just a few blocks north on Michigan and is amazing.

Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

4
BillKIL
Business
Urbana, IL
23 Sep 2012

Great stay

Nice location, normally stay up north michigan avenue, it was nice to see another beautiful area of Chicago.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
4
Holiday purpose:

Business

Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

4
DonMari
Lafayette, IN
22 Sep 2012

Perfect location for our vist

Near parks. Good welcome, warm staff, very clean room.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
4
Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

4
TheForeigner
Missouri, USA
20 Sep 2012

Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

This was an OK place to stay. Great Location. Would stay here again.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
4
Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

3
lec923
Marshal, MN
18 Sep 2012

Sister's Chicago Trip

We thought the hotel was nice and for the value we paid perfect. It is an older, outdated hotel, but it was clean and that is what we were looking for. We did alot of sight seeing on Michigan so location was key!

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
3
Location:
4
Value:
3
Time-saving tip: Short walk from hotel

Use the CTA for all your sightseeing....its a short walk to the line from the hotel

Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

4
Mr Pepe Papa
Business
Chicago, IL
13 Sep 2012

Pretty Good!

Liked it, well located, good service, clean. Price-quality is reasonable.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
4
Holiday purpose:

Business

Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

4
eah105
Saint Louis, MO
7 Sep 2012

Great Weekend Getaway!

When I visit Chicago, I like to stay somewhere on Michigan Avenue. The Congress Plaza Hotel is always one of the more affordable hotels in the location I want. It was a tad bit more expensive than usual this particular time, because I traveled on Labor Day weekend and did not book soon enough! Other than that, I would stay here anytime!

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
3
Entertainment tip: Short walk from hotel

If you have time during your trip, I recommend taking a food tour! You get to visit restaurants and parts of town you may have never known about. It was a great experience, and the food was excellent!

Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

3
Foley
Detroit, MI
4 Sep 2012

Quick Trip

Hotel is a great location, close walking distance to everything - older hotel - bed wasn't very comfortable - but overall room was clean, bathroom was clean and for the price it's not bad! The staff were very friendly and helpful, had some really great suggestions of things to do and places to visit.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
4
Value:
3
Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

2
Jim Norma and families
cleveland, ohio
29 Aug 2012

great fun in chicago

The hotel was located in a great spot for our sight seeing weekend millenium park , navy pier, magnificent mile, willis tower, the river walk,and a few jazz clubs were all within walking distance. the hotel was older but well kept, we only used it as a base to store personals, and sleep in at night. The staff was knowledgeable, and quick with answers on local attractions. The hotel was also close to all public transportation,( with a $5 pass you can ride trains & busses all day).

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
3
Location:
4
Value:
2
Time-saving tip: Short walk from hotel

Stop at any drugstore & buy a public transportation pass. From the hotel you can get anywhere in town by bus or train.

Review of Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park

Reviewer score

3
Chants Chicago lover
Puerto Rico
28 Aug 2012

Great location!

If you're not picky then this hotel is for you. The location is right in the Loop with Grant Park across the street. It's also within walking distance from everything in town or you can just grab a cab and go wherever you want. As far as amenities go, this hotel really lacks everything that counts. Wireless is not free like in other hotels and there is no fridge which could be important for families. The place is very old and needs remodeling ASAP but the staff keeps it very clean. Everyone is kind and are able to help you at all times of the day. I would stay here again because the price and the location can't be beat.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
3
Time-saving tip: Short walk from hotel

If you're in Chicago for the first time, take a trolly or double decker hop on hop off tour. They have many stops and one of them is down the street from Congress Plaza. These tours take you to all the locations and saves you time spent walking or getting lost. They also save you cab fare.

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  • * includes taxes