The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center – A Historic Chicago Landmark

A very disappointing experience. Perhaps we were unlucky. Two of the automatic front doors were not working. Step inside and the first thing that greeted us was the security office where the glass wall facing the entrance is just a complete tangle of wires and cables. The reception area further down the hall is situated at the side of a lounge area that is old fashioned and shows elements of past faded glory. The bedroom was relatively freshly decorated in ice whites and bright turquoise blues. Very 60s and not to our taste but it was a relatively comfortable space. The corridors leading to the bedrooms were badly in need of decoration with old fashioned curtains at the windows by the lift and layers of chipped paint everywhere. The carpets smelt musty and appeared to have not been cleaned in a very long time. A continental breakfast was apparently included in the room price. The small offering that included bagels and bread was sad with mostly empty serving dishes. There was also a menu from which you could choose other paid for options. We tried on the first morning but decided against for the following days. The breakfast room was like something out of a 50s movie and was manned by two very nice ladies, just one each day. Here for only 3 nights, thank goodness, as the bar and the restaurant were not open during our time here. Disappointing as we were there to work, arriving late on first night and coming back late on subsequent evenings, and hoping to just relax and eat in. Cold, snowy and icy in December, we had to go out to find the nearest places to eat. Overall everything was a disappointment especially as we had read that this place has significant history, none of which made up for our experience. The best thing that we found about this hotel were the lovely old lifts. Takes a lot for me to write something so negative as usually there is some redeeming element.

Be careful in the bar. They will charge you for drinks that you never ordered. Then blame you for ordering them. The management will not refund you the money either. They just hang up on you everytime you ask.

Excellent location, confortable rooms, no problem at all. Good restaurant and the bar has good pizza. Prices reasonable. Recommended if you need to move in the city.

The hotel has a great location in downtown Chicago. It is a beautiful Art Nouveau building with great stain glass and decor on the first floor. However, the rooms are overpriced and both the rooms and hallways are in poor condition and disappointing and could definitely use renovations to bring them to the required standard of quality.

Great location--close to events, restaurants, shopping. But the wing we were in (Buckingham) was very dated. Few plugs, super firm mattresses, tiny elevator, could hear noise from other rooms. But worse--no heat! The dial on the old register was missing and we had to ask them to send up a portable heater. This ic Chicago in November!