Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel - overview.

• Built for the 1893 World’s Fair, this hotel faces Grant Park and is 4 blocks from the Art Institute and 2 blocks from Loop theaters.
• Spacious guestrooms, some of which are suites, have Victorian-style furnishings and Internet access. Most also have spectacular views.
• This European-style hotel has both vintage touches, such as Italian mosaics in the lobby, and modern touches, such as a game room.

Congress Plaza Hotel - Room details

This hotel features 852 guestrooms, 36 of which are suites. The spacious rooms vary in layout but all include draped windows, wooden dressers, and Impressionist artwork. Most rooms have views of Grant Park, Lake Michigan, and Buckingham Fountain.
• Standard Room - These rooms have one king-size bed and can accommodate a maximum of two guests. The bathrooms have tiles in a variety of colors, with flower accents.
• Standard King—Lakeview Room - These rooms have one king-size bed and can accommodate a maximum of two guests. The bathrooms have tiles in a variety of colors, with flower accents.
• Two Bedroom Suite, City View - These suites, which face west into the city, are located in the North Tower. They have two separate bedrooms, each with a king bed and can accommodate four people. They are about 600 square feet, with a separate sitting room and one marble bathroom.
• Jacuzzi Suite - These suites, facing east to the lake, are located in the North Tower. They are a spacious 1,200 square feet and have one large bedroom with 1 king bed and can accommodate two people. There is a separate sitting room, dining area, and one marble bathroom with a deep Jacuzzi tub.

Congress Plaza Hotel - Property information

What to expect: This historic 14-story hotel in the heart of Chicago’s cultural district attracts both leisure travelers and conventioneers. The lobby is lit with chandeliers and filled with leather chairs while, in the same space, a central stone fountain, tile murals, and Greek statues create the feel of an Italian courtyard. This hotel is within 0.5 miles of the Loop theaters, and across the street from Grant and Millennium Parks.
• Amenity highlights: The hotel offers extras such as a game room with pinball machines, and a tavern with a pool table. Conveniences include a barbershop, fitness room, shoeshine stand, and well-stocked gift shop. The hotel’s 50,000 square feet of meeting space includes the 1908 Gold Room with frescoes and gold leaf trim, which was completely restored in 1999. Window-filled rooms and public spaces offer commanding view of Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain.
• Insider tip: This hotel is a great place for fireworks fans, as it has prime views of the city’s July 3rd fireworks display from many of its guestrooms and public areas. Each Wednesday and Saturday, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the city sets off fireworks from Navy Pier—also within sight of the hotel. The parks across the street offer ice-skating in winter, and, in the summer, music festivals and the Taste of Chicago.

Congress Plaza Hotel - Dining information

• Gazebo Restaurant - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in a charming room that can be expanded for large groups. Breakfast includes a continental buffet and a menu offering choices such as thick-cut French toast, lox and bagels, and eggs with meat. The lunch menu has a variety of salads and sandwiches. Dinner options include chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and individual gourmet pizzas.
• The Tavern Tap Pub - This casual bar, adjacent to the Italian-style lobby, offers cocktails, beer, complimentary snacks, a pool table and video games, and a well-stocked jukebox. Light sandwiches are offered until late each day.

Congress Plaza Hotel - Recreation information

"Guests can run, walk, bicycle, or skate on the path that runs along Lake Michigan for 20 miles. It’s accessed via Grant Park, about 5 blocks from the hotel. Bicycles, in-line skates, and pedal-powered buggies that can carry groups are available for rent at several beachfront locations. During the summer, Oak Street Beach, about 2 miles north, is popular for sunbathing and swimming when lifeguards are on duty. Also in summer, beach volleyball courts are available for rent or pick-up games. Canoeing, kayaking, and rowing equipment is available for rent at the Lincoln Park Boathouse, 4 miles north of the hotel. A public golf course is located 6 miles north.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply."

• Aerobics classes
• Basketball court
• Bicycle riding/rental
• Boating
• Canoe
• Cross-country skiing
• Dock
• Fishing
• Golf
• Golf - driving range
• Hiking/biking trails
• Ice skating
• Kayaking
• Running track/path
• Sailing
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Windsurfing

Congress Plaza Hotel - Policy information

• Per-night charges apply for cars and vans in valet parking.
• Extra person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
• There are no room charges for children 17 and younger occupying the same room as their parents.
• Rollaways and cribs may be available and should be requested at the time of booking; fees may apply.
• Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required upon check-in for incidental charges.
• All special requests are subject to availability upon check-in.
• Check-in time is 3:00 PM
• Check-out time is 12:00 PM
• Pets considered

Congress Plaza Hotel - Amenities

• Air conditioning
• AM/FM radio
• Bathrobes
• Bathroom telephone
• Cable/satellite TV
• Climate control
• Clock radio
• Coffee/tea maker
• Complimentary newspaper (M-F)
• Desk
• "Extra towels, linens, bedding"
• Hair dryer
• Iron/ironing board
• Maid service
• Modem Internet access
• Multi-line phone
• Non-smoking rooms
• Refrigerator
• Smoking rooms
• Voice mail
• Wheelchair accessible
• Window open-operating

Congress Plaza Hotel - Attractions

• In business district
• In city center
• Near convention center
• Water nearby
• Loop business district – 2 blocks
• Art Institute of Chicago – 1 block
• Loop theater district – 0.5 miles
• Tribune Tower – 1 mile
• Wrigley Building – 1 mile
• North Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile – 4 blocks
• Sears Tower – 1 mile
• Soldier Field – 1 mile
• Museum Campus – 1 mile
• Historic Water Tower – 1.5 miles
• John Hancock Center – 1.5 miles
• Museum of Contemporary Art – 1.5 miles
• Oak Street shopping – 2 miles
• Oak Street Beach – 2 miles
• Navy Pier – 2 miles
• McCormick Place Convention Center – 1 mile
• United Center – 3.5 miles
• Comiskey Park – 4 miles
• Wrigley Field – 6 miles
• Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course – 6 miles

  O’Hare International Airport (ORD): Approximate driving time is 30 minutes and distance is 18 miles.

  Driving directions from O’Hare International Airport: Depart the airport by driving northeast on the Departures ramp. Merge onto I-190 heading east toward Chicago. I-190 East becomes the Kennedy Expwy/I-90 East; continue on I-90 East. Take the Congress Pkwy/I-290 exit toward Chicago Loop, and merge onto I-290 East. This turns into Congress Pkwy. Continue on Congress Pkway to S Michigan Ave. Turn right and proceed to the hotel, which is located at 520 S Michigan Ave.

Congress Plaza Hotel - Address

Congress Plaza Hotel
520 S Michigan Ave
Chicago