The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

I recently stayed at The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center and had a good overall experience. The location is unbeatable — right across from Grant Park and within walking distance of many major attractions, which makes it very convenient for exploring the city. The hotel has a historic charm that gives it character, and you can really feel the classic Chicago atmosphere. The rooms were clean and spacious, though some areas show a bit of age. That said, everything was comfortable and functional. The staff was friendly and helpful during check-in and throughout the stay. If you appreciate historic hotels and want a central location at a reasonable price, this is a solid option.

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 cleane

Positive: Location Negative: Water in a shower was barely warm and it didn't drain. The temperature in the room was set to freezing. I turned off ac completely, but the room didn't warm up. The blankets were thin and I was cold at the night. Somebody's pizza was still in the fridge

NYE Party + Accommodation Experience NYE Party: I completed the party check-in right after checking into the hotel. The process was smooth and quick, with no waiting line. Drinks were acceptable. The party had two rooms with different music styles: one focused on electronic music and the other on pop/hip-hop, which was a good option for different tastes. I did not see any snacks available for General Admission. I was not actively looking for them, but I assumed they might be near the drinks area, and I did not notice any. The DJs played good songs, and the countdown was fun. After midnight, balloons were released, which added to the celebration. I later found out there was a photo booth, but I did not see it during the event. According to the email, the party was supposed to end at 2:

This place is like going back a few decades and then visiting a fancy hotel! It has a lot of old style charm. The appliances are a bit on the old side but the beds are huge. It is also super conveniently located for walking! On the back side of the building you will hear the trains go by but they aren’t loud. There are a few restaurants in the building and the lobby area is beautiful!