Maybe there are nice rooms here, but certainly not on the backside, where the El goes by every 2 minutes, just beyond the 400-car parking lot outside the window. Stalinist architecture, Stalinist decor. If there is an amenity to skip, they do: including hot water and clean coffee makers. Styrofoam cups, one packet of bad coffee, pay for your own... more

We went with a group of 4 women for a girls weekend. The location is great-within walking distance of Grant Park and Michigan Ave. The hotel is older--the front desk and lobby is beautiful. The rooms are a little run down. We actually found a condom wrapper hidden inside the phone book!! The beds are a little firm but pillow... more

We were in town for the Chicago Marathon and selected the hotel because of its location right across the street from the start/finish line of the marathon, and because it was much cheaper than other nearby hotels. We were there for 3 nights. Pros: location is great (close to the train system/public transportation, Field/Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute walking distance, right... more

My fiancee and I went to Chicago for the marathon and were so excited to get such a great deal on a hotel across the street from Grant park and the marathon start/finish line. We were a little surprised when we checked into our room. Though the bathroom had been remodeled, the tile edges were unfinished, the base boards hadn't... more

This was the last time that I stayed at the Congress Plaza Hotel. I have stayed there two other times, the first time in March of 2007. I chose this hotel because it was within a block of the campus of a college my son wanted to attend the following semester and I had never been to Chicago. Having lived... more

We chose the Congress on 3 factors: 1) it is in prime location in the loop, 2) it was the cheapest in that area-and anywhere downtown for that matter, and 3) the couple we traveled with stayed there in the spring. Our family of 4 (including twin 7 yr olds) liked it and would stay there again. We had clean... more

My wife and I stayed at this hotel in early October. When I first arrived to do an early check in, the staff helped me with my request, but were not the most congenial or welcoming staff I had encountered. I was placed in an even numbered room on the 11th floor. The room had a decent city view, which... more

We stayed one night here and it was a nice older hotel (with I am sure lots of history behind it). The room was HUGE and bed was nice, we also had a great view of the fountain. It seemed like we never heard anyone come or go so that was nice b/c alot of times you hear doors slamming.... more

I stayed in this hotel while in town for a marathon. My friends booked the hotel because of it's location to night life, but I was not interested in going out, since I was going to be running a race! It was a nice 30-minute walk to the Navy Pier, which was nice. The hotel is old, but instead of... more