BookIt.com Verified Traveler Rob Chase from Clark, Mo

"This room cost us nearly $300 during the marathon. To start with, the bathroom door wouldn't close and the bath tub wouldn't drain. The heating system was very noisey making it impossible to get a good nights rest before running a marathon. Internet access cost $4.95 per 15 minutes/ per computer. All movie channels cost extra. They charge a fee to call the front desk !!!! $35 to park your car and they leave your keys in the ignition ?? I will sleep in a tent before I stay there again"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Cat from Irvine, Ca

"I was kind of leery about staying at this hotel because of all the negative comments but we were going to Chicago for a wedding that took place at the hotel so we thought it would be convenient to stay there. I don't know why the negative comments. I thought the hotel had a lot of history and character. The room was small but clean, the sheets were clean, the TV worked, the bathroom was remodeled and we had plenty of hot water! The staff was friendly and when we called for more towels we had them within 10 minutes. If you want all the modern amenities then I would strongly stay at a 5 star hotel. The location was perfect-we walked everywhere.. I would stay there again and would recommend this hotel."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Becky from Chicago, Illinois

"I was less than enthused with our room for the price we paid. The room was very dark, no artwork in the room, the carpet was dirty, there was no fan in the bathroom, there was broken tile in the shower... etc... My friends and I were very glad that we were only there to sleep, and only for one night. It may have been a good rate for Chicago, but i have had a cleaner and nicer room in cheap motels... so there really is no excuse. We won't be staying here again."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Janet Hofmeyer

"The staff was very friendly and helpful. The asparagas soup was delicious! So was the bread... Nice and quiet."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Christine

"First night was dirty and gross. Carpets stained, tub clogged, tv broke, ac broke, hard bed with stinkin sheets and view was a wall. Got another room and it was dirty. Trash all around, beds unmade and hair all over bathroom floor. Got a third room and it smelled like cat pea. AC broke, electicity went off in bathroom; it seems as though you can't blow dry your hair and watch tv at the same time in any one room. Staff at front desk acted surprised, but as I have found out, they are aware of this. It was an adequate location, but further than others from where we were at. All I can say is it should be condemned."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Gerry Chittle from Windsor Ontario, Canada

"Where do I start, first night was a wrong room kids all night running halls and getting sick in hall ways 2nd night well we leave room to go site seeing at 8am return at 5:30pm to shower and get ready for dinner room has not been cleaned had to wait for staff to come and clean another hour this trip was for my brother as he has cancer and is not well our first time to Chicago and it was bad.3 day had breakfast in dining room it was a disater.Staff was on strike no one cared about customer service it made our trip and our visit to Chicago just so upsetting .I asked for help at fron dest but again nothing they could do strike strike oh well thats what I got, I feel bad for other guests"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Kristine Ranciglio from Saint Louis, Missouri

"Great location, and we got a great view for the price of the room. The only complaint I would have is the carpet was so dirty, our feet turned black."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Deb from North Canton, OH

"The location of this hotel was wonderful. So close to the arts and surroundings were beautiful. As we walked into this historic hotel, it was very clean and nice. Lots of history and interesting facts regarding those who frequented this establishment. However, when we arrived in the room, you definitely know that whoever owns this place takes no care in keeping the rooms in top shape as they were back in the day. I noticed the curtain rod was rusted. The air conditioner was rusted and dusty. The carpeting was gross and unkept. The bathroom had no towel rack anywhere. No fan either. Doors needed painted. Our safe did not work. Someone had to unscrew the old safe and install a new one. Our room did not get cleaned for a day. The lady at the desk was very unaccomodating. She asked if I wanted her to call me at home and let me know she had talked with the cleaning lady after we had checked out???. I feel sorry for a staff that has to work making excuses for their establishment. Shame on the owner for not taking pride and maintaining a beautiful piece of history!!! At least the exquisite town of Chicago made up for the yuky room."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Scott from Belton, SC

" less expensive than other lodging options in the area, but there are reasons for this. Rooms differ from one to the other. Ours had two double beds, and actually was quite spacious. Our friends' room had a king, and was a little smaller. The air conditioner in our room was either on (and very cold) or off. There was no thermostat, and it got quite cool in the room when it was on. The decor is dated, but fairly well maintained. The cleaning staff did a good job. Valet parking is $40, and internet access is $9.95 per 24 hour period. In addition, guests are charged for using the business center. You must use a credit card to purchase an amount of time. The fitness center has some cardio equipment, and 2 universal weight machines, and all the equipment looks pretty old, but functioned well. Overall, I'd recommend staying here if the price is right, especially if you are staying for several nights. The location is excellent, in between Shedd Aquarium & the Art Institute. There are some subway stops just a few streets away, as well. Don't expect luxurious accommodations, but the staff seems to run things well. I would consider staying there again, but it would depend on the price, and how much money I saved."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Rafael from Cicero, Il

"The rooms looks so much darker and gloomier when you get there and its not the cleanest but the staff tries. Their gym is horrible no disinfectant for the two outdated machines the hotel has. Overall it is the cheapest of the loops hotels and the only plus side is the location is amazing. Grant Park is right there and all the trains are really close by too. If you're looking for something cheap and in the heart of the city then go to the congress but if you have a couple of more bucks find elsewhere in the city."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler PD from Troy, MI

"I thought the hotel was very dated however my room was overlooking the water falls in Grant Park and was a perfect location for the Chicago Taste Fest. There were plumbing issues it took 3 times to flush the toilet and make anything go down. There were spider webs in the window as well..... We were not in the room much so it wasnt so bad."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Susan from Philadelphia, PA

"Bad experience. I checked my suitcase with the hotel bellman's desk in the lobby for the afternoon of our departure while my husband and I did some sight-seeing. That was the only time my suitcase was out of my possession. Later, at the airport, I discoverd that my jewelry pouch, which I had carefully placed in the suitcase, was missing. For this reason, I would not recommend that anyone stay at this hotel. It seems one's possessions are not safe. This seems confirmed by the review dated July 4, 2012 telling how a couple had been robbed in their room."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Debbie Jacobson from Puyallup, Washington

"This was the worst Hotel Ive ever been to and the worst experience in any hotel I have ever spent time at.. We were put on a floor where we didnt see people for 3 days. Our door did not close properly. We told the girl at firont desk after we got back to our room after maids cleaned and it was standing slightly open. They sent no one to fix it or even check it out. That night after returning from dinner and going to bed for the night, our room was broken into with us in it and our wallets with cash, credit cards,id, you name it in them and the door once again OPEN. The hotel management treated us poorly, threatening to kick us out if we did not come up with a credit card for security deposit on the last night of our stay. Our son had to come and give them his. These people were insane. Even the chicago police had the nerve to ask if we just didnt lose them. If my son didnt live there i would never return to that city and most definately will never set foot in the Congress Plaza Hotel again!!!!!. It is old and not well maintained . The day we were leaving they were actually putting a new lock on that door. Dont understand why they did not do it when we reported it. They just moved us to a different room after being robbed and the charged us an extra $25 because it was bigger. They new we didnt have a credit card, id to get money or even a checkbook. They were completely unconcerned."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Michelle Watkins from Waukon, Ia

"nice experience"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jodi from Berwyn, Il

"I booked for double beds and was given a king for 3 people. The air conditioner only had one setting (low). This didnt not make for a comfortbale evening of sleep when the temperatures were 90's plus."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Dr. Theresa Dixon from Olympia Fields, Illinois

"Good locatiion but old rooms and no pool. Had to pay for internet."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Miguel Vincenti from Los Angeles, California

"I thought due to the location of the hotel the facility would be more upkept. We were placed in the south tower on the 4th floor and it felt like we were staying in a dungeon. The room did not have good lighting. The wallpaper was pealing off and the molding was not completed. It had an old feeling to the extreme. Its nice to keep the character of an old building but when the walls look like they are about to fall down it is a good idea to renovate a little. On an upside, the staff was friendly and it was a great location."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler A Recent Traveler

"Great location, very friendly staff. Not many bells and whistles, but the character of the old building and rooms as well as the perfect location... made this a wonderful choice for our trip to Chicago. Perfect spot for those not into the heavy tourist area but wanting to keep everything within easy walking distance. Great view of Grant Park!rn"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Lee Purcell from Griffith, Indiana

"I wanted an inexpensive (read, 'cheap') place to stay in the general vicinity of Millennium Park for one night. I was attending concerts two evenings in a row in Chicago and, living in Northwest Indiana, I thought that if I could find a decent place in the city, I would save myself the headache of back-to-back trips. In years past I had stayed at the Congress Plaza, so I had some idea about what to expect. When I found a discounted price of $89, that fit the bill. (It may be interesting to note that this experience occurred the day after security restrictions were lifted in Chicago following the NATO Summit.) "

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jim Waycuilis from Vienna, IL

"I stayed April, 4, 5, 6, 2012 and we had a great experience. We were on the 10th floor of the North tower, with a lake view out of the side window. The hotel is old but it was clean, we had plenty of hot water, the maid did an excellent job, clean towels, made the bed and cleaned everything. No bugs or any sign of them and very quite. The reception staff were friendly and knowledgeable. It was a great location on Michigan Ave with a great price, only two blocks southof the Chicago Art museum. One negative are the bed pillows are very hard and uncomfortable, bring your own or ask for different pillows. One tip, park on the street one block southwest, it only costs $20.00 for 24 hours, versus the hotel parking garage charges $35.00 for 24 hours"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler John Arnette from Eau Claire, Wi

"I was very surprised as to how old the facility is and out dated. Then to pay the amount, sorry I will not recommend this place to anyone."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jennifer Matlock from Columbus, Indiana

"There wasn't any hot water when they arrived. They did not honor the type of room we reserved because we booked online instead of through them. It was horrible! They only had 1 working elevated for a sold out weekend! We will not stay here again!"

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"I room in the standard twin beds. The rooms look so much darker and gloomier in person. You also get the feeling that it is not so clean. Their gym is atrocious. They have no disefectant for the two outdated machines the hotel provides. The only benefit to the congress is the location. Grant Park is right there so are a lot of bars. Overall it is the cheapest of the loop's hotels but if you have a couple more bucks look elsewhere in the city."

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"This is the second visit to the Congress Hotel in a year and I won't return.
It appears to be reasonable but it really isn't such a deal. Wi-Fi costs just over $11, there is no breakfast, no pool and any help costs tip money or no service.
For example, two people touch your luggage and two tips are expected. It cost us $6 to get our car after paying $140 to park it because 3 people helped."

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"We had 5 rooms during our 2 day stay. In the first one, the heat would not turn off and our view was of a scary-looking inner court area. The second one had a lamp with bad wiring. The third was decent, but the view was another inner court area (brighter than the first) and the lighting in the bathroom hummed until the light blew out all together. We stayed in this room the first night. It was fairly comfortable. We came back from sight-seeing, and the front desk called to tell us they moved us to a lakefront view room. So, we packed up, got our key, and hiked to the room to find it was occupied by someone...another guest, employee taking a nap...we did not stay around to find out. They moved us to our fifth and final room, which was nice. It had a great view and was fairly clean. The hotel floors are super (almost eerily) quiet. Both my husband and I felt unnerved by its Shining-esque like quality. Considering that we'd already changed rooms twice, it would have been nice if they'd moved us to the fifth room after having two bad rooms. However, they were trying not to give us one of their best rooms. The proximity of attractions to the hotel was very nice. If you choose to stay here, definitely don't waste your time with any room that doesn't have a lake view. They cost more, but the other rooms are NOT worth the money (unless you like creepy stuff)."

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"The only good thing about this hotel was the price and location. They advertised a pool, which was a selling point for the kids, but they did not have one. They also put us in a room on the street that was undergoing construction till 12:00am, so little sleep. the location to the attractions we wanted to see were close. If I was to go to Chicago again, I'd try a different place next time."

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"The hotel was very nice and my room was amazing and very clean for the price I got it for. I would recommend anyone that visiting chicago to choose this hotel lots of attractions and shopping area within minutes from the hotel. Even if you just want to relax at the hotel for your stay everything is avaliable to you such as eat in restaurant, bar/tavern, gift shop, and etc. So i give this hotel two thumbs up!!"

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"The website photos of the renovated rooms are better than the rooms in person. The rooms were not as clean as they should have been. I waited over an half hour for bath towels from housekeeping. I would not return back."

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"Building works outside. Front doors not working fully. Strikers picket. No atmosphere at all. Restaurant closed early both evenings jan 2 and 3. Bedroom poor quality of fittings. No hot water. Horrible rubber pillows. Electronic key changed before 12.00 checkout time"

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"we were not happy with the hot water in bathroom, the hot water tends to be cold, we already informed at the front desk, but no chance"

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"just got back from a lovely chicago weekend. The hotel is in a great location by the Chicago Art Institue, Chicago Symphony, Field Museums, Shedd Aquarium. The hotel seemed very clean and had a fresh smell to it. The desk staff were friendly and efficient and gave us an upgrade as well. There were a few men that were new and we were given wrong information about some of the tours and times, but overall had a great experience. Thank you!! this hotel is 1.2 miles from Train Union Station and an ok walk with wheelie luggage"

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"The hotel was very nice, the rooms were clean and the staff was friendly. This is a good place to stay if you plan on doing alot of 'touristy' stuff, like the Magnificient mile, the art museum, navy pier and Millenium Park. It was very easy to get around the city using the public transit system and the hotel is located with in walking distance of at least four El stops."

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