I arrived to find that workers at the Congress have been on strike for SIX YEARS and to stay there is crossing a picket line. I couldn't believe that there was no heads up about the strike before I arrived in Chicago... "Today, Chicago housekeepers earn $14.60 an hour, while the Congress Hotel still pays 2002 wages – just $8.83... more

My 3 friends and I spent 2 nights at the Congress Plaza on the way to Nashville for a Sweet Adelines Barbershop competition. This was meant to give a couple of days to adapt to the time difference and get into the American way of doing things. I have to say we had a great time at the Congress Plaza.... more

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