The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

Name: The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
Address: 520 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60605, US
Telephone: +13124273800
Price range: $$
Rating: 3.7

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The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

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Elevate Your Windy City Vacation with a Stay at Congress Plaza Hotel!

Welcome To Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
Check Into Living History On Chicago’s Michigan Ave. Enjoy unparalleled value and gracious hospitality at one of downtown Chicago’s most legendary hotels. Located near Grant Park on Michigan Ave., with views of Lake Michigan, the Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center has been a Windy City icon since 1893, playing host to U.S. presidents, international celebrities and performers, foreign dignitaries and elite travelers from around the world.

10/09/2026

From the Archives 📰✨ This historical advertisement offers a glimpse into the Congress Hotel and Annex’s Louis XVI Dining Room, one of five celebrated dining rooms found within the hotel at the time. Inspired by the court of Louis XVI, the space was designed to transport diners to another era through its ornate details and elegant atmosphere. The advertisement contrasts the ever-changing fashions of history with something it promises will remain constant: hospitality at the Congress.

While the language and design reflect a different time, the message still feels familiar. For generations, the Congress has welcomed guests to Michigan Avenue with comfort, character, and a true sense of Chicago. Some things change. The art of hospitality remains. ✨'

10/05/2026

Chicago’s biggest Halloween party is returning to one of the city’s most legendary settings. 👻🎃 On Saturday, October 31, we’re excited to welcome back the as it takes over the Congress Plaza Hotel for a night of elaborate costumes, live DJs, theatrical performances, multiple party areas, and plenty of after-dark surprises throughout our historic ballrooms.

Make a night of it: secure your tickets at hauntedhalloweenball.com, then book your stay directly with the Congress Plaza Hotel, because after celebrating Halloween inside one of Chicago’s most storied hotels, you won’t want to leave! 🏨🕯️

10/02/2026

Reminiscing on our Balloon Room Era. 🎈✨ During the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Congress Hotel’s Balloon Room invited guests to dine and dance beneath a dramatic canopy of orange fabric, mirrored light, and theatrical detail. Designed by H. L. Kaufman, a longtime president of the hotel and an artist, the orange-and-black supper room was located at the end of Peacock Alley. Light from a slowly revolving mirrored chandelier moved across the room, while colored glass illuminated the edges of the dance floor. Each evening, guests gathered for late-night dining, live orchestral music, and dancing that continued into the early morning.

The Balloon Room belongs to another chapter of our history, but that same sense of grandeur, character, and cinematic beauty remains woven throughout the hotel today. As we continue our floor-by-floor glow-up, we’re honoring the details and stories that have made the Congress Plaza entirely irreplaceable for generations.

09/30/2026

From the moment you arrive to the moment you head home, we’re here to make your stay feel seamless. 🧳✨

Pull up beneath our Michigan Avenue awning and our team is ready to welcome you, assist with your luggage, guide you through check-in, and help you settle into your room. Whether you need a local recommendation, help navigating the hotel, or an extra hand before departure, genuine hospitality is part of every step.
At Congress Plaza, a stay is more than a room key. It’s knowing there’s a team here to support your Chicago experience from check-in to check-out.
Ready to be our guest? Book directly through our website for our best available rates. 💻🏨

09/28/2026

The decades following the hotel’s earliest years brought a continuous cycle of restoration, modernization, and transformation.

1916-17 Guest rooms were updated with electrical outlets and desk lamps replacing hanging chandeliers

1923–24 New bathroom plumbing fixtures

Early 1930s Brought one of the hotel’s most memorable transformations: the former Elizabethan Room became the glamorous Joseph Urban Room, complete with a revolving bandstand.

During World War II, the property entered another chapter when it was purchased by the government and used as a headquarters for U.S. Army officers.
1945 A group of Chicagoans came together to purchase the hotel and reopen its doors to the public.

1950, a multimillion-dollar renovation introduced a mural-lined lobby, a new front desk, redesigned corridors and public rooms, new Presidential and Congressional Suites, and the celebrated Glass Hat supper club.

The Congress has continuously evolved alongside Chicago. while preserving the history that makes it entirely irreplaceable. ✨

09/25/2026

Can you spot the details? 👀✨ The Congress Plaza is full of little pieces of history hiding in plain sight. From gilded crests and polished emblems to intricate patterns, rich woodwork & gleaming brass, every corner has something worth a closer look. Swipe through and see if you can find each hidden detail before the reveal. 👑 As we continue our floor-by-floor glow-up, we’re preserving the elements that give The Congress its unmistakable character while giving them a fresh moment to shine. How many did you spot before swiping? 👀

Ready to explore them in person? Book your Chicago stay directly through our website.

09/23/2026

From a hand-colored postcard of the 1950s to the Congress Hotel standing proudly on Michigan Avenue today. Look closely, and you’ll still find the same towers, rows of arched windows, and grand façade that have welcomed generations of travelers to the heart of Chicago. Cars, fashions, and the city itself have changed dramatically, yet the Congress continues to hold its place as one of Michigan Avenue’s most recognizable landmarks.

As we move into our next chapter with thoughtful, floor-by-floor updates, we’re preserving the historic character that has made the hotel entirely irreplaceable for more than a century. Times change. Chicago grows. Icons endure. ✨
Ready to experience it for yourself? Skip the third-party booking sites and reserve your stay directly through our website for our lowest available rates 💻🏨

09/21/2026

Hidden Around The Congress: Bet You Walked Right Past This… 🛗✨
When the Auditorium Annex (our original name) opened in 1893, its 11 stories were served by just three passenger elevators. As the hotel expanded at the beginning of the 20th century, even these practical spaces became opportunities for extraordinary design.

Located within the hotel’s historic 1907 section, this ornate elevator bank is framed by warm marble, intricate floral reliefs, Greek-key detailing, and vintage circular floor indicators. It’s a reminder of an era when moving through a grand hotel was meant to feel like an experience in itself, not simply a way to get from one floor to another. Thousands of guests pass through these doors, but the smallest details are easy to miss.

Next time you’re waiting for the elevator, look a little closer. More than a century of Congress Plaza character is hiding in plain sight. ✨

09/18/2026

Good morning from The Congress. ☀️🏙️ There’s something special about pulling back the curtains and watching Chicago come to life just beyond your guest-room window. Morning light settles across the city, Michigan Avenue begins to hum below, and a full day of exploring feels only steps away.

Whether your plans include a walk through Grant Park, a museum morning, or simply taking your time with coffee and the view, The Congress places you at the center of it all. Ready to wake up in the heart of Chicago? Skip the third-party travel sites and book directly through our website for our lowest available rates. 💻✨

Address

520 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
60605

Telephone

+13124273800

Website

https://www.congressplazahotel.com/

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