The Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago, IL)

Take a step back in time with me as I share about my stay at the Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center while visiting Chicago, IL. Whether you’re in town for business or leisure, this luxury hotel in downtown Chicago is always a wise choice. Come along as tell you about this beautiful hotel…

The Congress Plaza Hotel has such a rich history and has been a Chicago icon for over 125 years! Originally built in 1893, the Congress Plaza Hotel is legendary and has played host to many international celebrities, presidents (including William Howard Taft, Teddy Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, William McKinley, and Grover Cleveland), and world leaders.

The Congress Plaza Hotel was originally named the Auditorium Annex when it opened to tourists in 1893. It was built by developer R.H. Southgate, with a north tower designed by Clinton Warren. The south tower was built between 1902 and 1907 and featured a luxurious banquet hall, which quickly became the first ballroom in America to use air conditioning.

The Congress Plaza Hotel was routinely updated through the years as new owners tried keeping the hotel modern. By 1908, the hotel was an absolute force in Chicago with over 1,000 guest rooms. In 1911, the name was changed to the Congress Hotel due to its location as the hotel was conveniently situated on Congress street adjacent to the Congress Plaza section of Grant Park. With the new name came new guests, and the hotel did everything it could to accommodate them. This included electrical outlets and desk lamps replacing chandeliers from 1916 to 1917. The bathroom plumbing was replaced from 1923 to 1924. In the 1930’s, the former Elizabethan room was renamed and became a vibrant nightclub hosting a bandstand. In 1935, that same room became the centerpiece for an NBC radio show featuring Benny Goodman. When WWII broke out, the government purchased the hotel and used it to house army officers. From 1950 to 1952, Pick Hotel Corporation began a grand remodeling and renovation program of the entire hotel, happening again in the 1960s.

Today you can visit the Congress Plaza Hotel and experience spacious guest rooms and suites well-equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including complimentary Wi-Fi, ultra plush pillowtop beds, and flat-screen TVs with cable and satellite. During my stay I had one of the Lakeview rooms and it included an amazing panoramic scene of Lake Michigan. So beautiful!

During your stay if you’re craving something good to eat, you can check out the trio of appetizing restaurants at the Congress Plaza Hotel. Whether you want a quick bite before exploring the city or you prefer a sit-down meal to celebrate a special event, the Congress Plaza Hotel has it all! You can choose from the Gazebo Restaurant, Rafael’s Restaurant, or the Congress Lounge. My group had dinner one night at Rafael’s Restaurant and it did not disappoint! I had a delicious Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo dish and a cocktail with a view of Michigan Lake from my seat. It was remarkable! On another night when my group wasn’t quite ready to go up to our rooms, we hung out at the Congress Lounge where we enjoyed drinks at the bar while appreciating some nice conversation. Great places to check out at the Congress Plaza Hotel!

Speaking of exploring the city, the legendary location of the Congress Plaza Hotel puts you within close proximity to the city’s finest, including Grant Park, Navy Pier, as well as museums and cultural attractions. Within a short distance, you can discover “Chicago’s Front Yard,” along with sought-after sites such as the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry. This luxury hotel is conveniently located to explore downtown Chicago.

Before I close I do want to mention that according to hotel staff and other guests I chatted with, the Congress Plaza Hotel has been considered to be haunted as there have been ghost sightings on each floor of the hotel. Yikes! During our stay however, my group did not encounter any ghosts (thank goodness!), but if haunted hotels are your thing, this may just be the place to stay!

Either way, during your next visit to downtown Chicago, be sure to check out the luxurious Congress Plaza Hotel and Convention Center! There is so much history here and it is the perfect location to do all of your downtown sightseeing.

Enjoy, friends!