The multitude of designs found throughout hundreds of Chicago hotels each exemplify a different aesthetic and cater to an array of tastes and needs. Some are simply decorated and offer cheap accommodation for budget travelers. Other hotels, like many of the sleek Chicago boutique hotels, exhibit a hip, stylish decor catering to a modern crowd seeking up-to-date amenities and services in state-of-the-art design. The Congress Plaza Hotel is in another category entirely, along with numerous historic hotels in the city.

Behind the facade of the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago lies a long, rich history that began in 1893, the year the building was erected. Those were the days of horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone streets, and gaslights. The hotel made its debut for the Chicago World's Fair, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, a celebration commemorating the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World. This aspect alone makes the Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago a special place to stay. Originally named the Auditorium Annex, the hotel was built as an addition to the Louis Sullivan's Auditorium Building, which still sits across the street.

In 1908 the hotel was renamed the Congress Plaza Hotel, giving it an identity all its own while adding a new air of distinction. It is located across from the revered Congress Plaza section of Grant Park. Numerous renovation and remodeling projects throughout the years have kept the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago aligned with the high standards of the top Chicago hotels, yet it still stands unique because of its illustrious past. The hotel's various owners have done a magnificent job blending new elements with old favorites, keeping the hotel true to its roots while still remaining progressive. Famous for hosting eight U.S. Presidents, this Chicago hotel is still as refined and regal as it was decades ago.

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The Chicago Congress Plaza has 850 well-designed rooms and suites, including standard doubles, standard kings, lake-view kings, and lakefront suites, with the last being the most luxurious. Double rooms can be linked together through doorways to create a specifically sized room to accommodate any number of family members. Large closets, high ceilings, and wide picture windows are a few of the features of all rooms and suites inside the Congress Plaza Hotel

Renowned for its incredible amount of meeting space, the Chicago Congress Plaza is a favorite of business travelers requiring any number of accommodations and services. The hotel also offers concierge services ideal for assisting guests with everything from shopping ideas to nightlife options and dining reservations. There is an excellent on-site restaurant and a casual pub ideal for entertaining clients or just relaxing. A barber shop, valet service, modern fitness facility, and airport shuttle to both the O'Hare and Midway airports are also available to guests of the Chicago Congress Plaza.

Guests of the Congress Plaza Hotel also enjoy easy access to some of the city's best attractions. With Grant Park only a stone's throw away, visitors have unrivaled access to a wealth of outdoor concerts and a panoramic view of the lakefront. Numerous events and festivals, including the celebrated Taste of Chicago, happen within steps of the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago. A short walk yields access to more fantastic attractions such as the Loop neighborhood, Harold Washington Library, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Willis Tower. The Congress Plaza Hotel offers a number of excellent amenities and services that, along with its sophisticated and unique history, help make it one of the most prominent hotels in Chicago.