The Historic Congress Plaza Hotel: A Guide to 520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60605

The Historic Congress Plaza Hotel: A Guide to 520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60605

Introduction to the Historic Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois is a city that has stood the test of time for more than 150 years, with iconic landmarks and locations that bring people from all over the world to visit. One of Chicago’s crown jewels is the Congress Plaza Hotel, located at 520 S Michigan Ave in the heart of downtown. Opened in 1893, this luxurious hotel seamlessly intertwines classic grandeur and modern sophistication to offer guests a truly unique experience.

The eleven story Congress Plaza Hotel was erected for its 1886 World’s Columbian Exposition and opened as part of Daniel Burnham’s original plan for Chicago; it is also sometimes referred to as “the Grand Old Lady.” The hotel is constructed in the French Renaissance Revival style, with a façade made of gray Bedford limestone brought in by train from Saudi Arabia. This combination of historic architecture gives off an air of timeless class while maintaining all the amenities and technology necessary for modern travelers. For example, guests can take advantage of free Wi-Fi throughout the property, complimentary valet parking services or relaxation at one of two onsite restaurants while enjoying breathtaking views across Lake Michigan and Grant Park.

The hotel also boasts 10 meeting rooms equipped with various events capabilities such as audio/visual equipment rental services and catering options ranging from boxed lunches to full banquet-style meals. Whether your trip consists purely of leisure activities or includes business meetings or events, the Congress Plaza Hotel is well equipped to meet any guest’s needs. From its inception over 125 years ago till today, The Congress Plaza Hotel continues to set itself apart from other destinations for its unique blend history, grandeur and modern luxury – a must-see spot when visiting beautiful Chicago!

How to Get to the Congress Plaza Hotel: 520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605

Getting to the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago, IL is straight-forward and easy. With its prime location on South Michigan Avenue, a major thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of the city, all you have to do is follow your map or GPS.

The simplest way to get there is to take public transportation. The Congress Plaza Hotel is located just two blocks from the Adams/Wabash Station of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) ‘L’ system, which provides service along 8 of the city’s other connecting lines throughout all corners of Chicago and its many attractions. The CTA has direct bus services that go right up to the hotel’s doorsteps at either Stop 6146 (Wabash and Adams) or Stop 8736 (Michigan and Randolph). Of course, once you arrive by train or bus, it’s only a short walk from there.

If driving from out of town, automobiles are also welcome—and with every accessible interstate leading in an out of Illinois crossing over into downtown Chicago eventually, you shouldn’t have any problem getting where you need to go with ease. Just remember: no matter which route you select—be it I-90/94 heading south into town on Lake Shore Drive cutting down through downtown on State Street or riding eastbound along Grand Avenue and then routing south onto Michigan Avenue—you’ll ultimately end up at 520 South Michigan Ave., America’s grandest avenue lined with dazzling highrises like our very own Congress Plaza Hotel.

Whether arriving by car or public transportation, rest assured that upon arriving in beautiful downtown Chicago via South Michigan Avenue where you will find our iconic red brick building lurking among August Jalovec’s world class skyscrapers —we promise each and every traveler an enjoyable experience!

Step-by-Step Guide for Exploring the Historic Hotel

Step 1: Make arrangements and book your stay: The first step to explore the historic hotel is to make the necessary arrangements and book a stay. Booking a stay at a historic hotel can be an interesting experience, so it’s important that you thoroughly research all of your options. Consider both online booking sites and direct contact with the hotel itself to compare rates and amenities.

Step 2: Arrive in style: When checking into the historic hotel, arrive in style with your group or family. Of course, for many people this is already just part of their travel, but especially when visiting historical sites and buildings, maintain the traditional etiquette of travel such as dressing formally or wearing special attire when appropriate.

Step 3: Examining the building itself: Upon arrival make sure you take some time to truly appreciate the physical building which makes up your destination. Buildings like these are often steeped in history; take particular notice of older features such as original architecture, furniture or finishes – these are usually great conversation starters too! Take photos if possible – you’ll want to remember this great experience long after you’ve gone home.

Step 4: Soak up local culture & atmosphere: You’ll also find that enjoying both the local culture & atmosphere surrounding many historical hotels is part of their charm. Look up nearby festivities held by locals or special events organized by touristic agencies around the area if available – you may even have time to attend one before leaving town! Also don’t forget to try out some famous local restaurants – tasting different cuisines adds another layer to exploring any new place!

Step 5: Visit souvenir shops and purchase commemorative items: Last but not least don’t leave from a visit to an historical site without purchasing some commemorative items from local souvenir shops! If available support small business owners by buying products made locally around the area rather than mass produced products full imported goods made elsewhere – these will be much more meaningful mementos for when you look back on your travels!

FAQs about Visiting the Congress Plaza Hotel

Q: How can I book a room at the Congress Plaza Hotel?

A: Booking a room at Congress Plaza Hotel is straightforward and easy. You can visit our website to view available room rates and make your reservation securely online or you can call us directly at (312) 427-3800 to speak with one of our friendly representatives. We have many different types of rooms, so please ensure you provide us with all your requirements during the booking process to ensure we give you suitable options to choose from.

Q: What amenities does the hotel offer?

A: At the Congress Plaza Hotel, we strive to provide our guests with everything they need for a comfortable stay in Chicago. Our rooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning and blackout curtains as well as flat screen TVs, lounge chairs and desks. Alongside this, we provide complimentary 24/7 fitness center access; valet parking; onsite restaurant & bar; concierge services; a business center; meeting facilities and more.

Q: What activities are located close by the hotel?

A: The city of Chicago offers something for everyone! We are located right on Michigan Avenue right in downtown Chicago, giving our guests easy access to several exciting attractions such as Navy Pier, Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and much more! Our Concierge desk would be happy to assist organizing any additional activities such as dinner reservations or tickets for shows around town.

Top 5 Facts about the Historic Congress Plaza Hotel

The Congress Plaza Hotel is one of the most iconic Chicago landmarks. Located on Michigan Avenue, the hotel has been host to many influential people throughout its history and continues to offer a luxurious experience for guests today. Here are five interesting facts about this historic hotel that you may not have known!

1. Accommodating Presidents: The Congress Plaza Hotel was home to eight U.S presidents throughout it’s time in operation, including William H Taft, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. It is said to be a favorite spot of President Franklin D Roosevelt in particular who often stayed at the hotel when in town for political affairs.

2. Legacy of Glamour: Since opening in 1893, the Congress Plaza Hotel has always been viewed as a luxurious destination that attracted wealthy visitors from all around the globe. Even with its grand stature, it originally cost only US$10 per night when opened!

3. Influential Artists: More than just presidents and prominent politicians have stepped through the doors of the Congress Plaza Hotel; world-famous performers like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong have all had stays there while they were on tour in Chicago. This legendary list of stars makes it hard to forget how much history lies within its walls.

4. Home Away From Home: Buildings such as Navy Pier showed up throughout those years but The Congress Plaza remained a preferred option for travelers seeking a comfortable stay with full-service amenities such as room service, concierge services and laundry facilities – living up to its reputation have been catering to vacationers since day one!

5 . Staying Connected: In 2018 , due to popular demand from regular customers, many updates were made at The Congress Plaza so it could keep up with more contemporary hotels newer technology . For example , Wi-Fi was upgraded along with features such as Live TV streaming available for each guest via their television sets . With these added features , it guarantees a pleasant stay equipped with modern comfort !

Ultimately , The Congress Plaza is full of old-world charm that can’t be found elsewhere which keeps bringing back loyal fans throughout generations – proving it is still just as relevant today as when first opened over 125 years ago !

Conclusion of Exploring the Historic Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago

The conclusion of our exploration of the Historic Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago is that this grand and majestic building has withstood the test of time, despite its many hardships over the years. Its illustrious history of hosting iconic figures such as Queen Elizabeth II and other world dignitaries speaks to the timelessness of its architecture and design, making it just as relevant today as ever before. The hotel has gone through extensive renovations since its opening in 1893, but its historic charm remains intact. Today, guests can stay at the elegant hotel for a luxurious experience akin to stepping back in time. From its stunning lobby, original artworks adorning walls, and retro-style decor, you can almost feel like a guest from another era in this incredible landmark. It’s no surprise that The Congress Plaza is considered one of Chicago’s most iconic hotels and continues to remain an oasis within this vibrant city.

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