I went to this hotel with plenty of trepidation considering the mixed reviews on this site. I was pleasantly surprised. The "picket line" was down to just four people, and the hotel inside was functioning perfectly. My room (a double-double) was ample, the AC worked, it had hot water, it was clean, and it even had a small walk in closet. The hotel does look its age, but not in a "it's not clean" way, just an old way. The staff was helpful with requests (the only one was more towels), although not flexible on a Sunday noon checkout time. The price (about $360 with taxes for a July Friday-Sunday) was right - at least $100 less than nearby hotels. The location is perfect for walking along the lakefront, Millennium Park, and it's just a 3 block walk from the CTA Subway (a bit too long if you're carrying lots of bags). If you're someone who refuses to cross a picket line, there is a side door on Congress St which allows you to get inside without crossing any picketers. The downstairs bar was nice, and open until about 2:30am (drinks priced average, food expensive). It's not a fancy chain hotel, but it was great for a place to sleep and bathe and see Chicago.

Do NOT ever stay at the Congress Plaza hotel in Chicago. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra 50 or so bucks to stay at a different hotel...this hotel is not worth it! The first room we were given was the most disgusting, creepy, smelly hotel room I have ever been in. We immediately requested a new room but found that one to be just about as disgusting. It was enough to reduce me to tears at the thought of having to spend my anniversary with my husband in this hotel. The room smelled of mold and mildew, the bedding looked as if it hadn't been washed in decades (I used a t-shirt as a pillow case cause I refused to put my head on their disgusting cases), the paint was peeling, the furniture looked like it was thrown together from rummage sales and the carpeting was stained and nasty (I kept flip flops on at all times, I wouldn't dare let my feet touch that floor). They did, however, have a brand new flat screen TV hanging on their nasty walls...they should save the money and use it to clean up their hotel. I will never, ever, ever stay at this hotel again and will do everything I can to make sure other people know not to ever go here!!!!!

I was given a room on the fourth floor in the Buckingham Wing. This is in the back of the hotel with its own elevator that is weathered and had a bottle of beer laying in the corner when I walked in. The floor's carpeting and room decor look older. The carpet and the wallpaper still have the Congress Plaza logos so these may be antique collectors items. However, the location of this hotel makes up for the common complaint that this hotel needs refurbishment. The rooms in the Buckingham wing feel more like servant's quarters and mine overlooked the car garage but is was large and spacious and had a charm of its own. The bathroom was also quite large. It had a flat screen TV and service was excellent.

The vending machines and convenience store are really expensive so walk over to Walgreens or 7-11 nearby to avoid the expense.

Across the street is the Buckingham fountain and Millenium park with the Art institute just a couple of blocks away.

All in all, the location makes up for the hotel's shortcomings.

We stayed in this hotel one night. We booked it through the internet for 160$ plus taxes. Reserved a standard queen room but got upgraded to a lakeview king room at check in.
This hotel reminded me of many old-glory European hotels. Although in serious need of refurbishment, the hotel got character. Most of the furnishing is dating back to the 70's, rooms are quite noisy, there were stains of water on the ceiling, but all in all the room looked clean.
Bed was pretty old and uncomfortable, linens were spotless, bathroom was clean.
The view of the lake was fabolous. Staff were non-existent, check in staff was ok, bellmen were quite rude.
All in all a decent experience at a decent price for downtown Chicago.