The Drake Hotel

(312) 787-2200

140 E Walton Pl
Chicago, IL 60611 41.9001 -87.6238

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

THEDRAKEHOTEL.COM

Years in business

Established in 1920

Last updated 1.09.12

Category:

Hotels & Motels, Marketing Consultants, Luxury Hotels, Weekend Getaway Hotels, Family-Friendly Hotels, Tourist Hotels, Lodging

Payment Methods:

Check, American Express, Cash, Discover, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard

Lodging Special Features:

Romantic

What People Are Saying About The Drake Hotel

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – The Drake has an elegance that's impossible to duplicate today. From the wainscoting in the wide hallways to the mail chutes and classic elevator doors, there are vintage delights everywhere, especially in the ornate lobby. Lounge lovers will enjoy the clubby, intimate Coq d'Or. Also on the arcade level are many high-end shops including George Mangel florists, Chanel, Georg Jensen Jewelers and W.H. Smith gift and sundry shop. – – The Details – For all its historic splendor, the Drake offers all the amenities that guests have come to expect in a premium…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Take a break from North Michigan Avenue shopping with high tea, served Monday to Friday 1:30pm-5pm and Saturday to Sunday 1pm-5pm. Cost is $26.50 per person and includes finger sandwiches, scones, fruit bread, French pastries and a pot of premium tea. Reservations are required for parties of eight or more.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The location at the north end of Michigan Ave, with the lakefront path and Oak Street beach steps away, is perfect.
  2. Emploies were helpful and friendly and added to the splendor of this hotel which was one of the first on Michigan Ave. The views from our lakeside room were stunning and a delight to see after waking from an excellent sleep the night before.
  3. Very romantic ambiance.
  4. We had a lake-view room and, granted it's frozen, gave us a beautiful view - what we were looking for.
  5. Superb location by the magnificent mile and bordering on the lake.
  6. Nice rooms and great location, but you will pay a boatload.
  7. The location is perfect for e.
  8. ... using it to gain access to this site :-) Mini-bar, nice bathroom, and real comfortable bed and pillows.
  9. It is located close by Lake Michigan so it offers nice views.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. ... using it to gain access to this site :-) Mini-bar, nice bathroom, and real comfortable bed and pillows.
  2. the english breakfast tea is my favorite.
  3. magnificent tea tray, layered with sandwiches, scones and pastries.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. the public areas were nice and I had great service and a meal in the Cap Cod Room.
  2. magnificent tea tray, layered with sandwiches, scones and pastries.
  3. the finger sandwiches are delicious, as well as the french pastries.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. felt like I was in Europe - great classic place.
service
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. After the rude reception, I took the unairconditioned elevator to my room, the only room in the entire hotel that was available, so I was told.
  2. Overall the staff was friendly and concerned we were enjoying our stay.
  3. The staff was pleasant and serving.
  4. The "Drake Hotel", is the best there is because they have good room quality,service,amenties,good value,and overall they are the best.
  5. the public areas were nice and I had great service and a meal in the Cap Cod Room.
  6. Emploies were helpful and friendly and added to the splendor of this hotel which was one of the first on Michigan Ave. The views from our lakeside room were stunning and a delight to see after waking from an excellent sleep the night before.
  7. The absolute worst front desk staff I have ever dealt with, they were rude beyond belief.
  8. All staff were very friendly, they took their time to talk to you and made us feel really special.
  9. The greeting staff was messy and rude, they make you stand in a line then call you up like cattle.
value
100.0% positive
  1. Mahogany every where, huge chandliers sparkling, huge f.
  2. Got good internet price to hotel.
  3. The "Drake Hotel", is the best there is because they have good room quality,service,amenties,good value,and overall they are the best.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. The Drake Hotel has been around for a very long time, and is actually a place where I enjoyed my Senior Prom.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/02/09

A grand old hotel in a grand location

by mjoshea

This place is beautiful from the outside, but some of the rooms are quite dated. The location at the north end of Michigan Ave, with the lakefront path and Oak Street beach steps away, is perfect.

  • Pros: Can't beat the locale
  • Cons: It's old
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/26/09

Old fashioned. Just the way I like it

by anders79

I always stey at the Drake when visiting the windy city. You get what you pay for.

One on the few classics that still stick out in a scenery with high-rises and busy streets.

Comfort and luxury.

  • Pros: Yes
  • Cons: n/a
3 Star Rating: Average

12/14/08

To much for a Drake

by janillcarl

I was expecting so high class hotel, but it did have a funky old smell to it. Maybe they need to seal the brick walls from the rooms. I dont know, all i know is it was creapy. I rather have stayed at The W.

  • Pros: Historic
  • Cons: To old and smelly
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/10/08

Such a Beautiful Place

by GoldenAsh

The Drake Hotel has been around for a very long time, and is actually a place where I enjoyed my Senior Prom. It is a very historical in its architecture, in its longevity, and all that it offers. It is very spacious, being a venue for alot of special occasions in their ballrooms. It is located close by Lake Michigan so it offers nice views.

3 Star Rating: Average

01/05/07

Floating on it's reputation

by kjdeds

My partner and I enjoy fine hotels, and often when we need a break we'll spend a weekend or an overnight at a fine hotel. Who doesn't want to feel luxury once in a while? We had high expectations for the Drake b/c of it's princess Diana reputation. We were EXTREMELY let down. The greeting staff was messy and rude, they make you stand in a line then call you up like cattle. The lobby is tacky, looked and smelled old. Once we got into the room, the carpet had stains on it, and the bathroom was NOT clean. The room smelled like there was mildew growing somewhere. We wanted to run away screaming, but chose to stay positive and look at another room. After our complaints and an unnecessary amount of convincing the front desk upgraded our room. We thought for sure we'd like it. But again, yuck yuck yuck. It was matted down, stained carpet, smelly old linens and a dirty bathroom. The room looked like it hadn't been touched since the early 80's. Or like a set to a 70's adult film. There was even a murphey bed in the wall...gross and creepy. We just coudn't stay. While checking out there was a prom exiting, with wild, loud, tackily dressed teenagers dominating the lobby. And they were rude to us when we requested our money back and kept saying, "Well, we know it's not a new hotel...and if you're looking for newer and more modern this isn't it." Nothing about this place is refined or even classically old. It's just gross. Like they stopped caring once Princess Diana stayed there. I suggest saving your money and staying somewhere else.

  • Pros: Historic Facade.
  • Cons: The inside does not match the outside.

The Details on The Drake Hotel

Place Categories:

  • best drake hotel
  • very nice bathroom
  • beautiful classic place
  • concerned staff
  • perfect location
  • nice room
  • beautiful views
  • comfortable bed
  • good value
  • perfect everything
  • rude greeting staff
  • worst front desk staff
  • great meal
  • delicious finger sandwiches
  • just beautiful drake
  • fabulous english tea
  • romantic ambiance
  • great service
  • best the
  • nice public areas
  • excellent sleep
  • enjoyed senior prom
  • rude reception
  • helpful emploies
  • huge f

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