The Drake Hotel

Chicago, USA

Virgin rating

Deluxe Room
Palm Court
Deluxe Room
Palm Court

The hotel

The Drake Hotel is in the finest location in Chicago, situated at the very tip of the Magnificent Mile Neighbourhood, and located right in front of Oak Street Beach overlooking Lake Michigan. It hasn’t lost any of the glitz or traditions which drew in Chicago’s glitterati for its grand opening on New Year’s Eve in 1920, and in the decades which followed. It still hosts High Tea, with its delicate petit fours and fragrant teas now served in the appropriately decadent Palm Court. You can still dine (and drink) at Coq d’Or, the city’s second venue to get that all-important liquor license after Prohibition ended in 1933. A milestone on The Magnificent Mile, with direct access Lake Michigan’s Oak Street Beach, be prepared for drama, history and luxury.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Room Service
  • Valet parking
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Close to City Centre
  • Restaurant

Where is it

In a central spot at the end of The Magnificent Mile, and with direct access to Oak Street Beach on Lake Michigan, this hotel is a block from John Hancock Center, famous for its 360 CHICAGO and TILT! attractions. It’s also just a few blocks from the Museum of Contemporary Art and two of the city’s most historic landmarks: The Old Water Tower and Chicago Avenue Pumping Station. Transfer time from O'Hare International Airport: 1 hour.

Hotel information

609 rooms and suites. All with individual climate control, flatscreen HDTV with premium movie channels, WiFi access*, fridge*, marble bathroom, safe and luxury terry bathrobes. Deluxe Rooms have 1 king-size bed or 2 oversized twin beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Deluxe Lake View Rooms overlook Lake Michigan with 1 king-size bed or 2 oversized win beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Coq d’Or (piano lounge with cocktails and whiskey bar, open for lunch, dinner and late nights). Café on Oak (open for breakfast). Palm Court (open for afternoon tea and cocktails, with entertainment including live harpists and Salsa dancing). Lavazza Espression (hot drinks, sandwiches and snacks). Room service*. Fitness centre (on-site centre, and access to neighbouring full-service fitness centre*). Arcade shopping. Les Clefs d’Or Concierge. Self parking $49 plua tax, per day and valet parking $70 pus tax, per day (payable locally, subject to change).

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2702)
  • Very good (1369)
  • Average (611)
  • Poor (350)
  • Terrible (208)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Sad State of Affairs

Jul 13, 2024 chicagoboi Indian Wells, CA.

The once shining, crown jewel of Chicago's Gold Coast is now just a decaying shell of its former glory. Hilton has neglected this historic landmark to the point of being a lowly two star hotel. Service is professional and friendly. They do the best they can but there is no excuse by the ownership for the state of disrepair. Long gone are the… Read more
The once shining, crown jewel of Chicago's Gold Coast is now just a decaying shell of its former glory. Hilton has neglected this historic landmark to the point of being a lowly two star hotel. Service is professional and friendly. They do the best they can but there is no excuse by the ownership for the state of disrepair. Long gone are the see-and-be-seen dining venues and bars, no more glamorous suites filled with the who's who of celebrities and global policy makers. The sad state of the Drake is a crime and all the fault lies with Hilton. Given proper investment and modernization, the Drake could be the finest hotel in a city known for hospitality and other renowned properties. I am glad they continue tea in the Palm Court and still serve their famous Bookbinder soup in the bar, which I why I gave 2 stars. Apparently, the hotel has been for sale for a couple yers now, which explains why Hilton has washed its hands of caring for it. Hoping a much better luxury company (Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Rosewood, Regent, etc.) buy it, then renovate the old girl back to its former glory. Maybe add some branded residences, new dining venues and exclusive members wellness/social club. This hotel could bring much needed energy and well heeled crowds back to North Michigan Ave. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Free update to a suite at Drake hotel in Chicago

Jul 7, 2024 Emma J

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the historic Drake Hotel in Chicago, and it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive. To my delight, I was offered a complimentary upgrade to a luxurious suite. Thank you again for great experience and free upgrade to a suite!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Stay for the history and great location, rooms could use updating

Jul 6, 2024 alxbchn

Beautiful old hotel in a fantastic location. Best part was its proximity to Oak Street Beach for when the weather was good for swimming. Close to major bus lines that take you wherever you need to go. Very upscale area which felt very safe. Furnishings in the room were dated but usable. Plumbing needs updating as getting steady hot water was an… Read more
Beautiful old hotel in a fantastic location. Best part was its proximity to Oak Street Beach for when the weather was good for swimming. Close to major bus lines that take you wherever you need to go. Very upscale area which felt very safe. Furnishings in the room were dated but usable. Plumbing needs updating as getting steady hot water was an issue. AC worked perfectly fine. Pillows could use replacing (not that supportive) but mattress and bedding were good. Housekeeping uses a very strong perfume/room spray that I had to ask Guest Services to tell them to stop using. On-site dining was good to have and while a bit pricy given their reputation/location, the food was good and satisfying. Large portions. Overall service was great, but the Guest Services receptionist got audibly annoyed when I called more than once during my stay. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating HONORS BREAKFAST INCLUDED?, not so fast

Jun 28, 2024 cmaldonados

As I was traveling with family, I booked this hotel because it had connecting rooms and included breakfast. To my surprise the breakfast wasn't the buffet style, so we asked front desk and they told us that we could go either to their restaurant or the lavazza cafe, we could order a la carte and sign to be charged to the room... and that's what… Read more
As I was traveling with family, I booked this hotel because it had connecting rooms and included breakfast. To my surprise the breakfast wasn't the buffet style, so we asked front desk and they told us that we could go either to their restaurant or the lavazza cafe, we could order a la carte and sign to be charged to the room... and that's what they did at the end of our stay!. I called the hotel and they opened a case where they reimbursed $15 per person per room, that's what the Hotel Management apparently has established as the "HONORS BREAKFAST INCLUDED" rate. That maximum I never saw in the reservation steps/screens or fine-print when making the reservation, nor is specified in my reservation confirmation email whatsoever. In the series of emails I had with them regarding my case I asked to be referred to where this maximum is shown and they said it should have been in the confirmation email or on the reservation flow of screens –which as I mentioned it wasn't shown at all– and that I can call their Guest Assistant Department, which sounds to me case-closed-you've-been-robed/deceived-and-we'll-keep-your-money-thank-you-very-much. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Terrible

Jun 26, 2024 emily_twist Oakland, California

This is one of the worst hotels I’ve stayed at. The worst problem was the thermostat in the room, which would not stay at the temperature I set and instead would move the temperature up to 90 degrees (this is in June) on its own, beeping every time it went up a degree. Both the temperature and the beeping were so disruptive to my sleep. It was… Read more
This is one of the worst hotels I’ve stayed at. The worst problem was the thermostat in the room, which would not stay at the temperature I set and instead would move the temperature up to 90 degrees (this is in June) on its own, beeping every time it went up a degree. Both the temperature and the beeping were so disruptive to my sleep. It was unbearable and the hotel was sold out so they couldn’t move me to another room and there wasn’t a single spare thermostat to replace mine. Other issues: - Can’t open room window - No fan in bathroom - Room layout doesn’t make sense (very tight squeeze between bed and tv stand) - No fridge - Hot water for tea tastes like coffee - No robe or any other luxury - Terrible view of a cement block - Shower didn’t get fully hot - Bathroom very cramped I was really disappointed and hope this beautiful hotel will get a full renovation soon. In the meantime, there are so many better options. My coworkers stayed at the Swissotel and loved it. Read less