The Drake Hotel

Chicago, USA

Star 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 (2738)
  • Very good (1377)
  • Average (621)
  • Poor (353)
  • Terrible (215)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wedding in Chicago.

Jul 5, 2025 happyhubbie New York

Attended a family wedding in Chicago, the wedding party was staying at the Drake, so we stayed there. Having now stayed there, it wouldn’t have been my first choice. I know that the hotel is a “classic” with quite a history, but it is quite rundown. My room had wall paper hanging from the corner and the couch was not just worn, it had a tear in… Read more
Attended a family wedding in Chicago, the wedding party was staying at the Drake, so we stayed there. Having now stayed there, it wouldn’t have been my first choice. I know that the hotel is a “classic” with quite a history, but it is quite rundown. My room had wall paper hanging from the corner and the couch was not just worn, it had a tear in the arm. The public spaces are fine. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Old and Tired

Jun 23, 2025 yankeetravels27 New York City, New York

This was clearly once a fabulous hotel. The lobby area is still very grand and the location could not be better. However everything else in the hotel is old and tired. The wallpaper in the rooms is stained, the paint is chipping, and it frankly just smells old. Don’t get me wrong, I love a historic hotel, but I expect it to be comfortable as well… Read more
This was clearly once a fabulous hotel. The lobby area is still very grand and the location could not be better. However everything else in the hotel is old and tired. The wallpaper in the rooms is stained, the paint is chipping, and it frankly just smells old. Don’t get me wrong, I love a historic hotel, but I expect it to be comfortable as well and this was not. The gym was well appointed to give credit where due. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The drake

Jun 20, 2025 Rafael G

Daphne from HGV was very helpful with recommendations and suggestions. I love the drake and her hospitality was the perfect touch for the drake. Very funny and I will be coming back again
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The place to stay for high-end shopping

Jun 20, 2025 B2493DYkathyl Concord, New Hampshire

The Drake is a very nice (though can be pricey) hotel in downtown Chicago. It's near all the high-end shopping and good restaurants. Some rooms have a nice lake view so ask for one of those. The rooms aren't as elegant as you might expect but they were good. The bed was really soft but I enjoyed that.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Chicago

Jun 9, 2025 273melindaa

Hotel was conveniently located. Our room was very small but clean. Bed was wonderful. Bathroom, although tub/shower combo was adequate. Had a slight view of Lake Michigan, park below was lovely. Easy walk to magnificent mile and to the beach.