We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
Free Newsletter

Interested in The Drake and Chicago?

We'll send you updates with the latest deals, reviews and articles for The Drake and Chicago each week.

  • Save The Drake
  • E-mail this page
BOOK NOW! ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87645?ext=true&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_BOOKNOW

The Drake: Traveler Reviews


Hotel class 4.0 of 5
Back to The Drake
140 E. Walton Place, Magnificent Mile, Chicago, IL 60611
Check Rates and Availability
mm/dd/yyyy mm/dd/yyyy
Check Rates
Opens one window for each offer. Please disable pop-up blockers.
Find Cheap Flights to Chicago

Reviews you can trust

71% Recommend
4.0 of 5 stars 307 reviews
Excellent
Very good
Average
Poor
Terrible
By trip type
All (307)
[ Date ] [ Rating ]
Avoid The Chicago Drake

The Drake

Save Review
1 of 5 stars
Warning_You   1 contribution
Planet Earth
Jun 26, 2009 | Trip type: Business
2/3 found this review helpful

Don't spend money at the Drake. The place is classic - but nothing remarkable. Just a rickety old building held together by the thick layers of paint. But that is not the warning - it is the staff. They will charge you (a lot) for anything they can and will not budge on anything in return. Read the other reviews here. In our case, out of ~50 persons there for a meeting (along with rented ballroom) two had reservations accidentally made for 3 days instead of two. Immediately the desk staff pointed to the fine print on the form stating it was a "contract" and they had to charge full day rate as an early departure fee. One person was able to get this retracted by the second day. The other was lied to by Assistant Director Tom Marshall and told nobody was given a break. Tom refused to talk to the comp'd person and threatened to call security. I'll make sure my corporation is aware of this place.

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay June 2009
  • Visit was for Business
  • Traveled with With Colleagues
  • Member since June 26, 2009
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? No
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Management response from Tom Thomas, Manager
(Management representative)
Jun 30, 2009
Dear Trip Advisor, Thank you for taking the time to write your review. We regret that you were disappointed in our handling of the early departure fee you were charged. It is our goal to ensure that every guest leaves the hotel satisfied with their stay. If you are ever returning to Chicago, please contact me directly so that I may assist you personally. Tom Thomas, General Manager
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87645?ext=true&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Button_Reviews
Average price*: $252 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
Good Value - Nice Staff - Enjoyed our stay

The Drake

Save Review
4 of 5 stars
bobco303   7 contributions
Denver, CO
Jun 15, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
2/2 found this review helpful

We got a Super deal from hotwire, at first I was concerned because of the other reviews on tripadvisor, but it was a great stay. The location of the Drake is awesome if you are coming for shopping and to see the North Shore. It is a little ways from downtown, a few blocks from the red line.

The first room we received had a nice view of the wall so we asked for an upgrade and got a beautiful room with a lake view for the rest of our stay. The first room had some peeling wallpaper in the bathroom and the toilet was in a strange location, plus the air conditioner popped and banged. Overall the first room was a nice size, not small.

The second room with the lake view was nice and quiet and LARGE. The bed was large and soft. The pillows were really nice as well. It came with a coffee maker, full sized ironing board and iron along with a hair dryer and a safe.

I have to say that they must put 90% of their attention and money into the lobby, because it is beautiful, but the rooms really aren’t as regal as you’d think they might be. Don’t get me wrong, they were nice, but if they were as nice as the lobby, I would give this hotel 7 stars. It appeared that the guest rooms were sort of an afterthought.

The desk staff was nice and accommodating.

If we hadn’t received a screaming deal from hotwire, I’m not sure it would be worth the standard rate.

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay June 2009
  • Visit was for Leisure
  • Traveled with With Spouse/Partner
  • Age group 25_34
  • Member since June 05, 2008
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87645?ext=true&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Button_Reviews
Average price*: $252 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
Rooms need updating big time

The Drake

Save Review
3 of 5 stars
gowarriors   20 contributions
Denver, Colorado
Jun 8, 2009 | Trip type: Couples

Definitely a Chicago classic with arguably one of the best locations in the city. We came in for a wedding, rates were still about $250 a night with group discount. I hadn't been here since my H.S. Prom in 1990. The lobby and common areas are still elegant, and classic. Staff is efficient and professional.

Room was really dirty, dumpy, and needed updating big time. Carpet was seriously 40 years old and needed to be replaced. Bed was OK, TV was an old POS. I really expected more, but I was willing to sacrifice for the rest of the place.

The wedding was great, can't remember which room, but it was awesome. Food was good and the service was stellar. If you're thinking about having a wedding here your guests will not be disappointed!

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay October 2008
  • Visit was for Leisure
  • Traveled with With Spouse/Partner
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since July 25, 2006
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Management response from Tom Thomas, Manager
(Management representative)
Jun 30, 2009
The Drake will begin the third phase of a three-year renovation program at the end of this year, which will include the first three guest floors of the hotel. As of April, 2010, all of our guest rooms will be completely renovated. With kind regards, Tom Thomas, General Manager
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87645?ext=true&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Button_Reviews
Average price*: $252 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
A truly classic hotel with very helpful and friendly staff

The Drake

Save Review
5 of 5 stars
saultme56   1 contribution
Ontario
May 23, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
1/2 found this review helpful

Given The Drake's reputation and having read some reviews on this site, we were unsure whether we should be excited or not. We were bowled over with the quality of the hotel, the helpful staff and the tastefully decorated room. We have stayed in many places in many countries and would rate The Drake as one of the best hotel experiences we have ever had.

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay May 2009
  • Visit was for Leisure
  • Traveled with With Spouse/Partner
  • Member since May 23, 2009
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87645?ext=true&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Button_Reviews
Average price*: $252 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
Disappointing

The Drake

Save Review
2 of 5 stars
AugustJordan   1 contribution
Jordan
May 17, 2009 | Trip type: Family
2/2 found this review helpful

I was so excited when i knew that our bid landed on The Drake. My expectations went through the roof given its reputation. When we first arrived, I was impressed with the nice lobby and grande ambiance in the lounge. But once we stepped inside the rooms, our feelings turned into disappointment. The room was very small. The twin beds were comfortable but also very small. The bathroom was outdated. Cleanliness level was subpar. The minibar was dirty. No wireless connection in rooms!! Given its pricey rooms, one would expect more of this hotel. I had to extend my trip in Chicago but looked for another hotel to stay in.

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay May 2009
  • Visit was for Leisure
  • Traveled with Family with Young Children
  • Age group 25-34
  • Member since May 17, 2009
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? No
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87645?ext=true&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Button_Reviews
Average price*: $252 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
Check Rates and Availability
mm/dd/yyyy mm/dd/yyyy
Check Rates
Opens one window for each offer. Please disable pop-up blockers.
Write Your Own Hotel Review

Been to The Drake? Share your experiences!

Write a Review
Add Photos
Add Videos
Travelers Who Viewed This Property Also Viewed
Location: Chicago, IL
$271*
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d217498?src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
$242*
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d111501?src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
$226*
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87648?src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
*Average price

Do You Own The Drake?

TripAdvisor has free and easy resources to help you enhance your listing and promote your property.

  • Start Here - Visit Your Owners' Center
  • Add Photo
  • Add Video

The Drake Also Known As

  • Hilton Hotels Chicago
  • Chicago Drake Hotel
  • Drake Hotel Chicago
  • Drake Hotel
Address: 140 E. Walton Place, Magnificent Mile, Chicago, IL 60611