The Drake, a Hilton Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
The Drake is a night inside a 1920 landmark right where the Magnificent Mile begins, with the legendary Palm Court afternoon-tea room and Lake Michigan views that many rooms catch in full — it leans on history, location and that lake view more than ultra-modern room design.
The Drake is a night inside a 1920 landmark right where the Magnificent Mile begins, with the legendary Palm Court afternoon-tea room and Lake Michigan views that many rooms catch in full — it leans on history, location and that lake view more than ultra-modern room design.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Picture a big brown-brick hotel standing right on the corner where Michigan Avenue bends toward Lake Michigan — that is the first charm of The Drake, a Hilton Hotel, a Chicago landmark open since 1920 that has stood as a symbol of the Gold Coast for more than a century. Step into the lobby and it feels like the golden age of classic hotels: crystal chandeliers overhead, patterned carpets and decor that holds onto its original character on purpose. The roughly 535 rooms and suites come in many types, decorated in a warm classic style with soft tones and good fabrics. What makes many of them special is windows that open onto the wide blue water of Lake Michigan — pulling the curtain in the morning to that lake view is something reviewers call well worth it. If you love a hotel with stories and a sense of history, plus a lake view, you may fall for this place on the first night.
Food and amenities
If this place has one beating heart, it is Palm Court, the legendary afternoon-tea room that has been part of The Drake for a long time. It is a classic, luxurious space with a fountain at its center, crystal chandeliers and often soft live music — a retro feel that newer hotels rarely match. Many visitors come to Chicago specifically to sip afternoon tea here, and it is one of the experiences reviewers mention most. Next is Coq d'Or, a long-running bar with a quiet, classic mood, good for a retro-style cocktail in the evening. There are also restaurants and a café in the hotel, plus the standard Hilton service that keeps a stay running smoothly. The location connects easily to the shops and restaurants around it, so finding more to eat or a café is a short walk away. Overall, this place sells atmosphere and a classic experience more than packed modern amenities.
Location and getting there
Location is the strongest card here. The Drake sits on the corner of East Walton Place, right where North Michigan Avenue curves toward Lake Michigan in the Gold Coast — exactly where the Magnificent Mile, Chicago's main shopping and lifestyle strip, begins. Walk out the door and you hit renowned brand-name shops, big stores and restaurants to wander all day. Better still, several spots are within walking distance: about a 3-minute walk reaches Oak Street Beach, a popular city beach for catching the lake breeze or a waterfront stroll, while Navy Pier, the famous pier with the Ferris wheel, sits roughly 1 mile away along the lakefront. The lakefront itself is also walkable for a breath of air. Chicago station on the Red Line is about a 9-minute walk, so hopping a train to other neighborhoods is easy. In short, if you want to wake up and shop, sightsee, hit the beach and reach everything with barely a ride, this corner at the start of the Magnificent Mile delivers.
Things to know before booking
Straight talk to help you decide. The first thing many people notice is that The Drake is a century-old building, so while the classic charm is the selling point, the rooms come in many types and some keep their original decor. Sizes and condition are less consistent than a newer hotel, and some reviewers felt their room looked older or less modern than expected — check the room type and ask for a renovated or lake-view room at booking. Second, downtown add-on costs run fairly high, from valet parking to assorted fees that some reviewers felt added up to more than they figured; if you are driving in, check parking ahead, and the surrounding area has plenty of restaurants if you want to save on meals. Last, because it is a large hotel and a popular landmark, the lobby and common areas can get busy during high season or events, and some reviewers found the check-in queue longer than usual at peak times. If you prefer a small, quiet boutique, this may feel hectic — but if you value the history, location and lake view, it reads more as a plus than a minus.
Our take
After reading through hundreds of real reviews, The Drake, a Hilton Hotel is a place that sells the charm of a historic 1920 landmark right where the Magnificent Mile begins: the legendary Palm Court afternoon-tea room many come specifically for, the Lake Michigan views many rooms catch in full, and a location within walking distance of the shops, Oak Street Beach and the lakefront. If your trip picture is waking up to a lake view filling the window, walking down to catch the breeze at Oak Street Beach, shopping the Magnificent Mile and coming back for a retro afternoon tea at Palm Court, this is a fitting choice and better value than the 5-star hotels around it. But if you expect packed modern design in every square inch, or prefer a small, quiet hotel, the old building and large scale here may not be the best fit. Overall we give it 8.5/10, best for couples, families and travelers who love a historic hotel, want a lake view, and want a walk-to-everything location at a reachable price.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A historic hotel open since 1920 and a landmark Chicagoans know well — you really are sleeping in a building with stories, starting from the lobby under its crystal chandeliers. Many reviews single out this classic charm.
- A standout corner spot where North Michigan Avenue curves toward the lake, exactly where the Magnificent Mile begins. Step outside and you are among brand-name shops, big stores and restaurants, with Oak Street Beach about a 3-minute walk away.
- Palm Court is the highlight many guests come specifically for — a legendary afternoon-tea room with a fountain at its center, crystal chandeliers and live music, a kind of classic luxury that is hard to find. Coq d'Or, a long-running bar, is there for a retro-feeling drink.
- Many rooms open their windows onto the wide blue water of Lake Michigan. Waking up to that lake view is something reviewers call well worth it, especially the rooms facing the water directly.
- Good value next to the 5-star hotels around the Gold Coast — you get a top-tier location, the lake view and real history at a more reachable price. It suits couples and families who want to be in the heart of the city without paying full 5-star rates.
- This is a century-old building, so some rooms and common areas keep their original classic decor. Sizes and finishes are less consistent than a newer hotel, and some reviewers felt their room looked older than expected — worth checking the room type and asking for a renovated one when you book.
- Downtown add-on costs run fairly high, from valet parking to assorted fees, and some reviewers felt the total came out higher than they planned. If you are driving in, check parking rates ahead of time.
- Because it is a large hotel and a popular landmark, the lobby and common areas can get busy and lively during high season or events. Some reviewers found the check-in queue longer than usual at peak times.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- If the budget allows, ask for a room facing Lake Michigan first — waking up to the wide blue water filling your window is worth the difference, while the city-facing side gives you the Magnificent Mile atmosphere.
- Try booking a table at Palm Court for one round of afternoon tea — it is the legendary classic experience many people come here specifically for, and it gets busy on weekends and holidays, so reserve ahead.
- Because it is an old building with many room types, state clearly at booking that you want a renovated room or a lake-view room. Then walk out to Oak Street Beach in the morning to catch the lake breeze before the crowds.