The Drake Hotel

The Drake opened on December 31, 1920 — New Year's Eve, with a substantial gala launch that befit the hotel's ambition to be one of Chicago's premier properties. The substantial Italian Renaissance Revival building, designed by Marshall & Fox, was built at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Walton Place at the northern edge of what would become the Magnificent Mile shopping district.

The hotel's prominence was established quickly. The substantial Palm Court for afternoon tea, the various dining establishments, the substantial guest rooms, and the broader luxury amenities attracted the discerning travelers and Chicago social elite of the 1920s. The Drake's place in Chicago's social and cultural life was secured within its first decade of operation.

Across the subsequent century, The Drake has hosted nearly every American president from Calvin Coolidge through the present, various international royalty including the Emperor and Empress of Japan, countless celebrities and cultural figures, and the substantial regular customer base of business travelers and tourists. The continuous luxury operation across more than 100 years gives the property genuine prestige that newer hotels — even good ones — cannot replicate.

The Italian Renaissance Revival architecture remains the property's defining feature. The substantial limestone facade, the prominent corner massing, the Palm Court interior space, and the various other architectural details all reflect the substantial 1920s-era construction. Preservation effort across the decades has maintained the architectural character while updating mechanical systems and amenities to contemporary standards.

Multiple restaurants and bars operate within The Drake. The Cape Cod Room (closed in 2016 after 83 years of operation, but new dining concepts have replaced it), the Coq d'Or piano bar (one of Chicago's oldest continuously-operating bars, opened the day Prohibition was repealed in 1933), and various other dining establishments provide substantial on-site dining options. The Palm Court afternoon tea remains a Chicago tradition.

Beyond dining, the hotel provides full-service luxury amenities including spa services, fitness facilities, business services, concierge support, and the various other amenities that justify the luxury-tier pricing. The combination of historic character, substantial amenity package, and Magnificent Mile location produces a complete luxury hotel experience.

Pricing is luxury-tier — typically $300-$600+ per night depending on room category, season, and current demand. The Drake competes with the major Chicago luxury hotels (Peninsula, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria) at comparable price points. Travelers paying these rates expect and receive substantial luxury hotel experiences.

The Magnificent Mile location places The Drake in the absolute heart of Chicago's most prestigious shopping and tourism district. Walking distance to the substantial Michigan Avenue shopping, John Hancock Building observation deck, Navy Pier, and the broader Streeterville and Gold Coast attractions. Approximately 1 mile north of the Route 66 Begin Sign — easily walkable or via short taxi/bus rides.

For Route 66 travelers, The Drake represents the luxury choice for a substantive Chicago start to a Mother Road trip. Travelers wanting more affordable accommodations have substantial Chicago hotel inventory at various price tiers; travelers wanting the historic-luxury Chicago experience find The Drake among the city's most distinguished options.