Chicago Favorite
I've stayed at half a dozen nice hotels in downtown Chicago, and The Drake is my favorite. I enjoy staying in well maintained historical elegant hotels and The Drake does not disappoint on that account. The service is on par with the reputation and the location is excellent for Michigan Ave. / Magnificent Mile shopping, dining and entertainment. With any historic hotel, rooms can vary greatly from tiny to grand, so your experience may vary accordingly. It's worth booking at least one room category above the lowest price to set you up for a possible upgrade and keep you out of a closet (albeit an elegant closet) of a room. If you get lucky you may have a special experience. I booked a Drake Suite, and, upon request, was upgraded to a Gold Coast Suite with a large bedroom, separate parlor, marble bathroom with large Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, plus a killer view of Lake Michigan and Lakeshore Drive. If you are Hilton Honor's and get the breakfast benefit, that will be in the Drake Brothers Restaurant with menu availability against the credit, far preferable in my opinion than an executive floor lounge breakfast. Make it a point to have a drink in the Coq D Or' - claimed to have opened the day after Prohibition. Afternoon High Tea is another highlight in the Palm Court. If the rates for my dates are relatively reasonable, The Drake will remain my first choice when staying in Chicago.
Parking Tip: Hotel valet parking is $55 / night. On the north side of Walton Place first driveway just west of Michigan Avenue, 1/2 block from the front door, park at the One Mignificent Mile garage for $29 / 24 hours (no in/out, cash only).