Beautiful old hotel! Lovely ambiance! Our room was cold and adjusting the thermostat didn't seem to help at all. Otherwise a great place to stay in read more

It is a beautiful hotel with a great story to tell. There are pictures of celebrities and royals but they do not measure up the beauty of the architecture and decor. Stop by the bar and lounge, it is a time capsule. read more

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Wonderful service by hotel and restaurant staff. Historic and beautiful. We loved our stay. Coq d'Or and the Reuben was perfection. Lavazza staff and menu, perfection. I promised Ms. Giselle a shoutout to herself and Caesar, and Chef for amazing Eggs Benny on a biscuit style! Thank you-all, and can't wait to return. read more

The Drake is one of those iconic hotels in DT Chicago, which has been around for about 100 years. They're located in the Gold Coast area, and many like to come to stay when they're visiting the city or enjoy their afternoon tea in the Palm Court. The hotel offers guest rooms, suites, and accessible options. Those who are traveling with their furry friend(s) are able to have them stay by paying a nominal fee. There are several eateries on the premise - Cafe on Oak for breakfast fare, Coq d'Or for drinks and cocktails, Lavazza Expression for coffee, sandwiches, and pastries, and, the Palm Court for the afternoon tea service. We came here for the afternoon tea service, and it was just an okay experience. While the photos online make the space look as if it's bright and elegant, it's actually dark, echo-y, and kind of loud. You can definitely feel the age of the hotel, as it's not well-maintained, and needs some updates, or better maintenance. Valet and self-parking are available. +valet and self-parking available read more

I was really excited about staying at this historic hotel, and while I realize the character and charm about the hotel is the existing architecture and historical details, for 400$ a night, I would expect nice sheets, a fitted sheet even and a shower/tub that isn't stained brown. The overall cleanliness of the room was severely lacking. Vanity mirror had visible filth. If I wasn't so exhausted and got in at midnight and had to get up at 5am, I would have requested a new room. I did enjoy the location, close to Michigan Ave and lots of shopping/restaurants. I did enjoy the chandeliers, enormous live floral bouquets and vintage touches in the common areas. The room was just such a disappointment. read more

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I would like to start off by saying this property is very proper vintage old money feels... From the lighting to the grandiosa painted new carpeting throughout the hotel... it was a very esthetic stay. The moment I arrived to checking in and getting my bag to my room, the hospitality was on par. All the staff was friendly and helpful, smiling during all interactions. I checked in just after getting off a red eye and the staff was so sweet, you wouldn't have known it was 6am. The entire stay was pleasant and exactly what I needed during my stay in Chicago. I would definitely recommend, if you appreciate vintage. read more

The Drake - Cordon Bleu @ the Drake - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really enjoyed my stay at the drake. Prices are reasonable; rooms are large and clean. Staff are very accommodating. Also amazing location read more

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Went here a mini weekend get away in the city for an anniversary. It was luxuriously fancy. It was about $350 a night which is reasonable given what it is. It's close walking distance to activities such as the Hancock Tower, restaurants, magnificent mile Michigan Ave, churches, and more. The service is very accommodating with valet, room service, and just any help in general; and they're fast. The tea time is a must as well! Definitely will come back. read more

Outward appearance was great. Nice ambiance but very dated hotel. Our room(s) needed TLC. Missing furniture, doors had chipped paint, bathroom doors wouldn't stay closed, etc... The beds and pillows are the worst for a luxury hotel. The pillows were non existent at best. The bed mattress moved and dipped in the middle - just horrible! Why twin beds? Switched rooms thinking the first room was just a fluke - not at all! The second room, although brighter was odd and had missing furniture (not the set up in the "Mgmt-type stock picutres" (misleading). The bar was speakeasy-ish. The disappointing part was our Waiter who was more of a Server with a lack of knowledge and enthusiasm for the cocktails. The signature Snapper soup was tasty. The pretzel was impressive looking but not very flavorful. The dips helped. Honorable mention - Chris the valet member was welcoming and personable from the very moment we walked onto the property even opening the doors for us ~ Thank you! So many luxury properties in Chicago - I don't think this one is top of the list. read more

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Baby, we descended on Michigan avenue for high tea at the Drake hotel. We were definitely the center of attention that day and I visit colors are Grace style sophistication and class and I love the customer service and the staff was very attentive to us. My first high tea so I was unsure of the formalities but our server was very sweet and kind and explained things to me in particular several times until I got it The lobby of the hotel is absolutely beautiful with a host this event and having the heart player just stepped up the level of class and the beautiful decor to top everything off and made it one beautiful unforgettable experience. Now for about an hour and a half you get unlimited tea and unlimited replenishment of the crumpets and finger sandwiches and desserts including macaroons. So pretty and definitely many areas to capture your photo ops experience read more

The Drake - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What a lovely place to stay! I was on the fence because I read a few reviews complaining about the hotel needing an update. Personally I feel too many upgrades would take away from the ambiance. The room was clean and we had a wonderful lakefront view. It really seemed like we were someplace other than Lake Michigan. We met a guy named Rocky who delivered us towels and we spoke with him in the hall. He was amazing! Very friendly which I must mention because it's very seldom you get perfect customer service. The desk staff were all amazing!!! The lobby was beautiful and inviting! The gift shop was well stocked..I can't wait to return! read more

Went with my girlfriends for high tea . Always so much fun especially when it's a ton a ladies catching up over tea. We had various dietary restrictions in our group vegan, glisten free etc . The live harpist played Andrea Bocelli which truly made my day!!They curated foods to meet our needs and our server was very attentive.wish they made some authentic British scones read more

The Drake - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here with a few girlfriends for afternoon tea and I was pleasantly surprised. Everything was excellent. From the ambiance to the service to the actual treats. They had a live musician playing the harp while we sipped on our tea and it just added to the entire experience! Our server was extremely kind and patient with us as he explained the menu. We were able to each choose a different tea which I appreciated as well. My personal favorite tea was "The Drake". Dark with a subtle berry taste. Now for the food, everything was absolutely delicious. My personal favorite however were the salmon and fruit tea sandwiches. Desserts were so decadent as well and the macaroons were to die for! Thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon with this calming and fun experience. Definitely will be back! read more

The Drake - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The good 1. The temperature of the water when taking a shower was great. No clue why but it was great. 2. Great location. The bad 1. Checking in took over 40 min for people waiting to check in. One person working only. But they gave us e free bottles of water..what a joke. 2. Finally after checking in, got to the room where they key card battery must have broke..I couldn't get in. 3. The building engineer brought up the wrong battery to fix item 2. 4. The kitchen was closed throughout the hotel even though the flyer said oysters until 2am. 5. The curtain to the shower may allow water to spill out. 6. Only 2 towels provided. I had to call for additional towels. 7. The manager at the bar said the below flyer didn't specifically say it would provide the oysters only until the kitchen was closed. I won't be coming back ever. Not even for a drink. The only thing I would like to continue to see if the Hotel billboard in purple. Go elsewhere. read more

The Drake - Lies.the new year eve's information indicated, oysters available until 2am. The kitchen was closed at 1030pm. - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Drake hotel is a historical hotel in downtown Chicago. I was able to spend a night for a retreat I attended and enjoyed my stay. It is on the rundown side a little but I'll say it adds character. Check in was a breeze the staff was very friendly and helpful and made my stay quite enjoyable. I loved the feeling of the hotel it had a lot of history in it. The room I stayed in had a king sized bed and was very spacious. The bathroom was a decent size but the upkeep of it could have been better. I enjoyed the conference room that we were in. It was the perfect size for our group. Check out was just as easy all you had to do was send a text and you were all set. Located within walking distance of the magnificent mile. read more

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Oh my goodness-what a classy place to stay in Chicago! Timeless and elegant with chandeliers, grand entrance, fine dining, spacious rooms with multiple bathrooms, cozy and clean rooms with spacious sitting area of couches and easy chairs, and an array of fine shopping boutiques on-site! The hotel borders the access to the waterfront paths which hug Lake Michigan. Notable and famous movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe and professional baseball player-Joe DiMaggio among a long list of others have stayed over the decades at The Drake Hotel. I highly recommend whether you are a local or from out of town to stay here at least once in your lifetime! Truly a historic gem. read more

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We just concluded a tremendous stay at The Drake Hotel. This was not our first stay here, but very memorable indeed. The service and attention to us was superb from all the staff, but we would like to mention two specific staff members. Nodell was very friendly and assisted us in a room we had requested, thank you very much. Linda wasaccommodating and displayed great customer service skills. The room was great, location ideal, and my wife enjoyed her tea time. Thank you, Mitchell and Valerie Wagner read more

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What a beautiful hotel. Very centrally located so you can walk to a lot of places. Beautiful architecture. Rooms are very clean. Service was very friendly. Both of their restaurants are wonderful as well. Reviews are coming on those. Our refrigerator did not work so they had to bring in another one. Nice to have HBO premium channels in the room. Coffee machine is a little Rinky dink and should be upgraded to a Keurig. Other than that a very enjoyable stay and a beautiful hotel. read more

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Lovely historic hotel right in the heart of Chicago. Never stayed here but was always in love w the historic look and feel of it. Finally got the chance to stay and liked it a lot. It's a beautiful place. The bed was comfortable in my opinion - it was firm. The pillows were awful though. Using two pillows my head still sank down to the bed. View from our room of the lake was awesome. read more

The Drake - View from room 842 - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is where my high tea experience began when I was wee bit kid with my mom, aunt and great aunt. It's my favorite aunt and great aunt's favored high tea service above all others, traditional afternoon tea at least. We had to wait about 10 minutes for our table. We took usual photo opp in front of the floral arrangement by the reception area. Princess Di stayed here. The harpist is playing in the background. The beautiful and large chandeliers dripping with crystals. The wainscoting, carpets, trims that transcend the turn of the century. It looks as it did when I was a kid but still looks refreshed and polished too. An hour drive into the city from the north suburbs, it's only 18 miles away, that's insane. We had to call and let them know we would at least 20 minutes late. We parked across the street at the Mag mile parking garage. We ordered the Melange du cap, montagne bleue and the fruit garden teas for me. Amir is waiting on us. He told us if we want more sandwiches or scones, to let him know, we could get as much as we want. Our tea strainer is a bit dirty for my husband and me, my cousin's was clean. We asked for a clean one. The orange blueberry scone was more cake, soft and yummy, loved it with the berry preserve. The raisin cinnamon scone was drier, typical of scones. The smoked salmon on rye is tasty. The chicken was decent, needs a bit more flavor. The cucumber is so-so, not super flavorful. The egg salad is quite tasty, the crostini for the egg salad is crunchy and nice, I so could eat a ton more of them. The salmon and the egg salad are my two favorites. The chicken salad could use a bit more flavor and the cucumber doesn't do much for me. We had 3 more rounds of sandwiches and scones. The macaroon was decent, chewy crust. The cake pop or lemon creme choux wasn't my favorite. The raspberry mousse domes on almond pecan tarts were both good. The chocolate passionfruit tartlet was my favorite for sure. Tea for 3 of us was $191.10 today. Amir was an attentive waiter for us today, friendly amiable. Each stall in the woman's bathroom has it's own sink. Needs some attention as there was water along the entire counter behind the toilet and no TP on the roll or paper towels either. The berry, dates and kiwi tea was quite nice here. The egg salad and smoked salmon was both good and the chocolate was also yummy. Atmosphere is by the best for an afternoon tea, service is great. read more

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We went there with a group of friends for their annual holiday tea, but it had ended by 5 so we stayed for drinks and dinner. There was a couple behind us who were also confused about the reservation mix up. It is a magical vibe this timewith a giant Christmas tree and lots of decor in the lobby. It has old world charm and glamour but It's also a bit frozen in time. The service was not the greatest. The hostess was very friendly and accommodating. The server was a bit snippy I could tell they were working short staffed. She did forget our appetizers and our coffee, and still charged us for it. The food took a while to come out and when we brought up the missing appetizers or the wait for the food she didn't apologize and was abrupt. The food was less than impressive. I ordered the lobster roll and sweet potato tater tots. My friend got the short ribs and that was much better. For dessert we got the peanut tiramisu and pineapple upside down cake. Both were lovely. Although I wasn't impressed I'd recommend anyone check them out for drinks and a fun night out. They have a great cocktail menu. read more

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This review is for afternoon tea at the Drake. The Drake is a traditional spot especially during Christmas time for tea. I have been many times and each time it does not disappoint! During the holidays they deck out the tea room with a beautiful tree and decorations. If you're lucky, they may also have carolers - check their schedule to see when they are singing. The service is great - always prompt and kind! The food is typical for high tea - scones, sandwiches and dessert. The tea is my favorite as they have rotating flavors. Tea has gotten pricier through the years but you pay not only for the food & tea but for the experience as well. Reservations are definitely a must as during busy seasons you won't get a table otherwise. Definitely a great spot to bring girl friends or the family! read more

The Drake - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very nice amenities and good location. The price for the room was reasonable and the fact that it was part of AAdvantage to earn miles was a win! read more

Where do I start with this place? We checked in Saturday afternoon for an event we were attending locally. Staff at check-in were very efficient and attentive, and when we requested additional pillows and towels, we received them in a few minutes. The lobby was nice and well kept, kind of had a old world charm to it. That was about it for the positives. As for the negatives.... 1. Overall appearance in the hallways and rooms was very dated. I get they are an older hotel and have an aesthetic they are going for, but keep it up. 2. Doors seemed very flimsy and not very secure. They were almost like a door one would have for a bedroom in a house. 3. Walls seemed very thin. You could hear someone sneeze down the hall. 4. Rooms are very dated and not kept up. There was a huge rip in the seam of the carpet that ran a decent length. 5. Furniture seemed old and just thrown in there. Almost like they went to a second hand store and didn't bother to clean it up or repair it before they put it in the room. 6. Wallpaper was bubbling and pealing in many places. 7. Bathroom size was decent for the fact we weren't planning on spending more time than needed in there. 8. Light fixture in bathroom was cloudy and looked it hadn't been cleaned or replaced in about 20 years. 9. Tub did not drain well. Probably needed a good rod out to clean any junk in the pipes. 10. Sink was leaking all over the place, thus needing extra towels to clean up around it every time we turned it on. 11. A lot of dark grime around the outlet in the bathroom. 12. Staff at the Coffee shop the next morning was very hit or miss. We had some people that were very attentive, but there were many that were very rude and short with customers. One did not want to make sandwiches with bagels (for those who had options of bagel or croissants), and even yelled at a customer when he said he ordered one on a bagel and they didn't want to remake it. I get they were slammed with orders from room service, but others were nice to customers. 13. When we paid for our order we were informed it was going to be a wait because they have quite a few orders ahead of us. Fine with us as we weren't in a terrible rush and understood they were short staffed. Our coffee was ready before our food, and when we went to get it we asked which drink was which and the person at the counter snapped and yelled at us "I don't know". Luckily another server said which one was which and apologized. I know people will say that it's an old hotel and hard to maintain. It doesn't need to be ultra modern and fancy, but how hard is it to keep the paint and wallpaper looking fresh and bathrooms really clean? There are other older hotels in the city with rooms that are in no way as run down looking as this one. I would not stay here again unless it was completely gutted and cleaned. read more

Spent two nights last week at the historic Drake Hotel in Chicago. It was my first stay in the hotel, although I have been to the city many times and actually lived there for a short time in 1988-89. The hotel does not disappoint! The majestic lobby, large and well appointed rooms, breathtaking views of the park, beach and lake, and the fabulous food and beverage were all noteworthy, as was the ideal location, walkable to everywhere I needed to be. But the most outstanding part of my experience was the staff. In these days where great customer service seems to have flown out the window, the staff at The Drake didn't get that memo They are, without exception, friendly, accommodating, efficient and hospitable. Each and every one of the staff went out of their way to ANTICIPATE my every need. They even have staff who text you during your stay to inquire how things are going -- if you have a request, they fulfill it before you return. The property is obviously well managed, the staff highly trained and well motivated, and their commitment to excellence evident every minute of your stay. They have my highest recommendation-- I can't wait to return one fine day. read more

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Beautiful hotel on magnificent mile that has maintained its classic glamour. Gorgeous lobby with plush carpeting and chandeliers. Detailed woodwork. Spacious guest rooms. Feels very luxurious. Check in staff was courteous and efficient. There were multiple contacts from The Drake throughout my brief two day stay inquiring about need for housekeeping, satisfaction with room, request to leave a review on TripAdvisor, and check out processes - it was too many for such a short time being there. Also, old hotel comes with old plumbing. My bathroom sink briefly backed up while I was brushing my teeth but the issue resolved itself. read more

The Drake used to be world class. It is now low class and the front desk staff hate their jobs and push back over basic requests: like water. Or a robe, or a mini bar all which used to be the norm. No more. They are riding in their reputation from the past. They got my reservation wrong at the desk, and then blamed me for their software program in terms of my choosing the "street view" online, but not getting it. I asked for water, you can get some if you go down to the front desk. They can't be bothered to send someone up at 10:00pm, so after a very long day, I had to get dressed go down to get a cheap water that had been sitting out on the desk. Look at the photos of the filth, The Drake is gone and some horrific, dying, architectural wonder is being left to rot. Hilton, you should be ashamed. What a loss. Don't waste your money. Just read all the one star reviews on Google. I wish I had. Never going back read more

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The worst hotel ever! Water pressure is bad. Call for room service they said you have to scan the code that is literally 30 ft phone the phone in the room. Tried the cell phone app it didn't work. Called for room service the guy hung up on me. The shower has a tub insert over the old one that feels like you're on a Pilates half ball working out . You're on a moving tub. Second time in a row zero refrigerator in the room. This place is the worse place I ever stayed. I would rather be at a motel six saving $300 a night read more

Love the lobby, restaurants and the history of the Drake. And the rooms looking like the 1920s grew on me after a few hours Also, ideal location! read more

I have visited the Drake a number of times, but never spent the night. To me, this is the old Chicago when times were easier and when you could smoke cigars at the bar; just something about the old hotels you don't find in the more modern ones. Grand entrance, beautiful ballroom and everything else you would expect in a hotel like this. The bar makes a mean drink and great food with top notch service. Nice little shops on the basement level worth a visit and the best thing about this place is the location. One of my favorite places in Chicago to stay! read more

The Drake is a cool and historic place to stay in the middle of everything. I really like the location and everything that they have available here. The staff here is very friendly and accommodating to make sure that you have everything that you need for the best stay. Good experience every time I have been here. read more

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Paid for a queen, received a full. Bathroom shower was cold every 30 seconds and... yes a cockaroach was in the bathroom. 100% not worth the money. read more

I booked a five day vacation to the Drake hotel in Chicago, and had the worst experience in my life... Please let me start by saying that my travels keep me very close to Hilton hotels, I love Hilton... But on this day, Hilton, let me down, my morning started off by text messaging the front desk telling them that I did not have any extra towels, I did not get the water that I'm supposed to get being a diamond member, I also complained about the room, the room was supposed to be upgraded, and I don't believe it was... The rooms are very old, very dark, Peeling wallpaper, stained bedding, stained walls, a lampshade that's got a hole in it... I could keep going on! So in the morning when I was asking about the things I needed help with "the lady" said that they would take care of my Valet Parking for my stay, I'm staying for five days... The valet parking at this hotel is $75 a day and I'm going to be here for five nights... That's $375 , I accepted their offer and thought everything was OK, I went to go get in the shower, and all the sudden I heard, banging on my door, so I got out of the shower and opened the little people, and it was some guy but I couldn't hear what he was saying so I told him just a few minutes I got back in the shower to finish my shower and then as I was getting out of the shower they were banging more so I went and opened the doorwith no clothes on just a towel and the gentleman who is the manager named Dan Weise told me that they had had a complaint of smoke from a nearby room, I informed him that I do not smoke. I never have smoked and he informed me that he was charging me $250 because he said he smelled smoke. again, I informed him that I do not smoke, and I have never smoked. Within minutes my credit card was charged $250 for some conduct I did not do I called Hilton right away and because I had not checked out they could not help...BEAWARE!!! read more

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I love staying at historic, old hotels that are rich in history. I generally try and have expectations that are in line with just that. I was not disappointed at all that we stayed here, the hotel is really lovely and situated where we could walk to everything, everywhere. The staff at all points were incredibly friendly and welcoming. We booked a lake front view room and were so glad we did. The room was a corner room on the fourth floor and was huge. The room was very comfortable, and was decorated appropriately for historic 'vibes'. I think the bathroom floor/counters were heated which was pretty cool, and I say that about the counter top because the towels were always nice and warm. There were a couple of old hotel type things that some might find annoying - like water pressure in the shower and radiator pipes banging every 45 minutes through the night (which did kind of annoy us after awhile) but we just chalked it up to our historical hotel experience at The Drake. If you are like me and run hot, just know that with the older hotels -- there is no AC to blast in the winter and you can't open the windows which was a personal downside for me, but had nothing to do with the hotel. I am happy we spent our weekend here and The Drake made us so comfortable! read more

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I was so anticipating the lovely tea at the Palm Court at the Drake. The harpist did not disappoint. Wonderful, ambience... But what tea room runs out of black tea... (Big Ben?) Apparently the Palm Court does. read more

Recommend afternoon tea for girls lunch or mother/daughter outing. A bit expensive, but nice experience with delicious small treats, including scones, sandwiches, and pastries. (Pro tip if you're hungry for more: 1 refill of everything is included in the price!) Definitely book ahead of time, as reservations fill up quickly for 1-month out. read more

The Drake - Afternoon Tea spread - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I told some friends we were starting at the Drake, and then said, "oh, that looks like a cool property! how is it?" Me: "well it's old" Friend: "in a timeless way?" Me: "no, in a sad way" This might have been a grand mainstay back in it's hay day, but not the rooms are definitely showing it's age and some wear and tear are beyond repair. We reserved a city view but got a room on the 1st floor with a view of the concrete and the native birds of Chicago; pigeons and crows. There was a wedding every single day while we were there and you can hear the bass all night long. You can also hear your neighbors each time they flush a toilet because the toilet lever attached to the wall is so old. The handles of the dresser were broken or missing pieces. The furniture is dated. Carpet is worn. Pillows are deflated and the paint is peeling, with clear water damage on the ceiling visible. The good: They offer free bottles of water at the front desk that you can ask for any time. The gentlemen working at the bell hop were very nice and kind to help you with your luggages. The proximity to Oak Street Beach and The Mag Miles is the only draw to this dilapidated hotel. No wonder it's for sale. read more

The Drake - Hair in the bathtub that's not ours after check-in - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Have you ever spent 5 hours in the kitchen and a big grocery bill from meal prepping your food for a week and then have to throw it all away because they're "out of fridges?" This is the place to go if you're into that kind of thing! read more

We booked one night in a family suite. The room looked absolutely nothing like the pictures online. The entire hotel is very dated. Bellman didn't offer to get our bags, or get the doors for us. The location is very convenient and walkable to most things. Access to the lake was great. read more

The Drake - Closet - Hotels Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Who doesn't love a quaint afternoon of high tea? The drake offers the perfect ambiance to satisfy your British cravings. For $55, you pick a tea and brew a personal pot of it. They bring out a cute tiered tray with different British snacks: desserts on top, cute finger sandwiches, scones on the bottom. The scones are buttery and rich, definitely try them with the butter and lemon curd. The curry chicken tart and the smoked salmon were my favorite finger sandwiches. And if you are still hungry, you can ask for another round without any additional cost. If you come on Saturday, there is a harpist as well to make the ambiance even more fancy and blissful. read more

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