Drake - Pure old-school class

Before I visited Chicago, I knew that they filmed the Batman movie The Dark Knight in the Windy City, but had never really heard an explanation for why they chose Chicago to replicate Gotham City. After visiting classic, Art Deco-inspired hotels like the Drake Chicago, I had my answer.

The Drake Hotel is one of the coolest buildings I explored in Chicago. While it's not quite as unique as the Excalibur down the road (which is as Gothic a building as I've ever seen), The Drake is the perfect example of Art Deco architecture from the Depression era. 

The lobby gives off the same classic vibe, though I only visited briefly; wood furnishings, comfortable chairs and dim lighting - more sophisticated than your average hotel lobby, but not much different, either. Than again, the vibes in the Drake Hotel lobby compared to, say, the JW Marriott were completely different; one was classic, the other modern - and the discrepancies were everywhere. The Drake certainly has its own unique atmosphere incomparable to any other hotel in Chicago that I visited.

It was explained to me by one tour guide that the Drake is where "famous people" stay when they visit Chicago (which I suppose makes sense), and that their afternoon high tea is one of the more fancy traditions remaining in Downtown Chicago. 

Overall, the Drake is one of the pricier, albeit most well-known hotels in Chicago. Given how close it is to Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile - its just steps from each - combined with the luxury atmosphere in this North Side hotel, a stay at the Drake might be one of the most memorable you'll ever enjoy. Highly recommended if you can work their rates into your budget, though I would be sure to book well ahead if you can.

This review was made by the www.chicagotraveler.com site editor based on personal experience. Chicago Traveler was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider advertisements on our site.