Drake Hotel
(14 reviews)140 E Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, USA 312-787-2200 Website Owner?
Recent reviews
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Ann K Shows
I attended a Tour and Tea while I was at a training in Chicago in April 2016. The event manager was very helpful in getting my reservation confirmed. I had a wonderful history lesson on the The Drake as we toured the hotel and its restaurants - we even got to meet a couple of the chefs. Then I shared tea with a colleague in the beautiful Palm Court. The waiter assisted us in choosing our teas and provided us with information on the amazing and ample food. The atmosphere was elegant but not overwhelming. There was a harp playing along with a gorgeous fountain that provided a pleasant background. The cost included the tour and the tea so I felt it was reasonable. I would definitely go back!
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Monica - Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Absolutely lovely tea. Took the train in from Rosemont and it was worth the trip. Afternoon tea was delicious and beautifully presented. Staff was kind and attentive. Harpist was an added treat. Do not miss tea at The Drake!
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Shannon
This place was BEAUTIFUL. We had high tea which was delicious. We had 7 women for a bachelorette party there and 2 of them were vegetarians. I don't think this was mentioned to the Drake at the reservation, but it worked out well since us meat eaters just ate the sandwiches that had meat and left the others for the veggers. I wish the desserts would have been done a little differently. They had 4 different types, but not enough for each of us to try one. Again, we winged it and just cut some in half. Overall it was very elegant, however, I felt the price was high ($36 pp) for what we got (but the meat sandwiches were roast beef and smoked salmon), and I'm from rural Pennsylvania, so maybe everything in Chicago is more expensive.
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Elin
This landmark of civic pride first opened its doors in 1920 retains the aura of yesteryear. We were settled in to the Palm Court Lounge and ordered when the harpist began to play. Their tea selection is a mix of Mighty Leaf and Twinings including 11 black, 2 green, 8 herbals served loose leaf in individual pots. We chose Mighty Leaf Ginger Peach and Pear Caramel. The Ginger Peach combines black tea with fruit and spice. Pear Caramel, made with Washington state pears blended with Ceylon and China black tea and pieces of caramel. A three-tiered tray was delivered to our table. Our tea sandwiches included egg salad and cucumber-tomato both on white bread, roast beef with crunchy onions on wheat, and a ham-asparagus roll. Banana bread and golden raisin scones with cream and raspberry preserves were served, and later, four pastries. The presentation isn’t particularly inventive or gourmet, however a pleasant traditional version of British-style afternoon tea in old-elegance surroundings. Our friendly and attentive waiter took good care of us. We were checked on several times and our teapots were kept full of hot water. The centerpiece of the large, square room is the fountain adorned with both sea creatures and cherubs and crowned by a 250-year-old urn. The lounge is eclectic and fancy, but not off-limits. I would suggest visiting the Drake mid-week when it is not too busy and you can soak up the ambiance of this American landmark.
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Melissa
I went to the Drake the other day and was quite disappointed. Service was poor we waited 10 minutes for someone to greet us and then were told to sit anywhere there was a tea service laid out. The tea while ok in quality, was nothing special and we had to flag down the wait staff to get more hot water. The teapots dribbled horribly and the cup and saucer were heavy, chunky restraunt fare. The food was meager and uncreative. Full afternnon tea consided of five small finger sandwhiches, one scone the size of half a golf ball and half slice of bannana bread each and three people had to share 6 petifores for desert. All for the whopping price of about $30 a head after tax, before tip.
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Melissa
My mother and I attended our very first tea at the Drake hotel. The hotel was beautiful, the live harp music was delightful and the service was excellent. We had a wonderful experience and have since began trying other tea rooms. Because I had such a wonderful time, I returned to the Drake a month later with a friend. The experience was quite different. While the elegance of the afternoon was the same, the service was disappointing. We found a hair in one of the sandwiches so we showed our waitress and asked for a replacement sandwich. She didn't appear to believe us and was extremely rude--not the reaction we expected. During my first visit our teapots were constantly being refilled without ever asking. During the second visit I had to ask several times for a refill--if I could find someone. Unfortunately the experience was disappointing--maybe they were having a bad day.
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Jeanne
It has been a while since I was at the Drake and I don't plan on going back! The food is just so-so and the server was rude. I asked before they served us if we could be served more of the cucumber sandwiches and less of one of the others since they are a favorite of mine and was told I would have to pay extra. The Ritz and the Intercontinental were only to happy to oblige this request when we were there. When visiting Chicago I always try to visit one of the hotels for tea, this site has given me some new shops to try.
Thank you so much!
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Sarah
Do NOT spend your money for tea at the Drake. There are several other places within walking distance that are much better than here.
The Drake tea lounge is huge and noisy. The gal who waited on me…when I could find her…bordered on rude. The food…the food…was BORING. The food was all one color, and it had no flavor. If you are going to pay $28.50 (the current price) for tea, the food needs to be good.
Places with much better teas (in order of preference):
Four Seasons: 120 E. Delaware
Ritz: 160 E Pearson
Intercontinental: 505 N. MI Ave
Fairmont: 200 N. Columbus
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JoAnna Marie
Definitely no traditional tea. Maybe things wrong here. Beautiful atmosphere, just lovely. Everything else needs much work.
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Vicki and Virginia
Afternoon Tea is offered in the elegant Palm Court lobby for $24.50. A harpist played. The tea is brewed from loose tea; our pot was refreshed frequently, but fresh tea was not provided [we did not request it]. A 3-tiered tray consisted of sandwiches, scones & desserts. The sandwiches were cucumber with tomato, roast beef, egg sald, rolled ham & aspargus. Banana nut bread accompanied the scones with jam and cream. There was only 1 each of the desserts [WHY do tearooms do this? Everyone wants to taste everything, and it is messy trying to share]: chocolate mocha torte; lemon tart; swan eclair; custard tart with fruit. The food was delicious, the waiters attentive, and the setting lovely. We would return.