Studio Suite, Lake View

As the name suggests, this suite faces Lake Michigan, with bright windows that frame the shoreline. The Drake sits at 140 East Walton Place at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, and Oak Street Beach is just across the street, so the water is part of the stay from the moment you arrive.

The suite has 1 King Bed with a pillowtop mattress, premium bedding, a down comforter and a pillow menu, and it sleeps 2 guests. That makes it a natural fit for a couple or a solo traveller wanting extra room. A rollaway or extra bed can be added for a surcharge, and a free crib is available for families with a little one.

The suite measures 419 sq. ft. and is arranged as a studio with one bedroom. It includes a desk and desk chair, so you can work without giving up the sleeping area, and the air conditioning is climate-controlled for your comfort.

The private bathroom has a bathtub or shower, bathrobes, towels, a hair dryer and complimentary toiletries, so you can unpack lightly. The Drake's separate Gold Coast suite category is the one described with a jacuzzi bath; this Lake View studio is not.

It works best for two guests. Children of all ages are welcome at The Drake, and a free crib is offered. Guests aged 18 and over are charged as adults. Connecting rooms are available if your group needs more space. For a longer stay you have a desk, a 48-inch TV with premium channels, pay movies and an MP3 dock, plus housekeeping on request.

The suite has a 48-inch flat-screen TV with premium channels, closed captioning, an MP3 dock, a coffee and tea maker and a laptop-compatible safe. WiFi is $12.95 per day and is complimentary for members of the hotel's loyalty program. Wired internet is also available for a surcharge, and speeds exceed 25 Mbps.

Coq d'Or, the historic cocktail bar and restaurant on the Arcade Level, has been open since December 6, 1933. It is known for the Executive Pour Martini and Bookbinder's Red Snapper Soup, and it takes walk-ins. Palm Court serves afternoon tea Friday to Sunday, 12:00pm to 4:30pm; reservations are highly encouraged. For breakfast, Cafe on Oak looks over the lake and serves an à la carte menu. Its Friday to Sunday hours are published, and weekday hours vary, so check with the front desk.

Self-parking is $58 per day with in/out privileges, and valet is $82 per day. Parking is covered and secured. The hotel does not run an airport shuttle to O'Hare or Midway. The nearest Red Line station, Chicago, is about an 8-minute walk, and the Michigan & Oak bus stop is roughly a 2-minute walk.

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM and check-out is at noon. The front desk is open 24 hours. The reservation holder must be 21 or older and show a photo ID and credit card. No resort fee is charged. You get a 24-hour fitness center at no extra charge, and in-room massages can be arranged. The Drake has no pool, so the lakefront is the draw. Oak Street Beach is about 700 feet away, a 3 to 5 minute walk, and the Lakefront Trail is within a five-minute walk.