
The Drake
Best for travelers who want a classic Chicago landmark with direct access to Oak Street Beach and a historic dining/bar scene.
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The Drake is a historic 4-star Gold Coast landmark at the northern end of the Magnificent Mile, with lake views, classic afternoon tea, and event spaces—good for travelers who want old‑school Chicago and easy beach access. InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is a large, upscale 4.5-star hotel on Michigan Avenue with extensive meeting space, an indoor pool, and on-site spa services—best for shoppers, meetings, and guests who want a full-service city hotel.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for travelers who want a classic Chicago landmark with direct access to Oak Street Beach and a historic dining/bar scene.

Best for guests who want a large, full-service downtown hotel with an indoor pool, an on-site spa, and extensive meeting facilities.
When The Drake wins: choose The Drake if you value a smaller, storied hotel on the lakefront, historic venues (Palm Court afternoon tea, Coq d'Or), and immediate access to Oak Street Beach and the northern Magnificent Mile.
When InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile wins: pick the InterContinental if you need a larger hotel with more rooms, an indoor pool and spa services on site, or lots of meeting and event rooms near the center of Michigan Avenue.
Bottom line: both are historic, well‑located Magnificent Mile hotels. Pick The Drake for character and lakefront proximity; pick the InterContinental for scale, on-site wellness & pool facilities, and convention/event capacity.
| Category | The Drake | InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic, classic Gold Coast landmark | Large, polished full-service city hotel |
| Location (Magnificent Mile) | Anchors northern Magnificent Mile; across from Oak Street Beach | Directly on Michigan Avenue, central on the Mile |
| Size (rooms) | 535 guestrooms + 74 suites | 792 guestrooms |
| Historic / age | Opened 1920; long-standing landmark | Long-standing downtown property (modernized) |
| Pools | No on-site pool | Indoor pool on site |
| Spa & wellness | No dedicated on-site spa; in-room massages available; 24-hour fitness center | Spa services on site, sauna, fitness facilities |
| Restaurants & bars | Coq d'Or bar, Palm Court afternoon tea, Cafe on Oak | Center Court restaurant, 1 bar/lounge, coffee shop/cafe |
| Meeting & event space | 21 event rooms, 2 ballrooms, large historic ballrooms (Gold Coast Room, Grand Ballroom) | 34 meeting rooms and banquet/ballroom spaces |
| Known for | Palm Court afternoon tea; historic bar Coq d'Or; lake and beach access | Central Michigan Avenue location, large meeting facilities, indoor pool & spa services |
The Drake sits at 140 E Walton Place at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, facing Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach.
Choose The Drake for the closest hotel access to Oak Street Beach and a lakefront setting.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is at 505 N Michigan Ave, sitting directly on Michigan Avenue near major shops and attractions.
Choose InterContinental for a central Michigan Avenue address and easy access to the main shopping corridor.
The Drake offers individually furnished rooms and a selection of suites that emphasize historic character and lake views.
The Drake’s rooms focus on character, individual furnishings, and lake-facing options.
InterContinental has a large inventory of room types across multiple towers, including executive and suite categories.
InterContinental offers breadth of room types and many accessible configurations for larger groups.
The Drake’s food & drink offerings emphasize historic venues and lakefront breakfast.
The Drake is for guests who want iconic Chicago dining moments (tea, a historic bar) and lakefront breakfast.
InterContinental provides multiple on-site dining options and a bar/lounge aimed at convenience for guests and events.
InterContinental suits guests who want on-site full-service dining and convenient daytime outlets for meetings and events.
The Drake’s signature access is its proximity to Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach rather than an on-site pool.
If a hotel pool matters, The Drake does not have one; it offers direct lakefront/beach access instead.
InterContinental lists an indoor pool and sauna among its recreational amenities.
InterContinental is the better option for travelers wanting on-site pool and spa facilities.
The Drake focuses on a classic hotel experience with historic event spaces and a 24-hour fitness center.
Choose The Drake for historic event venues, a 24-hour gym, and a quieter evening scene rooted in hotel tradition.
InterContinental emphasizes larger meeting capacity and on-site wellness offerings.
InterContinental is aimed at meeting planners and guests who want on-site wellness plus extensive event space.

The Drake — immediate access to Oak Street Beach and lakefront views.

InterContinental — more meeting rooms (34) and a larger overall room inventory for group blocks.

InterContinental — indoor pool, sauna, and spa services on site.

The Drake — Palm Court afternoon tea and the historic Coq d'Or bar provide landmark dining experiences.
The Drake is directly across the street from Oak Street Beach (about a 3–5 minute walk).
No — The Drake does not have an on-site swimming pool; the InterContinental does have an indoor pool.
InterContinental has more meeting rooms (34) and a larger total room inventory, making it easier for larger group blocks; The Drake has notable historic ballrooms for weddings and mid-size events.
No — both properties allow guests of all ages. Standard check-in age policies (21+ for the reservation holder) apply at each property where noted.
Explore how The Drake stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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