Best rooms at The Drake, ranked
Best overall: Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View (Michigan) — largest private views of Lake Michigan and a true suite layout for a longer stay. Best value for solo/couple travelers: Deluxe Room or Room, 1 King Bed for a straightforward downtown stay; best for families: Family Room (Deluxe) or Family Room, with Sofa bed.
In this guide
- 1) Top pick: Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View (Michigan)
- 2) Best lake-view room if you want a single room: Room, Lake View
- 3) Best splurge and special suites: Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View and Princess Diana Suite
- 4) Best family rooms: Family Room (Deluxe) and Family Room, with Sofa bed
- 5) Best value / standard picks: Deluxe Room and Room, 1 King Bed
- 6) Rooms for longer stays or light self-catering: Studio Suite and Room (The Drake Residence)
1) Top pick: Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View (Michigan)
Why it ranks: the Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View (Michigan) combines a separate bedroom and living area with dedicated lake views, making it the best choice when the view and extra space matter.
Who it's for: couples on a weekend getaway, guests celebrating a special occasion, or anyone who wants a room that feels like a residence rather than a single hotel room.
- Separate bedroom and living/sitting area
- Direct views of Lake Michigan from suite windows
- More space for luggage, working, or relaxing than a standard room
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Separate living area | More privacy and space to spread out |
| Lake view windows | Better daylight and shoreline outlook |
| Suite layout | Works for longer stays or small in-room gatherings |
2) Best lake-view room if you want a single room: Room, Lake View
Why it ranks: Room, Lake View places a king bed and windowed view of Lake Michigan into a compact footprint — ideal if you prioritize the view over extra living space.
Practical notes: these rooms are usually on higher floors and can have a noticeably different feel than interior-facing rooms because of the lake outlook.
- One King Bed with lake-facing windows
- Good for short stays where the view is the priority
- Typically quieter on lake-facing side away from Walton Street
| Room type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Room, Lake View | View-focused overnight stays |
| Studio Suite, Lake View | Extra sitting area plus lake view |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View (Michigan) | Maximum suite space plus lake view |
3) Best splurge and special suites: Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View and Princess Diana Suite
Why it ranks: the Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View and the hotel's signature Princess Diana Suite are the most spacious and distinctive accommodations; both offer room configurations and features not found in standard rooms.
What to expect: larger living areas and more ornate historic details. The Princess Diana Suite is specifically noted among the hotel's signature suites.
- Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View — suite living room plus lake views
- Princess Diana Suite — a named signature suite noted in the hotel's information
- Best for special occasions or guests seeking the hotel's most notable rooms
| Suite | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View | Largest living areas and lake outlook |
| Princess Diana Suite | Hotel's signature, historically notable suite |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom (Drake) | Another one-bedroom suite option without explicit lake designation |
4) Best family rooms: Family Room (Deluxe) and Family Room, with Sofa bed
Why it ranks: Family Room (Deluxe) and Family Room, with Sofa bed offer multiple beds or a sofa bed option so families or groups can stay together without booking two separate rooms.
Booking tips: connecting rooms and cribs are available on request; children of all ages are welcome but guests 18 and over are charged at the adult rate.
- Family Room (Deluxe) — two Queen Beds
- Family Room, with Sofa bed — King Bed plus a Double Sofa Bed
- Cribs and connecting rooms available on request
| Family option | Bed setup |
|---|---|
| Family Room (Deluxe) | 2 Queen Beds |
| Family Room, with Sofa bed | 1 King Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Family Room (Deluxe, Mobility & Hearing) | Accessible variant with 2 Queen Beds |
5) Best value / standard picks: Deluxe Room and Room, 1 King Bed
Why it ranks: the Deluxe Room and Room, 1 King Bed are practical choices for solo travelers or couples who want comfortable, straightforward rooms near the Magnificent Mile without the higher suite rates.
What to know: these rooms still include premium bedding and the hotel's standard in-room amenities such as a laptop-compatible safe.
- Deluxe Room — typically larger than base rooms and may be on higher floors
- Room, 1 King Bed — compact, efficient layout for short stays
- Standard WiFi in rooms is available for a daily surcharge unless you have Hilton Honors complimentary access
| Room | Good for |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Room | Higher floor preference and slightly larger space |
| Room, 1 King Bed | Short stays; business travelers |
| Deluxe Room (High Floor) | Same category with preferred higher-floor location |
6) Rooms for longer stays or light self-catering: Studio Suite and Room (The Drake Residence)
Why it ranks: Studio Suite and the Room, Multiple Beds (The Drake Residence) have layouts suitable for longer stays or multi-person groups — some suite categories include sitting areas and kitchenette features in residence-style rooms.
Practical note: full kitchenettes appear in select residence-style units rather than standard rooms; confirm the exact in-room appliances when you book.
- Studio Suite — one King Bed plus sitting area (Studio Suite, Lake View available)
- Room, Multiple Beds (The Drake Residence) — multiple King Beds for large groups
- Some suites/residences list kitchenettes; request details when reserving
| Type | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Studio Suite | Extra sitting area for working or relaxing |
| Room, Multiple Beds (The Drake Residence) | Designed for groups or extended stays |
| Studio Suite, Lake View | Studio layout plus lake views |
