The Drake, a Hilton Hotel
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About This Vendor
About This Vendor
Real Chicago...Real Weddings
The Drake Hotel is a charming historic wedding venue located in Chicago, IL. This property transports guests back in time to the 1920s with its grand and impressive architectural features and banquet halls. Whether it is a rehearsal dinner or a romantic ceremony, the event team is prepared to make every couple’s special day run smoothly. The Drake Hotel is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance. The venue can host small and big weddings, with the largest ballroom able to hold up to 900 guests. There are four banquet halls to choose from and they can be customized to suit each wedding style and theme. The most popular Gold Coast Room looks over gorgeous Lake Michigan and is almost the same size as the ballroom in Buckingham Palace, with an impressive 6,838 square feet. Famous icons such as Walt Disney, Bing Crosby, and George Gershwin have dined in this room. Even Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimaggio have carved their initials into the bar’s countertop in the Cape Cod Room. For a more intimate gathering, The French Room is a great choice. It showcases a hand-crafted ceiling with crystal-basket chandeliers, column moldings, satin drapes, and bespoke flooring, all features that add a sense of sophistication to every event. The team at The Drake Hotel provides award-winning customer service in both English and Spanish, and aims to deliver an unforgettable event experience. They offer a variety of packages that can fit a range of budgets. There is a kitchen on the premises, allowing couples the convenience of on-site catering options. With an array of set menus available, there is something to suit every couple’s tastes. The venue also offers accommodation in the luxurious suites, so guests can relax in comfort after enjoying the festivities.
Amenities & Details
Ceremony Area, Dressing Room, Handicap Accessible, Indoor Event Space, On-Site Accommodations, Reception Area, Wireless Internet
Guest Capacity300+
Ceremony TypesCivil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Elopement, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding, Vow Renewal Ceremony
Venue Service OfferingsBar & Drinks, Cakes & Desserts, Destination Weddings, Destination Wedding Packages, Destination Wedding Planning, Food & Catering, Planning, Se Habla Español, Service Staff
SettingsBallroom, Historic Venue, Hotel
Business AttributesPricing for The Drake, a Hilton Hotel
| Option | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Cost | Moderate |
| Cost Starting | |
| Price Range | $26,200 - $44,300+ |
| Couples Usually Spend | $35,250 |
| Peak Season Months | March-December |
| Peak Season Cost | $26,200 - $44,300+ |
| Peak Season Reception Cost | |
| Peak Season Ceremony Cost | |
| Peak Season Bar Service Cost | |
| OffSeason Months | January-February |
| OffSeason Cost | $26,200 - $44,300+ |
| OffSeason Reception Cost | |
| OffSeason Ceremony Cost | |
| OffSeason BarService Cost |
Browse The Drake, a Hilton Hotel pricing PDF below for sample services and estimates.
View PricesThe Drake, a Hilton Hotel Reviews
Jean Unger (other) 5 out of 5 Rating
I will begin at the end.On the night of our daughter’s wedding, we had at least three couples approach us to to tell us they had been to many, many weddings and this was by far and away the best wedding they had ever attended, We ourselves had been to many high end weddings and we were blown away. The vendor recommendations (florist, band etc) also helped to ensure this wedding was a huge success.Antoinette, Karina, Raphael were all extremely personable and very much invested in making our wedding be exactly what we were hoping for. I don’t believe we heard the word “no” at any point during the process. You do need to trust the process and that these folks know how to pull off a wedding in their professional timeline. They do have weddings every weekend but when your turn rolls around it is “all you” and they make the magic happen.I can honestly say we wouldn’t have changed a thing and if any small thing happened it was all part of the process and everyone made it right in the end.Very happy we chose The Drake!
Reviewed on 28-10-2023
I will begin at the end.On the night of our daughter’s wedding, we had at least three couples approach us to to tell us they had been to many, many weddings and this was by far and away the best wedding they had ever attended, We ourselves had been to many high end weddings and we were blown away. The vendor recommendations (florist, band etc) also helped to ensure this wedding was a huge success.Antoinette, Karina, Raphael were all extremely personable and very much invested in making our wedding be exactly what we were hoping for. I don’t believe we heard the word “no” at any point during the process. You do need to trust the process and that these folks know how to pull off a wedding in their professional timeline. They do have weddings every weekend but when your turn rolls around it is “all you” and they make the magic happen.I can honestly say we wouldn’t have changed a thing and if any small thing happened it was all part of the process and everyone made it right in the end.Very happy we chose The Drake!
Reviewed on 28-10-2023
Leah S (other) 5 out of 5 Rating
There is no better hotel ballroom than the Gold Coast Room. The staff at the Drake makes the entire experience. Ali was fantastic!
Reviewed on 12-01-2024
There is no better hotel ballroom than the Gold Coast Room. The staff at the Drake makes the entire experience. Ali was fantastic!
Reviewed on 12-01-2024
Justin Seigler (other) 5 out of 5 Rating
My wife and I were married at the Drake in July 2023 and had the best experience. Antoinette, Karina, and their team were extremely friendly, attentive, and helpful. The wedding was a huge success with friends and family, and this wouldn't have been possible without the Drake team. The rooms, common spaces, and the Coq d'Or are also very nice, clean, and comfortable. 10/10.
Reviewed on 28-07-2023
My wife and I were married at the Drake in July 2023 and had the best experience. Antoinette, Karina, and their team were extremely friendly, attentive, and helpful. The wedding was a huge success with friends and family, and this wouldn't have been possible without the Drake team. The rooms, common spaces, and the Coq d'Or are also very nice, clean, and comfortable. 10/10.
Reviewed on 28-07-2023
Margaret Calhoun (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 14-01-2023
The Drake was a stunningly beautiful reception and ceremony spot. They are a one stop shop! The food was delicious and everyone was extremely helpful.
Reviewed on 17-01-2023
Wedding Date 14-01-2023
The Drake was a stunningly beautiful reception and ceremony spot. They are a one stop shop! The food was delicious and everyone was extremely helpful.
Reviewed on 17-01-2023
Nikki Beechy (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 31-12-2022
We had the best wedding at The Drake on NYE! Melissa was so amazing to work with and really made the day run perfectly.
Reviewed on 10-01-2023
Wedding Date 31-12-2022
We had the best wedding at The Drake on NYE! Melissa was so amazing to work with and really made the day run perfectly.
Reviewed on 10-01-2023
Val Rygiel (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 06-08-2022
Not only did the Drake treat my fiance and I like royalty, but all my guests commented on the fantastic service! The bridal suite was gorgeous and made for fantastic pictures getting ready. Our breakfast was late but a quick phone call remedied that with a bottle of champagne as an apology. When you add in all the included features, the Drake was actually very affordable compared to event spaces where you pay for each and every small thing. The quality of the food and service made this an amazing experience for my now husband I! Room block was a great deal, we did our welcome party and Sunday brunch here too and it was so fabulous and convenient. The event coordinator changed a few months before our wedding but the transition was seamless and Ali took great care of usget married at the drake!!
Reviewed on 08-08-2022
Wedding Date 06-08-2022
Not only did the Drake treat my fiance and I like royalty, but all my guests commented on the fantastic service! The bridal suite was gorgeous and made for fantastic pictures getting ready. Our breakfast was late but a quick phone call remedied that with a bottle of champagne as an apology. When you add in all the included features, the Drake was actually very affordable compared to event spaces where you pay for each and every small thing. The quality of the food and service made this an amazing experience for my now husband I! Room block was a great deal, we did our welcome party and Sunday brunch here too and it was so fabulous and convenient. The event coordinator changed a few months before our wedding but the transition was seamless and Ali took great care of usget married at the drake!!
Reviewed on 08-08-2022
Lizzie Burgess (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 30-07-2022
Getting married at the Drake downtown is every girls dream and the team there made it just that! Everything was incredible, from the room to the food. Our guests were amazed at the venue and we felt so lucky to have hosted our wedding there! Incredible service and team over at the Drake !!
Reviewed on 07-08-2022
Wedding Date 30-07-2022
Getting married at the Drake downtown is every girls dream and the team there made it just that! Everything was incredible, from the room to the food. Our guests were amazed at the venue and we felt so lucky to have hosted our wedding there! Incredible service and team over at the Drake !!
Reviewed on 07-08-2022
Stephanie Terzich (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 25-06-2022
There are not enough words to describe how wonderful our 200 person wedding was at the Drake Hotel in Chicago a few weeks ago. It had always been a dream of mine to get married in the Gold Coast room and Antoinette and her team made that come true! Not only was the venue itself absolutely stunning, but the staff made the wedding process easy and day of they were truly a well-oiled machine. They were there for everything we needed, whether it be room deliveries, vendors, security, etc. they were phenomenal. I want to get a personal shoutout specifically to Antoinette - with all of the covid weddings getting pushed into 2022 I don’t think I’ve ever seen a business person and she somehow managed to stay on top of everything for us. She was readily available by text/call whenever I had questions over the course of the last year. She was able to get us everything we needed and handled our wedding craziness with ease. She even was able to set up some time to allow us to take some pics on the roof in front of the famous Drake sign! Thank you Antoinette you truly are amazing at what you do! And also shoutout to our captains - Jorge, Lino, and Andy! You guys were top notch! All in all, if you’re debating booking the drake for your wedding venue I would highly recommend you do so ASAP! Could not have asked for a better day! Thank you Drake team!!
Reviewed on 21-07-2022
Wedding Date 25-06-2022
There are not enough words to describe how wonderful our 200 person wedding was at the Drake Hotel in Chicago a few weeks ago. It had always been a dream of mine to get married in the Gold Coast room and Antoinette and her team made that come true! Not only was the venue itself absolutely stunning, but the staff made the wedding process easy and day of they were truly a well-oiled machine. They were there for everything we needed, whether it be room deliveries, vendors, security, etc. they were phenomenal. I want to get a personal shoutout specifically to Antoinette - with all of the covid weddings getting pushed into 2022 I don’t think I’ve ever seen a business person and she somehow managed to stay on top of everything for us. She was readily available by text/call whenever I had questions over the course of the last year. She was able to get us everything we needed and handled our wedding craziness with ease. She even was able to set up some time to allow us to take some pics on the roof in front of the famous Drake sign! Thank you Antoinette you truly are amazing at what you do! And also shoutout to our captains - Jorge, Lino, and Andy! You guys were top notch! All in all, if you’re debating booking the drake for your wedding venue I would highly recommend you do so ASAP! Could not have asked for a better day! Thank you Drake team!!
Reviewed on 21-07-2022
Genesis Buhe (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 21-08-2021
Best venue ever! I have been to several weddings and the drake has by far the best staff that help make the experience so great. There was never a line at the bar and the food was delicious. Not to mention Antoinette was able to accommodate everything I wanted. The presidential suite is HUGE and felt like we had so much space for the bridal party to get ready at.
Reviewed on 14-06-2022
Wedding Date 21-08-2021
Best venue ever! I have been to several weddings and the drake has by far the best staff that help make the experience so great. There was never a line at the bar and the food was delicious. Not to mention Antoinette was able to accommodate everything I wanted. The presidential suite is HUGE and felt like we had so much space for the bridal party to get ready at.
Reviewed on 14-06-2022
Lisa Daly (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 26-06-2021
We had the absolute best experience working with Antoinette and The Drake Hotel. I can’t say enough how amazing this staff is. I have been praising them all and recommending this venue to everyone I know. We were suppose to get married in 2020 and had to postpone. Antoinette and The Drake Hotel hotel went above and beyond in helping us and I felt I could always reach out for advice or a shoulder to lean on during that stressful year. This was the best event venue I have ever worked with. And the wedding turned out even more perfect then I could ever dream of. Trust me- if you are on the fence, just move forward and book this hotel for your wedding!!
Reviewed on 18-12-2021
Wedding Date 26-06-2021
We had the absolute best experience working with Antoinette and The Drake Hotel. I can’t say enough how amazing this staff is. I have been praising them all and recommending this venue to everyone I know. We were suppose to get married in 2020 and had to postpone. Antoinette and The Drake Hotel hotel went above and beyond in helping us and I felt I could always reach out for advice or a shoulder to lean on during that stressful year. This was the best event venue I have ever worked with. And the wedding turned out even more perfect then I could ever dream of. Trust me- if you are on the fence, just move forward and book this hotel for your wedding!!
Reviewed on 18-12-2021
Alex Kaczmarek (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 02-10-2021
When it came time to pick a venue there were so many options and we were very overwhelmed. When we toured the Drake and met Antoinette we knew it was the perfect place for our wedding. Antoinette and her team made me feel so special on the big day and everything went perfectly. Every last detail was taken care of and I didn’t have to worry about anything. To this day people still talk about the wedding and how amazing it was. So happy we made the right choice! My only negative: Antoinette is extremely busy so sometimes she was hard to reach However, this is a crazy year for weddings so it’s understandable and everything worked out.
Reviewed on 18-12-2021
Wedding Date 02-10-2021
When it came time to pick a venue there were so many options and we were very overwhelmed. When we toured the Drake and met Antoinette we knew it was the perfect place for our wedding. Antoinette and her team made me feel so special on the big day and everything went perfectly. Every last detail was taken care of and I didn’t have to worry about anything. To this day people still talk about the wedding and how amazing it was. So happy we made the right choice! My only negative: Antoinette is extremely busy so sometimes she was hard to reach However, this is a crazy year for weddings so it’s understandable and everything worked out.
Reviewed on 18-12-2021
Darlene LaFalce (other) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 30-07-2021
As the mother of the groom I want to praise the entire staff. Upon arriving at the Drake Chris and his staff made sure I had any help I needed. From getting all the luggage and what nots to our room to flagging a cab, Uber or helping with directions, I could always count on them. The caterering was second to none. I got a glimpse at our wonderful tasting with Antionette Cahill and the wait staff and chef but the wedding itself was perfection. The service was excellent. The food and beverages coordinated by Antionette had every detail covered. I’d strongly recommend The Drake for any occasion.
Reviewed on 23-10-2021
Wedding Date 30-07-2021
As the mother of the groom I want to praise the entire staff. Upon arriving at the Drake Chris and his staff made sure I had any help I needed. From getting all the luggage and what nots to our room to flagging a cab, Uber or helping with directions, I could always count on them. The caterering was second to none. I got a glimpse at our wonderful tasting with Antionette Cahill and the wait staff and chef but the wedding itself was perfection. The service was excellent. The food and beverages coordinated by Antionette had every detail covered. I’d strongly recommend The Drake for any occasion.
Reviewed on 23-10-2021
Malka Hirsch (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 25-03-2020
We got married February 29, 2020 at the Drake and choosing the Drake was the best decision we made! We had the pleasure of working with Shaun Rajah, and from the first moment we met, I knew we had to have our wedding at the Drake because of Shaun. Choosing where to have your wedding is extremely stressful, and in addition to the overwhelming beauty of the hotel itself, Shaun was the deciding factor that ultimately led us to choosing the Drake. I was nervous because I didn’t have a wedding planner but Shaun put my mind at ease and said he’d be there with me every step of the way- and he really was! There was no email that wasn’t answered the same day (and there were so many from me!), there was no question that he didn’t have an answer to, there was no request that we had that was too big or too small, he was an absolute dream to work with and took almost all of the stress out of the planning process entirely!!! MOST IMPORTANTLY, the weekend of the wedding, Shaun and the entire staff at the Drake including Holly in catering, Jose who helped me so much with the rooms, Chris our personal concierge who ran around like crazy between our gigantic bridal party’s and family members’s rooms fulfilling various requests, and every other person who assisted us from the Drake that weekend were all so beyond kind and accommodating-it truly made it possible to have the most perfect weekend of all time!! I would recommend this venue to every single bride who wants a beautiful, exquisite looking space and amazing workers who will go above and beyond to ensure that everything you dream comes true! Thank you so much Shaun and everyone else :) I can’t say it enough, you created the most perfect day and weekend for us!
Reviewed on 25-03-2020
Wedding Date 25-03-2020
We got married February 29, 2020 at the Drake and choosing the Drake was the best decision we made! We had the pleasure of working with Shaun Rajah, and from the first moment we met, I knew we had to have our wedding at the Drake because of Shaun. Choosing where to have your wedding is extremely stressful, and in addition to the overwhelming beauty of the hotel itself, Shaun was the deciding factor that ultimately led us to choosing the Drake. I was nervous because I didn’t have a wedding planner but Shaun put my mind at ease and said he’d be there with me every step of the way- and he really was! There was no email that wasn’t answered the same day (and there were so many from me!), there was no question that he didn’t have an answer to, there was no request that we had that was too big or too small, he was an absolute dream to work with and took almost all of the stress out of the planning process entirely!!! MOST IMPORTANTLY, the weekend of the wedding, Shaun and the entire staff at the Drake including Holly in catering, Jose who helped me so much with the rooms, Chris our personal concierge who ran around like crazy between our gigantic bridal party’s and family members’s rooms fulfilling various requests, and every other person who assisted us from the Drake that weekend were all so beyond kind and accommodating-it truly made it possible to have the most perfect weekend of all time!! I would recommend this venue to every single bride who wants a beautiful, exquisite looking space and amazing workers who will go above and beyond to ensure that everything you dream comes true! Thank you so much Shaun and everyone else :) I can’t say it enough, you created the most perfect day and weekend for us!
Reviewed on 25-03-2020
Jennifer Anderson (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 28-12-2019
Our December 2019 wedding at The Drake was above and beyond anything we could have imagined. While the beauty of this iconic Chicago hotel speaks for itself, the staff is what sealed our decision to book our wedding reception here – we cannot thank or recommend them enough! Our coordinator, Antoinette Cahill, is truly the best of the best. From the very beginning of the planning process, she helped to ensure that our entire wedding weekend was as special and flawless as possible. From the food, to the décor, hotel accommodations, logistics, and everything in between, her attention to detail and expertise made our planning process easy and enjoyable. Not to mention the actual wedding reception was perfect – we could not have been happier with how the night turned out, and are still receiving compliments from our friends and family on how beautiful the ballroom was; how incredible the staff was; how delicious the food was; how well run the event was; how fun the party was…all thanks to Antoinette and her team! I also want to mention that Antoinette is very connected to other reliable and talented wedding vendors in the Chicago area, and was instrumental in helping us put together an amazing vendor team (super helpful to us since we did not have an outside wedding planner)! Antoinette and her team (Bryce, Jose, Mark, and the banquet captains) are kind, patient, and easy to work with. They were also incredibly accommodating – they provided complimentary suites to my husband and I, as well as our parents; helped us stay within our wedding budget; and customized an incredible wedding menu for the cocktail hour, reception, and farewell brunch that fit all of our (many) detailed requests. One of the things that was most important to us was the food, and The Drake did not disappoint! Mark, the head chef, did an amazing job creating a menu that was primarily gluten free since myself and 20 other of our guests have severe food allergies. We were completely blown away with what he prepared at the food tasting, and were of course thrilled with what was served the night of our wedding. Everything was perfect! Gluten free (and even some dairy free options) were created for almost all of the hors d'oeuvres, soup, salad, main courses, dessert, and late night snacks. It sounds cheesy, but our entire wedding weekend was a dream thanks to The Drake. From the minute we checked into the hotel until the end of our post-wedding brunch, we felt so special and cared for. We didn’t have to stress or worry about a thing! We would recommend Antoinette and The Drake without hesitation to any newly engaged couple looking at Chicago wedding venues :)
Reviewed on 18-02-2020
Wedding Date 28-12-2019
Our December 2019 wedding at The Drake was above and beyond anything we could have imagined. While the beauty of this iconic Chicago hotel speaks for itself, the staff is what sealed our decision to book our wedding reception here – we cannot thank or recommend them enough! Our coordinator, Antoinette Cahill, is truly the best of the best. From the very beginning of the planning process, she helped to ensure that our entire wedding weekend was as special and flawless as possible. From the food, to the décor, hotel accommodations, logistics, and everything in between, her attention to detail and expertise made our planning process easy and enjoyable. Not to mention the actual wedding reception was perfect – we could not have been happier with how the night turned out, and are still receiving compliments from our friends and family on how beautiful the ballroom was; how incredible the staff was; how delicious the food was; how well run the event was; how fun the party was…all thanks to Antoinette and her team! I also want to mention that Antoinette is very connected to other reliable and talented wedding vendors in the Chicago area, and was instrumental in helping us put together an amazing vendor team (super helpful to us since we did not have an outside wedding planner)! Antoinette and her team (Bryce, Jose, Mark, and the banquet captains) are kind, patient, and easy to work with. They were also incredibly accommodating – they provided complimentary suites to my husband and I, as well as our parents; helped us stay within our wedding budget; and customized an incredible wedding menu for the cocktail hour, reception, and farewell brunch that fit all of our (many) detailed requests. One of the things that was most important to us was the food, and The Drake did not disappoint! Mark, the head chef, did an amazing job creating a menu that was primarily gluten free since myself and 20 other of our guests have severe food allergies. We were completely blown away with what he prepared at the food tasting, and were of course thrilled with what was served the night of our wedding. Everything was perfect! Gluten free (and even some dairy free options) were created for almost all of the hors d'oeuvres, soup, salad, main courses, dessert, and late night snacks. It sounds cheesy, but our entire wedding weekend was a dream thanks to The Drake. From the minute we checked into the hotel until the end of our post-wedding brunch, we felt so special and cared for. We didn’t have to stress or worry about a thing! We would recommend Antoinette and The Drake without hesitation to any newly engaged couple looking at Chicago wedding venues :)
Reviewed on 18-02-2020
Veronica Angulo (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 09-08-2019
I was fortunate enough to have my wedding reception at the Drake Hotel, in the Gold coast Ballroom, on August 09, 2019. The reception was perfect, right down to the last detail, and I believe my husband and I owe much of that to Antoinette, our wedding coordinator. Throughout the entire planning process, Antoinette was always available, whether it was to meet with us at the hotel, or for one of my many questions via email. Antoinette was always patient, insightful, and knowledgeable. I never felt frustrated over the planning process and I certainly never felt like my questions were not adequately answered. Antoinette was on top of everything! She was a pleasure to work with and represented the Drake Hotel with class, confidence and professionalism. Overall, we were thrilled with the Drake. As soon as I saw an ad for the Drake in The Knot I had a great feeling about the venue. When I received an email from Antoinette detailing the package, I was blown away with all the Drake had to offer. Everything we were promised in the package was provided to us, and everything always exceeded expectations. At the food tasting we were able to customize the menu to fit our needs, and never once did we feel that it was going to be difficult or complicated. I heard from many guests that the cocktail hour was amazing, and the food was plentiful and delicious. Throughout the night, the staff was courteous, accommodating and attentive. The Banquet Captain was incredibly helpful and always made sure that everything was going smoothly. The food was delicious, the space was beautiful and everyone had a great time. Having the opportunity to have a cake as part of the package only added to the benefits of holding a wedding at the Drake Hotel. The Drake Hotel always made sure we were well cared for. Whether it was the FANTASTIC Bridal Suite, the Suites for our parents or the Wine, strawberries, cookies and beer in the room we felt truly special.All in all, I can’t say enough about the Drake. It’s a first-class venue and I highly recommend it for any type of event. You won’t be disappointed!
Reviewed on 01-02-2020
Wedding Date 09-08-2019
I was fortunate enough to have my wedding reception at the Drake Hotel, in the Gold coast Ballroom, on August 09, 2019. The reception was perfect, right down to the last detail, and I believe my husband and I owe much of that to Antoinette, our wedding coordinator. Throughout the entire planning process, Antoinette was always available, whether it was to meet with us at the hotel, or for one of my many questions via email. Antoinette was always patient, insightful, and knowledgeable. I never felt frustrated over the planning process and I certainly never felt like my questions were not adequately answered. Antoinette was on top of everything! She was a pleasure to work with and represented the Drake Hotel with class, confidence and professionalism. Overall, we were thrilled with the Drake. As soon as I saw an ad for the Drake in The Knot I had a great feeling about the venue. When I received an email from Antoinette detailing the package, I was blown away with all the Drake had to offer. Everything we were promised in the package was provided to us, and everything always exceeded expectations. At the food tasting we were able to customize the menu to fit our needs, and never once did we feel that it was going to be difficult or complicated. I heard from many guests that the cocktail hour was amazing, and the food was plentiful and delicious. Throughout the night, the staff was courteous, accommodating and attentive. The Banquet Captain was incredibly helpful and always made sure that everything was going smoothly. The food was delicious, the space was beautiful and everyone had a great time. Having the opportunity to have a cake as part of the package only added to the benefits of holding a wedding at the Drake Hotel. The Drake Hotel always made sure we were well cared for. Whether it was the FANTASTIC Bridal Suite, the Suites for our parents or the Wine, strawberries, cookies and beer in the room we felt truly special.All in all, I can’t say enough about the Drake. It’s a first-class venue and I highly recommend it for any type of event. You won’t be disappointed!
Reviewed on 01-02-2020
Mary M (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 11-01-2020
Amazing! The Drake was outstanding! Shaun was our catering director and he was exquisite! Each member of the staff treated us with such kindness and professionalism. The suites that are provided for the bride and groom complimentary all weekend are breathtaking and plenty large enough for several vendors and bridal party members during the getting ready process. The weekend of our wedding was some of the worst weather Chicago January has seen but despite 10 ft waves on Lake Michigan, all any of the guests talk about how our wedding was the most beautiful, organized, and fun wedding! The food was PHENOMENAL, their contracted cake baker made the best cake we'd ever had, and what everyone is wondering- the bar made great drinks! Cannot say enough about how happy I am that we chose the Drake!
Reviewed on 23-01-2020
Wedding Date 11-01-2020
Amazing! The Drake was outstanding! Shaun was our catering director and he was exquisite! Each member of the staff treated us with such kindness and professionalism. The suites that are provided for the bride and groom complimentary all weekend are breathtaking and plenty large enough for several vendors and bridal party members during the getting ready process. The weekend of our wedding was some of the worst weather Chicago January has seen but despite 10 ft waves on Lake Michigan, all any of the guests talk about how our wedding was the most beautiful, organized, and fun wedding! The food was PHENOMENAL, their contracted cake baker made the best cake we'd ever had, and what everyone is wondering- the bar made great drinks! Cannot say enough about how happy I am that we chose the Drake!
Reviewed on 23-01-2020
T B (groom) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 31-08-2019
We had our wedding here in August of 2019, and Antoinette and team did an amazing job putting all of hopes and ideas into action. We were pretty picky on what we wanted, and Antoinette never hesitated to host us multiple times at the Palm Court or in the their offices to go through the day in detail.Although problems occur the day of the event (with other vendors), the Drake team was flawless and made us feel very special.
Reviewed on 06-01-2020
Wedding Date 31-08-2019
We had our wedding here in August of 2019, and Antoinette and team did an amazing job putting all of hopes and ideas into action. We were pretty picky on what we wanted, and Antoinette never hesitated to host us multiple times at the Palm Court or in the their offices to go through the day in detail.Although problems occur the day of the event (with other vendors), the Drake team was flawless and made us feel very special.
Reviewed on 06-01-2020
Walaa Abualhuda (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 22-12-2019
If we could give 100 stars we would. The venue speaks for itself but the staff were what sold us. Antoinette was outstanding. She made the process not only easy, but enjoyable. They truly went above and beyond and we can not thank them enough. Everything was outstanding from start to finish. One piece of advice for anyone interested in The Drake Hotel. Go for it!!!! (And ask for Antoinette) Easiest decision ever.
Reviewed on 06-01-2020
Wedding Date 22-12-2019
If we could give 100 stars we would. The venue speaks for itself but the staff were what sold us. Antoinette was outstanding. She made the process not only easy, but enjoyable. They truly went above and beyond and we can not thank them enough. Everything was outstanding from start to finish. One piece of advice for anyone interested in The Drake Hotel. Go for it!!!! (And ask for Antoinette) Easiest decision ever.
Reviewed on 06-01-2020
Brooke Schrager (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 17-08-2019
Everything about our wedding was near perfection from the very start of the process. Shaun was our coordinator and he is truly the reason everything was so special for our entire wedding weekend. We had our rehearsal and a welcome reception on Friday night, our wedding on Saturday and a brunch in on Sunday. To say that we are happy with our events at The Drake is an understatement! 10/10 recommend getting married here! You will not regret it :)
Reviewed on 29-12-2019
Wedding Date 17-08-2019
Everything about our wedding was near perfection from the very start of the process. Shaun was our coordinator and he is truly the reason everything was so special for our entire wedding weekend. We had our rehearsal and a welcome reception on Friday night, our wedding on Saturday and a brunch in on Sunday. To say that we are happy with our events at The Drake is an understatement! 10/10 recommend getting married here! You will not regret it :)
Reviewed on 29-12-2019
Michelle Eannace (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 09-11-2019
Everything at the Drake was truly impeccable. Our coordinator, Shaun, was highly professional, dedicated, knowledgeable and always accessible. He was able to accommodate every request and able to thoroughly answer all of our questions. He and his team made the day of the wedding truly perfect and stress free. Couldn’t speak highly enough of the entire Drake team.
Reviewed on 03-12-2019
Wedding Date 09-11-2019
Everything at the Drake was truly impeccable. Our coordinator, Shaun, was highly professional, dedicated, knowledgeable and always accessible. He was able to accommodate every request and able to thoroughly answer all of our questions. He and his team made the day of the wedding truly perfect and stress free. Couldn’t speak highly enough of the entire Drake team.
Reviewed on 03-12-2019
Sam Patel (groom) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 10-11-2019
The team at The Drake is number one in Chicago for weddings and they deserve every bit of that praise. Our coordinators Antoinette and Bryce are the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Their attention to detail is immaculate. Antoinette went above and beyond for our wedding planning, advising us every step of the way, and calming us down when wedding plans or budgets got out of control. And on the actual day, everything went without a hiccup, ran on-time, and our guests were completely stunned with our events. We dreamt about getting married at The Drake, but they made our wedding even better than what we could dream about. Every thing was absolutely perfect, and better than a dream come true? If you're looking for a venue and a team that is the absolute best, get married at The Drake - Chicago, and work with Antoinette!
Reviewed on 18-11-2019
Wedding Date 10-11-2019
The team at The Drake is number one in Chicago for weddings and they deserve every bit of that praise. Our coordinators Antoinette and Bryce are the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Their attention to detail is immaculate. Antoinette went above and beyond for our wedding planning, advising us every step of the way, and calming us down when wedding plans or budgets got out of control. And on the actual day, everything went without a hiccup, ran on-time, and our guests were completely stunned with our events. We dreamt about getting married at The Drake, but they made our wedding even better than what we could dream about. Every thing was absolutely perfect, and better than a dream come true? If you're looking for a venue and a team that is the absolute best, get married at The Drake - Chicago, and work with Antoinette!
Reviewed on 18-11-2019
Allyson Otey (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 02-11-2019
Where to start? I could not have imagined celebrating our wedding anywhere else but The Drake. Planning a wedding in a different city can be tough, however, Sara and the team made the whole process so easy and seamless. Each time we came to visit, The Drake provided nothing but exceptional service and ensured we were comfortable and enjoying our stay. Come wedding day, the same superior service continued. Our guests were blown away, not only by the beautiful ambiance, but by the service as well. Each part of the planning process solidified that The Drake was the best option for us - From the amazing tasting, to the 2 week phone call, to all of the email correspondence in between, we were treated so well! Less than two weeks after the wedding and our guests are still talking about how incredible, beautiful and friendly The Drake was. Sara was amazing to work with, as she understood our vision, provided feedback, was super flexible and accommodating and just very fun to work with! We could honestly talk about The Drake for days. Our wedding experience was an absolute DREAM and we really owe it all to The Drake for providing unparalleled guest service and treating us, our family and friends all like royalty! We could not have been happier with our experience and The Drake will always hold a special place in our hearts!!
Reviewed on 14-11-2019
Wedding Date 02-11-2019
Where to start? I could not have imagined celebrating our wedding anywhere else but The Drake. Planning a wedding in a different city can be tough, however, Sara and the team made the whole process so easy and seamless. Each time we came to visit, The Drake provided nothing but exceptional service and ensured we were comfortable and enjoying our stay. Come wedding day, the same superior service continued. Our guests were blown away, not only by the beautiful ambiance, but by the service as well. Each part of the planning process solidified that The Drake was the best option for us - From the amazing tasting, to the 2 week phone call, to all of the email correspondence in between, we were treated so well! Less than two weeks after the wedding and our guests are still talking about how incredible, beautiful and friendly The Drake was. Sara was amazing to work with, as she understood our vision, provided feedback, was super flexible and accommodating and just very fun to work with! We could honestly talk about The Drake for days. Our wedding experience was an absolute DREAM and we really owe it all to The Drake for providing unparalleled guest service and treating us, our family and friends all like royalty! We could not have been happier with our experience and The Drake will always hold a special place in our hearts!!
Reviewed on 14-11-2019
Joy Perlman (parent) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 17-08-2019
My daughters wedding in the Gold Coast room at the Drake was the most elegant, beautiful affair I have ever witnessed. Shaun Rajah at the Drake was unbelievable, his professionalism and class showed in every are of the wedding. The entire weekend was a dream come true. Elegant, classy, beautiful the highest quality of service made this event the most wonderful wedding ever! I can not recommend Shaun or the Drake enough! Actually all of the staff from the check in staff, to the bell man, the bar staff, the dining staff and everyone in-between were warm, welcoming and wonderful! The Drake is the place to have your once in a lifetime affair!
Reviewed on 11-09-2019
Wedding Date 17-08-2019
My daughters wedding in the Gold Coast room at the Drake was the most elegant, beautiful affair I have ever witnessed. Shaun Rajah at the Drake was unbelievable, his professionalism and class showed in every are of the wedding. The entire weekend was a dream come true. Elegant, classy, beautiful the highest quality of service made this event the most wonderful wedding ever! I can not recommend Shaun or the Drake enough! Actually all of the staff from the check in staff, to the bell man, the bar staff, the dining staff and everyone in-between were warm, welcoming and wonderful! The Drake is the place to have your once in a lifetime affair!
Reviewed on 11-09-2019
Katerina Fishchuk (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 10-08-2019
We just had our dream wedding at the Drake this past weekend. Words cannot describe how wonderful it was. The venue itself is breathtaking, but the people that work there are the true gems of the establishment. They work tirelessly to make your dream a reality. Shaun, our wedding coordinator, was a huge help from the very beginning. He was always there to answer any question we had and offer his professional opinion and made the planning process that much easier. On the day of all the wait staff and bartenders were amazing as well! They fulfilled every request with the utmost care and truly made a lasting impression on many of our guest. Overall, highly recommend the Drake Hotel, Shaun and their staff for any event, especially a wedding. It will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
Reviewed on 15-08-2019
Wedding Date 10-08-2019
We just had our dream wedding at the Drake this past weekend. Words cannot describe how wonderful it was. The venue itself is breathtaking, but the people that work there are the true gems of the establishment. They work tirelessly to make your dream a reality. Shaun, our wedding coordinator, was a huge help from the very beginning. He was always there to answer any question we had and offer his professional opinion and made the planning process that much easier. On the day of all the wait staff and bartenders were amazing as well! They fulfilled every request with the utmost care and truly made a lasting impression on many of our guest. Overall, highly recommend the Drake Hotel, Shaun and their staff for any event, especially a wedding. It will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
Reviewed on 15-08-2019
Kavita Chandra (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 05-07-2019
The Drake itself is an iconic building & we got married in the Gold Coast room, which wowed all our guests. But what made getting married in the Drake so great, was working with Shaun Rajah. We had a 300 person multiple-day Indian wedding, and Shaun helped execute with perfection. We had 4 parents who were hyper involved and always asking many questions, and Shaun fielded their questions/comments/concerns easily. While sometimes messages got lost through our deluge of emails, Shaun always made time to meet in person and was always impeccable with execution. He whipped his team into shaped and spent countless hours making our wedding perfect. From our guests’ perspective, they thought the wedding was perfect logistically & and all of the Drake’s staff treated our guests with such hospitality.Truly, getting married at the Drake was a dream – would highly recommend to anyone looking for a classic wedding & working with the best coordinator!
Reviewed on 29-07-2019
Wedding Date 05-07-2019
The Drake itself is an iconic building & we got married in the Gold Coast room, which wowed all our guests. But what made getting married in the Drake so great, was working with Shaun Rajah. We had a 300 person multiple-day Indian wedding, and Shaun helped execute with perfection. We had 4 parents who were hyper involved and always asking many questions, and Shaun fielded their questions/comments/concerns easily. While sometimes messages got lost through our deluge of emails, Shaun always made time to meet in person and was always impeccable with execution. He whipped his team into shaped and spent countless hours making our wedding perfect. From our guests’ perspective, they thought the wedding was perfect logistically & and all of the Drake’s staff treated our guests with such hospitality.Truly, getting married at the Drake was a dream – would highly recommend to anyone looking for a classic wedding & working with the best coordinator!
Reviewed on 29-07-2019
Kiersten Coon (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 20-07-2019
My husband and I had our wedding reception at The Drake in the Grand Ballroom. It was absolutely perfect! The Drake is such a beautiful and iconic Chicago hotel and the staff there is truly amazing. The staff at The Drake was so friendly & welcoming and treated our families and friends so good. Throughout our wedding planning process we worked with Antoinette Cahill and she was so pleasant to work with. You could tell Antoinette wanted to make our day as special as possible. Antoinette asked us many times if we had any other special requests that could make our day more perfect. We are so glad to have decided to have our reception at The Drake Hotel. We would highly recommend it! Thank you Antoinette & thank you to all the staff at The Drake.
Reviewed on 24-07-2019
Wedding Date 20-07-2019
My husband and I had our wedding reception at The Drake in the Grand Ballroom. It was absolutely perfect! The Drake is such a beautiful and iconic Chicago hotel and the staff there is truly amazing. The staff at The Drake was so friendly & welcoming and treated our families and friends so good. Throughout our wedding planning process we worked with Antoinette Cahill and she was so pleasant to work with. You could tell Antoinette wanted to make our day as special as possible. Antoinette asked us many times if we had any other special requests that could make our day more perfect. We are so glad to have decided to have our reception at The Drake Hotel. We would highly recommend it! Thank you Antoinette & thank you to all the staff at The Drake.
Reviewed on 24-07-2019
Linda Parrilli (parent) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 29-06-2019
I highly recommend the Drake Hotel Chicago !!! The unique beautiful Lake Michigan viewing venue with the original details & the outstandingly delicious food by 5 star Chef Mark , the gorgeous spacious hotel rooms , the welcoming Grande florals as you enter, and in the Palm Court.The hospitality & personal requests were above and beyond that Antoinette Cahill provided us .Everything was superb! We felt like royalty 👑all weekend long and absolutely no worries ! What an experience & what a wedding weekend! I love it here! ❤️I promise you will be so delighted and welcome here !
Reviewed on 16-07-2019
Wedding Date 29-06-2019
I highly recommend the Drake Hotel Chicago !!! The unique beautiful Lake Michigan viewing venue with the original details & the outstandingly delicious food by 5 star Chef Mark , the gorgeous spacious hotel rooms , the welcoming Grande florals as you enter, and in the Palm Court.The hospitality & personal requests were above and beyond that Antoinette Cahill provided us .Everything was superb! We felt like royalty 👑all weekend long and absolutely no worries ! What an experience & what a wedding weekend! I love it here! ❤️I promise you will be so delighted and welcome here !
Reviewed on 16-07-2019
Gaurangi Mittal (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 15-06-2019
Words cannot describe how amazing this day was for both me and my husband, and the credit goes to everyone at the Drake, especially Antoinette. We got engaged about 4 months prior to the date of the wedding and started venue shopping right away, choosing Drake as our first. After, any other venue just did not match up to the Drake. The beauty of the venue surpassed all others, but the actual reason for us to have picked this venue was because of the confidence and faith that was provided to us by Antoinette (social director at Drake). Because of her, we knew we could execute the wedding in 3 month's time without any issues at all, and that's exactly what happened. She provided all of the vendor information, who in turn were all excellent and within a couple of weeks, we had everything done - florist, cake tastings, food tastings, etc. Antoinette even accompanied me to some of meetings to make sure everything is done well. It was more than I could have asked for. My wedding day seems like a fairytale to me now. It was just so perfect. I remember walking into the grand ball room which took my breath away. The ambiance was filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers and the warmth of the candles. It was simply grand, royal, and gorgeous. All of my expectations were beyond fulfilled. All of the wedding day issues/complications were handled with such grace without me having any knowledge of the stresses. I was left to only enjoy that moment. My reception was the party of the century, as described by many of my guests. The food provided by India House (Chicago, IL) was exceptional. My guests continue to text/call me daily to ask me about the food caterer for my wedding. The DJ had us moving! And the entire reception seemed flawless. Apparently there were many issues with seating assignments, needing extra tables, re-arranging food logistics, however till date, I think my reception was flawless as those issues were handled so well without any drama or conflicts or stress. Again, the captain at the reception with Antoinette took care of all the issues with such ease. My guests have repeatedly said that they had not experienced a more grand/royal wedding in their lifetime. I couldn't have asked for more. I had the perfect wedding, thanks to Antoinette and the Drake.
Reviewed on 15-07-2019
Wedding Date 15-06-2019
Words cannot describe how amazing this day was for both me and my husband, and the credit goes to everyone at the Drake, especially Antoinette. We got engaged about 4 months prior to the date of the wedding and started venue shopping right away, choosing Drake as our first. After, any other venue just did not match up to the Drake. The beauty of the venue surpassed all others, but the actual reason for us to have picked this venue was because of the confidence and faith that was provided to us by Antoinette (social director at Drake). Because of her, we knew we could execute the wedding in 3 month's time without any issues at all, and that's exactly what happened. She provided all of the vendor information, who in turn were all excellent and within a couple of weeks, we had everything done - florist, cake tastings, food tastings, etc. Antoinette even accompanied me to some of meetings to make sure everything is done well. It was more than I could have asked for. My wedding day seems like a fairytale to me now. It was just so perfect. I remember walking into the grand ball room which took my breath away. The ambiance was filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers and the warmth of the candles. It was simply grand, royal, and gorgeous. All of my expectations were beyond fulfilled. All of the wedding day issues/complications were handled with such grace without me having any knowledge of the stresses. I was left to only enjoy that moment. My reception was the party of the century, as described by many of my guests. The food provided by India House (Chicago, IL) was exceptional. My guests continue to text/call me daily to ask me about the food caterer for my wedding. The DJ had us moving! And the entire reception seemed flawless. Apparently there were many issues with seating assignments, needing extra tables, re-arranging food logistics, however till date, I think my reception was flawless as those issues were handled so well without any drama or conflicts or stress. Again, the captain at the reception with Antoinette took care of all the issues with such ease. My guests have repeatedly said that they had not experienced a more grand/royal wedding in their lifetime. I couldn't have asked for more. I had the perfect wedding, thanks to Antoinette and the Drake.
Reviewed on 15-07-2019
Erica Chrisafis (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 18-01-2019
We had our wedding at the Drake in January 2019 and it was an absolute DREAM! I was initially very overwhelmed with trying to find a Chicago venue from out of town and didn’t ever think I could even have my wedding at The Drake. I reached out to Antionette requesting information just to see what it would cost and what their requirements might be. She could sense that I was overwhelmed and asked if she could call me. She did just that and as we talked, she offered all of the help she could possibly provide with vendor recommendations throughout the area even if I decided I wasn’t going to have my wedding at The Drake! Antionette invited us to come visit - we did and we scheduled some other visits as well at other venues. Can I just say that not one single place compared...not just in what they offered, but in hospitality and accommodations. When we arrived at The Drake for our tour, we were treated as if we already submitted our initial deposit. We were politely greeted by everyone and offered complimentary cocktails right away for our tour. We knew right then that The Drake was our special place. We felt that the way we were treated on our first tour would be indicative of how all our guests would be treated - and I can tell you that every guest complimented their stay and experience while attending our wedding. There are so many more intricate details that lead to what my guests say was the most beautiful wedding they have ever attended! Antionette helped with every detail including the food tastings, all vendor recommendations, various revisions of anything you can think of, wedding gown help, and special requests to make our day unique! All I can say is that Antionette makes The Drake what it is - incredibly special. You won’t be disappointed choosing this venue and I promise you will be taken care of no matter what it takes! Thank you Antionette and everyone at The Drake for helping our vision become a day dream of a reality and a weekend we will never forget!
Reviewed on 20-06-2019
Wedding Date 18-01-2019
We had our wedding at the Drake in January 2019 and it was an absolute DREAM! I was initially very overwhelmed with trying to find a Chicago venue from out of town and didn’t ever think I could even have my wedding at The Drake. I reached out to Antionette requesting information just to see what it would cost and what their requirements might be. She could sense that I was overwhelmed and asked if she could call me. She did just that and as we talked, she offered all of the help she could possibly provide with vendor recommendations throughout the area even if I decided I wasn’t going to have my wedding at The Drake! Antionette invited us to come visit - we did and we scheduled some other visits as well at other venues. Can I just say that not one single place compared...not just in what they offered, but in hospitality and accommodations. When we arrived at The Drake for our tour, we were treated as if we already submitted our initial deposit. We were politely greeted by everyone and offered complimentary cocktails right away for our tour. We knew right then that The Drake was our special place. We felt that the way we were treated on our first tour would be indicative of how all our guests would be treated - and I can tell you that every guest complimented their stay and experience while attending our wedding. There are so many more intricate details that lead to what my guests say was the most beautiful wedding they have ever attended! Antionette helped with every detail including the food tastings, all vendor recommendations, various revisions of anything you can think of, wedding gown help, and special requests to make our day unique! All I can say is that Antionette makes The Drake what it is - incredibly special. You won’t be disappointed choosing this venue and I promise you will be taken care of no matter what it takes! Thank you Antionette and everyone at The Drake for helping our vision become a day dream of a reality and a weekend we will never forget!
Reviewed on 20-06-2019
Derrick Taylor (other) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 15-06-2019
Ann and Antoinette, Another epic wedding on the books ( I just realized that Hillary and Jay's wedding is your featured photo!! I'm flattered to have our work showcased!!! I can’t tell you what it meant to us to have you all working so hard for the Tracy family last weekend. When Mr. and Mrs. Tracy came to me over a year ago and told me they wanted to have Kelsey’s wedding in the city there was only one place I wanted to take them and that was the Drake. I don’t always get to help select the venue but boy am I glad I got the chance to this time!You all made us feel like family and that translated so beautifully into everything the entire team did. I can instantly tell the second I walk into a property if it’s managed well by the behavior of the staff. I have to tell you that I was completely blown away by everyone from the janitors all the way to the sales team. You all should be so extremely proud of the work you do at this hotel. My family and I certainly are. Every detail was attended to and all the guests remarked time and time again on the level of service this hotel displayed. As an older, historic hotel, there are always parts of the hotel that are sometimes more “loved” than that of the newer hotels which is inevitable and that was brought to my attention a few times but only to be followed by…” but the service here completely overcompensates that.”I would be remise if I didn’t point out the amazing people that Jorge and Andy are. I know you all know this but they are so easy to work with and went so far above and beyond to make sure our setup and every guests needs were met and then surpassed. I don’t know what we all would have done without them. Last but my goodness not least I have to thank Antoinette from the bottom of my heart. She is a treasure! This event had so many challenges with constant changes and the hoops that Antoinette jumped through were beyond what should ever be expected of a catering executive to navigate. Without Antoinette, none of this would have happened… The hours you put in for Mr. and Mrs. Tracy matched mine which I’ve never seen in all the hotels I’ve worked in. You should be so very proud of the work you do. My family noticed it and we were in awe. I can’t thank you all enough for your grace, class and overwhelming hospitality that you not only showed my client and their guests but my family as well. I can’t wait for my next Drake wedding. This was truly a 5 star experience. Please Pass my sincere thank you on to Jorge, Andy and all the servers and bartenders that worked this event. I know they often don’t get the recognition they deserve and they truly deserve the accolades. So very sincerely, Marcia, Nicole and Derrick TaylorTaylor and Co Events Derrick TAYLORPresident - Creative Director2819 west Montrose AvenueChicago, Il 60618312.771.8198www.taylorandcoevents.com
Reviewed on 18-06-2019
Wedding Date 15-06-2019
Ann and Antoinette, Another epic wedding on the books ( I just realized that Hillary and Jay's wedding is your featured photo!! I'm flattered to have our work showcased!!! I can’t tell you what it meant to us to have you all working so hard for the Tracy family last weekend. When Mr. and Mrs. Tracy came to me over a year ago and told me they wanted to have Kelsey’s wedding in the city there was only one place I wanted to take them and that was the Drake. I don’t always get to help select the venue but boy am I glad I got the chance to this time!You all made us feel like family and that translated so beautifully into everything the entire team did. I can instantly tell the second I walk into a property if it’s managed well by the behavior of the staff. I have to tell you that I was completely blown away by everyone from the janitors all the way to the sales team. You all should be so extremely proud of the work you do at this hotel. My family and I certainly are. Every detail was attended to and all the guests remarked time and time again on the level of service this hotel displayed. As an older, historic hotel, there are always parts of the hotel that are sometimes more “loved” than that of the newer hotels which is inevitable and that was brought to my attention a few times but only to be followed by…” but the service here completely overcompensates that.”I would be remise if I didn’t point out the amazing people that Jorge and Andy are. I know you all know this but they are so easy to work with and went so far above and beyond to make sure our setup and every guests needs were met and then surpassed. I don’t know what we all would have done without them. Last but my goodness not least I have to thank Antoinette from the bottom of my heart. She is a treasure! This event had so many challenges with constant changes and the hoops that Antoinette jumped through were beyond what should ever be expected of a catering executive to navigate. Without Antoinette, none of this would have happened… The hours you put in for Mr. and Mrs. Tracy matched mine which I’ve never seen in all the hotels I’ve worked in. You should be so very proud of the work you do. My family noticed it and we were in awe. I can’t thank you all enough for your grace, class and overwhelming hospitality that you not only showed my client and their guests but my family as well. I can’t wait for my next Drake wedding. This was truly a 5 star experience. Please Pass my sincere thank you on to Jorge, Andy and all the servers and bartenders that worked this event. I know they often don’t get the recognition they deserve and they truly deserve the accolades. So very sincerely, Marcia, Nicole and Derrick TaylorTaylor and Co Events Derrick TAYLORPresident - Creative Director2819 west Montrose AvenueChicago, Il 60618312.771.8198www.taylorandcoevents.com
Reviewed on 18-06-2019
Bridget Bergman (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 01-06-2019
We celebrated our wedding at The Drake on 6.1.19. From cocktail hour in the Palm Court (one of the most beautiful rooms in Chicago) to the champagne parade to the beautiful Gold Coast Room - everything about our wedding at The Drake was exquisite. Every time that we went to The Drake for planning, we received the best service and felt like family. We worked with Shaun Rajah who is absolutely incredible, knowledgeable, and a joy to work with. The Gold Coast room has great natural light, is beautiful and warm as the night goes on, and is a wonderful piece of Chicago history. The Drake was the perfect venue for us!
Reviewed on 14-06-2019
Wedding Date 01-06-2019
We celebrated our wedding at The Drake on 6.1.19. From cocktail hour in the Palm Court (one of the most beautiful rooms in Chicago) to the champagne parade to the beautiful Gold Coast Room - everything about our wedding at The Drake was exquisite. Every time that we went to The Drake for planning, we received the best service and felt like family. We worked with Shaun Rajah who is absolutely incredible, knowledgeable, and a joy to work with. The Gold Coast room has great natural light, is beautiful and warm as the night goes on, and is a wonderful piece of Chicago history. The Drake was the perfect venue for us!
Reviewed on 14-06-2019
Rania Karam (parent) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 04-05-2019
The Drake made my daughter wedding a dream wedding Dealing with Antoinette Cahill at the Drake was amazing for any couple thinking about The Drake make sure to deal with Ms. Cahill All the guests on the bride side were From out of town and they stayed atThe Drake ,I never heard a complaint!! Dealing with Mr. Jose Milan who was helping me with rooms block and reservations was a pleasure can’t say enough .needless to say that the food ,service and the ambiance were unmatched,thanks to everyone who was on that team.
Reviewed on 02-06-2019
Wedding Date 04-05-2019
The Drake made my daughter wedding a dream wedding Dealing with Antoinette Cahill at the Drake was amazing for any couple thinking about The Drake make sure to deal with Ms. Cahill All the guests on the bride side were From out of town and they stayed atThe Drake ,I never heard a complaint!! Dealing with Mr. Jose Milan who was helping me with rooms block and reservations was a pleasure can’t say enough .needless to say that the food ,service and the ambiance were unmatched,thanks to everyone who was on that team.
Reviewed on 02-06-2019
Gena Biossat (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 10-08-2018
Words cannot express the level of excellence Shaun Rajah and his team at The Drake Hotel bring to every interaction. From pre-planning to the actual event, he was our personal Superman, saving the day every step of the way. We were probably one of the most high maintenance clients he has ever worked with LOL, because we kept forgetting to get our choices to him. However, Shaun handled us with grace and elegance, giving us gentle reminders of what the hotel needed from us at any given time. There is no detail that goes unnoticed with Shaun, so believe me when I say the day could not have been more perfect. I have seen him interact with other clients too, and all I can say is, he makes every person he interacts with feel like royalty. He made our wedding so incredible, our friends and family are still calling us to tell us that it was the most amazing wedding they have ever attended.
Reviewed on 14-05-2019
Wedding Date 10-08-2018
Words cannot express the level of excellence Shaun Rajah and his team at The Drake Hotel bring to every interaction. From pre-planning to the actual event, he was our personal Superman, saving the day every step of the way. We were probably one of the most high maintenance clients he has ever worked with LOL, because we kept forgetting to get our choices to him. However, Shaun handled us with grace and elegance, giving us gentle reminders of what the hotel needed from us at any given time. There is no detail that goes unnoticed with Shaun, so believe me when I say the day could not have been more perfect. I have seen him interact with other clients too, and all I can say is, he makes every person he interacts with feel like royalty. He made our wedding so incredible, our friends and family are still calling us to tell us that it was the most amazing wedding they have ever attended.
Reviewed on 14-05-2019
Hind Ibrahim (parent) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 27-04-2019
Antoinette was amazing to work with! My son and daughter in law had their wedding in the Gold Coast room and Antoinette handled everything from nerves to the smallest details. Her and Kally and George became wonderful friends not just people that work for the Drake. The wedding went smoothly and everyone tells me it’s one of the best weddings they ever attended!
Reviewed on 29-04-2019
Wedding Date 27-04-2019
Antoinette was amazing to work with! My son and daughter in law had their wedding in the Gold Coast room and Antoinette handled everything from nerves to the smallest details. Her and Kally and George became wonderful friends not just people that work for the Drake. The wedding went smoothly and everyone tells me it’s one of the best weddings they ever attended!
Reviewed on 29-04-2019
Laura Sweat (parent) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 18-11-2017
Our daughter and son-in-law were married in November in downtown Chicago at St. James Chapel, just steps away from the historic Drake Hotel. From the first moment we saw the gorgeous reception rooms at The Drake, we knew it would be a very special venue to host the weekend wedding celebration we were planning for over 250 guests who would be coming into Chicago from all over the country. But it was the EXCELLENT SERVICE from the entire staff at The Drake, directed by Shaun Rajah, who made the wedding day and night such a complete success! They attended to every detail and need. From the employees at the front desk, Jose Milan and Andrea Barrera, who took care of the many room reservations for so many out-of-town guests, to Amy Verdon who arranged, and Omer who served, the delicious Bridal Brunch in the Princess Diana Suite, to all of the many wait staff in both the Palm Court Room (Jose Barrera was so helpful in coordinating a lovely engagement tea!), to the Banquet Captains, Francisco Sanchez and Lino Frustado, in the Gold Coast and French Rooms who made certain the cocktails and dinner were exactly as we had planned---everyone we encountered at The Drake hotel was so helpful and professional and hospitable. In the months prior to the wedding, we coordinated the details with Shaun Rajah, The Drake's Associate Director of Catering, and we really cannot compliment Shaun enough on his excellent and professional attention to every detail regarding the wedding day. Shaun, and his assistant Kelly Huddle, were so helpful with suggestions for every aspect of the wedding day, making sure that we had plenty of information and resources to make the wedding (which was actually off site) AND the reception wonderful. Shaun coordinated everything, and was a tremendous help in the months ahead of the wedding, working well with our wedding planner and all our vendors, too, which was very important. He was always checking in with everyone, and was so prompt in his replies when we had questions--which was often! Plus, he is so good-natured and funny; he's really fun to work with. His assistant Kelly, was also extremely helpful and did a great job hosting our enjoyable menu tasting at The Drake. What great memories we have of our experiences at The Drake hotel! Shaun helped us stay well-organized, and he promised that every single detail would be attended to by the whole staff the day of the wedding, so we could just enjoy the day and our guests. Shaun Rajah and staff did not disappoint!! Yes, the hotel was lovely, the food was really delicious, and the reception rooms for both the cocktails and dinner and dancing were beautiful, but it was Shaun and The Drake's staff who coordinated everything and everyone to make it such a perfect, FUN celebration! (We were even a little concerned about holding the celebration the same day as The Michigan Lights Parade, but Shaun reassured us it would be NO problem, and it wasn't. In fact, having the city light up that night to begin the holiday season made everything seem even more festive for the occasion.) He really did think of everything and made so many helpful suggestions. The day was absolutely fantastic! So many of our guests say it was the BEST wedding celebration ever! Thanks to Shaun Rajah and the entire Drake staff! We would highly recommend this iconic Magnificent Mile hotel if you want a wonderfully memorable wedding celebration for both your family and your guests!
Reviewed on 20-11-2018
Wedding Date 18-11-2017
Our daughter and son-in-law were married in November in downtown Chicago at St. James Chapel, just steps away from the historic Drake Hotel. From the first moment we saw the gorgeous reception rooms at The Drake, we knew it would be a very special venue to host the weekend wedding celebration we were planning for over 250 guests who would be coming into Chicago from all over the country. But it was the EXCELLENT SERVICE from the entire staff at The Drake, directed by Shaun Rajah, who made the wedding day and night such a complete success! They attended to every detail and need. From the employees at the front desk, Jose Milan and Andrea Barrera, who took care of the many room reservations for so many out-of-town guests, to Amy Verdon who arranged, and Omer who served, the delicious Bridal Brunch in the Princess Diana Suite, to all of the many wait staff in both the Palm Court Room (Jose Barrera was so helpful in coordinating a lovely engagement tea!), to the Banquet Captains, Francisco Sanchez and Lino Frustado, in the Gold Coast and French Rooms who made certain the cocktails and dinner were exactly as we had planned---everyone we encountered at The Drake hotel was so helpful and professional and hospitable. In the months prior to the wedding, we coordinated the details with Shaun Rajah, The Drake's Associate Director of Catering, and we really cannot compliment Shaun enough on his excellent and professional attention to every detail regarding the wedding day. Shaun, and his assistant Kelly Huddle, were so helpful with suggestions for every aspect of the wedding day, making sure that we had plenty of information and resources to make the wedding (which was actually off site) AND the reception wonderful. Shaun coordinated everything, and was a tremendous help in the months ahead of the wedding, working well with our wedding planner and all our vendors, too, which was very important. He was always checking in with everyone, and was so prompt in his replies when we had questions--which was often! Plus, he is so good-natured and funny; he's really fun to work with. His assistant Kelly, was also extremely helpful and did a great job hosting our enjoyable menu tasting at The Drake. What great memories we have of our experiences at The Drake hotel! Shaun helped us stay well-organized, and he promised that every single detail would be attended to by the whole staff the day of the wedding, so we could just enjoy the day and our guests. Shaun Rajah and staff did not disappoint!! Yes, the hotel was lovely, the food was really delicious, and the reception rooms for both the cocktails and dinner and dancing were beautiful, but it was Shaun and The Drake's staff who coordinated everything and everyone to make it such a perfect, FUN celebration! (We were even a little concerned about holding the celebration the same day as The Michigan Lights Parade, but Shaun reassured us it would be NO problem, and it wasn't. In fact, having the city light up that night to begin the holiday season made everything seem even more festive for the occasion.) He really did think of everything and made so many helpful suggestions. The day was absolutely fantastic! So many of our guests say it was the BEST wedding celebration ever! Thanks to Shaun Rajah and the entire Drake staff! We would highly recommend this iconic Magnificent Mile hotel if you want a wonderfully memorable wedding celebration for both your family and your guests!
Reviewed on 20-11-2018
Jonathan C (groom) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 19-10-2018
Working with Shaun Rajah from The Drake was a pleasure and he helped to ensure all of the details of our wedding were accounted for. From the selection of the venue through the day-of execution, he was there to answer any questions we had, and even anticipated some of our questions/requests. We couldn't have done it without him and he was a driving force behind our selection of The Drake as our wedding venue.
Reviewed on 29-10-2018
Wedding Date 19-10-2018
Working with Shaun Rajah from The Drake was a pleasure and he helped to ensure all of the details of our wedding were accounted for. From the selection of the venue through the day-of execution, he was there to answer any questions we had, and even anticipated some of our questions/requests. We couldn't have done it without him and he was a driving force behind our selection of The Drake as our wedding venue.
Reviewed on 29-10-2018
May Martinez (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 03-09-2016
This is way long overdue. We held our wedding reception at The Drake Hotel in Chicago and worked with the best team that is Shaun Rajah and Kelly Huddle. When we first were looking into wedding venues, we looked into venues in Chicago that would be unforgettable. I must say, other than the classic beauty that is The Drake, what made it irreplaceable was Shaun Rajah. He is responsive and kind, and truly cares about his guests. He is personable and overall an amazing person to be around. He even responded to my emails at 11 at night! I have never met a person so passionate about his career. His service is grade A and The Drake staff mirrored this. The most stressful part about a wedding is the planning and he made certain every detail was perfect just to make our special day as magical as it was. Every day leading up to the wedding day, i was at ease knowing that Shaun was my right hand man. On 9/3/16, my husband and i got married and Shaun/Kelly worked their magic, everything was seamless :). From the first time we met, to the tasting, to the wedding, Shaun Rajah is a dream come true.
Reviewed on 21-10-2018
Wedding Date 03-09-2016
This is way long overdue. We held our wedding reception at The Drake Hotel in Chicago and worked with the best team that is Shaun Rajah and Kelly Huddle. When we first were looking into wedding venues, we looked into venues in Chicago that would be unforgettable. I must say, other than the classic beauty that is The Drake, what made it irreplaceable was Shaun Rajah. He is responsive and kind, and truly cares about his guests. He is personable and overall an amazing person to be around. He even responded to my emails at 11 at night! I have never met a person so passionate about his career. His service is grade A and The Drake staff mirrored this. The most stressful part about a wedding is the planning and he made certain every detail was perfect just to make our special day as magical as it was. Every day leading up to the wedding day, i was at ease knowing that Shaun was my right hand man. On 9/3/16, my husband and i got married and Shaun/Kelly worked their magic, everything was seamless :). From the first time we met, to the tasting, to the wedding, Shaun Rajah is a dream come true.
Reviewed on 21-10-2018
Jenna Mersch (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 14-07-2018
The Drake Hotel was absolutely the best! Very attentive, professional, and top of the line staff and coordinators. Sara Wisnoski was our coordinator and she truly out did herself. Beautiful venue and generous allocation of room block numbers!
Reviewed on 19-10-2018
Wedding Date 14-07-2018
The Drake Hotel was absolutely the best! Very attentive, professional, and top of the line staff and coordinators. Sara Wisnoski was our coordinator and she truly out did herself. Beautiful venue and generous allocation of room block numbers!
Reviewed on 19-10-2018
Gail Kidder (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 15-09-2018
From my very first meeting with Shaun Rajah, I knew he would take care of me. (And he wasn’t even my wedding consultant yet.) My family and I love the tea service at the Palm Court, but we always had trouble getting reservations. When a passing service member asked how we were enjoying our tea and if there was anything he could do, we asked about getting in more frequently. Shaun gave us his card and said the next time we want to come in but can’t get a reservation, give him a call. We never did, but I was lucky enough to be matched with him when filling out an application online for a wedding quote at the Drake. From the first day we walked the space until the last moment on my wedding day, Shaun went above and beyond my expectations. He was able to offer his expertise with vendors and provide options for our wedding day. Shaun was very responsive when it came to all my questions. He made me feel very comfortable and never steered me wrong in the selection process. For instance, I was initially skeptical about including a “champagne parade” at the beginning of my reception. However, Shaun knew that my family and I were champagne connoisseurs and told us to reconsider. A tradition at The Drake, white-gloved servers, each holding a bottle of champagne, trot out to lively music and pour every flute at once. We loved it.Furthermore, Shaun was always in my corner, especially when unexpected issues occurred. The week before the wedding day, all of our hotels service members, including hotel housekeeping, doorman, and wait staff, went on strike. Shaun immediately told me not to panic and said he “had it handled.” He was able to bring in great service staff so that we didn’t notice a change in our big day. Furthermore, he made me feel calm and confident that things would run smoothly, and they did. My wedding went beyond my expectations, and I enjoyed every minute of it. We had a hospitality suite that started on the Thursday prior to the wedding so guests could enjoy a glass of wine and a snack. I highly recommend doing this as it is great for guests to spend more time with friends and relatives that they do not get to see very often. Shaun shows care, compassion, and professionalism in every detail. I left our wedding weekend wanting to celebrate my 5-year wedding anniversary at the Drake and do it all over again.
Reviewed on 19-10-2018
Wedding Date 15-09-2018
From my very first meeting with Shaun Rajah, I knew he would take care of me. (And he wasn’t even my wedding consultant yet.) My family and I love the tea service at the Palm Court, but we always had trouble getting reservations. When a passing service member asked how we were enjoying our tea and if there was anything he could do, we asked about getting in more frequently. Shaun gave us his card and said the next time we want to come in but can’t get a reservation, give him a call. We never did, but I was lucky enough to be matched with him when filling out an application online for a wedding quote at the Drake. From the first day we walked the space until the last moment on my wedding day, Shaun went above and beyond my expectations. He was able to offer his expertise with vendors and provide options for our wedding day. Shaun was very responsive when it came to all my questions. He made me feel very comfortable and never steered me wrong in the selection process. For instance, I was initially skeptical about including a “champagne parade” at the beginning of my reception. However, Shaun knew that my family and I were champagne connoisseurs and told us to reconsider. A tradition at The Drake, white-gloved servers, each holding a bottle of champagne, trot out to lively music and pour every flute at once. We loved it.Furthermore, Shaun was always in my corner, especially when unexpected issues occurred. The week before the wedding day, all of our hotels service members, including hotel housekeeping, doorman, and wait staff, went on strike. Shaun immediately told me not to panic and said he “had it handled.” He was able to bring in great service staff so that we didn’t notice a change in our big day. Furthermore, he made me feel calm and confident that things would run smoothly, and they did. My wedding went beyond my expectations, and I enjoyed every minute of it. We had a hospitality suite that started on the Thursday prior to the wedding so guests could enjoy a glass of wine and a snack. I highly recommend doing this as it is great for guests to spend more time with friends and relatives that they do not get to see very often. Shaun shows care, compassion, and professionalism in every detail. I left our wedding weekend wanting to celebrate my 5-year wedding anniversary at the Drake and do it all over again.
Reviewed on 19-10-2018
Katrina Quanstrom (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 08-09-2018
Wow! We worked with Antoinette for our special day and we cannot say enough kind things about her and The Drake. Antoinette was wonderful to work with and jumped through hoops to meet our every need. From the minute we walked in to look at the venue over a year ago, we felt so special. We were treated with respect and care, unlike many of the other venues we visited. The Drake definitely stands out from other venues in this sense. We barely left our visit before we were ready to book our wedding!The food tasting at The Drake was quite honestly one of our most memorable experiences leading up to the wedding. The wedding night was absolutely fabulous. Antoinette was so accommodating and we could tell that she truly cared and went above and beyond for us. We were treated so well throughout our stay and everyone at The Drake made sure we had everything we needed to make our weekend extra special. Every detail was executed perfectly and we have not stopped hearing how much fun our friends and family had and how beautiful the venue was. We cannot thank the team at The Drake team enough for giving us the greatest day ever!
Reviewed on 16-10-2018
Wedding Date 08-09-2018
Wow! We worked with Antoinette for our special day and we cannot say enough kind things about her and The Drake. Antoinette was wonderful to work with and jumped through hoops to meet our every need. From the minute we walked in to look at the venue over a year ago, we felt so special. We were treated with respect and care, unlike many of the other venues we visited. The Drake definitely stands out from other venues in this sense. We barely left our visit before we were ready to book our wedding!The food tasting at The Drake was quite honestly one of our most memorable experiences leading up to the wedding. The wedding night was absolutely fabulous. Antoinette was so accommodating and we could tell that she truly cared and went above and beyond for us. We were treated so well throughout our stay and everyone at The Drake made sure we had everything we needed to make our weekend extra special. Every detail was executed perfectly and we have not stopped hearing how much fun our friends and family had and how beautiful the venue was. We cannot thank the team at The Drake team enough for giving us the greatest day ever!
Reviewed on 16-10-2018
Shifali Singh (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 04-08-2018
My husband and I got married at the Drake hotel on 8/4/18 in the Gold Coast ballroom, and it was truly the best day of our lives! I cannot say enough about Shaun, the catering manager (but so much more), and the Drake Hotel. Our guests not only commented on the obvious beauty of the hotel and the Gold Coast ballroom, but also on the customer service and guest services, which exceeded all expectations. Personally, Shaun and the Drake Hotel staff have become family. Shaun especially is always extremely responsive, even if he’s traveling or swamped during wedding season (as he was). He made us feel like we were the only couple he was working with. My husband and I feel so thankful for the Drake hotel and Shaun. If you want a stress-free, gorgeous wedding a lifetime in the premier hotel - do not hesitate to book the Drake! My husband and I also had the privilege of staying in the Princess Diana Suite, which was even more beautiful than imagined. The views are breathtaking, the decor is timeless, and the history makes it unique and special. We have stayed in hotels all over the world, but no hotel will ever match up to the Drake. We are fortunate to live just a block away, so we can witness its beauty and re-live the memory of our wedding day every day! Stay here for an experience of a lifetime, and if you are planning a spectacular event, the Drake Hotel should be at the top of your list!
Reviewed on 23-08-2018
Wedding Date 04-08-2018
My husband and I got married at the Drake hotel on 8/4/18 in the Gold Coast ballroom, and it was truly the best day of our lives! I cannot say enough about Shaun, the catering manager (but so much more), and the Drake Hotel. Our guests not only commented on the obvious beauty of the hotel and the Gold Coast ballroom, but also on the customer service and guest services, which exceeded all expectations. Personally, Shaun and the Drake Hotel staff have become family. Shaun especially is always extremely responsive, even if he’s traveling or swamped during wedding season (as he was). He made us feel like we were the only couple he was working with. My husband and I feel so thankful for the Drake hotel and Shaun. If you want a stress-free, gorgeous wedding a lifetime in the premier hotel - do not hesitate to book the Drake! My husband and I also had the privilege of staying in the Princess Diana Suite, which was even more beautiful than imagined. The views are breathtaking, the decor is timeless, and the history makes it unique and special. We have stayed in hotels all over the world, but no hotel will ever match up to the Drake. We are fortunate to live just a block away, so we can witness its beauty and re-live the memory of our wedding day every day! Stay here for an experience of a lifetime, and if you are planning a spectacular event, the Drake Hotel should be at the top of your list!
Reviewed on 23-08-2018
Laura Bianchi (bridesmaid) 1 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 11-08-2018
I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and I showed up to the Drake and the bride was in tears. A year prior she booked a suite that she was assured would hold 12-15 people for the morning of her wedding. She was misled and even verified multiple times that her suite was the size of the “Churchill suite” that her sister used the previous year. She was assured it was but when we arrived it could hold about 6 people comfortably and as not adequate for make up and hair. Eloy, the manager was extremely rude and kept repeating “every bride has different needs” indiciating that her needs were over the top. We were treated with disrespect all weekend and even when a different room was given to us which was still small but was the last resort, no apologies other than “sorry” were given. When a suite is booked, the bride was told she would get breakfast along with the suite members. She was in hair and makeup so I went down to get it for her. I was told she is not a “diamond member” and the only way to receive breakfast was to pay $25 or have her eat with her groom on the morning of her wedding in the Cape Cod room. My room was not available until 4pm while I was in the church as a member of the wedding party. All of my things were on th 7th floor where I checked in but was denied a key because they were cleaning even though it was after check in time. I had to check in at 12 am, move my luggage from the 7th to 4th floor (I was not offered help) and told to check in earlier next time. Disaster of a stay at The Drake, and the escalations dept was of some help after Anita reimbursed me with a 2 night stay even though I do not want to stay but she did her best and was empathetic. David Ryan from their dept sarcastically thanked the bride for her stay and welcomed her return. She can not get her wedding day back and the added stress put a damper on her wedding day. They also will not even adjust her bill. One plus- Mario the bellhop! He saved the day when our luggage wasn’t brought up for an hour before her rehearsal.
Reviewed on 19-08-2018
Wedding Date 11-08-2018
I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and I showed up to the Drake and the bride was in tears. A year prior she booked a suite that she was assured would hold 12-15 people for the morning of her wedding. She was misled and even verified multiple times that her suite was the size of the “Churchill suite” that her sister used the previous year. She was assured it was but when we arrived it could hold about 6 people comfortably and as not adequate for make up and hair. Eloy, the manager was extremely rude and kept repeating “every bride has different needs” indiciating that her needs were over the top. We were treated with disrespect all weekend and even when a different room was given to us which was still small but was the last resort, no apologies other than “sorry” were given. When a suite is booked, the bride was told she would get breakfast along with the suite members. She was in hair and makeup so I went down to get it for her. I was told she is not a “diamond member” and the only way to receive breakfast was to pay $25 or have her eat with her groom on the morning of her wedding in the Cape Cod room. My room was not available until 4pm while I was in the church as a member of the wedding party. All of my things were on th 7th floor where I checked in but was denied a key because they were cleaning even though it was after check in time. I had to check in at 12 am, move my luggage from the 7th to 4th floor (I was not offered help) and told to check in earlier next time. Disaster of a stay at The Drake, and the escalations dept was of some help after Anita reimbursed me with a 2 night stay even though I do not want to stay but she did her best and was empathetic. David Ryan from their dept sarcastically thanked the bride for her stay and welcomed her return. She can not get her wedding day back and the added stress put a damper on her wedding day. They also will not even adjust her bill. One plus- Mario the bellhop! He saved the day when our luggage wasn’t brought up for an hour before her rehearsal.
Reviewed on 19-08-2018
Debbie G. (parent) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 17-03-2018
Debbie G. Shaun Rajah was a pleasure to work with.His time and effort made our daughter and son-in-law's wedding a huge success.The entire day went off without a hitch! There isn't one thing we would change about it.The staff at The Drake is exceptional and the service was outstanding.We know that one of the reasons it was so perfect was because of Shaun's guidance and hard work.We would highly recommend The Drake and Shaun Rajah as a place to hold any event.
Reviewed on 19-08-2018
Wedding Date 17-03-2018
Debbie G. Shaun Rajah was a pleasure to work with.His time and effort made our daughter and son-in-law's wedding a huge success.The entire day went off without a hitch! There isn't one thing we would change about it.The staff at The Drake is exceptional and the service was outstanding.We know that one of the reasons it was so perfect was because of Shaun's guidance and hard work.We would highly recommend The Drake and Shaun Rajah as a place to hold any event.
Reviewed on 19-08-2018
Nicole Genovese (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 28-07-2018
Antoinette is fantastic! From our initial meeting to our farewell brunch, she made sure everything went smoothly and that we were happy. Her experience in the industry along with her willingness to make your wedding process as enjoyable as she can set her apart from everyone else. Antoinette went above and beyond, recommending the best vendors to fit our needs, and even helped by suggesting personalized items to include on our wedding day that made it special and unique to us. The Gold Coast room at The Drake was a dream, and was simply elegant. Our wedding was everything we hoped it to be and more thanks to the incredible staff at the Drake and Antoinette herself. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Reviewed on 04-08-2018
Wedding Date 28-07-2018
Antoinette is fantastic! From our initial meeting to our farewell brunch, she made sure everything went smoothly and that we were happy. Her experience in the industry along with her willingness to make your wedding process as enjoyable as she can set her apart from everyone else. Antoinette went above and beyond, recommending the best vendors to fit our needs, and even helped by suggesting personalized items to include on our wedding day that made it special and unique to us. The Gold Coast room at The Drake was a dream, and was simply elegant. Our wedding was everything we hoped it to be and more thanks to the incredible staff at the Drake and Antoinette herself. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Reviewed on 04-08-2018
Terry Barbato (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 23-06-2018
If you are planning a wedding in downtown Chicago, then The Drake is the one and only venue to even consider! This historic hotel is Chicago at its finest, with floor to ceiling windows in the Gold Coast Room providing your guests and bridal party with an amazing view of the lake and the LSD coastline - fabulous. The service? Impeccable. The food? Incredible? The staff? Warm and professional. Our planner, Sara Wisnoski, went above and beyond for us throughout the entire 18 month planning process to insure our experience was personalized and beyond expectations - she succeeded on both counts. Our guest said it was the most beautiful and amazing wedding they had ever attended. Awesome in every way - coming from the Mother of the Bride who managed all of the wedding planning!
Reviewed on 27-06-2018
Wedding Date 23-06-2018
If you are planning a wedding in downtown Chicago, then The Drake is the one and only venue to even consider! This historic hotel is Chicago at its finest, with floor to ceiling windows in the Gold Coast Room providing your guests and bridal party with an amazing view of the lake and the LSD coastline - fabulous. The service? Impeccable. The food? Incredible? The staff? Warm and professional. Our planner, Sara Wisnoski, went above and beyond for us throughout the entire 18 month planning process to insure our experience was personalized and beyond expectations - she succeeded on both counts. Our guest said it was the most beautiful and amazing wedding they had ever attended. Awesome in every way - coming from the Mother of the Bride who managed all of the wedding planning!
Reviewed on 27-06-2018
Gabriela Soltys (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 26-05-2018
We just had our wedding here on 5/26/18 in the Gold Coast Room and had our cocktail hour in Palm Court. WOW! I couldn't be happier with everything. We worked with Sara Wisnoski and she was wonderful. Sara is very responsive, and while she was away on vacation she always made sure to let me know beforehand and let me know who I can contact if needed. She dealt with my million room changes/questions/special requests and made me feel that it was OK to change everything constantly :) although I'm sure it wasn't easy for her, she never showed it! She was also a wealth of information and was happy to share different suggestions/ideas from wedding's and events at The Drake. Everyone at The Drake was so helpful and we couldn't be happier with our decision. Our bellman, Chris, made me feel so special! I was staying in the Princess Diana Suite the day of the wedding and he made the most fun announcement in the hallway for my parents and I. Little things like that was what The Drake did for us. The food was expensive, but incredible. We have a few extremely picky eaters and The Drake was able to work around their special requests. Everything was out on time and exactly what we asked for. So happy that we chose The Drake as our venue!
Reviewed on 10-06-2018
Wedding Date 26-05-2018
We just had our wedding here on 5/26/18 in the Gold Coast Room and had our cocktail hour in Palm Court. WOW! I couldn't be happier with everything. We worked with Sara Wisnoski and she was wonderful. Sara is very responsive, and while she was away on vacation she always made sure to let me know beforehand and let me know who I can contact if needed. She dealt with my million room changes/questions/special requests and made me feel that it was OK to change everything constantly :) although I'm sure it wasn't easy for her, she never showed it! She was also a wealth of information and was happy to share different suggestions/ideas from wedding's and events at The Drake. Everyone at The Drake was so helpful and we couldn't be happier with our decision. Our bellman, Chris, made me feel so special! I was staying in the Princess Diana Suite the day of the wedding and he made the most fun announcement in the hallway for my parents and I. Little things like that was what The Drake did for us. The food was expensive, but incredible. We have a few extremely picky eaters and The Drake was able to work around their special requests. Everything was out on time and exactly what we asked for. So happy that we chose The Drake as our venue!
Reviewed on 10-06-2018
Danielle Kuhn (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 07-08-2019
The Drake is one of my favorite venues to plan weddings at. I continue to be impressed by their high level of service, delicious food, and beautiful event spaces. I always work with Antoinette and I don't even know where to begin with her. She has so much experience at the Drake in Chicago so she truly knows everything about the spaces and staff. She has yet to not know the answer to any of my questions. She also is very kind and funny so it's a pleasure to work alongside her. Overall the Drake is by far an amazing venue for all types of events. I cannot wait until I'm there next!
Reviewed on 07-06-2018
Wedding Date 07-08-2019
The Drake is one of my favorite venues to plan weddings at. I continue to be impressed by their high level of service, delicious food, and beautiful event spaces. I always work with Antoinette and I don't even know where to begin with her. She has so much experience at the Drake in Chicago so she truly knows everything about the spaces and staff. She has yet to not know the answer to any of my questions. She also is very kind and funny so it's a pleasure to work alongside her. Overall the Drake is by far an amazing venue for all types of events. I cannot wait until I'm there next!
Reviewed on 07-06-2018
Tiffany Karalis (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 10-09-2018
I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that every single time my husband and I went to The Drake for some planning, tasting, etc. reason, we were treated like royalty and, even more so, like family. Even the staff members who were busy setting up for different events and helping hotel guests get settled would take a second to greet us with smiles and warmth (and sometimes wine!) that only made us feel even more special and truly appreciated as guests of honor at the hotel. From the beginning of planning to the end, and even now that the wedding is over, our experience working with The Drake was undeniably surreal. Antoinette and her absolutely wonderful assistant, Dhamma, went above and beyond to help my family and I figure out how to articulate and execute the details of our wedding vision, and the wedding day far exceeded anything that we had dreamed up in our heads. The service was efficient and outstanding, the room was picture-esque, the communication between vendors was organized and timely, and the friendships we developed with Antoinette, Dhamma, Jose, and other staff members are what I will miss most now that we don’t have a major excuse to frequent the Drake. :)Everyone knows that weddings are expensive, and a wedding in downtown Chicago is certainly no exception to that rule. But what you simply cannot put a price on is the passion and consideration that every single person at The Drake put into ensuring my husband and I felt supported, appreciated, and confident in our venue decision. From the valets, to the chefs, to the bellhops, to the room service, to the bartenders, and especially to Antoinette and Dhamma, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our wedding day the most incredible and special day of our lives. You are an outstanding group of people and we will miss you all dearly as we make our move to the east coast. But when we’re back in town around the holidays and our anniversaries, you can guarantee we will stop by to remind you of how much your care and kindness beautifully influenced our transition into marriage. Thank you all so, so much!
Reviewed on 06-06-2018
Wedding Date 10-09-2018
I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that every single time my husband and I went to The Drake for some planning, tasting, etc. reason, we were treated like royalty and, even more so, like family. Even the staff members who were busy setting up for different events and helping hotel guests get settled would take a second to greet us with smiles and warmth (and sometimes wine!) that only made us feel even more special and truly appreciated as guests of honor at the hotel. From the beginning of planning to the end, and even now that the wedding is over, our experience working with The Drake was undeniably surreal. Antoinette and her absolutely wonderful assistant, Dhamma, went above and beyond to help my family and I figure out how to articulate and execute the details of our wedding vision, and the wedding day far exceeded anything that we had dreamed up in our heads. The service was efficient and outstanding, the room was picture-esque, the communication between vendors was organized and timely, and the friendships we developed with Antoinette, Dhamma, Jose, and other staff members are what I will miss most now that we don’t have a major excuse to frequent the Drake. :)Everyone knows that weddings are expensive, and a wedding in downtown Chicago is certainly no exception to that rule. But what you simply cannot put a price on is the passion and consideration that every single person at The Drake put into ensuring my husband and I felt supported, appreciated, and confident in our venue decision. From the valets, to the chefs, to the bellhops, to the room service, to the bartenders, and especially to Antoinette and Dhamma, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our wedding day the most incredible and special day of our lives. You are an outstanding group of people and we will miss you all dearly as we make our move to the east coast. But when we’re back in town around the holidays and our anniversaries, you can guarantee we will stop by to remind you of how much your care and kindness beautifully influenced our transition into marriage. Thank you all so, so much!
Reviewed on 06-06-2018
Vanessa V (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 07-05-2017
Shaun Rajah was my main point of contact for my wedding and he was absolutely incredible! My parents were so impressed by his professionalism, attention to detail, flexibility and accommodating manners, etc. He was such a delight to work with and really was the major force behind our wedding being beyond anything we had imagined. I can't say enough good things about Shaun and his team, and I highly recommend going to him for any of your wedding planning needs. The Drake is also such a classic venue that was perfect for our classic/old-Chicago themed wedding.
Reviewed on 01-06-2018
Wedding Date 07-05-2017
Shaun Rajah was my main point of contact for my wedding and he was absolutely incredible! My parents were so impressed by his professionalism, attention to detail, flexibility and accommodating manners, etc. He was such a delight to work with and really was the major force behind our wedding being beyond anything we had imagined. I can't say enough good things about Shaun and his team, and I highly recommend going to him for any of your wedding planning needs. The Drake is also such a classic venue that was perfect for our classic/old-Chicago themed wedding.
Reviewed on 01-06-2018
Lyndal Yaqub (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 31-10-2017
Our wedding at the iconic Drake Hotel was a dream come true! I love the movie, My Best Friend's Wedding with Julia Roberts which features this hotel, so I always wanted to get married here, but never in a million years did I think that this would actually happen (how lucky am I???!!!) We had our wedding reception in the stunning Gold Coast Room. It was spectacular with its grand pillars and lovely detail. I was lucky enough to stay in the same suite that Princess Diana stayed in at this hotel on her trip to Chicago; the Princess Diana Suite is dedicated to Lady Diana's memory and certainly fit for a princess! All brides should stay in this suite. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and support of the staff, most notably, Shaun Rajah. Shaun is the Director of Catering at The Drake. He went above and beyond to bring our vision of a dream wedding to life. Shaun was instrumental in coordinating EVERYTHING from catering, to recommendations on vendors, and providing emotional support for me, a stressed out bride! He is always professional and courteous and has meticulous attention to detail. In my opinion, he really is 'the face' of The Drake. Any bride and groom would be lucky to have him on their team because planning as wedding can be a rather stressful journey. Shaun also has a great sense of style and elegance . He is a good problem solver which was reassuring for us. We had the utmost confidence in Shaun and knew that we could rely on him all the way from Tokyo, Japan (We planned our wedding remotely from Japan!!!) Thank you Shaun for being a wonderful human being and a huge support during and after our wedding. Any bride and groom wanting a glamorous, classic and elegant wedding needs this man on their side! We are eternally grateful to Shaun for helping us bring to fruition the wedding of our dreams!
Reviewed on 25-05-2018
Wedding Date 31-10-2017
Our wedding at the iconic Drake Hotel was a dream come true! I love the movie, My Best Friend's Wedding with Julia Roberts which features this hotel, so I always wanted to get married here, but never in a million years did I think that this would actually happen (how lucky am I???!!!) We had our wedding reception in the stunning Gold Coast Room. It was spectacular with its grand pillars and lovely detail. I was lucky enough to stay in the same suite that Princess Diana stayed in at this hotel on her trip to Chicago; the Princess Diana Suite is dedicated to Lady Diana's memory and certainly fit for a princess! All brides should stay in this suite. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and support of the staff, most notably, Shaun Rajah. Shaun is the Director of Catering at The Drake. He went above and beyond to bring our vision of a dream wedding to life. Shaun was instrumental in coordinating EVERYTHING from catering, to recommendations on vendors, and providing emotional support for me, a stressed out bride! He is always professional and courteous and has meticulous attention to detail. In my opinion, he really is 'the face' of The Drake. Any bride and groom would be lucky to have him on their team because planning as wedding can be a rather stressful journey. Shaun also has a great sense of style and elegance . He is a good problem solver which was reassuring for us. We had the utmost confidence in Shaun and knew that we could rely on him all the way from Tokyo, Japan (We planned our wedding remotely from Japan!!!) Thank you Shaun for being a wonderful human being and a huge support during and after our wedding. Any bride and groom wanting a glamorous, classic and elegant wedding needs this man on their side! We are eternally grateful to Shaun for helping us bring to fruition the wedding of our dreams!
Reviewed on 25-05-2018
Alexis Alvarez (other) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 13-09-2018
I had the pleasure of serving a couple with Shaun at a recent wedding, me as the wedding planner, he as the magician at the Drake. He was wonderful! A partner throughout the entire planning season, hands on on the wedding day itself, fully committed to seeing the dreams of this beautiful couple achieved. I cannot say enough good things about the service, professionalism & genuine care Shaun & the rest of the special events team had for our couple, their families & their guests. Outstanding! Thank you all for everything & I look forward to working together again soon!
Reviewed on 27-04-2018
Wedding Date 13-09-2018
I had the pleasure of serving a couple with Shaun at a recent wedding, me as the wedding planner, he as the magician at the Drake. He was wonderful! A partner throughout the entire planning season, hands on on the wedding day itself, fully committed to seeing the dreams of this beautiful couple achieved. I cannot say enough good things about the service, professionalism & genuine care Shaun & the rest of the special events team had for our couple, their families & their guests. Outstanding! Thank you all for everything & I look forward to working together again soon!
Reviewed on 27-04-2018
knottied65027cee9e17b37 (wedding party) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 28-04-2019
Our daughter and son-in-law were married in November in downtown Chicago at St. James Chapel, just steps away from the historic Drake Hotel. From the first moment we saw the gorgeous reception rooms at The Drake, we knew it would be a very special venue to host the weekend wedding celebration we were planning for over 250 guests who would be coming into Chicago from all over the country. But it was the EXCELLENT SERVICE from the entire staff at The Drake, directed by Shaun Rajah, who made the wedding day and night such a complete success! They attended to every detail and need. From the employees at the front desk, Jose Milan and Andrea Barrera, who took care of the many room reservations for so many out-of-town guests, to Amy Verdon who arranged, and Omer who served, the delicious Bridal Brunch in the Princess Diana Suite, to all of the many wait staff in both the Palm Court Room (Jose Barrera was so helpful in coordinating a lovely engagement tea!), to the Banquet Captains, Francisco Sanchez and Lino Frustado, in the Gold Coast and French Rooms who made certain the cocktails and dinner were exactly as we had planned---everyone we encountered at The Drake hotel was so helpful and professional and hospitable. In the months prior to the wedding, we coordinated the details with Shaun Rajah, The Drake's Associate Director of Catering, and we really cannot compliment Shaun enough on his excellent and professional attention to every detail regarding the wedding day. Shaun, and his assistant Kelly Huddle, were so helpful with suggestions for every aspect of the wedding day, making sure that we had plenty of information and resources to make the wedding (which was actually off site) AND the reception wonderful. Shaun coordinated everything, and was a tremendous help in the months ahead of the wedding, working well with our wedding planner and all our vendors, too, which was very important. He was always checking in with everyone, and was so prompt in his replies when we had questions--which was often! Plus, he is so good-natured and funny; he's really fun to work with. His assistant Kelly, was also extremely helpful and did a great job hosting our enjoyable menu tasting at The Drake. What great memories we have of our experiences at The Drake hotel! Shaun helped us stay well-organized, and he promised that every single detail would be attended to by the whole staff the day of the wedding, so we could just enjoy the day and our guests. Shaun Rajah and staff did not disappoint!! Yes, the hotel was lovely, the food was really delicious, and the reception rooms for both the cocktails and dinner and dancing were beautiful, but it was Shaun and The Drake's staff who coordinated everything and everyone to make it such a perfect, FUN celebration! (We were even a little concerned about holding the celebration the same day as The Michigan Lights Parade, but Shaun reassured us it would be NO problem, and it wasn't. In fact, having the city light up that night to begin the holiday season made everything seem even more festive for the occasion.) He really did think of everything and made so many helpful suggestions. The day was absolutely fantastic! So many of our guests say it was the BEST wedding celebration ever! Thanks to Shaun Rajah and the entire Drake staff! We would highly recommend this iconic Magnificent Mile hotel if you want a wonderfully memorable wedding celebration for both your family and your guests!
Reviewed on 22-03-2018
Wedding Date 28-04-2019
Our daughter and son-in-law were married in November in downtown Chicago at St. James Chapel, just steps away from the historic Drake Hotel. From the first moment we saw the gorgeous reception rooms at The Drake, we knew it would be a very special venue to host the weekend wedding celebration we were planning for over 250 guests who would be coming into Chicago from all over the country. But it was the EXCELLENT SERVICE from the entire staff at The Drake, directed by Shaun Rajah, who made the wedding day and night such a complete success! They attended to every detail and need. From the employees at the front desk, Jose Milan and Andrea Barrera, who took care of the many room reservations for so many out-of-town guests, to Amy Verdon who arranged, and Omer who served, the delicious Bridal Brunch in the Princess Diana Suite, to all of the many wait staff in both the Palm Court Room (Jose Barrera was so helpful in coordinating a lovely engagement tea!), to the Banquet Captains, Francisco Sanchez and Lino Frustado, in the Gold Coast and French Rooms who made certain the cocktails and dinner were exactly as we had planned---everyone we encountered at The Drake hotel was so helpful and professional and hospitable. In the months prior to the wedding, we coordinated the details with Shaun Rajah, The Drake's Associate Director of Catering, and we really cannot compliment Shaun enough on his excellent and professional attention to every detail regarding the wedding day. Shaun, and his assistant Kelly Huddle, were so helpful with suggestions for every aspect of the wedding day, making sure that we had plenty of information and resources to make the wedding (which was actually off site) AND the reception wonderful. Shaun coordinated everything, and was a tremendous help in the months ahead of the wedding, working well with our wedding planner and all our vendors, too, which was very important. He was always checking in with everyone, and was so prompt in his replies when we had questions--which was often! Plus, he is so good-natured and funny; he's really fun to work with. His assistant Kelly, was also extremely helpful and did a great job hosting our enjoyable menu tasting at The Drake. What great memories we have of our experiences at The Drake hotel! Shaun helped us stay well-organized, and he promised that every single detail would be attended to by the whole staff the day of the wedding, so we could just enjoy the day and our guests. Shaun Rajah and staff did not disappoint!! Yes, the hotel was lovely, the food was really delicious, and the reception rooms for both the cocktails and dinner and dancing were beautiful, but it was Shaun and The Drake's staff who coordinated everything and everyone to make it such a perfect, FUN celebration! (We were even a little concerned about holding the celebration the same day as The Michigan Lights Parade, but Shaun reassured us it would be NO problem, and it wasn't. In fact, having the city light up that night to begin the holiday season made everything seem even more festive for the occasion.) He really did think of everything and made so many helpful suggestions. The day was absolutely fantastic! So many of our guests say it was the BEST wedding celebration ever! Thanks to Shaun Rajah and the entire Drake staff! We would highly recommend this iconic Magnificent Mile hotel if you want a wonderfully memorable wedding celebration for both your family and your guests!
Reviewed on 22-03-2018
Randall Spence (groom) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 07-10-2017
Shaun at the Drake is fantastic. The catering staff went beyond their way to make this a special evening. Food was top notch and everyone is still buzzing about our wedding a month ago. Can’t wait to return every year for our anniversary dinner.
Reviewed on 01-11-2017
Wedding Date 07-10-2017
Shaun at the Drake is fantastic. The catering staff went beyond their way to make this a special evening. Food was top notch and everyone is still buzzing about our wedding a month ago. Can’t wait to return every year for our anniversary dinner.
Reviewed on 01-11-2017
Michelle Durpetti (wedding party) 5 out of 5 Rating
I have had the pleasure and privilege of working at this historic hotel multiple times and can say that it is one of the most classic and beautiful spaces in Chicago. It offers multiple options as far as ballrooms and exquisite service. From the kitchen to the service team and everywhere in between the experience is always amazing for my clients. I have worked with Sarah and Antoinette and each of them has positive energy, professionalism and dedication to providing a great experience.
Reviewed on 16-10-2017
I have had the pleasure and privilege of working at this historic hotel multiple times and can say that it is one of the most classic and beautiful spaces in Chicago. It offers multiple options as far as ballrooms and exquisite service. From the kitchen to the service team and everywhere in between the experience is always amazing for my clients. I have worked with Sarah and Antoinette and each of them has positive energy, professionalism and dedication to providing a great experience.
Reviewed on 16-10-2017
Jackie Vitiello (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 30-12-2016
The Drake Hotel in Chicago was the venue for my wedding ceremony and reception. I was BEYOND pleased with EVERY single thing about the experience. I cannot rave about it enough. When searching for venues, I knew I needed a venue large enough for 300 and wanted something that represented Chicago (with great food!). I visited nearly 20 sites but the moment I walked into the Gold Coast Room at the Drake, I absolutely fell in love. The hotel, and the rooms, are absolutely stunning -the views of Lake Michigan, the gold pillars, chandeliers, etc. While I had visited other gorgeous hotels in Chicago, what set The Drake apart from all others are the people who work there. I anticipated meeting a stuffy wedding coordinator, rude staff, etc. I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. Antoinette Cahill, the Director of Social & Corporate Catering for The Drake, was the best thing about choosing the venue. She was incredibly down-to-earth, made planning so easy (she recommended all of my vendors who were amazing, too) and she dealt with my mom and I when we were stressed and mildly difficult to work with. She is an utmost professional. All other staff at the Drake individually showed the same professionalism and positive attitude and made my family and all of our guests, feel so special. Thanks to The Drake, and Antoinette, for making my dream wedding come true.
Reviewed on 25-01-2017
Wedding Date 30-12-2016
The Drake Hotel in Chicago was the venue for my wedding ceremony and reception. I was BEYOND pleased with EVERY single thing about the experience. I cannot rave about it enough. When searching for venues, I knew I needed a venue large enough for 300 and wanted something that represented Chicago (with great food!). I visited nearly 20 sites but the moment I walked into the Gold Coast Room at the Drake, I absolutely fell in love. The hotel, and the rooms, are absolutely stunning -the views of Lake Michigan, the gold pillars, chandeliers, etc. While I had visited other gorgeous hotels in Chicago, what set The Drake apart from all others are the people who work there. I anticipated meeting a stuffy wedding coordinator, rude staff, etc. I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. Antoinette Cahill, the Director of Social & Corporate Catering for The Drake, was the best thing about choosing the venue. She was incredibly down-to-earth, made planning so easy (she recommended all of my vendors who were amazing, too) and she dealt with my mom and I when we were stressed and mildly difficult to work with. She is an utmost professional. All other staff at the Drake individually showed the same professionalism and positive attitude and made my family and all of our guests, feel so special. Thanks to The Drake, and Antoinette, for making my dream wedding come true.
Reviewed on 25-01-2017
Tracy Wertheimer Miller (bride) 4 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 26-09-2015
Reserving a block of rooms here was very easy. Although wasn't thrilled there was a gift bag charge to hand them to our guests.
Reviewed on 13-10-2015
Wedding Date 26-09-2015
Reserving a block of rooms here was very easy. Although wasn't thrilled there was a gift bag charge to hand them to our guests.
Reviewed on 13-10-2015
Katie Hochhausler (bride) 1 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 17-10-2015
Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to get married at The Drake. Well, I recently got engaged and was anxious to visit the property and discuss the details to prepare for my dream wedding reception! We met with John and he was very nice, the hotel is old ( reason we loved is for the history). However, the ceilings in the cocktail reception area were run down and one of the master suites shown smelled like mold. These were a few things we noticed during the visit but still had our hearts set on The Drake just because of it's history. \r\rThe reason for writing this review is I wanted to express my extreme disappointment with the way my consultation was handled by both John (catering director) and Annemarke ( I suppose this was the room rate/ sales group rep). We were willing to spend 40k on a nice reception but they would not offer a reasonable reduced room rate for our guests. It was absurd and double what they advertise online. When trying to negotiate, there is no negotiation with them as they stick their noses up and have a take it or leave it stance and simply don't respond. They would not drop 40 bucks in order to stay in a reasonable group room rate and it's sad that they can't take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I suppose they have no problem filling their event space and made it apparent by forgetting to even try to work with us in order to make our wedding wishes a reality.\r\rThanks Drake!\r\r
Reviewed on 10-10-2014
Wedding Date 17-10-2015
Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to get married at The Drake. Well, I recently got engaged and was anxious to visit the property and discuss the details to prepare for my dream wedding reception! We met with John and he was very nice, the hotel is old ( reason we loved is for the history). However, the ceilings in the cocktail reception area were run down and one of the master suites shown smelled like mold. These were a few things we noticed during the visit but still had our hearts set on The Drake just because of it's history. \r\rThe reason for writing this review is I wanted to express my extreme disappointment with the way my consultation was handled by both John (catering director) and Annemarke ( I suppose this was the room rate/ sales group rep). We were willing to spend 40k on a nice reception but they would not offer a reasonable reduced room rate for our guests. It was absurd and double what they advertise online. When trying to negotiate, there is no negotiation with them as they stick their noses up and have a take it or leave it stance and simply don't respond. They would not drop 40 bucks in order to stay in a reasonable group room rate and it's sad that they can't take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I suppose they have no problem filling their event space and made it apparent by forgetting to even try to work with us in order to make our wedding wishes a reality.\r\rThanks Drake!\r\r
Reviewed on 10-10-2014
a member (bride) 4 out of 5 Rating
We had tea for my bachelorette party, and it was a lot of fun! The Drake Hotel's tea room is so fancy and elegant, and the food is pretty good. And, they keep the tea coming--we never ran out!
Reviewed on 29-10-2013
We had tea for my bachelorette party, and it was a lot of fun! The Drake Hotel's tea room is so fancy and elegant, and the food is pretty good. And, they keep the tea coming--we never ran out!
Reviewed on 29-10-2013
Maria Romano (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 24-05-2013
Beautiful venue. Above all, their service was phenomenal. We're helpful in giving suggestions for wedding vendors as well.
Reviewed on 09-06-2013
59 Reviews, with a Rating of 4.83 out of 5.0Wedding Date 24-05-2013
Beautiful venue. Above all, their service was phenomenal. We're helpful in giving suggestions for wedding vendors as well.
Reviewed on 09-06-2013
Contact Info for The Drake, a Hilton Hotel
| Contact | Value |
|---|---|
| https://www.facebook.com/thedrakehotel | |
| X (Twitter) | drakechicago |
| thedrakehotelboards | |
| thedrakechicago | |
| Website | www.thedrakehotel.com |
| Phone | (312) 932-4528 |
| Address | 140 EAST WALTON PLACE, Chicago, IL, 60611 |
| alexandra.foster@hilton.com |
The Drake, a Hilton Hotel on the map
Meet the The Drake, a Hilton Hotel Team
Ali Foster (Director of Catering) Trusted by corporate and discerning event hosts as the premier event planner in the Chicago area. Her industry connections and eye for exceptional style has made her the sought after social event planner and wedding planner.Her experience managing traditional weddings and well as ethnic, cross-cultural weddings, makes her the first call for brides in Chicago. She has successfully executed lavish, luxurious weddings for discerning and discreet clientele in and around Chicago.
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