Drake Hotel CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
When cruising the Great Lakes, the Drake Hotel is an amazing place to discover when cruising to or from Chicago, Illinois. The Drake Hotel was financed in 1919 by brothers John B Drake and Tracy Corey Drake. The doors of the hotel opened on New Year’s 1920 to 2000 of Chicago’s social elite. It was a hub for Chicago’s most distinguished citizens for fine dining and overnight luxury accommodations. It was the first choice in luxury lodging by Chicago’s high society. |
This full service hotel is located at the top of Magnificent Mile, two blocks north of the John Hancock Center. The hotel is celebrating their 100th year. The hotel has several luxurious suites with views of the lake as well as fantastic dining and bar options. The Palm Court was once visited by Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana for afternoon tea. The Cafe on Oak’s has a counter where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio carved their initials, and they serve their favorite Eggs Benedict as a tribute to the couple.
The hotel is probably most known for its reputation as being a Haunted Hotel. Over the 100 years they’ve been open, they have experience a number of high profile deaths and unexplained phenomena that have given it that reputation. One of the most popular ghost stories goes all the way back to 1920 and is better known as “The Woman in Red”. The story of a lady dressed in blood red and had discovered her fiancé dancing with another woman. She was so distraught she went to the top of the hotel and leaped to her death.
Another notorious account was “The Grieving Parents of Bobby Franks”. He was a 15 year old boy who was kidnapped and murdered by some Chicago students who just wanted to see if they could get away with it. Four years after the death, the father of Bobby passed away of a heart attack in his suite, and the mother also died 9 years later in the hotel.
One of the strangest stories and still remains unsolved, is “The Woman in Black”. Adele Born Williams, a popular socialite and wife of a State Department attache had returned to her suite on the 8th floor suite with her daughter when a lady hiding in the bathroom stepped out and shot both of them. In December 2019, there was a serious fire at the hotel. The fire was located on the second and third floors and spread in to the attic. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Learn more about Great Lakes Tours and Attractions and cruising Chicago, Illinois with Great Lakes Cruises.
The hotel is probably most known for its reputation as being a Haunted Hotel. Over the 100 years they’ve been open, they have experience a number of high profile deaths and unexplained phenomena that have given it that reputation. One of the most popular ghost stories goes all the way back to 1920 and is better known as “The Woman in Red”. The story of a lady dressed in blood red and had discovered her fiancé dancing with another woman. She was so distraught she went to the top of the hotel and leaped to her death.
Another notorious account was “The Grieving Parents of Bobby Franks”. He was a 15 year old boy who was kidnapped and murdered by some Chicago students who just wanted to see if they could get away with it. Four years after the death, the father of Bobby passed away of a heart attack in his suite, and the mother also died 9 years later in the hotel.
One of the strangest stories and still remains unsolved, is “The Woman in Black”. Adele Born Williams, a popular socialite and wife of a State Department attache had returned to her suite on the 8th floor suite with her daughter when a lady hiding in the bathroom stepped out and shot both of them. In December 2019, there was a serious fire at the hotel. The fire was located on the second and third floors and spread in to the attic. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Learn more about Great Lakes Tours and Attractions and cruising Chicago, Illinois with Great Lakes Cruises.
- Advance Reservations Suggested -
- Please check website for availability and to make reservations directly with the hotel -
- Check-in 3:00 pm | Check-out 12:00 Noon -
- Please check website for availability and to make reservations directly with the hotel -
- Check-in 3:00 pm | Check-out 12:00 Noon -
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Learn more about the Drake Hotel by visiting their website.
Address: 140 East Walton Place, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1501, USA.
Phone: +1-312-787-2200
Address: 140 East Walton Place, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1501, USA.
Phone: +1-312-787-2200
Updated 01/04/21- LLS
