My Train Trip - Puttin' on the Ritz at The Drake!

[Roadtrp]

I had booked a room at The Drake hotel via the Internet for our one night stay. The Drake is one of the best (if not THE best) hotels in Chicago, and I received a ridiculously low rate of $139.

In fact as our trip grew near, I started to worry that it was maybe TOO good a rate. Rooms at the Drake usually start at about $250. I had visions of being put in some spare room the size of a janitor's closet overlooking an alley. So the day before we left I called the Drake. I told them I had made a prepaid reservation via Orbitz on the net about six weeks earlier, and just was calling to confirm that they had my reservation. After being told they did, I inquired about the room. They said it was their standard size room with a King bed. There wouldn't be a separate sitting area or anything, but it was their usual room.

That sounded good to me, and I followed up by asking about the view. I said I knew with the low rate I was paying I certainly couldn't expect a lake view, but since it was my 25th wedding anniversary I wanted to make sure we weren't looking out at an alley. The reservation clerk said he could certainly understand that, and said he would make a note to give us a nice view.

So now we are checking in at The Drake, and the woman at the counter says "Happy Anniversary, and by the way, we've given you an upgrade to one of our suites." I very nicely thanked her, and we went up to our room.

When we got to the room and the plaque next to the door announced "Executive Suite", I knew we were in for something special. We opened the door and went in. OH MY GOD!! I have never seen a hotel room like that in my life.

It had to be at least 800 square feet, and the furnishings were absolutely elegant. There was a walk-in closet and dressing area, a living area with a sofa, two upholstered chairs and a TV. There was also a dining area with a full size dining table and four chairs, a very nice desk and in the bedroom area a king bed and an armoire holding another TV. The bathroom was tiled in marble, and had separate tub and shower enclosures. Oh... one last little note. The suite was a corner suite, with gorgeous tall windows and an outstanding view of Lake Michigan.

Sitting on the dining table was an ice bucket holding a bottle of champagne, a chocolate moose cake, and a card from the general manager of The Drake.

Needless to say, our evening in Chicago was starting our very nicely indeed.

And to The Drake hotel... I LOVE you guys. I will never stay anywhere else when I am in Chicago!! [:)][:)]

[Anonymous]

W O W [:)]

Sounds just way tooooo super kool. [;)]

I am so glad you two had such a good time. [:)]

One of my life's goals is to be in Chicago for a 4th of July fireworks celebration with a hotel room overlooking the lake where they do the fireworks.

Your trip just makes me want to book it now. I wish I could. [8D]

[Anonymous]

You could have told the manager you are a modeler and receive their complimentary one day
Metra pass.

Did you get to see the HO layout at the MSI?

[Big_Boy_4005]

Jerry, again this sounds very nice indeed, but your story is starting to jog my memory. Is the Drake right on Michigan Avenue just north of the river??? Because if it is the hotel I'm thinking of, I may have had a similar experience there over 30 years ago when I was a child. I want to say the year was 1970, making me 9.

My parents and I had driven to Chicago, my recollection is that we arrived late in the evening. We went up to the room, and my mother seemed very upset. The room was small and had a view of a back alley. My father is not one to complain, and tried to calm her down, but no luck.

My mother not being bashful, went down to the front desk, leaving me and dad up in the room. When she returned, she said we were moving. A few minutes later we found ourselves in a huge room near the top of the hotel, very similar to the one you described.

I have been to Chicago so many times over the years that the rest of the details of that trip are a bit of a blurr. I'm sure that we went to the Museum of Science and Industry, but I don't think it was my first time there. I was very much in love with trains, and one afternoon mom wanted to go shopping, so dad and I went shopping too, but in a totally different direction.

We ended up going to a couple of hobby stores, and it was at one of them that I discovered Gargraves track. For those who don't know, Gargraves is the original 3 rail O flex track. I had never seen this stuff before, and we bought 6 pieces, along with a new Lionel box car.

I remember getting back to the hotel room and setting up this 18' straight track, and pushing that box car back and forth, and daydreaming on the bright green carpet.

For me that was better than champaign![swg]

[FThunder11]

Thats Awsome! If I ever goto Chicago I'll make sure to stay there!

[pmsteamman]

Nice job, not only for the upgrade but also for the 25th anniversary. Hope you and your wife have another 25 happy years together.

[Roadtrp]

Elliot,

I think it is likely the hotel you remember. The Drake is at the corner of Michigan Avenue and E. Walton, about 10 blocks or so north of the Chicago River. It is a hotel in the "grand old style" of elegance that you just don't see much anymore.

[randybc2003]

Absolutely Delighted in your successful trip to Chicago via Empire Builder, and stay at The Drake.

I have been to Chicago once, At the age of 7; Changing trains from CRI&P to Grand Trunk Western. On that trip I dined in the Diner and slept in the Sleeper. Didn't get out of the station, but it ws the first time I had ever seen an escelator. Mother tried to coral me while she made some telephone calls, but I ran away to the "moving stair". This frightened her, and dad caught up with me. We rode the stair up and down several times!

Grand Hotels will always leave a wonderful impression. I have always heard great things about the Drake. I had a similar experience at Chateau Lake Louise in British Columbia. (Canadian Pacific Hotels) Now that you and your bride's appeties have been whetted, don't forget to indulge every now and then!

Happy Anaversery! And Many More! [:)]

Randy