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If you’ve ever strolled down Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and caught a glimpse of gilded grandeur rising skyward, there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled upon the elegant, mysterious, and staunchly iconic Drake Hotel. Standing as a proud emblem of Chicago’s rich past, this luxury retreat isn’t just known for opulent architecture and crystal chandeliers. No, the Drake Hotel is also draped in a veil of mystery, drawing both history buffs and ghost hunters alike. From presidential guests to spectral sightings, the walls of the Drake have stories to tell—some whispered in marble corridors, some still echoing through the glamorous Gold Coast hallways. Pack your EMF detectors and curiosity as we delve into the decadent yet ghostly legacy of one of Illinois’ most iconic hotels.
The History
A Grande Dame is Born
The Drake Hotel first opened its opulent doors on New Year’s Eve in 1920. Developed by brothers John and Tracy Drake, the hotel was envisioned as a symbol of ultimate luxury in a rapidly growing city. Located between Lake Michigan and the posh Gold Coast district, the hotel was strategically set where elegance met the energy of urban Chicago.
Designed by famed architectural firm Marshall and Fox, who also created Chicago’s Blackstone Hotel, the Drake featured Italian Renaissance architecture, grand ballrooms, and panoramic lake views. Just stepping inside felt like arriving at another level of society—one filled with flapper dresses, jazz music, and black-tie formality. The opening night alone was attended by over 2,000 guests, showing just how anticipated and admired the hotel already was.
An Icon of Society
Throughout the early and mid-20th century, the Drake Hotel established itself as the place for high society to stay, dine, and socialize. The hotel hosted royalty, Hollywood stars, and political elites. Guests included Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra. Its famed Palm Court became a hotbed for afternoon tea and social gossip, especially among the city’s elite women.
The Cape Cod Room, opened in 1933, became a regular haunt for celebrities and dignitaries looking for quiet luxury and impeccable seafood dining. Meanwhile, the hotel’s elegant ballrooms continued to host prestigious galas, political dinners, and even WW2 strategy meetings.
Modern-Day Preservation
The 1980s brought major renovations, modernizing amenities while retaining that quintessential early 20th-century charm. Today, the Drake Hotel operates under the Hilton umbrella, continuing its legacy as one of Chicago’s grandest establishments with vintage charm and modern luxury intertwined.
The Haunt
As magnificent as the public history of the hotel is, the private and unspoken stories are what draws the attention of paranormal investigators. Few locales combine such rich history and ghostly lore quite like the Drake Hotel. Here are some of the most chilling tales and documented experiences that send shivers down seasoned ghost hunters’ spines.
The Lady in Red
Perhaps the most iconic ghost story tied to the Drake is that of the Lady in Red. Legend has it that during the hotel’s grand opening gala on December 31, 1920, a woman dressed in a stunning red silk gown discovered her fiancé with another woman. Distraught and humiliated, she allegedly threw herself from the 10th-floor window to her death. Over the decades, guests and staff have reported seeing a beautiful woman in a red evening dress wandering the hallways, especially near the 10th floor and the Palm Court.
Some say she gazes out the windows, while others have witnessed her silently drifting through doors that never open. Paranormal investigators have noted cold spots and unexplained EMF spikes in these areas, while some report capturing phantom voices lamenting betrayal. Her identity remains a mystery, but her presence is almost legendary within Chicago’s haunted circles.
The Ghostly Elevator
One of the more curious experiences many guests report is the strange behavior of certain elevators. Multiple patrons claim the elevators will stop at random floors with no one on them. Sometimes after hours, the elevator lobby will chime as if someone pressed the button—but no one is there. In one notable account, a night-shift employee recalled the elevator doors opening and closing repeatedly around 3:00 AM for nearly 20 minutes, despite no malfunction being found afterward. Paranormal experts suspect residual energy or even mischievous spirits joy-riding through the building’s vertical veins.
The Woman in Black and Room Anomalies
Some guests have reported seeing a figure clad in black lace who appears abruptly within rooms or in mirrors. Known colloquially as the Woman in Black, she sometimes manifests with a feeling of intense sorrow—often reported in rooms on the 8th and 9th floors. Guests have awakened to the feeling of being watched, and others claim their electronic devices glitch out or batteries drain rapidly in certain areas, classic signs of paranormal presence.
Room 936 in particular has garnered a reputation over the years, with reports of flickering lights, whispers coming from air vents, and an unexplained coldness even in the peak of summer. Hotel staff, while discrete and professional, have acknowledged the hotel’s storied reputation with a knowing smile.
Conclusion: The Spirits Await
Whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool paranormal investigator or a curious traveler with a taste for mystery, the Drake Hotel in Chicago offers the perfect blend of luxury and legend. Its towering walls hold nearly a century’s worth of societal elegance—plus a few haunting secrets that seem unwilling to fade into history.
Consider staying a night on the 10th floor if you’re brave enough or visit the Palm Court for an elegant tea, perhaps catching a glimpse of the Lady in Red from the corner of your eye. There’s no telling what you’ll find, or what—or who—might find you. Bring your cameras, your EVP recorders, and an open mind. The Drake Hotel is more than just five-star hospitality—it’s an adventure into the past, and possibly, the beyond.
Are you ready to check in… and maybe never truly check out?
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