Review: The Drake Hotel

How did it strike you on arrival?
Fitting right into its location in the vibrant Queen Street West neighborhood, this hotel, which opened in 2004, has become a hub of Toronto art, design, and food. You’ll feel the energy the moment you walk into the former apartment building, where original granite floors, exposed brick, and other historical touches live alongside vivid murals, green leather seating, vintage stereos, and pieces from a rotating art collection.

Who else is here?
Creative types, including working artists here for the hotel's residency program, musicians scheduled for its onsite performance venue, and food obsessives flocking to its top-notch restaurants. A rotating calendar of events, screenings, exhibitions, and concerts keep both locals and out-of-towners engaged.

It's been a long travel day. Please tell us we can get up to the room ASAP.
With only 19 rooms, the hotel will never have a super-long check-in line, but the small reception desk can get backed up at times. That said, staffers are friendly, courteous, and helpful.

Got it. What are the room options here?
Room categories range from XS Nooks to XL Suites. All feature high ceilings, hardwood floors, windows that open, custom furniture and millwork, unique artwork, and a cheery, eclectic décor brimming with individual personality; it’s as if you’re staying in the guest room of your most DIY-savvy, HGTV-obsessed friend. There are all the necessary trappings of a hotel stay, too: flat-screen TVs, Bose docking stations, Sealy beds, and showers stocked with Malin + Goetz toiletries. You'll find a handmade doll on the bed—a cute, quirky touch.

Any other fun amenities in those rooms?
There's nightly turndown, room service, and a mini-bar stocked with local products.

We know the food options are going to deliver here, but can you tell us more about them?
The Drake owns a cluster of restaurants and bars around Toronto, and the hotel does the brand's gastronomic mission proud with three excellent options: a lounge, a café, and a rooftop terrace. You can eat around-the-clock here: a chia bowl and fresh juice for breakfast, a lobster roll or seasonal pasta for lunch, and a house burger for dinner—it's a favorite among locals.

This is vacation, so it might not be a priority, but can we hit the gym? And are there other activities of note?
There's always something happening here, from DJs on the rooftop to live bands at Drake Underground, the hotel's lounge and performance space. There's no spa or gym, but guests use a nearby gym for free, and take classes at a neighborhood spin studio.

Bottom line: what, and who, is it good for?
One of the city's most creative and vibrant hotels is the perfect place to summon your inner artist.