The Drake Hotel by Katie Hastings

Introduction

I decided to visit the Drake Hotel and research it’s services and history this past weekend. I was able to talk to their Sr. Event Manager, Ms. Kate Strause, and find about one of the services the hotel has to offer more in depth. This was incredibly interesting to me because I want to go into the hotel business myself and more specifically into event management.

Who, What, Where, Why

The Drake Hotel is one of the most well-known hotels in the United States. It is a historical and infamous hotel in the heart of Chicago. The Drake is owned by Hilton and is located at 140 East Walton Place right off of Michigan Avenue on one side and Lake Shore Drive on the other. Many of the rooms offer fantastic views of Lake Michigan and Michigan Avenue. Historically, the Drake has been a hotspot for politicians and celebrities alike. It boasts guests such as Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe. The Drake Hotel offers the full luxury experience.

The hotel boasts some 537 rooms and 47 suites. There are several restaurants within the hotel and high tea is served daily. Apart from staying at the hotel, customers can also hold events at the Drake. From corporate meetings to weddings, the Drake offers it all.

Employment Opportunities

The Drake offers many employment opportunities, however you must go through the Hilton to get there. The Drake also offers many internships throughout the year for college students. I asked Sr. Event Manager, Kate Strause, how one would get an internship at the Drake and what the internship would consist of. She told me that it is best just to email your resume over to the Drake. She also said they offer internships in all areas of the hotel from catering to floor management. It is a tough business to get into, and the best advice she said she could give me was to start networking now.

Current Trends

Due to the recession, many people are choosing to pass on vacations and the more expensive hotels. They still have their loyal customers, but the clientele tend to be those who can easily afford such luxury. Kate Strause also told me that most businesses have been putting off corporate meetings but most of them are starting to realize that they cannot go without these meetings. She predicts that within the next few years, things will be back to normal and business will be booming once again.

Definition of Leisure- The Drake Way

The Drake boasts the best of the best in hospitality and service. Their idea of leisure is getting waited on hand and foot and enjoying the best food, shopping and service there is to offer. The Drake was built to make people's stay unforgettable. The Drake gives an extra special touch to Chicago. It is prominent on the Gold Coast Chicago skyline and it is the reason many people have such a good feeling when it comes to Chicago. Personally, I would love to stay there if I could afford it!
Synopsis

The Drake is a four star luxury hotel that offers many services. I had a great time touring the hotel and looking at all of the over-the-top decorations. Everything is extreme there and it is definitely old-school in the way that it was decorated and how it is run. They are all about the best service at the Drake. I also enjoyed talking to their Sr. Event Manager and learning about working at the Drake. Everyone was very friendly there and had a great attitude about their job. I got a lot of advice about the tourism industry and specifically event management. This experience made me want to apply for an internship at the Drake right away. It looks like a tough job but also a fun place to work and I know it would be a great experience.


Sources:

http://www.thedrakehotel.com/

and

Kate Strause, Sr. Event Manager at The Drake Hotel