The Drake Hotel

OUR ARTICLE

Cyties men are movers and shakers. We reinvent our style and have our hands in the music and arts scene. We know what makes a good cocktail and a strong coffee, love to host in a cool scene, and connect with people and business contacts on every single level. The Drake Hotel in Toronto is a lot like a Cyties man. It’s a mover and shaker in this vibrant Canadian city, and that’s why we love it.

This small boutique hotel in West Queen West opened in 2004 and is filled with life morning, day, and night. Like a Cyties man, The Drake has its hand in the art scene of The Six, especially in the public spaces. Art that pops, engages, says something, makes you think – it’s what The Drake is known for and it changes every few months, so you can expect a different visual experience with each stay. Head downstairs to the Underground to see just how music-savvy The Drake is. This spot has live music and events every week in an intimate space, inviting Toronto musicians and beyond to play and jam with locals and guests.

The hotel embodies the art, music, and travel scene of Toronto.

The rooms are as colorful as the public spaces, featuring cozy mattresses and quirky décor. The Drake doesn’t sacrifice comfort, as you’ll find safes, comfy mattresses, flat-screen TVs, Bose docking stations, free Wi-Fi, a free Tech library, and bathroom with glass showers. The best part of the rooms is that they’re a short walk to the hotel’s café, bar, and Sky Yard.

Grab breakfast, brunch, or coffee in the bright café in the morning, and then lunch or dinner in the retro-inspired restaurant. The food menu is made from scratch with local ingredients and makes for a great first stop before you make your way to the top floor, the Sky Yard Rooftop Patio, for a cocktail. As the seasons change, so too does the design of the Sky Yard Rooftop Patio, but what doesn’t change is the vibe. It’s young, it’s fun, it’s upbeat with classic and creative cocktails, spaces to sit, and a constant stream of people – tourists and locals alike – that know how to show a Cyties traveler just what Toronto is all about.

Across the street is The Drake Hotel’s General Store. Here you’ll find a cool collection of art, house items, and gear creatively designed by the hotel’s team. This isn’t your typical gift shop selection, but incorporates Toronto elements, in-fashion designs, and a bad ass selection of things to add to your travel wardrobe.

There’s a reason why The Drake has a reputation that goes beyond the artsy neighborhood of West Queen West. The hotel embodies the art, music, and travel scene of Toronto. The Drake Hotel has reinvented the idea of what makes a hotel great; it’s more than just a place to crash, it’s a place to experience.