Chicago, The Drake Hotel

This is going back a couple of years now so my memory is sketchy and things might have changed of course but you can't really fault The Drake. It's reputation and history, dating back to the prohibition era, when the colour of it's charm and character would have been at its brightest, just makes the whole stay an awesome experience.

For a high-class 4/5 star, The Drake has all the usual amenities, a couple of great bars, good restaurants, in-house shopping mall, great staff, and the sense, when you walk in off Michigan Ave, that you are entering something special.

It's now completely dwarfed of course by much larger landmarks but it's position means it still manages to overlook the lake, on the inlet corner where they've imported that sand to create the 'beach' and very authentic it is too. So even though you're in Chicago, you are a 5 minute stroll from the beach. Cool.

Not only that but night time eateries and bars are a couple of blocks away, west on Rush and adjoining streets and I'd put this part of Chicago as one of the safest places to wander around. We failed to find anywhere for food or beverages that we wouldn't have happily returned to had time allowed.

On Michigan Ave of course, you have more shopping than you could shake a stick at, you are within a couple of blocks of Hancock tower, then a short stroll further takes you down to the Tribune offices. From there, you are not far from the aquarium and the lakeside park attractions.

So I guess I'm saying it's fantastically located.

Added on to that, the luxurious decor, great service and enchanting history, this is one of those special trips you'll never forget. Just as well because the prices mean you probably can't do it every time, though actually it could be worse.

Go in May for good weather, which in Chicago is allegedly at something of a premium.