The Drake Hotel, Toronto
More photosThe Drake Hotel is a true Toronto institution, located right on Queen Street West. Originally built in 1890 as D.A. Small’s Hotel, the building served various purposes over the decades, including as a rooming house, before being purchased in 2001. Following extensive renovations, it reopened in 2004 as a boutique cultural hub, effectively helping to transform the surrounding neighborhood into the trendy, art-focused district it is today.
The hotel is celebrated for its commitment to the arts, featuring a curated collection of local works that change regularly. It is split into two distinct sections: the “Classic Wing” with its historic charm and the sleek “Modern Wing,” which opened in 2021. The design throughout is intentionally eccentric and bold, characterized by colorful interiors, custom furniture, and a playful, forward-thinking aesthetic that avoids feeling too formal.
Beyond its rooms, The Drake is a local favorite for its social spaces. It features the famous “Sky Yard,” a year-round rooftop patio, and the “Underground,” a basement venue known for hosting live music, DJs, and cultural performances. It’s a place where locals and travelers naturally mix, whether for a meal in the lounge or a late-night show.
Located in the heart of Queen West, you’re never far from Toronto’s highlights. It is a short trip from landmarks like the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum, while nearby Trinity Bellwoods Park offers a perfect green escape. It’s an ideal spot for those who want to experience Toronto’s creative pulse firsthand.
Expert reviews
“Art is everywhere in this flophouse turned boutique hotel. Other hotels have rooms; the Drake has ‘crash pads, dens, salons’ and a rockin’ little suite, beckoning bohemians, artists and musicians with a little spare cash.”
“In the trendy West Queen West area, the Drake Hotel is a longtime favorite for its cultural events, concerts and art-filled interiors. With the addition of a new five-story wing, which opened in 2021, the property now has 51 rooms in addition to a popular lounge, cafe and rooftop terrace.”
“Here’s a home-away-from-home in Toronto’s trendy West Queen West neighborhood. From the tiny Solo room to the extra-large Suite, the Drake Hotel is the perfect place for travelers looking for a more eclectic place to lay their heads.”
“The Drake is a cultural hub and ultra-cool hotel for international hipsters. Once a notorious flophouse, this 19th-century building is now a haven for successful creative types who want a casual but stylish place to crash.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Toronto.
“This arts-oriented, 19-room boutique hotel, originally a derelict apartment block, still maintains the high hip quotient it has enjoyed since it opened. A hit with both local and international creative types, it is a true Toronto cultural hub, covering all the travel basics — art, music, food and shopping.”
What guests liked
- Boutique style
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
22 August 2024
Friendly, fun and fabulous.
I loved the artsy-ness of it all, the bedbug in the room was absolutely adorable; and the bed (from the sheets to pillows) was wonderful. The gardens were beautiful, and the hospitality was above expectations, so kind and friendly!
The fridge was a little poor (not very cold) and there wasn’t coffee within the room.
22 July 2024
Dirty and misleading
Nothing
It was extremely dirty
Like the bathroom door looking like it was never cleaned
The soap dispenser had some yellow stuff on it as I arrived
Extremely disgusted with everything
It's misleading that I thought it was owned by drake
Felt scammed
Dryer bag was black with mold
Bedsheets had green stain
19 May 2024
Great design but very small
The bar was great as we were are large group and it’s quirky design.
The rooms are extremely small and we were forced to upgrade to a larger room and still didn’t fit. I wouldn’t recommend for anyone with significant amounts of luggage or attending a wedding as no where it hang anything to place items.
22 April 2024
Wonderful stay overall
It had such a cool vibe, the beds were so comfortable, the staff was helpful, and we had an amazing breakfast on the rooftop!!
We ran out of shampoo and conditioner.
2 October 2023
Beautiful hotel, amazing staff! Highly recommend
The hotel itself is beautiful but it’s the staff and events that really make this place stand out. From check-in to check out the staff were all amazing. They helped us navigate the city and provided excellent recommendations for local places to visit.
No complaints here, everything was awesome!
31 August 2023
Very small (not great for new couples ~girl u will have no privacy using the bathroom)
Trendy. Good location. Lots of options for snacks and drinks in room. Something different. Cool art around hotel. Clean space.
Very small for price. Very cramped and cluttered feel. Loud fan and people in next room were loud. Front desk girl with the aqua hair was very rude. No parking available. Toilet didn’t flush. No smart tv/ poor quality tv/ no Netflix available. Not helped with bags. Toilet was right beside bed and offered very little/ no privacy if you are staying with another person
29 August 2023
I would not stay there again.
Location good. Staff was nice. Dirty outside. ok security.
They did not service the room. No parking on site. Price was outrageous. No amenities.
21 August 2023
Overpriced for fun art, good location, and tiny space with plumbing problems
The art was beautiful and fun. The bed was comfortable
It was extremely expensive for a very small room. The shower door did not close all the way so a large area of the bathroom got very wet when the shower was in use. The sink was clogged and backed up when you use the faucet. 
19 July 2023
Except for the excellent front desk staff, disappointing.
The front desk reception people were excellent. Extremely personable and helpful.
The staff in the café and downstairs bar worked very hard.
The bedrooms and bathrooms were clean.
The music on the 2nd floor was WAY to loud from morning until late night/ early morning.
There were also issues with our a/c the first night. Thankfully, the front desk clerk was able to transfer us to another room for the 2nd. Unfortunately, it was closer to the lounge.
10 July 2023
Very cozy and fun! Bed was very comfy and hotel was clean. Patio was great
Very different and unique in a good way! Would love to go back again
No fridge in room
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Coffee house on site
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Minimarket on site
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Luggage storage
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Concierge service
- - Invoice provided
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor furniture
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Activities
- - Nightclub/DJ
- - Evening entertainment
- - Temporary art galleries
- - Stand-up comedy
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
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