Small Yet Colorfully Bold: The Drake Hotel in Toronto Canada

Another year older, another birthday travel long weekend getaway. Desiring a destination requiring a passport (but no stamp, boo!), somewhere new-to-me, and the chance to check off a hotel that’s been on my list for ages. Enter: The Drake Hotel in Toronto, Canada.

TBH, flights to Montreal were ridiculous, so Toronto became the fallback — but ended up being the right choice.

Old enough to know better, yet forgetting how brutal an early morning flight can be, we were en route way too early. Fresh off the plane and questioning our life choices, we headed straight to The Drake—well before check-in but thankfully during breakfast hours. If you’ve read some of my previous posts, you already know: morning iced lattes are my love language. And let me tell you, The Drake Café makes a mean iced latte. I had one almost every morning they were that good.

Pro tip: Go early. The later in the morning you arrive, the lower the chances you’ll get one of their magical wild blueberry scones—and trust me, you’ll want one.

Located in the Queen Street West neighborhood in Toronto’s West End, The Drake is surrounded by coffee shops, indie boutiques, and enough food spots to keep your Yelp app busy. It’s a 12-minute drive from Billy Bishop Airport or about 40 minutes via tram/bus. If you’re planning to hit up touristy highlights like the CN Tower or Distillery District, this area’s a bit farther out—but Toronto’s public transportation is chef’s kiss, and the stop is literally outside the hotel’s front door.

What I Loved About The Drake Hotel

We stayed in the Modern Wing, which opened in 2021, and chose a King Room—I’ll book a room with a king bed every chance I can. The room design was clean but playful, with bold pops of color, fun lighting, and art that made the room feel curated without being fussy.

And let’s talk about the bed: dreamy. The mattress hit that elusive sweet spot between firm and soft, and the pillows? Goldilocks level: not sad and flat, but not so overstuffed you need a chiropractor. We slept like logs—and bonus, the Modern Wing is extremely quiet, even though The Drake has a bustling nightlife scene.

The King room sizes range from 165–255 sq. ft. Ours felt spacious—we could have rolled out two yoga mats and still had room to spare.

Accessibility tip: If you need an elevator or prefer newer facilities, the Modern Wing is your best bet. The Classic Wing doesn’t have elevator access and features smaller (but still charming) rooms at a lower price point.

Thoughtful Touches + Amenities (there’s more, but these were my faves):

• Front-of-the-line reservations for on-site dining
• Exclusive Malin+Goetz toiletries (yum)
• Curated art throughout the hotel + rotating exhibits
• A very cool snack/beverage minibar situation (free water!)
• Free WiFi + in-room postcards (yes, with a pen!)
• Custom playlists in public spaces
• A quirky little “pillow doll” tucked into the bed

Despite its buzzy reputation, the Modern Wing was surprisingly quiet—we slept soundly each night with no noise from the street or the Drake Underground. A lot of review sites mention noise, but I think it’s fair to say one wing of the hotel is louder than the other. But perhaps since it was still “winter”, it wasn’t as loud as what others describe.

Colorful Art Pieces at The Drake Hotel

While I didn’t find The Drake by searching for art hotels, it absolutely is one. The vibe is gallery-meets-boutique-hotel, with a permanent and rotating collection of art that spans mediums—from textiles and sculptures to stickers. Even the room art felt intentional and colorful.

There was even an outdoor mural visible from our room window—bonus art view! No masterful Googling found the artist and it wasn’t noted anywhere in our hallway.

More Than Just a Hotel – Music, Bingo and Brunch (Oh My)

We had coffee and breakfast nearly every morning of our stay and I’ll say it’s easier earlier (I stayed in early April so the patio wasn’t open). The later in the breakfast hours you arrive, the liklihood of their wild blueberry scones still being availble dwindles. You must MUST try the scones; wake up early because you will regret not having them.

Like any good millennial, I peeped the hotel’s Instagram before booking and learned that like in any large American metropolitan city, brunch is an event. Drag brunch on Saturdays and All Vinyl brunch on Sundays, reservations strongly encouraged.

And I can’t forget to mention Drake Underground, an event space hosting a wide range of events, from live music shows featuring emerging and international artists to comedy shows, film screenings, and more. 

What I’d Change

Absolutely nothing. But make sure you do your research about the difference between the Modern Wing and the Classic Wing. Need an elevator? Book a room in the Modern Wing. Room size doesn’t matter? The Classic Wing offers smaller room sizes with small rates.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve read my review of Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel in Milwaukee, you know I have a soft spot for hotels that go beyond “just a place to sleep.” The Drake Hotel taps into that same magic—it’s art-forward, vibe-rich, and refreshingly unpretentious. From gallery-worthy art lining the halls to curated playlists, it’s a space that invites you to stay and soak it in, not just crash for the night.

Like Saint Kate, The Drake isn’t trying to be everything to everyone—and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Whether you’re here for a birthday weekend, a quick escape, or just a damn good iced oat milk latte, The Drake delivers on creativity, comfort, and culture in equal measure.