My daughter and I need a hotel room for one night in Nov. for a shopping weekend(Crate & Barrel, etc.). We have it narrowed down to The Drake and Hilton Garden Inn(E. Grand Ave.). We would welcome any pros and cons to help us make up our minds.

Do a search here on The Drake and you'll find quite a few postings. The Drake is Chicago's venerable, grand old hotel. But if you're talking convenience to shopping, I'm sure the HGI will be just as good for you - you'll be at the southern end of the North Michigan Ave (Magnificent Mile Strip)there, where the Drake, at Walton Street, is at the northernmost end. But we're talking maybe a mile walk total - or less - between those two locals, and all of it past excellent shopping opportunities.

The Hilton Garden Inn is a standard, newer hotel, probably a fine choice for many travelers, but I would never pass up an opportunity to stay at a grand, 1920's palace like the Drake. Both are convenient to shopping areas. The HGI is closer to downtown, but the Drake has a magnificient location at the turn of Lake Shore Drive.

Another vote for the Drake-- simply beautiful.
You can still get Hilton Honors points there too, if you're a member.

I spent a week at the Hilton Garden Inn in December 2002 and found it disappointing for the following reasons:
1. Nickel and diming charges, especially for the phones.
2. You could smell the meat barbecue from the ground floor Weber Grill restaurant throughout the hotel. I stayed on a high floor and could smell the cooking in the hallways and from time to time even in my room. If you or any of your friends/family are vegetarians, tell them to strike this hotel from their list!
3. Short sheeting on the beds. I don't know exactly what their linen service is, but it felt like I had queen sized sheets on a king sized bed. Really aggravating.

This year I'm staying at the Sofitel and looking forward to it.