Quote from Angela on January 31, 2021, 3:31 pm

The Drake Hotel, downtown Chicago, is rumoured to be one of Americas most haunted hotels believed to be haunted by the ghost of The Lady in Red. 

Opening its doors in 1920, this iconic four star Hilton hotel will soon celebrate its 100th year Anniversary! The hotel holds a reputation for throwing deliciously decadent parties with no expense spared. Noteworthy guests include Diana HRH Princess of Wales, Queen Elizabeth of England, Marylin Monroe and Frank Sinatra. The structure is strikingly ornate boasting regal golds and jewel decor, damask wallpaper and sparkling chandeliers.

In 1944 the hotel held an extravagant New Years Eve Ball. A local couple who had recently been engaged decided to attend. Excitedly they prepared for the night ahead, the lady wore a beautiful red dress, seemingly perfect for the festive season.

They danced the night away in the hotels enchanting Gold Coast Ballroom. However, as the party got into full swing and the evening progressed, the lady realised she had lost her fiance amongst the crowd.

Frantically she began searching the hotel for him. Upon checking The Palm Court room, she found him. Her eyes beheld her beloved, in the far corner of the room, his lips passionately kissing another woman. In a state of shock, rage and heartbreak, the lady in red ran up hundreds of stairs to the tenth floor where she jumped to her death!

Hundreds of visitors have reported unexplained paranormal phenomena here, particularly on the tenth floor! Visitors often experience a general feeling of unease along stairwells whilst others claim to witnessing the sound of disembodied distant parties, mysteriously moving mists and frightening shadow figures who peer around corridor corners. 

Another noteable historical fact was an incident in January 1944. Frank and Adele Williams, socialites of the day, were returning to their eighth floor hotel room with their young daughter here at the Drake Hotel when they were confronted by a grey haired woman dressed in a black fur coat holding a gun. The woman had been hiding in their bathroom, and horrifically pointed and fired the pistol at them. The woman even took two gunshots at the young daughter which thankfully missed! Sadly Mrs Williams died later that night due to headshot wounds.  

Are you brave enough to book a room at Chicagos Drake Hilton Hotel? How do you think you would react upon witnessing an apparition? Please comment below.